DCU Batman debut may face delay amid new trilogy update

A new report suggests that The Batman franchise plans may be accelerating, potentially reshaping the timeline for the broader DC Studios cinematic universe.

According to industry scooper Daniel Richtman, via The Direct, James Gunn is reportedly prioritizing the development of The Batman 3 in order to complete director Matt Reeves’ standalone trilogy sooner rather than later. If accurate, the move could delay the long-anticipated DCU introduction of the Dark Knight in The Brave and the Bold.

Robert Pattinson debuted as Bruce Wayne in The Batman (2022), a gritty reboot set outside the main DC Universe continuity. The film launched what has been branded as “The Batman Epic Crime Saga,” which also includes HBO’s Penguin spin-off series starring Colin Farrell. A sequel, The Batman: Part II, is currently scheduled for release on October 1, 2027.

Meanwhile, the DCU officially began in December 2024 with Creature Commandos under Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership. Gunn has repeatedly clarified that Pattinson’s Batman exists in a separate continuity and will not carry over into the interconnected DCU storyline.

While neither The Batman 3 nor The Brave and the Bold currently has a confirmed release date, the rumor indicates DC Studios may want to avoid having two different live-action Batman franchises running simultaneously.

As of now, the report remains unconfirmed. Future release strategies will likely depend on the performance of The Batman: Part II and DC Studios’ broader long-term plans for its cinematic universe.