James Gunn and Peter Safran have confirmed that The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new Batman to the DC Universe (DCU), definitively ruling out Robert Pattinson. During a DC Studios presentation, Safran and Gunn clarified that Pattinson will remain exclusive to Matt Reeves’ The Batman Epic Crime Saga. Gunn stated unequivocally, "It's certainly not the plan," regarding Pattinson's inclusion in the broader DCU. Safran echoed this, emphasizing the necessity of introducing a new Batman for the DCU, making The Brave and the Bold the vehicle for this introduction.
Earlier speculation about Pattinson's potential crossover stemmed from Reeves' own ambiguous comments, leaving open the possibility. However, Reeves himself has since focused on his own saga, stating his priority is completing The Batman Part 2. Safran expressed enthusiasm for Reeves' vision, noting the encouraging progress on the script for the sequel, currently slated for October 1, 2027.
The Brave and the Bold is currently in active development, with the storyline progressing well. While Andy Muschietti was initially attached to direct, Safran clarified that the script is being actively developed by Gunn and Safran, and will be shown to Muschietti once finalized to determine if it remains a suitable fit for his directing style. Further announcements regarding The Brave and the Bold are promised soon.
The delay of The Batman Part 2 to October 1, 2027, creates a five-year gap between Pattinson's debut and the sequel's release. When asked about the implications for The Brave and the Bold's release, Safran only confirmed the October 2027 release date for a Batman film, leaving the specific release window of The Brave and the Bold undisclosed.
Interestingly, a brief glimpse of Batman appeared in Episode 6 of Creature Commandos, showing a classic Batman silhouette. Gunn explained this intentionally generic depiction was a conscious choice to avoid prematurely revealing details about his DCU Batman, highlighting that this Batman already exists within the established DCU timeline, alongside this year's Superman film. His presence is established, therefore, avoiding the need for a traditional origin story.
Gunn further hinted at a future team-up between this DCU Batman and Superman, expressing his long-standing love for the character and excitement for his future appearances in the DCU. He stated that this is indeed the DCU Batman, and that great things are planned for the character alongside Superman.
