Last Updated on January 18, 2023 by Lil Ginge
Matt Reeves has a BatVerse plan.
Does Matt Reeves look like a guy with a plan? Actually, yes, yes he does.
And he has one.
Reeves’s plan for the Batman franchise, of course, first launched with the release of his acclaimed blockbuster hit The Batman in 2022. Now, an HBOMax series featuring The Penguin will be the next step into the BatVerse that will reach audiences. HBOMax is also busy developing a second BatVerse series, this one about the creepy goings-on inside Arkham Asylum. Meanwhile, Reeves is working hard on his first film follow-up to The Batman.
A DCU & A Batverse
According to a new interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, Matt Reeves said he would soon be meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran. Gunn and Safran are the new co-heads of DC Studios. The meeting is intended to help keep the BatVerse and the Gunn & Safran DC Universe (DCU) from “crashing into each other”. Reeves said:
“They [Gunn and Safran] have been great. […] We’re actually supposed to meet in the next few weeks because they want to talk to me about the broad plan, and then they want to hear the BatVerse plan. We’re just getting together to talk about all of that. Look, I’m excited to hear what they’re going to do. The BatVerse thing, as James has said, and as Peter has said, is kind of its own thing they’re letting us do.”
– Matt Reeves, on his meeting with Gunn & Safran.
Meanwhile, Gunn & Safran are laying out a ten-year plan for a unified DC Studios that will likely be modeled on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But, it seems almost certain that the BatVerse will remain a separate franchise for DC Studios. This makes sense given the critical and box office success of The Batman.
Collider suggests Gunn & Safran may be considering an “Elseworlds” approach to DC Studios. Elseworlds was a DC Comics imprint for non-canonical storylines that took place outside of the regular DC Comics narrative continuity.
As to how this will all play out, Reeves added:
“I had this dream for the way I wanted that to play out and that’s part of what I’m going to be talking to them about in a few weeks. They’re going to be talking to me about what they’re doing in their ten-year plan or certainly what’s in the near future as well so that we can understand that we’re not—it’s air traffic control—we don’t want to be crashing into each other. We want to support each other. I’m super excited. I’m really excited to hear about what they’re doing and to be working with them. It’s going to be cool.”
– Matt Reeves for Collider.com
Will There Be Two Different Batmen Moving Forward?
Right now, there are two different Batman appearing on screen simultaneously. The first is Ben Affleck’s Batman – or “Battfleck” – who debuted in the 2017 critical failure Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The Second is Robert Pattinson’s Batman – or “Battinson” – who debuted in Reeves’s first Batman film.
A third Batman, Michael Keaton’s late 80s / early 90s incarnation, is “returning” again to the screen this year with the release of The Flash. The Flash also features Battfleck. This means that there are currently three different Batmen in DC on film. Two of them exist within the confines of the Snyderverse. The third is squarely and independently featured in the Batverse.
Feel dizzy yet?
Gunn & Safran’s ten-year plan is likely going to be a complete reboot of the Snyderverse continuity (or so it seems). Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot will no longer be playing Superman and Wonder Woman, respectively. That whole continuity appears to be ending (mercifully) with The Flash.
The Batverse is apparently continuing to proceed in parallel to the end of the Snydervse. And alongside the beginning of the new rebooted DC Universe. But, will Batman also appear in the latter? Will we get a new Batman in the world of Gunn & Safran while Reeves continues with the Pattinson edition? Read why I think including Batman in the rebooted DC Universe is unnecessary.
But First: The Penguin on HBOMax
Before we see what Reeves has in store for us in The Batman sequel, we will see the continued saga of Oz Cobblepot play out on the HBOMax series The Penguin. The show, with Farrell reprising his role as the up-and-coming gangster crime lord, will begin filming next month.
Lauren LeFranc is the showrunner, with Craig Zobel set to direct the first two episodes. Dylan Clark, Matt Reeves, Collin Farrell, Lauren LeFranc, Daniel Pipski, Adam Kassan, and Raif Cohen are executive producers.
In addition to Farrell, Cristin Miloti (Palm Springs, How I Met Your Mother) will be playing Sofia Falcone. Falcone, of course, is the daughter of deceased Gotham City mob boss Carmine Falcone. Falcone (John Turturro) played a pivotal role in the plot of The Batman.
Keep your eyes peeled and here for more news about the Batverse. And check out my candidates for Robin in the next Batman film.