The all-new DC Universe under the leadership of DC Studios’ co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, has become a maze of overlapping timelines. Superman (2025), directed by Gunn and starring David Corenswet, is officially the starting point of the new continuity.
But while some stories have inexplicably carried over from the now-defunct DC Extended Universe, the question of where Batman fits in has divided fans. In particular, The Batman (2022), which was directed by Matt Reeves and stars Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight.
Through a lot of back-and-forth, Pattinson’s Caped Crusader was previously rumored to cross over into the new DCU, though The Batman director Matt Reeves has kept his “Batman Epic Crime Saga” separate. But that saga’s future hasn’t been without turbulence.
The 2022 film was a critical and financial hit, grossing $772.3 million globally and ranking as Warner Bros.’ top COVID-era release. Its HBO spin-off The Penguin (2024) brought Colin Farrell’s Rogues Gallery villain to the forefront, earning 24 Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods. The same can’t be said for another project set in that universe.
A TV project initially planned as a Gotham City Police Department drama before morphing into an Arkham Asylum-based thriller, has been canceled outright. Gunn himself confirmed the news to BobaTalks (via IGN) recently, saying, “That isn’t something that is being developed by anyone right now,” adding, “You know, it just didn’t work.”
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Unsurprisingly, the decision has drawn some backlash from DC fans.
“The fact that James Gunn is now in charge of everything and is just planning to turn the entire DCU into a slapstick comedy embarrassment… I’m doubly sad that this project got canceled,” one fan wrote under Collider’s post on Instagram. Another added, “First, he takes over the Clayface spin-off and now the Arkham asylum series got canceled!”
Despite frustration over scrapped plans, Reeves’ Batman saga isn’t over. The Batman – Part II will begin filming in early 2026, with an October 1, 2027 release locked in.
Meanwhile, Gunn’s separate DCU will introduce a new Caped Crusader in The Brave and the Bold, which is being directed by The Flash filmmaker Andy Muschietti. But first, Superman (2025) will be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026 and Superman: Man of Tomorrow in 2027.
Are you a fan of Matt Reeves’ “Batman Epic Crime Saga”? Let us know in the comments!
