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James Gunn Swiftly Debunks Insneider Rumor Claiming Robin Will Debut in ‘The Batman Part II’

August 10, 2025  ·
  Marvin Montanaro
The Batman

The Batman Confronts The Penguin in The Batman - YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures

Supposed Hollywood insiders believe that Robin will appear in The Batman Part II, but James Gunn put those rumors to bed quickly. 

On August 8, 2025, entertainment insider Jeff Sneider ignited a firestorm among DC fans by claiming in his newsletter, The InSneider, that the iconic sidekick Robin—specifically the Dick Grayson version—would make an appearance in Matt Reeves’ upcoming sequel, The Batman Part II.

James Gunn

James Gunn sits for an interview – YouTube, GQ

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Sneider described the script, co-written by Reeves and Mattson Tomlin, as a “big swing” that introduces the Boy Wonder into Robert Pattinson’s gritty Batverse. However, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn was quick to extinguish the flames, labeling the rumor “nonsense” and urging fans to dismiss unverified reports.

The Rumor’s Origin: Sneider’s Bold Claim

Jeff Sneider, a well-known scooper with a track record of both hits and misses in Hollywood reporting, shared his intel via his subscription-based newsletter.

According to Sneider, a “well-placed source” informed him that Robin would feature prominently in the story, marking a significant expansion of Reeves’ grounded, noir-inspired take on the Dark Knight.

Batman Catwoman

Batman and Catwoman in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures

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He emphasized that this wasn’t a setup for multiple Robins but a focused introduction of Dick Grayson, the original Boy Wonder from the comics. Sneider also hinted at the script’s ambitious nature, suggesting it could tie into broader DC plans while standing alone in Reeves’ Elseworlds-style universe.

This scoop quickly spread across social media and fan forums, with outlets like Reddit’s r/DC_Cinematic and Instagram buzzing about potential casting and how Robin might fit into Pattinson’s solitary Batman narrative.

Batman in The Batman

Robert Pattinson as Batman in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures

The timing of Sneider’s report aligned with Warner Bros. Discovery’s recent shareholder letter, which confirmed that production on The Batman Part II would commence in spring 2026, aiming for an October 2027 release.

The letter highlighted the film’s place within DC’s expanding slate, including projects like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Clayface, and a new Wonder Woman film—all under Gunn’s oversight as co-CEO.

Clayface Batman

Clayface faces off against Batman in the video game Batman: Arkham City – YouTube, GameClips

Fans speculated that introducing Robin could bridge Reeves’ standalone story with Gunn’s interconnected DC Universe (DCU), despite earlier assurances that The Batman exists in its own pocket of the multiverse.

Gunn’s Firm Denial: “Stop Believing This Nonsense”

Less than a day after Sneider’s report gained traction, James Gunn took to Threads to shut down the speculation.

James Gunn Chris Pratt

James Gunn and Chris Pratt attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

In a post, Gunn stated, “Guys please stop believing this nonsense. I think six of us have read the script. No one knows anything about ‘the Batman 2. [sic]'” This followed an earlier comment where he emphasized that “anything you’ve heard about that movie is made up or a guess. No one in the world knows anything about the concept for the story except four people.”

James Gunn

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Pom Klementieff, James Gunn, and Karen Gillan attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 27, 2023. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)

This isn’t the first time Gunn has played rumor-whack-a-mole. As the architect of the new DCU, he frequently addresses leaks on social media, balancing transparency with secrecy.

 

In this case, his denial was unequivocal, leading to immediate pushback from Sneider, as seen above. Outlets like IGN and Dark Horizons reported on the exchange, noting that while Sneider has landed accurate scoops in the past, this one appears to have missed the mark.

Broader Context: DC’s Evolving Landscape

The Batman Part II follows the 2022 hit The Batman, which grossed over $770 million worldwide and established Pattinson’s brooding vigilante in a corrupt Gotham.

The Penguin

Colin Farrell as The Penguin in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures

Reeves has teased a deeper exploration of Batman’s psyche, but details remain scarce. Gunn’s DCU, meanwhile, kicks off with Superman in 2025 and includes a separate Batman in The Brave and the Bold, where Robin (as Damian Wayne) is confirmed to appear.

As production ramps up, this incident serves as a reminder of the challenges in managing expectations for high-profile franchises. With Gunn at the helm, DC aims for a “precise and measured” rollout, but leaks like this test the boundaries of secrecy.

Batman in The Batman

Robert Pattinson as Batman in The Batman – YouTube, Warner Bros. Pictures

For now, the fate of Robin in The Batman Part II seems firmly off the table—unless, as some fans speculate, Gunn’s denial is a strategic misdirection. Only time, and perhaps the first trailer, will tell.

Do you think Robin will appear in The Batman Part II? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

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Author: Marvin Montanaro
Marvin Montanaro is the Editor-in-Chief of That Park Place and a seasoned entertainment journalist with nearly two decades of experience across multiple digital media outlets and print publications. He joined That Park Place in 2024, bringing with him a passion for theme parks, pop culture, and film commentary. Based in Orlando, Florida, Marvin regularly visits Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, offering firsthand reporting and analysis from the parks. He’s also the creative force behind The M4 Empire YouTube channel, bringing a critical eye toward the world of pop culture. Montanaro’s insights are rooted in years of real-world reporting and editorial leadership. He can be reached via email at mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com SOCIAL MEDIA: X: http://x.com/marvinmontanaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvinmontanaro Facebook: https://facebook.com/marvinmontanaro YouTube: http://YouTube.com/TheM4Empire Email: mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com
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