What’s Really Going On Between James Gunn new Batman film and Matt Reeves’ The Batman II?

The battle of the Batmen has begun as the DC reboot under new co-heads Peter Safran and James Gunn shakes the world—in a good way.

There are a number of projects in line in the DC Studios under Gunn’s leadership, and he is giving a whole new look to all. For example, he wants the Batman spinoff, Clayface, to be an R-rated film, so that people don’t get bored.

With Supergirl (2026), Clayface (2026), and Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2027), how will audiences handle both James Gunn new Batman film and Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II?​

Some speculate trouble in the Batcave, but here’s a breakdown of the uncertainty caused by the Gotham gamble.  

How is James Gunn new Batman film different from Reeves’ Batman II? Two Batmen, one fandom

Firstly, to prevent ourselves from doom into the future of confusion, here are some points that accommodate the differentiation between the two Batman films.​

• Gunn’s Batman film, The Brave and the Bold, will be in the main DCU timeline, while Reeves’ Batman II will be in DC Elseworlds.
• Gunn is introducing a new live-action character of Robin (Damian Wayne) alongside Batman, while Reeves will be carrying forward the story of the battered Robert Pattinson in a rat-infested Gotham, who is still trying to figure things out.  
• Gunn has not announced his new Batman and Robin actors yet, but we know who Reeves’ Batman is.
• Gunn’s new Batman film is expected to release in 2028, while Reeves’ Batman II is currently slated for a release in 2027.

Why two Batmen exist in the DC Universe?

Elseworld vs mainline DCU is a major difference that the audience needs to understand in order to fully enjoy the upcoming projects from DC Studios. Two different versions of Batman aren’t a mistake- it’s a deliberate effort of storytelling strategy. 

The mainline DCU includes:

• Superman (2025)
  
• The Brave and the Bold (Batman & Robin)
  
• Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
  

We’ll meet a new Batman as part of the larger DC verse, along with Damian Wayne (Robin). It implies that Batman will be the one interacting with other heroes in the DC World. 

DC Elseworlds is a name given to the theories that exist outside the main DC continuity. They could be envisioned as experimental, standalone interpretations of the DC heroes, possibly darker ones.  

For now, Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II falls under this umbrella, which is not connected to the main DCU. He has already shown us a new grounded, noir-style Batman, played by Robert Pattinson, in a different type of Gotham. 

Other DC Elseworlds examples:

• Joker (2019) and its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
  

Hence, two Batmen serve separate purposes. Gunn’s Batman will be bolder and braver, exploring family dynamics, team-ups, and new challenges in a superhero-filled world. 

Reeves’ Batman is gritty and still trying to get the hang of his responsibilities. The story will dig deep into Bruce Wayne’s sole psychology as a hero. 

Writer and Directors of both films?

Gunn has been clear on one thing- he cannot give a go-ahead for a film until its script is thoroughly done and approved. Once the script gets a green light, only then will the film be set in the production stage.

And this is exactly what is expected of Reeves’ The Batman Part II, whose script has been finished by both Reeves and his co-writer Mattson Tomlin, as confirmed by his Instagram post.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Matt Reeves (@mattreevesla)

Here’s the overview of the directors and writers of both films:

​​Who is Damian Wayne in Gunn’s The Brave and the Bold? Comic origins and film role

Damian Wayne is Bruce Wayne’s son with Talia al Ghul, the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul. He is a murderous teen who has become aggressive after being raised by the assassins.

We predict that The Brave and the Bold might present us with Bruce Wayne and Damian’s alliance, where the latter is also known as Robin, and he will be able to learn morals and the mindset of a protector of the Gotham citizens against the criminals.

Since it is a father-son story, inspired by Grant Morrison and artist Andy Kubert’s version of the Batman story named “Batman and Son” (2006), we suppose Damian Wayne’s violent upbringing will be softened, and he will be able to modify his ruthless nature into a more compassionate and less extreme vigilante.​

Multiple versions of the same hero- Will the Batman overload work?

According to The Guardian, Gunn took a stance on having two Batmen in different timelines. Gunn thinks that this is not a problem, as dealing with the creation of the difference between two versions of Batman will let us delve into a magical, shimmering world that is entirely unique.​

This flexibility of diverse cinematic experience will let the audience know how the two Batmen are different. While Reeves wants to show a Batman who started from his early days and the way he is dealing with crime scenes in Gotham, Gunn wants to stay true to his personal struggles with a narrative figure full of strength, and probably, Robin’s guidance.

Since Gunn has already proven with his DC reboot with Superman (2025) that he is here to make a difference, we are still excited to see how he plants his flag with another iconic hero and his direction in the DC World.

One comic brand and two dark knights- will it cause double trouble for DC? We don’t know yet, but we guarantee that we are equally excited for both of the films. It is pretty hard to decide which one will outdo the other.  

Madiha Ali

Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.

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