The DC Universe is buzzing once again, this time over speculation sparked by an intriguing image from the set of James Gunn’s ‘Clayface’. As Matt Hagen prepares to make his long-awaited live-action debut, set photos have generated excitement, Easter egg hunts, and confusion.
The latest incident came when a sharp-eyed fan spotted Robert Pattinson’s Batman logo stamped onto a trash can in one of the production’s filming locations. For many, this small detail ignited a firestorm of theories. Was Pattinson’s Dark Knight finally crossing over into Gunn’s interconnected DCU?
Why Robert Pattinson’s Batman Still Stands Apart

James Gunn himself stepped in to address the issue, shutting down speculation before it spiraled too far. Responding to a fan on Threads, the DC Studios co-CEO explained: “Although the trash can is from the set, I have a hard time believing the bat was put there by the art department, but if so, it never came across my desk. I don’t have time to ok every piece of set dressing.”
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In other words, don’t read too much into a stray sticker. Fans’ eagerness to connect Matt Reeves’ and Gunn’s worlds is understandable. Both are shaping Gotham in bold new ways, and seeing them intersect would be historic. However, Gunn has been consistent from the start: Robert Pattinson’s Batman exists in an Elseworlds continuity, entirely separate from the main DCU.
This clarification is important because Gunn and Peter Safran already have a Batman film planned within their shared universe: ‘The Brave and the Bold’. That movie will introduce a brand-new Bruce Wayne and bring the Bat-Family into the spotlight. Additionally, it will be far removed from Reeves’ brooding detective saga.
Moreover, it’s worth remembering that the ‘Clayface’ production is filming in some of the same locations used for ‘The Batman’. The appearance of Pattinson’s logo on set is almost certainly the result of a coincidence, or a small oversight, rather than a grand crossover. Still, the excitement shows just how much love fans have for Pattinson’s interpretation.
Robert Pattinson Is Very Excited For ‘The Batman: Part II’

While Gunn cleared up the DCU rumors, there was also exciting news on the Elseworlds front. Director Matt Reeves has confirmed that the script for ‘The Batman: Part II’ is complete and has already been shared with Robert Pattinson. Even better? Pattinson is reportedly thrilled with what he’s read. Reeves, speaking in a Variety interview, offered an enthusiastic update.
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“We start shooting the film in spring, probably around the end of April or the beginning of May. It’s been a long journey, but I am so incredibly excited. I’m really proud of the script me and Mattson did, and we’ve started to share it with Robert Pattinson. Rob was super excited, I feel really excited about the idea that it’s gonna be, that we feel like we can reach farther and do even more than we did in the first one.”
The director even revealed that Pattinson’s script arrived in a locked pouch with a code, highlighting the extreme secrecy surrounding the project. Clearly, big things are being planned, and Warner Bros. is determined to protect the surprises. The film, slated for release on October 1, 2027, will continue Reeves’ grounded, noir-driven take on Gotham. With ‘The Penguin’ already fleshing out the city’s underworld, the stage is set for Bruce Wayne’s next chapter.