James Gunn confirms Robert Pattinson is not in the DCU canon

James Gunn recently cleared up a topic that had been floating around for a while. In a short post, he confirmed that Robert Pattinson’s Batman will not appear in the main DC Universe, also known as the DCU. His version of the character, introduced in 2022, will continue, but not as part of the larger connected world being built under Gunn’s leadership.

This came at a time when DC is undergoing a full restructuring. With James Gunn and Peter Safran now in charge, there’s a plan to build something consistent from the ground up. Part of that involves separating which stories belong to the new universe and which ones don’t. In this case, Pattinson’s films will continue as a standalone project, under the Elseworlds label.

"We love him, but we've got to introduce a Batman into the DCU. It's imperative. That's the plan for The Brave and the Bold, "Safran says.

Instead of folding every character into one storyline, DC is dividing its content into categories. The DCU will contain all interconnected films, while stories like The Batman will remain outside that structure. It’s a practical choice, especially when the tone and format of the films are so different.

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A new Batman in a different space

James Gunn’s version of Batman will debut in The Brave and the Bold. This film introduces not just Bruce Wayne but also his son, Damian Wayne. The idea is to explore a more experienced Batman, one who already has a personal legacy. It’s not another origin story. It’s something else entirely.

The tone, setting, and characters won’t carry over from Matt Reeves’ universe. That separation was made clear. There will be no crossover between Pattinson’s version and what’s coming next in the DCU. They live in two creative spaces, and James Gunn doesn’t plan on merging them.

This decision avoids unnecessary confusion and allows each version to develop freely. Reeves can continue shaping his darker, detective-driven Gotham, while James Gunn builds a broader, more interconnected universe where characters meet and share arcs.

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The future of Pattinson’s story

The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves, stood apart from most superhero films when it was released. With a slower pace and more emphasis on atmosphere and investigation, it didn’t follow the usual comic book formula. The city looked lived-in and broken. Bruce Wayne was closed off, haunted. There were no flying heroes or alien invasions. Just crime, fear and decay.

That style will return in The Batman Part II, which is currently set to arrive in theaters on October 1, 2027. James Gunn mentioned that he read the script and gave it a positive review, calling it great. He didn’t say much more, but his comments were supportive, and once again, he emphasized that the sequel remains outside the DCU.

Keeping that separation allows the creative team to stay focused. The story won’t need to adjust to events from other films. It will be its own contained narrative, built from the same foundation as the first movie.

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Why two paths work better than one

Trying to place every version of Batman in the same timeline would complicate the structure. Pattinson’s world runs on realism and isolation. It’s grounded, quiet, slow in the way it unfolds. Bringing that version into a faster, superhero-filled universe could take away what makes it effective.

That’s why this clear divide makes sense. James Gunn has said from the start that building a shared universe means keeping control of tone and pacing. The DCU has to move in one direction. Elseworlds, by contrast, gives room for stories that don’t fit into that larger puzzle.

Reeves has also talked about wanting creative independence. He’s interested in exploring Bruce Wayne from a psychological angle, not necessarily through the lens of shared adventures. The structure they’re using now supports that vision without conflict.

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What’s coming next for both sides

DC’s next big theatrical release is Superman, scheduled for 2025. This film, written and directed by James Gunn, will kick off the DCU and set its tone moving forward. Projects like The Brave and the Bold are in development, though no date has been confirmed. What’s known is that they’ll build out the main storyline with familiar characters in new roles.

At the same time, Pattinson’s version will continue. The sequel is still far off, but the gap gives Reeves time to refine the narrative. The result is two ongoing threads. One works as part of a larger picture, and the other stays focused on its own corner of Gotham.

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What James Gunn's plan means for the audience

This dual approach benefits the viewers. There’s no need to pick one or the other. Those who prefer classic hero crossovers and shared arcs can follow the DCU. Others who enjoy more intimate, character-driven plots can stay with Reeves and Pattinson.

It also removes the pressure to connect everything. Not every story needs to line up. Some work better when they’re allowed to be self-contained.

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Closing thought

James Gunn didn’t deliver this news with a big announcement. It was just a short update, but it was enough. Robert Pattinson’s Batman won’t join the DCU, and that choice seems to be working well for both sides.

By letting these versions evolve independently, DC is giving space for different types of stories to grow. Not everything has to fit into the same mold. Some things work better when they don’t.