Robert Pattinson Says It Would Be ‘Tough’ for His Batman to Join James Gunn’s DCU

Every time a new DC movie arrives, one question follows it around: could Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight ever share a screen with the DCU’s heroes? Fans have been picturing a Batman-and-Superman team-up ever since the DCU began, and the debate has never really cooled. Now the man in the cowl has weighed in on whether it could actually happen.

The idea has plenty of fuel. Pattinson’s turn in Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman‘ was widely praised, and David Corenswet’s ‘Superman’ was a successful start for James Gunn’s new universe. Fans have been clamoring for the two to meet, even though Pattinson’s Batman predates the DCU.

In a new exclusive interview, Pattinson told LADbible it would be “kind of tough to have this version of Bruce outside of that world.” He pointed to the length of the shoots and the fact that the style and tone of the film get inside you, which makes it hard to picture the character anywhere else. He is currently shooting ‘The Batman – Part II’.

Gunn has been consistently cool on the idea. When a fan asked on Threads about bringing Pattinson into the DCU, Gunn answered with a single word: no. Speaking to ET, he said it isn’t what is happening right now, but he didn’t close the door.

He has also admitted the idea crossed his mind. On the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, Gunn said he contemplated it, adding that he contemplates everything, while stressing that he wants the freedom to tell Elseworlds stories. Reeves, for his part, has said it comes down to whether it makes sense, and that he wanted to play out his epic crime saga.

That is the logic behind the DC Elseworlds label, which Gunn created for projects that sit outside the main continuity. Pattinson and Reeves continue their Batman under that banner, while Gunn and Safran cast a separate Batman for the DCU.

The DCU version is already taking shape as a different character. He will appear in ‘The Brave and the Bold’, a film directed by Andy Muschietti, with a Bat-family that includes several Robins. Den of Geek noted that this Batman is old enough to have a son who is also a hero, while Reeves’ version takes place in the Caped Crusader’s second year.

Gunn has also said the DCU Batman will not be a funny, campy take. Still, the setup makes the difference clear. A Batman working alongside a Robin in a world full of metahumans is a far cry from Pattinson’s brooding detective in a grounded Gotham.

‘The Batman Part II’ has had a long road. It was first scheduled for October 2, 2026, then moved to October 1, 2027, and Reeves recently announced a new date of February 18, 2028. That gives the director extra time in post-production, and it comes nearly six years after the first film opened in March 2022.

Reeves revealed the date alongside the first camera test footage of Pattinson’s return. Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan join the cast, along with Charles Dance, Brian Tyree Henry and Sebastian Koch, with Reeves co-writing alongside Mattson Tomlin. Gunn defended the earlier delay by saying a gap of five years or more between sequels is fairly common.

Meanwhile, the DCU keeps moving. The next film in its Chapter One is ‘Clayface’, a body-horror movie hitting theaters October 23. That variety of tones shows why Gunn wants a Batman who can fit his world.

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