As excitement builds for the upcoming release of The Batman 2, writer-director Matt Reeves has confirmed that this sequel, like its predecessor, exists as an Elseworlds story, separate from the main DC Universe (DCU) continuity. This distinction was made clear during Reeves’ recent discussion with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where he addressed the relationship between his films and the broader DCU.
Despite ongoing fan hopes that Robert Pattinson’s Batman might cross paths with characters in James Gunn’s newly launched DCU, Reeves explained that his Batman films stand apart. He reflected on Gunn’s praise for his filmmaking and the possibility of future collaboration, saying,
“First of all, I’m very flattered. That’s very kind of James to say, and it would be really exciting to work with them, of course. And we are working with them on this. I mean, it’s DC, it’s like Elseworlds, but it is DC, so it’s theirs as well. But what the future brings and what I am doing will be clear when it comes.”
—Matt Reeves, Writer/Director
Current Focus on Concluding His Batman Story
While Reeves has not entered into concrete talks with Gunn about helming a project within the main DCU, he did acknowledge informal discussions regarding how such a collaboration might function. He shared,
“We haven’t talked about anything like that. We have had conversations about how things would work, and all that kind of stuff, just in general, and so of course, it would be a lot of fun.”
—Matt Reeves, Writer/Director
Reeves emphasized his commitment to fully developing the story arc he began with the first Batman film. He expressed a strong desire to bring the narrative to the satisfying conclusion he originally envisioned, stating,
“What I really want to do is I want to play out these stories that we began and make that sort of arrive at the conclusion that I hoped we would arrive at at the beginning, but it’s very exciting.”
—Matt Reeves, Writer/Director
Release Timeline and Anticipation for The Batman 2
Following several production delays, The Batman 2 now has a confirmed release date set for October 1, 2027. Fans of Robert Pattinson’s portrayal and Reeves’ distinct vision can look forward to a continuation that exists alongside—but distinctly apart from—the ongoing evolution of the DCU under James Gunn’s leadership.
This approach allows Reeves to explore his unique interpretation of Batman’s world without the constraints of the shared cinematic universe, preserving creative freedom while still respecting the DC brand. How this Elseworlds storyline might influence or coexist with the broader DC franchise remains to be seen, but for now, Reeves remains focused on concluding the arc he started.
