James Gunn has confirmed that audiences will not be confused by the presence of two separate Batmans in upcoming DC films, a controversial move announced as the DC Universe expands. Since Robert Pattinson’s debut as Batman in Matt Reeves’ The Batman in 2022, fans have eagerly awaited the sequel, while Gunn reveals plans for another Batman within the new DCU, highlighting a scenario where two Batman portrayals exist simultaneously but in different continuities.
Addressing Fan Concerns Over Batman’s Dual Presence
Fans have sparked intense discussions over the idea of two Batmans coexisting in separate DC projects. Director James Gunn recently addressed these worries during an interview with Brandon Davis, confidently expressing that casual viewers will not struggle to follow this approach. Gunn remarked,
“The casuals always understand… regular people who just like TV shows are like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s weird.’ And then they’re done,”
minimizing the likelihood of confusion caused by multiple Batman versions.
This perspective challenges the conventional fear that having parallel Batmen would create dull or complicated storytelling for audiences. Given Batman’s iconic status as a character recognized worldwide, the separation of these portrayals demands clear distinction to avoid disorienting moviegoers. The first iteration, led by Matt Reeves, will continue with The Batman: Part II situated in the Elseworlds, a self-contained side story detached from the main DC Universe. Meanwhile, the forthcoming DCU Batman will feature prominently in The Brave and the Bold, representing a separate, corporate-backed narrative.
James Gunn Suggests Hardcore Fans Overestimate Viewer Confusion
In his talk with Brandon Davis, Gunn underlined that hardcore fans often wrongly assume general audiences struggle to track continuity across large franchises. Drawing parallels to his work on Marvel’s Peacemaker, which incorporated minor Justice League cameos without alarming casual viewers, Gunn suggested that fans get too caught up in canon details. He stated bluntly,
“The truth is, guys, that you’re the ones that don’t understand,”
highlighting a disconnect between fan expectations and audience reception.
While Gunn has proven adept at crafting stories for broad audiences through his Marvel experience, the unique weight carried by Batman cannot be ignored. Unlike secondary or lesser-known characters, Batman carries immense commercial importance for DC. If viewers encounter Matt Reeves’ Batman sequel in 2027 and then a completely new Batman film shortly thereafter with a different actor, some degree of confusion or brand dilution is inevitable among mainstream moviegoers.
Risks of Overlapping Universes Illustrated by Other Franchises
Examples from other cinematic universes underscore the potential complications of multiple parallel characters and storylines. Sony’s Venom series, although explicitly separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), inserted crossover elements that led many fans to mistakenly believe the universes were intertwined. Kevin Feige emphasized Venom’s independence from the MCU before its 2018 release. However, subsequent Morbius trailers featuring characters like Vulture left audiences unclear about what belonged to Marvel canon and what did not.
Similarly, the X-Men franchise has struggled with fractured continuity. Logan, a standalone story starring Hugh Jackman, set itself apart by not following previous X-Men timelines. Yet Wolverine’s appearance in Deadpool and the lingering presence of original X-Men characters confused both casual fans and enthusiasts about which films were officially canonical. Actor James McAvoy has publicly voiced uncertainty around how the X-Men will be incorporated into the MCU post-Disney acquisition of Fox, revealing the confusion even within the industry.
As Marvel’s narrative web expanded, many viewers became overwhelmed or disengaged with the complex interrelations. Oversaturation threatens to dampen enthusiasm and impact box office sales. Given Batman’s vast adaptation history — from Michael Keaton and Christian Bale to Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson — DC faces the risk that poorly managed Batman representations could erode fan and viewer enthusiasm unless handled with clarity and quality.
Why Matt Reeves’ Batman Belongs in Elseworlds
Despite Gunn’s dismissive stance on confusion, practical considerations suggest the dual-Batman setup might be necessary. Batman’s integral role in the Justice League makes his exclusion from the new DCU implausible. Yet incorporating Reeves’ darker, noir-inspired Batman universe within Gunn’s more vibrant, classic DCU model risks tonal clashes that could undermine both series.
Designating Reeves’ Batman and its sequel to the Elseworlds category preserves that narrative’s unique atmosphere without forcing it to fit a broader continuity. This effectively keeps Pattinson’s Batman in a separate, detective-thriller inspired realm, while The Brave and the Bold introduces a more traditional Batman aligned with the core DCU. Effective marketing, distinct storytelling tones, and strong writing will be critical in transforming what could be a confusing scenario into a successful dual offering, doubling enjoyment for fans open to both interpretations.
The challenge will be ensuring audiences clearly understand the difference between these Batman versions to prevent fatigue or franchise dilution. If executed well, this division could maintain the artistic integrity of Reeves’ vision while allowing the mainline DCU to benefit from Batman’s centrality. However, fans and casual viewers alike should remain alert to how these strategies affect engagement and clarity in the years to come.
Lessons from Past Cinematic Universes Highlight the Stakes
Looking back at Marvel’s cinematic journey underscores how lack of clear boundaries among multiple storylines can degrade audience understanding. The Peacemaker series, while successfully integrating across the DC and broader Warner Bros. slate, still keeps casual viewers grounded by avoiding overwhelming crossover complexities. Conversely, the scrambling of Venom’s narrative ties to the MCU confused many viewers, illustrating the importance of clear universe segregation.
Similarly, the X-Men franchise’s fragmented storytelling resulted from overlapping timelines and contradictory canons. These complications serve as cautionary tales for DC as it navigates dual Batmans. When principal actors such as James McAvoy express doubts about their characters’ place in the larger multiverse, it signals a need for more structured communication to the audience.
Batman’s legendary status within the superhero genre increases the pressure on DC and James Gunn to manage these separate Batmans effectively. As one of the highest-grossing and most adapted heroes, Batman’s presentation can either reinforce DC’s cinematic dominance or contribute to franchise fatigue, depending on how these parallel storylines are handled.
The Future of Batman in DC’s Expanding Universe
James Gunn’s plan for two Batmans represents a bold but risky strategy in a landscape marked by complex fan expectations and increasingly crowded superhero franchises. How DC markets and distinguishes these characters will determine if this approach succeeds. More importantly, the quality of films and series alongside coherent tonal division must reassure both casual viewers and dedicated fans.
While the decision to keep Matt Reeves’ Batman in Elseworlds protects his distinctive narrative style, the DCU’s Batman will embody a more mainstream superhero ideal. If executed with care, this dual presence could enrich the DC cinematic portfolio rather than dilute it.
With Batman’s unmatched cultural footprint at stake, DC’s method of managing James Gunn two Batmans will set a precedent for future superhero storytelling. Fans and observers alike will be watching closely to see if this separation can sustain interest and clear understanding without sacrificing engagement.
