Matt Reeves’ The Batman was a massive unexpected hit that has fans and critics alike dying to know what they can expect from The Batman 2. In 2014, Warner Bros. announced their plans to release a stand-alone Batman film. It was initially set to star and be directed by Ben Affleck, making it his debut as the caped crusader. By 2017, though, the baton had been passed to Matt Reeves known for his directorial work in Cloverfield and Let Me In. DC fans were pretty excited to see where he would take the film. However, they started getting very nervous when Variety announced that Robert Pattinson would be picking up the mantle of Batman.
They didn’t believe that the Twilight actor could pull off such a dynamic role. Fortunately, their fears were misplaced. Pattinson went on to wow fans and critics alike with his performances both as the maladjusted Bruce Wayne and his crime-fighting counterpart. Along with Reeves, they proved to be a winning combo in telling the story of a Batman in his prime learning that inspiring hope, rather than just fear, was the true purpose he was being called toward. The 2022 film was deep dive into the line that separates a hero from the villain and how that relationship impacts the people around them. Naturally, fans want to know if Reeves and co. can pull off such a successful feat once again.
The Batman reintroduced crime-solving aspects of the character to its live-action iteration. According to a vague tweet from Reeves, The Batman 2 is slated to do the same as an epic crime saga. Not much is known about the plot yet, but fans are hopeful that it will be just as gritty as the first and continue to allow Batman to grow as a multi-faceted hero. However, one thing fans know for certain is that Reeves is no stranger to subverting expectations. Barry Keoghan made a surprise introduction in an end-credit teaser and a deleted scene from The Batman as The Joker.
While this could be a promise of things to come, it might also just be a misdirect as DC’s Clayface has been rumored as the big villain of The Batman 2. If true, will this be the Matthew Hagen version, where he becomes Clayface due to exposure to toxic chemicals? Will this be the Basil “Baz” Karlo version, where he’s a B-list actor willing to kill to return to his iconic role as Clayface? Or will the film pull inspiration from The Harley Quinn Show and combine the two? Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess as Reeves recently teased the ketchup and mustard-wielding Condiment Man as a potential villain as well. Anyone doubting his sincerity would do well to remember that the upcoming Joker sequel is being made into a musical. Just a little food for thought.
Another character that fans would love to see share the screen with Pattinson’s Batman is Matt Reeves’ version of Superman. Many of them were hyped when they noticed a reference to Metropolis amidst the plethora of newspapers littered throughout the Riddler’s (Paul Dano) apartment in The Batman. They were even more excited when set photos revealed that the Man of Steel might’ve been involved in scenes that were eventually deleted from the film (albeit in the form of a Halloween costume). Yet, who would reprise this role?
Henry Cavill’s iteration in various DC films has been met with mixed reviews. Some thought he carried the role well, while others thought he lacked the substance necessary to move anyone – especially the overly cynical Bruce Wayne / Batman – to believe in him as a hero. Meanwhile, Tyler Hoechlin has been stealing hearts with his performance as Clark Kent / Superman in the critically-acclaimed Superman & Lois. The CW series follows the two as they struggle through the hardships of family matters, relationship drama, and the ever-revolving door of superhero-related chaos. Always at the forefront of their story, however, is hope. It’s the same message that appears at the end of The Batman, so it would be fitting for the two stories to merge in a way that carried this message into The Batman 2. However, it is highly unlikely that Hoechlin, who leads a CW show, would appear in a major blockbuster film as his version of the character.
One thing for certain is that filming for The Batman 2 begins later this year in November. Reeves and Mattson Tomlin (Mother / Android) are still ironing out the final details of the script which is still unknown outside its crime-solving foundation. Under the DC Elseworlds label, at least the film won’t have to struggle through the complex mess of sticking to the DCU timeline. This leaves a lot of breathing room for the story to have great potential in what it focuses on and the character it involves. Zoë Kravitz might even return as the sultry anti-hero Selina Kyle / Catwoman.
There’s even been speculation over the possible appearances of Harvey Dent, the Court of Owls, and Mr. Freeze. Most likely, Reeves and co. are publicly tossing around all these ideas – both serious and tongue-in-cheek – to keep fans from discovering the truth too early on. While it’s fun to speculate about who might appear and what the story might entail, the real magic is letting the mystery hold until all is finally revealed in the finished product.
Fans who want to learn more about what happened following the events of The Batman can do so in the new Penguin series. Colin Farrell once again dons the black and white suit as fans follow his character’s rise to power among the criminals of Gotham in the days after his rival’s murder. The eight-episode series recently started filming in March and could be released by the end of the year. If so, its storylines may tie into The Batman 2 – especially since the timeline of events in the Penguin series have been confirmed as occurring before those of the sequel begin.
Come what may, fans are on the edge of their seats with every Batman update and can’t wait to see what the final product looks like. More importantly, they’re anxiously waiting to see how the film ties into the bigger picture being carefully curated under the DC Elseworlds label. Everyone loves a little bit of world-building and DC fans are no exception. Only the release of The Batman 2 will tell them just what kind of world is being built around this particular winged detective.
The Batman 2 is scheduled to be released on October 3, 2025.