James Gunn and Peter Safran have confirmed The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new Batman into the DCU, ruling out actor Robert Pattinson in the process.
Speaking during a DC Studios presentation attended by IGN, co-chiefs Safran and Gunn said Pattinson will play Batman in director Matt Reeves’ Batman universe, dubbed The Batman Epic Crime Saga, only.
“It’s certainly not the plan,” Gunn said of the possibility of Pattinson crossing over into the DCU. “It’s certainly not the plan. No.”
“And we love him, but we’ve got to introduce a Batman into the DCU,” Safran added. “That’s imperative. And so that’s the plan with The Brave and the Bold.”
Speculation about Pattinson possibly playing Batman across the entire DCU was sparked earlier this year when Reeves himself left the door open to the possibility.
“It really comes down to whether or not it makes sense,” Reeves told reporter Josh Horowitz at the Golden Globes. “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 2 shooting and to make it something really, really special which, of course, is the most important thing.”
To that end, Safran said both he and Gunn “love” Reeves’ vision for The Batman Part 2, “and we’re looking forward to this film as much as you are.” Safran said Reeves has yet to turn in a script, “but what we’ve read so far is very encouraging.”
The Brave and the Bold, meanwhile, is in “very active development,” and the story is “coming together very nicely.” But is The Flash director Andy Muschietti still directing? Gunn and Safran are developing the script, and will show it to Muschietti “when we have it in a place where we think it’s ready to go… and see if it’s a fit for him,” Safran said. “I’m very, very actively involved in that script,” Gunn said. Safran teased more on The Brave and the Bold will be announced “very soon.”
Last year, The Batman Part 2 was delayed once again, this time by a year to October 1, 2027. If this date stands, it will end up being five years between the world first seeing Robert Pattinson become the Dark Knight and in its sequel.
What does this new release date for The Batman Part 2 mean for a potential release window for The Brave and the Bold? “Well, I think we’ve announced October, 2027 there will be a Batman movie,” is all Safran would say. “That is all we can tell you right now.”
While fans now have to wait for The Brave and the Bold to see Gunn’s Batman, Episode 6 of DCU canon kickstarter Creature Commandos showed Batman standing on a rooftop looking down at crime boss Doctor Phosphorus. The image revealed a mega-stacked Caped Crusader in his iconic costume, but there was little else that could be discerned about Gunn’s take on the superhero.
Based on comments Gunn issued to Rotten Tomatoes TV following the release of Episode 6, it’s easy to see why this brief look at Batman was so generic. Gunn said he asked for “more silhouette” after the original Batman on show was more detailed than he was ready to commit to at the time.
What this look at Batman did provide fans with, Gunn explained, was a clear indication that Batman not only already exists within the DCU during the events we’re seeing in Creature Commandos and this year’s Superman movie, but that he is well-known within the universe, and that’s why there’s no need to tell his well-documented origin story.
Gunn then made an interesting comment that suggested the DCU Batman will team up with Superman at some point.
“This is the DCU Batman,” he said of the Creature Commandos cameo. “Listen I gotta tell you, I just love Batman. I love him. I’ve loved him since I was a little kid. He’s one of my favorite characters. I’ve gone on the record in the past when I was at Marvel saying my favorite character is Batman. I love him and we’re going to do great things with him. He’s the most popular superhero in the world and I can’t wait for people to see more of him, along with Superman, and together.”
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
