It feels like forever. Seriously. We’ve been waiting since 2022 to see Robert Pattinson’s brooding, eyeliner-heavy Bruce Wayne back on the streets of Gotham, and the wait just got a whole lot longer. Originally, we were supposed to be watching this thing in 2025. Now? The Batman Part II is officially slated for October 1, 2027. Yeah, that’s a five-year gap. It’s brutal, but honestly, if it means Matt Reeves gets to cook the way he did the first time, I’m okay with it. You've probably heard the rumors. People are losing their minds over who the villain is, whether Robin is showing up, and how much "The Penguin" series actually matters to the sequel.
Let's break down what's actually happening and what's just internet noise.
Where we left off: A city underwater
The end of the first film wasn't exactly a "happily ever after." Gotham is literally flooded. The Riddler is in Arkham, but he basically won. He broke the city.
Matt Reeves has been pretty vocal about the fact that The Batman Part II starts just a few weeks after the events of The Penguin. If you watched the Max series, you know Oz Cobb is now the kingpin of Gotham. He’s the guy. But the city itself is in shambles. Reeves described the upcoming vibe as "a lot more gray."
In the first movie, Bruce saw things as black and white. Bad guys go to jail. Good guys (mostly) don't. But now? The corruption goes so deep that the lines are blurred. Gotham is divided, people are "in their camps," and nobody is communicating. It’s basically a reflection of the real world, which is exactly where this version of Batman thrives. It’s messy. It’s grounded.
The cast: Who’s coming back (and who isn't)
Robert Pattinson is back, obviously. He's already read the script and apparently loves it. Alongside him, we’ve got the staples:
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- Andy Serkis as Alfred (expect more tension there).
- Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon.
- Colin Farrell as The Penguin.
Now, here is where it gets interesting. There’s been a massive amount of chatter about Sebastian Stan and Scarlett Johansson joining the cast. Variety and other outlets have hinted that Stan might be playing Harvey Dent. If that's true, we're looking at the origin of Two-Face in the Reeves-verse.
But what about Catwoman? Zoë Kravitz is a big question mark. Some reports say she isn't expected to return for this specific chapter. That would be a huge bummer for the "Bat and the Cat" shippers, but it makes sense if Bruce is spiraling into a deeper, more isolated detective mission.
The Joker problem
Barry Keoghan’s Joker is the elephant in the room. We saw that five-minute deleted scene. We saw the cameo at the end of the first movie. Is he the main villain? Probably not.
The word on the street is that he’ll appear, but Reeves is likely saving him for the finale of a trilogy. He’s more of a Hannibal Lecter figure right now—someone Bruce goes to for insight into the criminal mind. It’s a cool dynamic, but don't expect a full-on Joker war just yet.
The "Hush" and "Clayface" rumors
If you spend five minutes on Reddit, you'll see everyone screaming about Hush.
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It makes sense on paper. The first movie introduced the name Edward Elliot—a reporter killed because of the Waynes. In the comics, Tommy Elliot is Hush. Fans think Bruce’s childhood friend is coming back to tear his life apart. It fits the detective vibe perfectly.
Then there’s Clayface. Mike Flanagan (the guy behind The Haunting of Hill House) reportedly pitched a Clayface movie. While that might be its own thing, rumors persist that a "grounded" version of Clayface—maybe a master of disguise rather than a giant mud monster—could be the antagonist in The Batman Part II.
Reeves is keeping it tight. He’s obsessed with the "mystery" element. He literally said that if the secrets get out, it would be a "heartbreak." So, take every "leaked" villain report with a massive grain of salt.
Production timeline: When do they actually start?
We finally have a concrete schedule. Principal photography is set to begin in January 2026.
They’re heading back to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK. They’re also reportedly returning to Glasgow and Liverpool for those iconic, gothic exterior shots. If you live in Scotland, keep your eyes peeled for a blacked-out muscle car tearing through the streets in early '26.
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Why this movie actually matters for DC
While James Gunn is busy building the main DC Universe (DCU) with a new Superman and a different Batman movie called The Brave and the Bold, Matt Reeves’ world is staying separate. It’s an "Elseworlds" project.
This is good. It means Reeves doesn't have to worry about Justice League cameos or Multiverse nonsense. He can just make a dark, gritty crime epic.
The stakes are higher this time. The first movie was about Batman learning he needs to be a symbol of hope, not just vengeance. The sequel has to test that. How do you give a city hope when it's literally drowning in its own filth?
What to do while we wait:
- Watch (or re-watch) The Penguin on Max. It is essential bridging material. It explains how the power vacuum in Gotham was filled after Falcone's death.
- Keep an eye on casting news in late 2025. That’s when we’ll get the official confirmation on Sebastian Stan and the villain.
- Don't expect a trailer until late 2026. With filming starting in January, they won't have enough footage for a real teaser until at least the following autumn.
This version of Gotham is the most immersive we've ever seen. It’s worth the wait. Just hang in there.