In a significant revelation about the portrayal of Batman, Mattson Tomlin, a writer involved with the film series, has confirmed that Robert Pattinson’s version of Bruce Wayne is on the autism spectrum. This creative decision by director Matt Reeves and his team intentionally adds a layer of neurodiversity to the Dark Knight’s character. The announcement comes ahead of the eagerly awaited sequel, shining a new light on the psychological depth of the Caped Crusader.
Tomlin’s statement, made in response to a social media user’s query, emphasizes that the depiction of Bruce Wayne’s traits was not coincidental but a deliberate narrative choice. This perspective introduces a fresh dimension to the vigilante, aligning with broader efforts in Hollywood to expand representation beyond traditional boundaries and incorporate complex, realistic characteristics.
Intent and Challenges Behind Writing The Batman
Mattson Tomlin’s involvement in the original film was somewhat late in the process, yet he contributed significantly to the script, particularly the story’s mystery and emotional arcs. Reflecting on his experience, Tomlin shared with The Hollywood Reporter the difficulties he faced during production, including uncertainty about receiving final credit. Despite these setbacks, his contributions shaped key moments and the emotional tone of the film.
“Yeah, I’ll be honest about it. It was a painful thing to have happen. I put a lot of time and a lot of heart in. I had a really, really great time working with Matt on that first movie. And when I got brought in, it was kind of said, ‘Look, we’re so late in this process that you’re probably not going to get credit.’ So nobody did anything to me. I wasn’t screwed over,”
he recounted to The Hollywood Reporter in 2024. —Mattson Tomlin, Screenwriter
“We ended up doing so much, not just on the third act, but then heightening things in the mystery, and the first two acts – that then there was kind of a moment of, ‘Oh, wait, maybe there’s a chance [I’ll get credit].’ But that’s all that it was. And then my name got out there in public, which is always kind of a bad idea. So, then I’m associated with this thing,”
Tomlin added. —Mattson Tomlin, Screenwriter
“So I found out the day that the Fandome trailer came out [in August 2020]. On the one hand, it was like, ‘Wow, there it is!’ And on the other hand, it’s like, ‘…and I don’t have anything to do with this anymore.’ And that was a little bit of a heartbreak, and there was a level of, dare I say, having to grow up and having to go, ‘You know what? They paid me. I’m a professional, so be a professional and try not to take that too hard,”
he said. —Mattson Tomlin, Screenwriter
The Creative Vision Behind Batman’s Unique Personality
While Writer’s Guild regulations resulted in Matt Reeves and Peter Craig receiving official credit for the screenplay, Tomlin’s involvement continues with the sequel, where his vision further molds the character’s identity. The depiction of Batman as emotionally distant, socially aloof, and cold aligns with traits often associated with autism spectrum conditions. This characterization aims to present a more humanized and complex hero rather than the stereotypical brooding vigilante.
Tomlin sees Batman’s portrayal as a deeply personal and meaningful creative achievement. Acknowledging the anxiety and “impostor syndrome” many creators face, he expressed how his work on the film gave him an opportunity to contribute something significant to an iconic character.
“There was such a tremendous emotional catharsis for me, because Batman means a ton to me. And I think that when you’re a writer, a director, a creator, you’re trying to do things that matter to you, but also that matter to audiences. And all the scary thoughts came. The [impostor] syndrome came, and the thoughts of, ‘Oh, am I going to be the footnote in a Wikipedia article of, ‘Oh yeah, he had something to do with that one, and that was his career?”
—Mattson Tomlin, Screenwriter
“All that dark, scary stuff happened. And it’s still there, by the way, but it was kind of this moment of, ‘OK – it’s not even a redemption arc. It’s more like, now I get to prove myself. Now I get the big boy job.’ And so, all of that is to say, I am forever, forever in debt to Matt Reeves. He’s changed my life three times over now,”
—Mattson Tomlin, Screenwriter
Future of The Batman Franchise and Script Developments
Fans eager for updates on The Batman 2 have learned that Tomlin played a more substantial role in crafting the new film’s script, which was recently completed after three years of development. Director Matt Reeves teased the project’s progress by sharing a cryptic image of the script’s cover on social media, tagging Tomlin and signaling strong collaboration.
Despite widespread speculation about upcoming characters and storylines, many details remain confidential. Rumors suggesting that iconic figures such as Robin might appear in the sequel were firmly denied by filmmaker James Gunn, who cautioned followers against believing unverified information.
“Guys please stop believing this nonsense. I think six of us have read the script. No one knows anything about the Batman 2,”
he stated on the social platform Threads. —James Gunn, Filmmaker
The sequel is slated to begin production in spring 2026, targeting an October 2027 theatrical release. This careful planning underscores the franchise’s commitment to delivering an emotionally resonant and thoughtfully constructed continuation of the Dark Knight’s story.
