UPDATE 5/12/25: James Gunn has disputed rumors that Matt Reeves is not directing The Batman: Part 2. It appears as though he is still slated to direct the film despite the Production Weekly listing.
The Batman: Part 2 is moving forward—but apparently not under the direction of Matt Reeves. According to a newly released listing from Production Weekly, Reeves is no longer attached as director of the upcoming DC sequel and is now only credited as the film’s screenwriter. The production is currently aiming for a March 2026 shoot in London, with a revised release date of October 1, 2027.
This news marks a dramatic shift for a franchise that Reeves helped shape from the ground up. The 2022 release of The Batman was met with critical acclaim and a strong box office showing, leading Warner Bros. to announce a full trilogy with Reeves at the helm. But the sequel has since experienced multiple production delays—and now, the departure of its original director.
Batman and Catwoman in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures
Matt Reeves originally pitched The Batman as the first installment of a grounded trilogy exploring a younger, less refined version of Bruce Wayne. Drawing inspiration from noir detective stories and crime sagas like Zodiac and Chinatown, Reeves emphasized a psychological depth to Gotham’s characters. In interviews following the first film’s release, Reeves spoke about building a rich world that could sustain multiple films and spin-offs—including the HBO Max Penguin series, which released to critical acclaim.
Warnings Were Quietly Circulating
While Reeves has not publicly disclosed the reasons behind his step back, speculation has been quietly building for months. In fact, Forbes writer Paul Tassi hinted at the situation back in January 2025.
“I have heard what Reeves is going through,” Tassi said, “and no, I’m not going to say what it is. But I will say it’s serious, and people really need to back off.”
Colin Farrell as The Penguin in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures
This early reference suggested that those in media circles were already aware of a serious personal issue affecting Reeves, but chose not to elaborate out of respect for his privacy.
The issue reentered the public spotlight last month when YouTube personality Grace Randolph referenced Reeves’ situation in a video, controversially comparing it to that of the late Chadwick Boseman. Her statement drew significant backlash online, with many criticizing the comparison as inappropriate and speculative.
What’s Next for the Sequel
Despite Reeves stepping back as director, The Batman: Part 2 remains in active development. Robert Pattinson, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright, and Andy Serkis are all expected to return, and Reeves remains onboard as co-writer alongside Mattson Tomlin.
Robert Pattinson as Batman in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures
The Batman: Part 2 has been delayed multiple times, with its most recent release date now set for October 2027. These delays have unfolded amid a broader restructuring of DC’s cinematic universe under new co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, who are launching a rebooted continuity known as Gods and Monsters. However, Reeves’ Batman films are part of a separate continuity called the “DC Elseworlds” banner, meaning they are not directly connected to Gunn’s new Superman-led reboot.
Despite being outside the new canon, The Batman remains one of DC’s strongest-performing standalone entries post-Justice League.
Colin Farrell as the Penguin in The Penguin (2024), Max
As of this writing, Warner Bros. has not named a replacement director for Matt Reeves in The Batman: Part 2. The studio may be waiting to make a formal announcement or seeking someone who can preserve Reeves’ creative vision. Some fans online have speculated about potential successors, but no credible reports have emerged. With pre-production reportedly set to begin in early 2026, the search for a new director will be a major point of interest over the coming months.
How do you feel about Matt Reeves not directing The Batman: Part 2? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
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I actually liked The Batman, though I do understand why it’s not for everybody. So that sucks he’s not coming back.
I will say though, with as freaking good as The Penguin was, Lauren LaFranc better be at the top of the list of potential directors to replace him.
This is a mistake. A production can’t even begin without a director. Unless WBD has someone waiting in the wings, I predict production will be delayed even further as they look for someone and that someone inevitably changes things with the script.