James Gunn Explains The Batman: Part II Delay

DC fans are feeling the sting of disappointment as both The Batman: Part II and The Brave and the Bold are now years away from hitting theaters. The delay for Matt Reeves’ sequel has been officially confirmed by DC Studios co-head James Gunn, leaving fans wondering what’s next for the Caped Crusader on the big screen.

On Threads, Gunn confirmed the delay, explaining, “Sure. Yes, it is true. The only reason for the delay is there isn’t a full script… Matt [Reeves] is committed to making the best film he possibly can, and no one can accurately guess exactly how long a script will take to write. Once there is a finished script, there is around two years for pre-production, shooting, and post-production on big films.”

For those keeping track, The Batman: Part II is now set for release on October 1, 2027—over five years after the first film’s release in 2022. The production has faced numerous challenges, from COVID-related disruptions during the first film’s shoot to the Hollywood strikes in 2023, which derailed Reeves’ timeline once again. Meanwhile, planned spin-offs like Gotham P.D. and Arkham Asylum remain stuck in development limbo.

Adding to the uncertainty, Robert Pattinson is gearing up for a Christopher Nolan project next year, and co-star Jeffrey Wright recently admitted he hasn’t spoken to Reeves about the sequel “for a while.”

The success of The Penguin series, a breakout hit tied to The Batman franchise, has added a layer of complexity. With Gunn’s brighter, more family-friendly DCU films on the horizon—starting with Superman: Legacy—there’s speculation that DC Studios is waiting to see how audiences respond before fully committing to Reeves’ darker, noir-inspired Batman universe.

It’s a tricky balancing act for DC. With The Batman: Part II now delayed until late 2027, questions remain about how the studio will juggle the distinct tone of Reeves’ universe against the broader DCU’s ambitions.