James Gunn’s candid approach to building the DC Universe has left fans both excited and anxious about the future of the franchise. Recently, he revealed that he has yet to see the script for The Batman Part 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Matt Reeves’ The Batman. This led to speculation that Clayface and Scarecrow might be villains in the upcoming film, but Gunn clarified that Reeves has not even submitted the first draft of the script yet. While this might concern some fans, it’s likely that Gunn and Reeves have discussed the general direction of the sequel, ensuring that it aligns with the broader DC vision.
Reeves, however, hasn’t left fans in the dark. Earlier this year, his The Penguin series gave fans a closer look at Gotham just after The Batman, expanding his universe while providing a deeper exploration of iconic characters. The series has been well-received and serves as a bridge between The Batman and its sequel, with Reeves expressing hopes to develop more Gotham-based shows. The series’ success has given fans some comfort as they wait for the next chapter in Batman’s story.
The long development time for The Batman Part 2—with a release date set for October 2026—has left some fans concerned, especially given Reeves’ typically quicker turnaround on his Planet of the Apes films. However, Reeves has kept DC executives informed on the script’s progress, promising that the sequel will explore parts of Gotham and its characters that are rarely seen on the big screen. The story is expected to dive deeper into the city’s corruption, continuing the grounded, character-driven approach that made the first film so compelling.
The pressure is undeniably high for Reeves, as fans are expecting a sequel that lives up to the success and critical acclaim of The Batman. With the stakes so high, much like James Cameron’s success with Avatar, the key for Reeves will be delivering a film that surpasses expectations and cements The Batman Part 2 as a classic.