The DC Universe is entering a strange but thrilling era: two Batmen, two tones, two creative visions, all unfolding at once. On one hand, there is James Gunn’s new DCU, in which ‘The Brave and the Bold’ will present a new Bruce Wayne to a franchise that is connected to each other.
On the other hand is the critically acclaimed, hyper-grounded ‘The Batman’ universe by Matt Reeves, which continues to find its own way with Robert Pattinson under the cowl. And as the two directors are constructing two very different worlds, the debates around each iteration of the Dark Knight are getting heated, with Gunn finally disclosing what actually matters in the development.
James Gunn Reminds Fans Batman Is More Than A Suit
As the new DCU’s ‘The Brave and the Bold’ is getting people excited, James Gunn is keeping the expectations down to earth. On Threads, he responded to a fan who asked whether the mask of Batman could be animated like Deadpool. Gunn responded jokingly that fans have been clamoring to see the traditional blue-and-grey suit, the yellow oval logo, and above all, the white Batman eyes that are so iconic in comics.
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All these visuals, he confessed, have been demanded many times. But then he drew the line and reminded everyone of the real priority. “All of those things I find less important than the character himself, the writing, and the person who plays him.” It’s a statement that feels almost like a mission statement for the DCU’s Batman. Gunn obviously does not want to reinvent Batman solely by aesthetics or gimmicks. He desires emotional depth, a good story, and a performer who can support the burden of the role.
“We have a really, really good story now,” he revealed. Although ‘The Brave and the Bold’ is still in its early stages of development, Gunn once hinted on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast that the story shaping the film is something special. “What matters is the character, the story… And I think we have a really, really good story now for what’s happening with Batman.” The DCU Batman has not been cast yet. However, what we do know is that Batman will coexist with Damian Wayne. It is a father-son tale as much as it is a superhero epic.
Scarlett Johansson Might Have A Pivotal Role In ‘The Batman – Part II’
While the DCU’s Batman takes shape, Matt Reeves’ Elseworlds universe is moving ahead with its own ambitious plans. This includes potentially bringing Scarlett Johansson on board for the highly anticipated ‘The Batman – Part II’. New Deadline reports indicate that Johansson is in talks to star in the 2027 sequel with Robert Pattinson. While intriguing, this rumor has not been confirmed at all by Warner Bros., DC Studios, or even by Reeves himself.
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However, speculation is at an all-time high. Johansson’s mysterious role is even more interesting with rumors that Zoe Kravitz might not return. Fans are wildly speculating. Will Johansson portray Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Phantasm, or will Reeves present a new character that has never been seen in his noir-inspired universe?
Reeves affirmed in a 2025 interview that the follow-up will attempt to push the psychological and emotional limits even further. “We feel like we can reach farther and do even more than we did in the first one.” The shooting will start in spring 2026, and the action will be set a few years after ‘The Penguin’s event. As ‘The Batman -Part II’ comes out on October 1, 2027, and the DCU’s Batman follows soon after. And the world is on the verge of a unique period: one in which Bruce Wayne can exist in two completely different worlds.
