It has been confirmed that the Batman portrayed by Robert Pattinson will not be part of the new DC Universe. Filmmaker Matt Reeves is far from finished with his take on The Dark Knight, with a trilogy of films planned in addition to a Penguin series for HBO Max. However, this will exist as an Elseworlds project, independent of the new DCU.
The confirmation that The Batman universe is an Elseworlds project is not surprising, given statements from James Gunn teasing multiple Elseworlds projects already being in production at DC Studios. There had been speculation previously that The Batman might form the basis for a new DC Universe, given Warner Bros. Discovery's stated desire for the next Superman movie to center around a younger Clark Kent, like how The Batman portrayed a young Batman. However, it has been confirmed that DC Studios has an all-new Batman story in mind for the DCU, and it is one that Robert Pattinson's Batman cannot easily be a part of given the known facts.
Robert Pattinson's Batman Doesn't Fit In DC Universe's Story
The first Batman movie produced for the new DCU, titled The Brave and the Bold, will be centered around Bruce Wayne and his son, Damian. This makes it practically impossible for Robert Pattinson to be the DCU's Batman. Ignoring whatever plans Matt Reeves has for The Batman trilogy, the inexperienced Year Two Batman portrayed by Robert Pattinson is unlikely to have had the life experiences which led to Damian Wayne's birth. And while a time jump between films is possible, one facilitating the birth of a ten-year-old son seems unlikely.
Reportedly based on the Batman comics by Grant Morrison, The Brave and the Bold movie will open with Bruce Wayne's discovery of Damian's existence and how he was trained as an assassin in secret since birth. Damian forces himself into the role of Robin, creating further tension between himself and his father, as they struggle to save Gotham City while establishing a working father/son relationship. The film will reportedly feature other members of the Batman family and could recast actors from other DC projects, such as Leslie Grace as Batgirl.
How The Batman Trilogy Will Work Alongside The DCU
The decision to allow Matt Reeves to continue developing The Batman trilogy as part of Elseworlds while producing a new DC Universe Batman movie without Ben Affleck or Robert Pattinson allows DC Studios to pursue the best of both worlds. Reeves' work has an established audience and garnered critical acclaim and award nominations, which give DC Studios the clout and credibility it sorely needs. Conversely, a Batman movie based around the Damian Wayne Robin is a brilliant conceit, presenting a new take on the Batman mythology that has yet to be portrayed in live-action, which also addresses the more problematic elements of the Robin character, vis a vis child endangerment.
