The Batman 2 delay has DC fans reliving the same debate—again

Matt Reeves has done it again – The Batman 2 has been bumped back, and this time the wait is almost comical. We're looking at nearly six years between Batman films, which in Hollywood terms might as well be a geological era. Warner Bros put out a quick tease of Robert Pattinson dusting off the Batsuit, but if they thought that would soften the disappointment, well, DC fans beg to differ.

How Long's Too Long?

The original Batman smashed its debut in March 2022, critics and audiences eating it up – which is why every new delay stings just that little bit more. Sequel dates have shuffled about in classic studio fashion: first October 2026, then October 2027, now shoved out to February 18, 2028. Supposedly this gives Reeves more breathing room in post-production. What it delivers for fans is a masterclass in online sarcasm.

Fan Reaction: Not Exactly Subtle

• One unimpressed poster summed up the mood: 'The 6 year gap is still insane to me.'
• Someone else turned an eye to the new teaser: 'They grow longer with each new delay' – a perfectly daft reference to Batman's pointy mask ears getting taller every time the release gets pushed.
• Morale hit new lows with: 'we're getting GTA VI before The Batman 2.'
• Another went fully melodramatic: 'What's wrong master Bruce? Alfred... I can't wait till 2028.'
• And then, the inevitable paradox: 'i wanna hate u for the delay but i can’t ur just too goated.'

Is a Six-Year Gap Really That Wild?

James Gunn, co-chief at DC Studios, leapt in to defend the timeline (as much as anyone can defend 2028). He's pointed out elsewhere that long sequel gaps are nothing new: 'To be fair, a 5-year gap or more is fairly common in sequels. 7 years between “Alien” and “Aliens.” 14 years between “Incredibles.” 7 years between the first two “Terminators.” 13 years between “Avatars.” 36 years between “Top Guns.” And, of course, six years between “Guardians Vol 2” and “Vol 3”.' It's a fair point, though whether it soothes the impatience is another matter.

Who's In This One?

There are a few things Reeves and company are happy to keep under wraps, and the story is absolutely one of them – no plot details making it past the Batcave doors just yet. The cast, though, is looking chunky:

• Robert Pattinson returns as Bruce Wayne/Batman
• Scarlett Johansson
• Sebastian Stan
• Charles Dance
• Brian Tyree Henry
• Sebastian Koch

As for who all these names are playing... your guess is as good as mine. The script's being co-written by Matt Reeves and Mattson Tomlin, which at least means some creative continuity from the first round.

If you're particularly desperate for more Pattinson, you can catch him in The Odyssey and the next Dune film (Part 3) before you see him brooding about Gotham again.