After new Clayface set images have urged that Robert Pattinson’s Batman is within the DC Universe franchise, James Gunn addresses the complicated pictures. As a number of tasks are within the works for the DCU’s Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” line-up, one in all them features a DC villain’s personal solo film for 2026.
The Clayface film is at present in manufacturing, as it is going to convey Matt Hagen into Gunn’s franchise whereas additionally marking his live-action debut. Because the James Watkins-directed movie started principal pictures, there have been a number of thrilling DC Easter eggs to emerge from varied set images and movies from the Caped Crusader’s bigger mythology.
Nonetheless, a brand new set picture that has just lately gained traction was one which options Pattinson’s Batman brand on a trash can from the set, which sparked theories that his Bruce Wayne is becoming a member of DC Studios’ fundamental continuity in spite of everything. However as one viewers member requested Gunn on Threads, the co-CEO addressed the state of affairs within the following submit:
James Gunn: Though the trash can is from the set I’ve a tough time believing the bat was put there by the artwork division, but when so it by no means got here throughout my desk (I haven’t got time to okay each piece of set dressing.)
There have been theories floating round in regards to the actor seemingly becoming a member of this franchise as a result of Clayface has been filming on the identical areas as 2022’s The Batman. The British DC star is ready to reprise the function in The Batman 2 film in 2027, with principal pictures set to start in April 2026.
Robert Pattinson as Batman standing on the highest of a constructing in Gotham Metropolis
As a lot as viewers members want for the 2 universes to be one and the identical, Gunn has been on the document a number of occasions that The Batman universe will stay an Elseworlds property. Regardless of speculations and rumors floating round, the set picture is clearly only a state of affairs the place the brand was hooked up with out DC Studios’ authorization.
It is also key to take note of that there are a number of Batman villains within the DCU that are not and would not slot in Matt Reeves’ franchise, given his extra grounded tackle the mythology. By way of the set images and movies which have emerged up to now, it has turn into even clearer that the Elseworlds-based property would not match the DCU.
Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne wanting alert in The Batman
It is clear from Gunn’s response that there shall be situations the place others will take actions, probably to spark this sort of confusion with the viewers, from a easy sticker being caught to a trash can. It is also completely potential that this was a easy mistake by the artwork division that did not get caught in time.
Since The Courageous and The Daring film continues to be within the works, there are already separate plans for the DCU’s Gotham Metropolis hero that do not align with Pattinson’s iteration. Hopefully, future Clayface images and movies will give extra clues in regards to the new Batman in Gunn’s continuity.