James Gunn has shut down speculation that DC Studios is rushing a third installment of The Batman starring Robert Pattinson.
Reports recently suggested that DC Studios, led by Gunn and Peter Safran, was accelerating development on a third film in Matt Reeves’ trilogy to avoid a release clash with the upcoming DCU project The Brave and The Bold. Gunn quickly dismissed the claim.
He wrote on Threads: “I don’t know what that is, but I’m not fast-tracking anything other than our scripts, currently getting ready to go into production. “
After being told that writer and X influencer @DanielRPK had reported Gunn was trying to wrap the trilogy before The Brave and The Bold hits theaters, Gunn responded: “That’s incorrect. Well, I mean, I don’t know if it’s incorrect that DPK was told that, but the information is incorrect. The Batman – Part II remains in pre-production, with Pattinson set to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne in Reeves’ sequel.”
Colin Farrell, who returns as The Penguin, recently hinted at a darker tone for the follow-up, though with a reduced presence for his character. He told The Hollywood Reporter, “I’ve got an even smaller role in this one. But I’m OK with that … I’ve read the script, from start to finish, and I can’t say much about it.But it’s deeper, scarier, the stakes are bigger. I’m really excited to see it.”
Farrell added, “I love that world. I mean, I loved it as a film fan since Batman ’66. I grew up watching that, and Burgess Meredith was my first Penguin, and then Danny DeVito was my second Penguin. Just to be part of that world … Honestly, just to be in something that takes place in Gotham, where a character called Bruce Wayne and Batman exist, is such a joy for me.”
Meanwhile, development continues on The Brave and The Bold, which will introduce a separate DC Universe Batman. Screenwriter Christina Hodson, known for Bumblebee, Birds of Prey, and The Flash, is currently working on the script.
The film is inspired by Grant Morrison’s comic run and centers on Bruce Wayne discovering he has a son, Damian Wayne, who has been raised by assassins. Gunn and Safran first unveiled plans for the project in January 2023, confirming that Pattinson will not play this iteration of Batman.
At the time, Gunn said, “This is the introduction of the DCU Batman, of Bruce Wayne, and also introduces Robin, Damian Wayne, who is a little son of a b****.” He added: “It’s a very strange father-and-son story.”
For now, Gunn is making it clear that there’s no rush. The Dark Knight’s future may be expanding, but it won’t be fast-tracked.
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
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