James Gunn: Robert Pattinson Unlikely to Appear in the DCU

James Gunn has provided his clearest update yet on the status of Robert Pattinson as Batman within the DC Universe. While Pattinson currently stars as Bruce Wayne in Matt Reeves’ The Batman—with a sequel set for release in 2027—Gunn and Peter Safran have been busy launching the new DCU at Warner Bros. This includes an upcoming film, Batman, The Brave and the Bold, directed by Andy Muschietti.

What Gunn Has Previously Said

Last year, Gunn mentioned that he had “contemplated” casting Pattinson as Batman in the DCU, noting, “I contemplate everything. I talk about everything.” He explained on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he is committed to both DCU and Elseworlds storytelling, allowing for creative freedom in how characters are portrayed across different narratives.

The Latest Update on Pattinson

According to a recent Variety report, Gunn now considers it “very unlikely” that Robert Pattinson will be part of the DCU or star in Batman, The Brave and the Bold. Although Gunn hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of a DCU Batman appearing in a project before Pattinson’s sequel, he made it clear that the current plan does not include him.

Gunn stated, “I wouldn’t rule anything out. He could show up in something else. But the actor doesn’t exist [yet].” This indicates that fans should expect to see Pattinson’s Batman return only in The Batman Part II in 2027, while any DCU Batman appearance might occur in a different context—possibly even in a project like James Watkin’s upcoming Clayface movie.

Where Does This Leave Fans?

At this time, there has been no official casting for the DCU Batman role beyond the brief, non-speaking appearance in an episode of Creature Commandos. As the new DCU continues to take shape under Gunn and Safran’s direction, the possibility remains open for a fresh take on the Dark Knight in upcoming projects.

Stay tuned for further updates as the DCU evolves and new details about Batman’s role in the franchise emerge.