DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn provided clarity on DC Extended Universe (DCU) alignments, specifically addressing why Robert Pattinson's Batman and Todd Phillips' Joker aren't part of the centralized narrative. These films are categorized as DC Elseworlds, marking them as standalone universes that do not intersect with other DCU storylines. Despite this classification, these films will still be produced and released, such as "The Batman Part II" is set to premiere on October 3, 2025. Gunn's DCU is charted to commence with "Superman: Legacy" and will be indicative of a singular universe strategy. Moreover, Gunn elucidates the creative choices behind keeping these narratives separate, respecting director Matt Reeves' vision for a Batman crime saga. Gunn's involvement extends to providing feedback on Joker's sequel, even though it was well into production prior to his tenure. His open discussions on social media provide fans insight into his approach to the superhero genre.
Why is Robert Pattinson's Batman not part of the newly planned DC Universe?Robert Pattinson's Batman is not part of the mainline DC Universe because director Matt Reeves preferred to keep "The Batman" as a separate entity. This decision was supported by James Gunn and the broader DC team, placing the film under the DC Elseworlds banner which encompasses standalone stories with their unique settings and narratives, distinct from the interconnected universe of the new DCU.
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Comments
It's cool to see Gunn respect the integrity of Reeves' vision for The Batman by carving out this Elseworld space. It shows a flexible approach to storytelling in the superhero realm, keeping doors open for diverse and possibly darker narratives that don't need to fit the mainstream DCU puzzle.
Gotta respect James Gunn and Matt Reeves for balancing creative freedoms with fan expectations; it's cool that they're safeguarding the unique tone of The Batman under the Elseworlds label without shoehorning it into the broader DCU tapestry. Diversifying stories this way could really help each film shine on its own merits.
Gunn's vision for a more cohesive DCU makes sense for streamlining future narratives, but it's cool to see individual directors like Reeves still getting to craft their unique takes under the DC Elseworlds banner. Respecting creative freedom while building a connected universe is a tough balancing act, but it feels like Gunn's on the right track keeping the DC landscape diverse yet unified.