Matt Reeves Hasn’t Closed the Door on His Batman Joining James Gunn’s DC Universe

When James Gunn and Peter Safran were given the keys to DC Studios, things seemed so clear. Matt Reeves was making his Batman movies, and those would live *over there*—and Gunn and Safran would shepherd a new DC Universe Batman, and he’d live with them *over here.* At least, that was the plan in 2023. Since then, Reeves’ Batman sequel has been pushed back twice, Gunn and Safran have gone on to shoot and cast multiple projects, and now there’s a question—especially among fans—of whether or not having two separate Batman movies makes any sense.

To date, Gunn has vehemently stood behind Reeves, going so far as to defend the delay of 2027’s The Batman Part II and introduce Batman into his DC Universe, via the animated Creature Commandoes. But speaking at the Golden Globes this week, Reeves himself seemed to admit his Batman, played by Robert Pattinson, could potentially become the Batman of the DC Universe.

“It really comes down to whether or not it makes sense,” Reeves told reporter Josh Horowitz. “What’s been great is there was a story that I wanted to tell with what we’re calling ‘The Epic Crime Saga’ and all that, which is the thrust of what we want to do. And it’s been important to me to be able to play that out. And James and Peter have been really, really great about that and they’re letting us do that. What the future brings? I can’t really tell you. I have no idea right now except that my head is down now about getting The Batman Part II shooting and to make it something really, really special which, of course, is the most important thing.”

Whether or not it makes sense probably comes down to two things: timing and story. Timing in that Reeves will be shooting The Batman Part II later this year for an October 2027 release. By that time, several films and shows in the DC Universe will have been released and Gunn and Safran will have to decide if they should just make their Batman story (The Brave and the Bold, potentially directed by Andy Muschietti) or integrate Reeves’.

But also, Reeves is clear here he’s being allowed to do what he wants. And what he wants, the Batman story he’s telling, may not fit with Gunn and Safran’s canon or tone. That’s a consideration too. So, as Reeves implies here, it’s possible, but they’ll wait and see.

Speaking of waiting, Reeves also admitted the delays to his film haven’t been ideal. “There’s a lot of stuff going on and it’s taken longer than I would’ve wanted,” he said. “But also I’m super excited about what we’re doing so I really can’t wait to share that with everybody.”

He also said he hopes the main villain will be a surprise and that the film isn’t going to be exactly what most people expect. “The story is a continuation in a certain way and completely different in another,” Reeves said. “[It] is going to show different sides of Rob. I think it’s going to be very exciting.”

Watch the full interview with Reeves below.

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