For years, one of the biggest rumors surrounding Matt Reeves’ The Batman franchise has been that Warner Bros. was secretly planning to film The Batman Part II and The Batman Part III back-to-back. The theory became increasingly popular as Reeves’ sequel endured repeated delays, with some fans speculating the extended development was actually part of a much larger production strategy.
According to DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, that’s simply not true.
Responding directly to the rumor on Threads, Gunn offered one of his shortest—and clearest—responses yet.
“I can deny,” he said simply.
Just like that, one of the internet’s favorite Batman theories appears to be dead.
The Rumor Had Been Growing for Months
The speculation wasn’t completely without logic.
The Batman Part II has experienced one of the longest development cycles of any modern superhero sequel. After the original film debuted in March 2022 to critical acclaim and more than $770 million at the global box office, many expected the sequel to arrive relatively quickly.
Instead, Warner Bros. repeatedly delayed the film.
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Originally scheduled for October 2025, it slipped to October 2026, then October 2027, and now carries a February 18, 2028 release date.
Those delays led many fans to believe Reeves was quietly developing multiple films at once. Some online insiders even claimed The Batman Part II and Part III would shoot together, allowing Warner Bros. to finish Reeves’ trilogy without another six-year wait between installments.
James Gunn has now publicly rejected that claim.
Production Is Finally Underway
Although the sequel has taken years to reach cameras, production is now officially underway in London.
Robert Pattinson returns as Bruce Wayne alongside returning cast members, while newcomers reportedly include Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Charles Dance, Brian Tyree Henry, and Sebastian Koch.
The Batman Confronts The Penguin in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures
Plot details remain tightly guarded, but Reeves once again co-wrote the screenplay with Mattson Tomlin.
With filming finally underway, Gunn’s denial also suggests Warner Bros. is focusing entirely on finishing The Batman Part II before committing resources to a third installment.
Why This Matters
Back-to-back productions aren’t uncommon for major franchises.
Warner Bros. famously filmed The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions together. Disney shot Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End simultaneously, while Marvel filmed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame as one massive production.
Steve Rogers Captain America wields Mjolnir in Avengers: Endgame – Disney+
Given how long fans have waited for Reeves’ sequel, many believed Warner Bros. would adopt a similar strategy to avoid another multi-year gap.
Gunn says that isn’t happening.
That doesn’t necessarily mean The Batman Part III isn’t already being discussed internally. Studios frequently outline sequels years in advance. But Gunn’s comments indicate there’s no secret back-to-back production currently taking place.
Another Example of James Gunn Trying to Manage Expectations
One thing Gunn has consistently done since taking over DC Studios (for better or worse…) is directly respond to online rumors.
Whether discussing casting reports, DCU timelines, or production speculation, Gunn regularly uses social media to either confirm or debunk stories before they spiral further.
James Gunn sits for an interview – YouTube, GQ
This latest response continues that trend.
It also serves as a reminder that not every lengthy development cycle is hiding some elaborate master plan. Sometimes movies simply take longer than expected to write, produce, and finish—especially when directors like Matt Reeves are given significant creative control.
The Wait Continues
While Gunn may have ended one rumor, he didn’t answer the bigger question many fans still have: Why has The Batman Part II taken nearly six years to reach theaters?
Warner Bros. has consistently pointed to Reeves’ deliberate creative process and the demands of post-production as reasons for the extended schedule. Whether that long wait ultimately pays off won’t be known until the film finally arrives in February 2028.
Robert Pattinson as Batman in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures
For now, fans can at least cross one theory off the list.
According to James Gunn himself, The Batman Part II and The Batman Part III are not filming back-to-back.
Did you think The Batman Part II and The Batman Part III were filming together? Sound off and let us know!
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