Summary
As the creative chief of the newDC Universeand any other adaptations at DC Studios, James Gunn has debunked severalBatmanmovie rumors since starting his new job. After Ben Affleck’s time as the Dark Knight in the DCEU, a new actor will be cast to play the character in the DCU.Speculation on who will play the new Batman has been running rampant for months, with multiple actors saying they would like to playBatman in the DCU.
Gunn has addressed many rumors aboutThe Brave and the Boldreboot film. Batman also has another movie franchise going on, with Robert Pattinson playing Bruce Wayne in director Matt Reeves’The Batmanuniverse. The actor will return for 2026’sThe Batman - Part IIand likely a third movie.Between the two Batman movie franchises, Gunn has debunked multiple rumors of varying natures.
The Batman - Part II: News, Cast, Story, & Everything We Know
The Batman’s ending teased a future film, and The Batman 2 has sure enough been confirmed. Here’s everything we know about The Batman - Part II.
10The Batman 2 & 3 Will Film Simultaneously
The Third Movie Will Take Longer To Arrive
One of the most recent rumors about Batman movies is that director Matt Reeves wasplanning to shootThe Batman - Part IIandThe Batman 3back-to-back. Shooting movies like that allows productions to reuse sets that could be shared between both films, align actors' schedules, and more. The practice is not unheard of in superhero films, with Marvel Studios having filmed the acclaimedAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgameback-to-back.
Still, that will not be the case for DC.Gunn debunked the rumor that the two other movies inThe Batmantrilogy would film back-to-back in 2025, simply saying, “It is not [true].” Pattinson’s return as the Dark Knight still has to set a filming start date. AsThe Batman - Part IIwas delayed from 2025 to 2026, production should begin sometime next year rather than in 2024.
The Batman 2 Delay Means DC Will No Longer Break A Lifelong Movie Record In 2025
The Batman - Part II will no longer arrive in 2025 as planned, and the film’s delay means DC will no longer be breaking a decades-old movie record.
9Jensen Ackles Cast As Batman In The Brave And The Bold
He Is The Most Popular DCU Batman Candidate
The Brave and the Bold, the DCU’s Batman reboot, will seethe live-action debut of Damian Wayne. The relationship between Bruce and his biological son will be the central focus of the film. With no actor set to play the DCU’s Batman, multiple casting rumors about who could give life to Bruce Wayne in the shared universe have emerged, and as Jensen Ackles has become the fan-favorite to play Batman, a particular rumor became popular.
Presenting Ackles as Batman withEuphoria’s Javon Walton as Damian and more actors as Nightwing and Alfred Pennyworth, a Batman reboot casting rumor made its way to Gunn. Unceremoniously,Gunn shot down Ackles' Batman casting, revealing that it was impossible sincethere was still no script forThe Brave and the Bold. As Ackles has said that he would love to play Batman, maybe he could get a call when a script is ready.
10 Reasons Jensen Ackles Is The Perfect DCU Batman Casting
Jensen Ackles is a popular choice among fans to play the DCU’s version of Batman, and looking at his body of work makes it easy to see why.
8John Logan Is The Brave And The Bold’s Writer
Logan Has Impressive Credits
Gunn has responded to a fewThe Brave and the Boldcasting rumors by commenting on the status of the film’s script. The creative has set aplan for the DCU that includes projects only starting their casting process when there is a script firmly in place. While most rumors surrounding the DCU’s Batman reboot have been related to who will play Bruce Wayne, a rumor about who will write the film has also made the rounds.
John Logan was said to either be attached toThe Brave and the Boldor have had talksto pen the movie’s script. Logan would be an exciting choice for Batman, as the writer contributed to major films likeGladiator,The Last Samurai,Skyfall, and more. However,Gunn said Logan is not attached toThe Brave and the Bold, nor did the writer ever have talks with DC for the film.
Why The DCU’s New Batman Casting Is Taking So Long (& Why It’s Good)
While several rumors have emerged about who will play the DCU’s Batman, James Gunn has made it clear that casting depends on 1 thing, and that’s good.
7John Krasisnki Cast As Batman In The Brave And The Bold
The Actor Has Superhero Movie Experience
John Krasinski is no stranger to superhero movies. The actor was for years the most popular choice among Marvel Cinematic Universe fans to play the leader of the Fantastic Four — Reed Richards. The fan campaign yielded results, with Krasinski playing a Mr. Fantastic variant inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Ashe will not hang around in the MCU as Reed, Krasinski has had his name linked to the DCU’s Batman role.
However,Gunn debunked the rumor that Krasinki was cast as the new Batman. While he did not address Krasinski directly, the director was asked by a fan about the veracity of the latest Batman casting rumor, which was related toThe Officealum. Gunn’s response was thatThe Brave and the Bold’s script was still not ready and thatthe Hollywood strikes of 2023 blocked castinganyway.
![Brenton Thwaites as Robin, David Corenswet with Henry Cavill’s Superman suit from Man of Steel, and Grant Gustin as The Flash]](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/wm/2024/01/brenton-thwaites-as-robin-david-corenswet-with-henry-cavill-s-superman-suit-from-man-of-steel-and-gran-gustin-as-the-flash.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=422&dpr=2)
26 DCU Rumors That James Gunn Has Debunked So Far
James Gunn has been very active on social media as DC Studios' co-CEO, and he has debunked several major DCU rumors about Superman, Batman, and more.
6Batman’s Age In The DCU
Gunn Clarified A Bruce Wayne Detail
Details about the DCU Batman are scarce at the moment. However, Gunn once teased the age the DCU’s Bruce Wayne could be when he debuts. A report said that Superman would be around 25 in his DCU debut, while Gunn commented during the DCU’s slate reveal that Batman could be a few years older than him. While Gunn never meant much by it, asSuperman actor David Corenswet is 30, speculation began to mount about Batman’s age.
Later,Gunn cleared up any confusion. The director of theSupermanreboot said the 25-year-old Superman bit was just speculation — with Superman actually being revealed later to be 30 like Corenswet — and thatBatman might be a couple of years older than him, though there is no guarantee he will be. With Batman’s age in the DCU still not locked down, casting for the character could explore different paths.
Why The DCU Might Have A Batman Age Problem
Thanks to recent actors such as Robert Pattinson and Ben Affleck, the DCU may have a Batman age problem when it comes to casting the next Dark Knight.
5Dick Grayson And Major Villains Will Appear In The Batman - Part II
Pattinson’s Batman Would Get A Special Ally
Pattinson’sThe Batman - Part IIhas yet to set a story, which has led to speculation about which characters from DC Comics could appear in the film. Matt Reeves' originalThe Batmanincluded quite a few notable players from Batman comics, such as Catwoman, the Penguin, the Riddler, Alfred Pennyworth, and more. As the first film in the saga introduced a living world with multiple iconic characters, the sequel should continue that strategy.
Based on that, a few characters have been rumored to appear in the DC sequel. However,Gunn debunked the rumor that Dick Grayson and some Batman villains are inThe Batman - Part II. Dick is Batman’s first Robin, and Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne could have become lighter by interacting with him. Maybe that could happen in the third film, asDick Grayson, Clayface, Scarecrow, Professor Pyg, and Hush are not in the movie.
Casting The DCU’s Nightwing: 10 Actors Perfect To Play Dick Grayson In DC’s New Batman Movie
James Gunn has teased Nightwing on social media, and there are certain actors who could do Dick Grayson right in the DCU Batman reboot movie and more.
4The Batman - Part II Has Been Canceled
The DC Film Moves Forward
This is a rumor that returns time and again. The main reason fans thinkThe Batman - Part IImight have been canceled is due to the long time with no updates on the status of the film. Thankfully, Gunn has more than once made it clear thatThe Batman - Part IIhas not been canceled.The movie was simply delayed by a year, now arriving in 2026, due to issues caused by the 2023 Hollywood strikes.
The Batmanamassed $772.2 million worldwide. With strong box office numbers for the relaunch of the Dark Knight, as well as critical and fan acclaim, it would make little sense for DC to cancel the anticipated sequel.The movie’s delay was to afford Reeves the time to craft the best script possible forThe Batman - Part II, so that it lives up to the first film.
The Batman 2 Cancelation Rumors Prove The Biggest Problem With The DCU’s Franchise Structure
For some reason, rumors have been circulating about the cancelation of The Batman 2, and it may have something to do with the DCU’s structure.
3Ryan Gosling Cast As Batman In The Superman Reboot
Gosling Wants To Play A Marvel Hero Rather Than A DC One
Among the Batman rumors is one that relates to the Superman movie reboot, not the DCU’sThe Brave and the Boldfilm. Gunn has made it clear in the past thatBatman would make his DCU debut inThe Brave and the Bold. Still, that has not stopped rumors from claiming that the character might actually first appear in a secret role in 2025’sSuperman. However, Gunn has left no room for mistakes.
Gunn has over time reiterated that Batman will first appear inThe Brave and the Bold, unlike Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, who is reportedly in Gunn’sSupermanand then will lead 2026’sSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The DCU chief even debunked a rumor about who would play Batman in the Superman reboot, posting an annoyed face at arumor that Ryan Gosling would play Batmanopposite David Corenswet’s Superman.
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2Boyd Holbrook Cast As Harvey Dent In The Batman - Part II
Harvey Dent Would Fit The Batman Universe
The Batman - Part IIvillain rumors continue to emerge. The end of the first movie, with Gotham City flooded as part of the Riddler’s master plan, lends itself well to a few villains from the comics. Killer Croc and Mr. Freeze could make the most out of a Gotham that is filled with water, presenting physical threats to Pattinson’s Batman; however,Two-Face could make for the perfect story for the film.
Instead of appearing as a villain from the jump,Harvey Dent could be Bruce Wayne’s ally inThe Batman - Part II, helping clean up Gotham literally and figuratively. While Harvey would fit the movie,Gunn has debunked thatSandmanactor Boyd Holbrook will play Harvey Dent inThe Batman - Part II. When asked by a fan if there was any truth to the rumor, Gunn simply said, “Fake.”
10 The Batman 2 Villain Candidates Who Would Hurt Bruce Wayne On A Personal Level
The Batman was a personal battle for the Dark Knight. To continue this trend The Batman 2 should cast a villain who knows how to hurt Bruce Wayne.
1Robert Pattinson’s Batman Will Join The DCU
Finally, the status of the DCU has left some fans with doubts. Gunn revealed thatthe new DC Universe will feature actors playing their roles in films, series, animation, and video games. Aside from the expansive continuity of the DCU will be the Elseworlds projects, which includeThe Batmanuniverse, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker movies, and other offerings of such nature that bear no connection to what happens in the DCU.
All 5 Confirmed DC Elseworlds Movies (So Far)
As well as unveiling a new slate of projects for the DCU, James Gunn revealed that separate stories would still be developed as Elseworlds projects.
Despite fan desire for it to happen,Gunn debunked the report that Robert Pattinson’s Batman could serve as the DCU’s Dark Knight. While Pattinson’s Batman is young enough that he would match David Corenswet’s Superman well,Matt Reeves wants to keep his The Batman universe separate from the DCU, something Gunn wanted to honor when he joined DC. As such, a new Batman will be cast for the DCU, but until that happens, moreBatmanmovie rumors are bound to emerge.
The Batman Part II
Cast
The Batman Part II is the sequel to Matt Reeve’s The Batman, released in 2022, and will continue where the original film left off. The film shares a universe with the HBO Max original Penguin series and sees the return of the Riddler and a different incarnation of the Joker.
The Brave and the Bold
The Brave and the Bold will introduce audiences to a new Batman in the DC Universe, focusing on the unique dynamic between the Dark Knight and his son, Damian Wayne, who takes on the mantle of Robin. This film marks yet another reboot for the iconic vigilante superhero.
