The release of James Gunn’s Superman and the launch of the new DC Universe have a lot of fans wondering if David Corenswet’s hero will cross paths with Robert Pattinson’s Batman. Introduced in Matt Reeves’s The Batman (2022), the iconic vigilante operates in a world separate from the DCU and the now-defunct DC Extended Universe. Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne doesn’t appear in the spinoff TV series The Penguin (2024), though he is slated to make his long-awaited return in The Batman Part II (2027). Meanwhile, Superman and upcoming DC projects such as Supergirl, Clayface, and Lanterns will construct Gunn’s cinematic universe, which is also expected to introduce its own Batman. Gunn has rejected the possibility of integrating Pattinson’s Batman in the DCU, yet some fans are still hoping to see the two franchises converge.
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Pattinson and Corenswet are both outstanding in their roles; however, that doesn’t mean they should appear on screen together. For the following four reasons, a crossover between Pattinson’s Batman and Corenswet’s Superman in the DCU would be a bad idea.
4) The DC Universe Needs to Feel New
Superman‘s commencement of the DCU triumphs because it genuinely feels like a new beginning after years of disappointment from the DCEU. A story brimming with heart and hope, Superman dives into its world with enthusiasm and without hesitation to show Clark Kent’s human and heroic sides. From the city of Metropolis to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, the DCU’s first movie expertly fleshes out its world, which feels real and lived-in.
Thus, all subsequent DCU installments need to feed off the energy of this amazing fresh start. Advancing the franchise’s world-building with a unique version of Gotham City instead of the same depiction used in The Batman and The Penguin would be ideal, as turning to Pattinson’s Batman could undermine the excitement and novelty of Gunn’s vision for an interconnected universe. Adding Gunn’s ongoing Peacemaker series to the DCU is already an imperfect move, but crossing over with The Batman would cause even more of a mess.
3) The Batman Universe Is Brilliant As Is
Unlike past Batman films, The Batman fully leans into the brutality of Gotham City and the hero’s prowess as a mystery-solver. Just one movie and one eight-episode TV series have established this universe as an intricate world rife with fascinating characters like Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Oz Cobb/Penguin (Colin Farrell), and Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti). One of The Batman and The Penguin‘s biggest strengths is how vivid and immersive Gotham feels. With or without Batman’s presence, the streets teem with both dangerous and ordinary activities. In addition to their spellbinding atmospheres, The Batman and its spinoff show deliver gripping plot lines elevated by breathtaking fights, intense character interactions, and shocking twists.
These stories are about so much more than heroes and villains. They thoroughly examine morally gray personas and delve into how Gotham’s harshness has shaped them. The Batman and The Penguin work as an amazing one-two punch, and their success could signal great things to come in The Batman Part II and beyond. There’s no need to shake things up by merging Reeves’s universe with the DCU and risking The Batman‘s downfall. Rather, DC should continue developing characters and introduce more Batman figures in its existing storyline. By keeping The Batman a contained universe, DC can expand on what it has already perfected without ruining it all with a rushed Superman crossover.
2) The Tonal Disparity Between The Batman and Superman Is Too Great
The Batman universe’s dark and grim atmosphere starkly contrasts with Superman‘s more lighthearted and zany tone. Gunn’s movie isn’t devoid of sincerity, though, which means it’s not impossible to fuse it with The Batman. Even so, the joining of Pattinson’s Batman and Corenswet’s Superman threatens to weaken the unique approach each universe has taken. It would be tricky to balance The Batman‘s melancholy atmosphere and brutal violence with Superman‘s silliness and comical action.
Some fans might welcome the tonal mayhem this idea would likely produce, but forcing two drastically creative directions together isn’t worth it. Not all of the DCU’s projects and heroes need to exhibit the same humor-heavy style as Superman, however, they should align closely enough to believably take place in the same universe. The Batman simply does not meet those qualifications.
1) Giving Into Fans’ Wishes Wouldn’t Bode Well for the DCU
Gunn has already made it clear he has no plans to bring Pattinson’s Batman into the DCU. “I would never say zero [chance], because you just never know. But it’s not likely. It’s not likely at all,” the DC Studios co-head told Rolling Stone back in June. The uptick in fans asking for Pattinson to serve as the DCU’s Batman since Superman‘s release should not impact Gunn’s roadmap for the DCU. Changing course due to outside pressure wouldn’t be the most encouraging sign for the future, as a franchise that is willing to succumb to fan service is unlikely to excel in creativity and quality.
As of recent, the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker is working with an unnamed writer to devise a Batman different from The Batman‘s Dark Knight. The DCU’s version of the hero might have a hard time outshining Pattinson’s portrayal, but that won’t matter if the DCU succeeds as a whole. The best way to preserve the polished vision of both universes is to stick to the plan of keeping them separate.
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