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DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has finally addressed swirling rumours about 'The Batman–Part III,' making it clear that he is not rushing the next chapter of Matt Reeves' Batman trilogy to make way for his own DC Universe (DCU) project 'The Brave and The Bold.' Gunn has now openly denied rumours that Warner Bros. and DC Studios were trying to fast-track the resolution of Robert Pattinson's 'Batman' storyline in order to wrap it up before the release of the upcoming DCU Batman movie.
He emphasized that there is no rush and that both brands would move forward according to their respective schedules, allowing each project the time and space it requires to succeed.
'Batman' Trilogy Success and Rumours of a Rush Job
Known for its dark tone and fresh interpretation of Gotham's vigilante, Matt Reeves' 'Batman' films, which starred Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader, have become some of the most lauded superhero films in recent years. Fans naturally started to worry what would happen to Batman on screen next, especially as 'The Batman–Part II' was already getting ready for production with Pattinson back on screen.
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That led to speculation—fueled by some industry chatter—that Part III might be rushed through so that DC could quickly introduce its rebooted Batman in the DCU, titled 'The Brave and The Bold.'
Critics of that idea worried about oversaturation and conflicting versions of Batman on cinema screens within a short period. Gunn, however, insists that these rumours are just baseless and that DC Studios isn't trying to release films more quickly than the creative teams are prepared for or giving preference to one Batman timeline over another.
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James Gunn Shuts Down Fast-Track Speculation
James Gunn addressed these rumours on social media, making it clear that there is no intention to speed up 'Batman: Part III' in order to prevent conflict with other DCU projects. The only thing being prioritized at the moment are well-developed scripts, not the completion of one franchise to make room for another. Gunn stated on Threads that he didn't "know what that is but I'm not fast tracking anything other than our scripts currently getting ready to go into production."
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He further clarified that 'The Brave and the Bold' is moving at its own speed with an emphasis on story quality over release time and pointed out that the rumours that suggested a wish to avoid "two Batmans" were untrue. Many fans who were worried about conflicting messages between the DCU slate and the Reeves trilogy have now been relieved by this clarity.
Focus on 'The Brave and The Bold' and the DCU Slate
At the heart of the conversation is DC Studios' bigger picture for its newly launched cinematic universe. Co-CEO James Gunn has repeatedly stressed that the studio's Chapter One slate is being built carefully, with strong scripts taking priority over speed. 'The Brave and the Bold,' the DCU's official debut of its own Batman—apart from Matt Reeves' darker, realistic trilogy—is a crucial component of that slate.
Gunn has repeatedly stated that this upcoming movie is part of a separate DCU universe rather than a rival to or replacement for Reeves' version. The studio's approach reflects a long-term strategy rather than a race to get films into theatres.
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Under the direction of Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran, DC Studios is adopting a controlled approach, in contrast to earlier DC eras that were frequently criticized for rushing connected story lines. According to reports, 'The Brave and the Bold' will be based on Grant Morrison's comic book series and will highlight Bruce Wayne's complicated relationship with his son Damian Wayne, who takes the role of Robin. It is anticipated that this father-son relationship would add a new emotional dimension to the DCU's 'Batman' that hasn't been addressed in previous live-action movies.
Although anticipation continues to rise, Gunn has stated that there is currently no formal release date for the movie, reaffirming that work would not proceed until the script and creative direction are complete. In the meantime, Matt Reeves' 'Batman Part II,' which follows its own timeline, continues Reeves' distinct 'Batman' universe. Gunn has emphasized that a third installment shouldn't be rushed in order to make room for Batman in the DCU.
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Rather, both visions are being given the freedom to develop naturally. 'The Brave and the Bold' is still one of the most eagerly awaited titles in the larger DCU Chapter One schedule, which also includes 'Superman' and 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.' Overall, fans will need to exercise patience, since Gunn's approach puts the quality of the stories ahead of set timelines.
