James Gunn and Peter Safran have made it clear that the upcoming DCU film, The Brave and the Bold, will introduce a new Batman, effectively ruling out actor Robert Pattinson from this role. During a DC Studios presentation attended by IGN, the co-chiefs emphasized that Pattinson will continue to portray Batman exclusively in Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga.

“It's certainly not the plan,” Gunn stated firmly about Pattinson crossing over into the DCU. Safran echoed this sentiment, saying, “And we love him, but we've got to introduce a Batman into the DCU. That's imperative. And so that's the plan with The Brave and the Bold.” This clarification comes after director Matt Reeves hinted at the possibility of a crossover earlier this year.

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Reeves, speaking to reporter Josh Horowitz at the Golden Globes, explained, “It really comes down to whether or not it makes sense. What’s been great is there was a story that I wanted to tell with what we’re calling The Epic Crime Saga and all that, which is the thrust of what we want to do. And it’s been important to me to be able to play that out. And James and Peter have been really, really great about that and they’re letting us do that. What the future brings? I can’t really tell you. I have no idea right now except that my head is down now about getting The Batman Part 2 shooting and to make it something really, really special which, of course, is the most important thing.”

Safran expressed enthusiasm for Reeves' vision for The Batman Part 2, saying, “We love Matt's vision for The Batman Part 2, and we're looking forward to this film as much as you are.” He noted that Reeves has yet to submit a script, “but what we've read so far is very encouraging.”

The Brave and the Bold is currently in “very active development,” with the story “coming together very nicely.” There's uncertainty about whether The Flash director Andy Muschietti will helm the project. Gunn and Safran are actively developing the script and plan to show it to Muschietti “when we have it in a place where we think it's ready to go... and see if it's a fit for him,” Safran said. Gunn added, “I'm very, very actively involved in that script.” Safran hinted that more details about The Brave and the Bold would be announced “very soon.”

Last year, The Batman Part 2 faced another delay, pushing its release to October 1, 2027. This delay means a five-year gap between the release of the first film and its sequel. When asked about a potential release window for The Brave and the Bold, Safran was cryptic, stating only, “Well, I think we've announced October, 2027 there will be a Batman movie. That is all we can tell you right now.”

Fans eager to catch a glimpse of Gunn’s Batman will have to wait for The Brave and the Bold. However, a brief appearance in Episode 6 of the DCU canon kickstarter series Creature Commandos showed Batman overlooking crime boss Doctor Phosphorus from a rooftop. The image featured a robust Batman in his classic costume, but offered little detail about Gunn’s interpretation of the character.

Gunn explained to Rotten Tomatoes TV that the generic look of Batman in Creature Commandos was intentional, saying he requested "more silhouette" to keep the details vague. This brief cameo confirmed that Batman already exists within the DCU during the events of Creature Commandos and the upcoming Superman movie, and that he is a well-known figure in this universe, negating the need for an origin story.

Furthermore, Gunn hinted at a future collaboration between Batman and Superman, expressing his deep affection for the character: “This is the DCU Batman. Listen, I gotta tell you, I just love Batman. I love him. I've loved him since I was a little kid. He's one of my favorite characters. I've gone on the record in the past when I was at Marvel saying my favorite character is Batman. I love him and we're going to do great things with him. He's the most popular superhero in the world and I can't wait for people to see more of him, along with Superman, and together.”