‘The Batman 2' Is ‘Still Really Important Despite Stories to the Contrary,' Says James Gunn Amid Rumors of Sequel Being Axed: ‘We're Supposed to See the Script Shortly'
DC Studios co-chief James Gunn said in a recent Entertainment Weekly interview that Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson's 'The Batman Part II' remains an 'important' tentpole for the company, contrary to reports that Gunn cares more about launching the new DC Universe with films like this July's 'Superman.' Reeves' Caped Crusader movies exist in the 'Batman Epic Crime Saga,' which exists outside of Gunn's DCU and includes properties like the hit series 'The Penguin'
'What Matt's doing is still really important, despite all stories to the contrary,' Gunn said. 'We're supposed to see that script shortly, and I can't wait.'
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It's been a long development road for 'The Batman' sequel, which Warner Bros. delayed late year from Oct. 2, 2026 to Oct. 1, 2027. The first movie, which introduced Pattinson as the new Dark Knight, opened in theaters in 2022 and grossed $772 million at the worldwide box office. Pattinson said on his 'Mickey 17' press tour earlier this year that he was more than ready to get back in costume.
'I fucking hope so,' Pattinson answered when co-star Naomi Ackie asked if he would be playing Batman again soon. 'I started out as young Batman and I'm going to be fucking old Batman by the sequel.. I'm 38, I'm old.'
Pattinson spoke to Variety at the 'Mickey 17' premiere in London and said he expected to be filming 'The Batman Part II' by the end of 2025. 'And I know what it's about but I can't tell anyone,' he added, 'but it's like, it's very cool. It's very exciting.'
While 'The Batman' sequel will now open more than five years after the original, Gunn has defended the delay on social media by writing: 'To be fair, a 5-year gap or more is fairly common in sequels. 7 years between 'Alien' and 'Aliens.' 14 years between 'Incredibles.' 7 years between the first two 'Terminators.' 13 years between 'Avatars.' 36 years between 'Top Guns.' And, of course, 6 years between 'Guardians Vol 2' and 'Vol 3.''
'Matt [Reeves] is committed to making the best film he possibly can, and no one can accurately guess exactly how long a script will take to write,' Gunn added in a separate post. 'Once there is a finished script, there is around two years for pre-production, shooting and post-production on big films.'
Gunn has stressed repeatedly that no movie will go into production under the DC Studios banner without a completed script. His DC Universe kicks off this summer with 'Superman,' in theaters July 11.
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