Robert Pattinson discusses Batman’s place in James Gunn’s DC Universe 

Hollywood star Robert Pattinson has said his version of Batman could be difficult to place alongside other superheroes in filmmaker James Gunn’s DC Universe, while the actor prepares to reprise the role in Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II.

Pattinson first played Bruce Wayne in the 2022 film The Batman, which took a crime noir approach to the superhero story rather than focusing on conventional superhero action.

“I think it would be kind of tough to have this version of Bruce outside of that world,” Pattinson told LADbible in an interview.

The actor said the role had a particularly strong effect on him during the lengthy production of the first film.

“I remember that happened to me the last time I did it, it took a while. You’re just in the dark, the whole time. Both mood-wise and light-wise, I can’t see anything for like months. It does affect you, like you feel strange afterwards,” he said.

In The Batman, Bruce Wayne is in his second year as a vigilante in Gotham City when he begins hunting the Riddler, a serial killer targeting the city’s corrupt elite.

Rather than maintaining a prominent public persona, Pattinson’s Bruce is portrayed as a recluse who largely ignores his corporate responsibilities and social life. The character also struggles to separate his identity as Bruce Wayne from his life as Batman.

The Batman Part II is currently in production and is scheduled for release on February 18, 2028.

Speaking to Collider, Pattinson described the sequel as a significant departure from the first film while retaining elements of its tone.

“The first one was a different take on a Batman movie, and this one is another… It’s a real left turn from the first one, but somehow it keeps elements of the kind of feel of it. But it just feels really ambitious, and I’m excited to see how it turns out,” he said.

James Gunn’s DC Universe features superheroes including Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Shazam.