Paul Dano Hints at Robert Pattinson's Batman Crossing Into James Gunn's DCU

So, DC Studios is doing that thing again where they tease a big new direction while leaving fans hanging on the one question everyone keeps asking: What''s the deal with Batman? While James Gunn and Peter Safran (the new duo in charge over there) have a whole slate of stuff cooking—creature commandos, a new Superman, Peacemaker season 2, you name it—the Cape and Cowl situation is as murky as Gotham at midnight.

Two Batmen, Zero Answers

Here''s where things get twisty:

• James Gunn is in early development on The Brave and the Bold, which is meant to be the first proper Batman story in the revamped DC Universe (DCU). Supposedly it''ll feature Batman and a solid chunk of the Bat-family (think Robin, Batgirl, maybe even Alfred''s sarcasm), but since this was announced in early 2023, the update cupboard has been bare. No Batman actor. Nothing.
• Meanwhile, Matt Reeves'' The Batman saga—yep, that moody Robert Pattinson version—is trucking along as its own separate thing. Gunn's said outright this is now an "Elseworlds" story. In Hollywood-speak: Not connected to the new, mainline DCU timeline. Pattinson stays in his own lane, Gotham stays rainy, and apparently, it''s all A-OK.
• Of course, fans continue to ask the obvious: Why not just make Pattinson THE Batman for the new universe? He''s already got the suit (and most of the jawline requirements). So far? Don''t count on it.

A Riddler in the Mix

Paul Dano, who played the Riddler in Reeves'' The Batman, jumped in on the debate (sort of) during an interview with MovieWeb for Wizard of the Kremlin. Dano sidestepped the whole 'merge Pattinson into the DCU' question, but he definitely took the time to sing Matt Reeves'' praises. His basic point: Reeves pours his soul into making these movies personal and distinct, not just churning out another copycat superhero flick.

Here''s Dano in his own words:

"I will tell you that I love what Matt Reeves did and is doing so much, and I know how much he cares and I know how hard he works and how deeply he goes. And I think what''s really interesting about those films from here on out is embracing the point of view within them, rather than trying all be similar and all be the same. So I think I''m in [on] bringing the point-of-view filmmaking to Gotham. So, you know, I''m excited for all of it, but I''m excited for the next chapter of Matt."

If you''re parsing that for any real hint about Pattinson jumping into Gunn''s universe, don''t hold your breath—Dano is rooting for Matt Reeves to keep doing his own thing, and not just blend into whatever the new mainline DC movies have going on. So, from the looks of it, two separate Bat-franchises aren''t going away any time soon.

Who''s the Next DCU Batman? Still a Secret

The upcoming The Brave and the Bold movie does have Andy Muschietti set to direct (he did The Flash in 2023). But if you''re expecting news on casting? Join the club. All we''ve got so far are the usual internet rumors—Alan Ritchson (Reacher) and Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) are names the fans throw around a lot, but that''s all it is: speculation.

The Batman: Still Its Own Animal

Just to recap, The Batman (yes, the Pattinson one) is sticking to its gritty, standalone world. The plot: Batman digs into Gotham''s rotten underbelly and his own family's skeletons when the Riddler starts wiping out politicians. The cast you know—Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano.

Bottom line: If you''re hoping for one Batman to rule them all, you might be waiting a while. For now, expect more updates on everything but which Bat-face gets to be the actual face of the DCU going forward.