Honestly, it feels like we’ve been waiting a lifetime for Robert Pattinson to put the eyeliner back on. It’s been nearly four years since Matt Reeves’ moody, rain-soaked vision of Gotham hit theaters, and the rumor mill hasn't stopped spinning since. People keep asking the same thing: is The Batman Part II actually happening, or is it stuck in development hell?
The short answer is: yes, it's very much alive. But the long answer is a bit more complicated. Between massive studio shifts at Warner Bros. and Matt Reeves’ notoriously meticulous writing process, the road to this sequel has been anything but smooth. We aren't looking at a 2026 release anymore. In fact, if you’ve been marking your calendar for next year, you’re going to be disappointed.
Why The Batman Part II is taking so long
The biggest misconception right now is that the movie is coming out this year or next. It isn't. Following several production shifts, the official release date for The Batman Part II is now October 1, 2027. That is a massive five-year gap between the first and second films.
Why the wait? Basically, Matt Reeves and co-writer Mattson Tomlin refused to rush the script. James Gunn, who now co-runs DC Studios, even stood up for the delay, telling fans to "get off Matt's nuts" because a good script takes time. Reeves recently confirmed that the screenplay is finally locked, and he’s "super excited" about the direction. He even sent the script to Pattinson in a high-security "privacy pouch" that required a code to open.
Filming is slated to begin around April 2026. They'll be heading back to London and likely returning to the gothic architecture of Glasgow and Liverpool to flesh out their version of Gotham. It’s a slow burn. But for fans of the first movie's grounded, detective-heavy tone, the delay is probably a good sign. It means they aren't just churning out content; they're actually trying to make a movie.
The Sebastian Stan and Scarlett Johansson rumors
Casting news has been wild lately. The most shocking update is the report that Sebastian Stan, known to everyone as Bucky Barnes from the Marvel movies, is jumping ship to DC. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed earlier this month that Stan is joining the cast of The Batman Part II as Harvey Dent.
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Wait. Does that mean we’re getting Two-Face? Not necessarily.
In this universe, everything is slower and grittier. There's a strong chance we just see Dent as the ambitious District Attorney for the entire film, watching his moral compass slowly erode before any "coin-flipping" starts.
Then there’s the Scarlett Johansson of it all. Reports have her in final negotiations for a mystery role. While some fans are screaming "Poison Ivy," others suspect she might be playing Gilda Dent, Harvey’s wife. If that’s the case, the sequel might be a tragic psychological drama about the Dents' downfall rather than a traditional superhero brawl.
Who is actually coming back?
The core team is returning, which is a relief. You can’t have this specific version of Gotham without the regulars.
- Robert Pattinson: Obviously. He’s Bruce Wayne.
- Andy Serkis: Confirmed to return as Alfred.
- Jeffrey Wright: He’ll be back as Jim Gordon, likely navigating the fallout of the flooding.
- Colin Farrell: He’s the bridge between the two movies.
Speaking of Farrell, his HBO series The Penguin is essential viewing if you want to understand The Batman Part II. The sequel is set just "a few weeks" after the events of that show. Gotham is still literally underwater in some places, and the power vacuum left by Carmine Falcone’s death is the primary driver of the plot.
One notable absence? Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman. Current reports suggest she might not return for this installment, as Selina Kyle left Gotham at the end of the first film. It’s a bummer, but it fits the noir "loner" vibe Reeves is going for.
Is the Joker the main villain?
Everyone wants to know if Barry Keoghan’s Joker is the big bad. He had that brief, creepy cameo at the end of the first movie, and he’s confirmed to appear in the sequel. But don’t expect a full-blown The Dark Knight situation.
Reeves has been vocal about wanting Bruce Wayne to remain the emotional center. Usually, in Batman sequels, the villains take over the screen time. Reeves wants to avoid that. The Joker might be more of a Hannibal Lecter figure—someone Batman visits in Arkham to help solve a different case—rather than the guy planting bombs all over the city.
Rumors still persist about other villains like Clayface, Hush, or even the Court of Owls. Given the detective focus, a secret society like the Court would make a lot of sense.
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Grounded detective work over CGI spectacle
The most important thing to remember is that this isn't part of the main DC Universe (the one with Superman and the Justice League). This is an "Elseworlds" project. That means no flying aliens and no magical rings.
The focus of The Batman Part II will remain on the "Crime Saga." It’s a noir. It’s a mystery. Expect more raining rooftops, more boots on the ground, and more of Bruce Wayne trying to figure out if he's actually helping Gotham or just making it worse.
What to do while you wait:
- Watch The Penguin: If you haven't seen the HBO series, do it now. It sets up the exact state of the criminal underworld that Bruce will face in the sequel.
- Re-read Batman: Year Two: While not a direct adaptation, Reeves has hinted that the sequel deals with the "second year" of being a hero, where the initial "Vengeance" mission has to turn into something more hopeful.
- Adjust your expectations: Don't look for a trailer until late 2026. With filming starting in the spring of that year, we're in for a long, quiet period of pre-production.
The wait is frustrating, sure. But in an era where superhero movies often feel rushed and hollow, a director taking five years to get the script right is something we should actually be cheering for.