Written by Edwin Francisco and Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t greenlit Robert Pattinson’s The Batman 2. Therefore, some fear they’ll cancel it. Once Warner Bros. Discovery shelved Batgirl, panic infected a portion of DC fans. In other words, who can it be now?
Granted, it’s justified. While The Wonder Twins looked DOA upon its announcement, Batgirl‘s $90 million death shook the industry. After all, Michael Keaton’s Batman is in it. It proved that nothing is unthinkable with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
After grossing over $770 million globally, the old regime would’ve given the go signal to The Batman sequel immediately. However, director Matt Reeves’ next Dark Knight entry remains in the freezer.
According to Variety:
Writer-director Matt Reeves is on track for a sequel with star Robert Pattinson, but the project remains in development and does not yet have a greenlight — any future film is years away.
Stay calm?
Previous WarnerMedia executives breathed a sigh of relief over Robert Pattinson’s Batman debut. When Ben Affleck gave Reeves the reins to make Affleck’s The Batman film, Reeves opted not to do it. The film originally would have starred Affleck and would have shown the DCEU Batman in his first solo feature.
Robert Pattinson’s The Batman 2 Might Be In Jeopardy
Image: Warner Bros.
Instead, Reeves just made a new Batman without any connection to the DCEU. The Batman which starred Pattinson told a story of a younger Caped Crusader, and still grasping to be the Batman we all know from the comics.
Recently, Zaslav announced their 10-year plan for DC Comics properties. Batgirl won’t be part of it. Moreover, neither will be the Supergirl movie. Both are integral parts of former DC Films president Walter Hamada’s Flashpoint Timeline. Hamada wanted to replace the SnyderVerse with this new vision.
That won’t happen.
Warner Bros. Discovery keeps the SnyderVerse timeline. As evidence, they brought back Affleck for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The Aquaman sequel was to have Michael Keaton as the new Batman. Originally, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom had a later release date than The Flash. But just a few months ago that changed, making Kingdom’s release earlier than The Flash.
Zaslav’s 10 year plan is here to reestablish the DCEU without forcing a reboot. Zaslav will use the MCU structure of a cohesive cinematic universe. Hamada didn’t like that path.
Although The Batman wasn’t part of the Flashpoint Timeline, it isn’t in the DCEU, either. Reeves demanded his own pocket universe. Sources explained that Zaslav isn’t comfortable with that. Is this why he hasn’t rubber stamped The Batman 2 yet? After all, The Batman didn’t crack a billion like Joker did.
Robert Pattinson’s The Batman 2 Might Be In Jeopardy
Image: Warner Bros.
Thus, Zaslav gave a thumbs up to another Joker. The Batman 2 awaits daddy’s approval.
Defenders use the pandemic excuse for The Batman‘s inability to grab a billion. It’s a tired conversation. Spider-Man: No Way Home pulled it off, mask or no mask. While The Batman was a hit, it fell below such expectations.
The DC plan under Zaslav is to make the franchise long lasting and income generating. Marvel Studios achieved that repeatedly. Warner Bros. Discovery sees that DC is in a position that it can emulate what Marvel Studios has done.
People are afraid if Reeves’ Batman flicks will survive Zaslav’s hammer.
If no spin-offs from The Batman appear on HBO Max, start to worry if you’re a fan.
Nonetheless, Joker: Folie à Deux is moving forward. Therefore, not every DC movie has to plug into the DCEU. Joker: Folie à Deux is possibly the first Black Label entry for DC Films. Specifically, these are adult-oriented DC movies that stand alone.
In the end, Zaslav will likely push The Batman 2 to the end zone. Without a doubt, he’s known to shock and awe. But just because it’s likely doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed.