Since Ben Affleck stepped away from portraying Batman, Robert Pattinson introduced a fresh take on the character, known as Battinson, in Matt Reeves‘ 2022 film The Batman. This version existed outside the established DC Extended Universe (DCEU), functioning independently from the broader continuity. With James Gunn’s leadership ushering in a DC Studios reboot, the question arose: should Pattinson’s Batman be integrated into the new DC Universe (DCU)? Despite his singular appearance and disconnected storyline, many believed it would simplify matters to retain him as the official Batman moving forward. Unfortunately, it was confirmed in mid-2025 that this would not happen, as creative decisions placed Battinson firmly in the separate “Reevesverse,” with the DCU developing its own Batman.
Why Pattinson’s Batman Resonates Strongly with Fans
The announcement that Robert Pattinson would don the cape and cowl sparked intense online debate, much like previous recastings of Batman. Early skepticism, often tied to his past roles in franchises like Twilight, fueled jokes and criticism. One notable online jibe asked,
“Is he also gonna sparkle in this movie?”
but Pattinson’s portrayal swiftly won over critics and audiences alike.
The Batman earned an 85% critical approval rating and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many specifically praising Pattinson’s embodiment of Bruce Wayne. This success firmly established him as a credible and compelling Batman, despite lingering factional debates—particularly from Restore the Snyderverse supporters who long for Ben Affleck’s return, even though Affleck himself has declared he is finished with the role.
Had Pattinson been confirmed as the DCU’s Batman, it would have eased a lot of tension for James Gunn, avoiding the predictable backlash around recasting Bruce Wayne in the upcoming DCU film The Brave and the Bold. Many fans might have simply accepted,
“Okay, that makes sense. Let Rob cook.”
This move could have helped unify a divided fanbase, which remains wary after years of erratic choices under Warner Bros.’ executives.
Box Office Success Highlights the Value of Pattinson’s Batman
The superhero film landscape has changed, no longer guaranteeing billion-dollar returns with little effort. Still, The Batman impressed, earning $772 million worldwide against an estimated $200 million budget in 2022. This achievement stood out for two main reasons.
First, DC’s appeal to audiences was at a historic low, with confusion over continuity leading to waning fan enthusiasm and box office uncertainty. Second, the film released during the waning stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when many moviegoers remained cautious about returning to theaters, reducing box office prospects industry-wide. Unlike major crossover events, The Batman was a standalone project, making its financial performance all the more notable.
The commercial success of Matt Reeves’ Batman should not be underestimated. Incorporating this version into the DCU would have not only boosted fan morale but also brought significant financial benefits to the franchise, supporting the rebuild under James Gunn’s direction.
Critical Praise for the Expanded Reevesverse Universe
The acclaim for Reeves’ Batman extends beyond the film, notably to the HBO spin-off series The Penguin. This series garnered a 95% critical approval rating and an 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, standing apart from typical comic book adaptations by drawing comparisons to iconic TV dramas like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad.
The series also achieved notable awards success. Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin won Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television at the 2025 Golden Globes, and Cristin Milioti received Outstanding Lead Actress awards at the 2025 Emmys for her role as Sofia Falcone. Such recognition emphasizes the prestige and artistic value of the Reevesverse.
This level of critical and awards acclaim is rare and highly beneficial for any franchise world. It raises the question: why wouldn’t James Gunn leverage that goodwill by bringing Pattinson’s Batman and these established characters into the mainline DC Universe? Despite Matt Reeves’ reluctance, there is a strong argument that this integration could have expanded and enriched the DCU’s storytelling potential.
Challenges of Multiple Batman Portrayals in the DC Universe
In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO David Zaslav made it clear that having multiple actors portraying Batman within the same universe was undesirable. At that time, Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck were both set to appear as Batman in various projects like Andy Muschietti’s The Flash, while Pattinson portrayed an isolated Bruce Wayne in the Reevesverse. For general audiences unfamiliar with comic book multiverse complexities, seeing several actors simultaneously playing the same character is confusing and diminishes narrative clarity.
Despite these intentions, the DCU currently faces a similar scenario. Robert Pattinson remains an active Batman in the Reevesverse, while a new actor will star as Batman in The Brave and the Bold. This fragmentation complicates audience understanding and risks diluting the impact of both portrayals. Explaining this to casual moviegoers would require convoluted context, which is far from ideal in an era marked by superhero fatigue.
Furthermore, inevitable comparisons between The Batman: Part II and The Brave and the Bold could harm the reception of one or both films. This predicament might have been completely avoided had Pattinson been designated as James Gunn’s official Batman for the DC Universe.
The Potential Dynamic Between Pattinson’s Batman and Corenswet’s Superman
Matt Reeves’ darker-toned Batman contrasts sharply with the more optimistic portrayal of Superman by David Corenswet, offering a compelling dynamic that could have electrified the DCU. Their fundamentally opposite natures—one embodying brooding darkness, the other shining light—would create a natural tension, potentially enriching storylines where the two work together.
Fans imagine interactions where Corenswet’s Superman might describe kindness as “punk rock,” while Pattinson’s Batman reacts with gruff indifference or deadpan references, possibly bandying about My Chemical Romance fandom. While Batman’s grim persona may not invite much humor, the chemistry between these interpretations promises engaging character interplay, appealing strongly to fans of both heroes.
Unfortunately, unless a cosmic event like a Crisis on Infinite Earths occurs, allowing multiple realities to collide, these two characters are unlikely to share the screen. The missed opportunity to see Pattinson’s Batman join forces with Corenswet’s Superman highlights the ongoing frustration surrounding their exclusion from a unified DCU.
