Robert Pattinson Isn’t James Gunn’s Batman

Looks like James Gunn thought people were getting a little too brave and bold with their The Brave and the Bold theories. Speculation and/or manifestation that The Batman star Robert Pattinson would also play Batman in the wider DC Universe only increased after The Batman director Matt Reeves gave a noncommittal answer about the possibility in a January interview at the Golden Globes. But, per Collider, Gunn clarified at a recent press event that it’s “certainly not the plan” for Pattinson to be the new Dark Knight. “We love him, but we’ve got to introduce a Batman into the DCU,” co-CEO Peter Safran added. “It’s imperative. That’s the plan for The Brave and the Bold.”

The Brave and The Bold, which is set to follow Batman and his son Damien Wayne, is “in very active development” at DC, Safran said. Gunn noted that he’s working “very closely” with the yet-to-be-revealed writer of the film, but also hinted that audiences might meet the new Batman in a different DCU project first. “I wouldn’t rule anything out,” he said, per Variety. “He could show up in something else. But the actor doesn’t exist [yet].”

And honestly, maybe Pattinson would prefer it that way? We know how much of a toll being RBatz takes on him. Plus, he’s still got The Batman Part II to look forward to. Warner Bros. has pushed its release date several times (most recently to October 1, 2027), but DC wants us to know that progress is still being made. “[Reeves] is yet to turn in a full script, but what we have read so far is incredibly encouraging,” Safran said, per The Hollywood Reporter. The status of The Batman spin-off show starring Colin Farrell is a bit more murky in comparison. When asked if The Penguin will get a second season, Safran replied, “We don’t know. There are a lot of moving pieces, probably most importantly Colin himself. And 800 pounds of makeup.”