I am delighted to know that my wish for The Batman 2 has been granted. Out of all the live-action Batman movies so far, Matt Reeves’ The Batman is my favorite, which I realize puts me at risk for accusations of recency bias. However, I assure you that my opinion is genuine because it finally gave me the cinematic iteration of the Dark Knight I always wanted to see in Robert Pattinson’s portrayal (an actual detective) and a hauntingly bleak vision of Gotham City that I wanted to return to as soon as the credits rolled.
Of course, with the announcement of a sequel to any critical and commercial hit, there come plenty of questions — such as who from Batman’s rogues gallery will he fight next or how might this movie tie into the new DCU continuity, if at all? Let’s take things one thing at a time as we guide you through everything we know so far about one of the most highly anticipated upcoming superhero movies, which is officially called The Batman: Part II — starting with when it flies into theaters.
What Is The Batman: Part II Release Date?
With The Batman: Part II currently set to release on Friday, October 2, 2026, the next cinematic chapter of the “Batman Epic Crime Saga” is coming out just in time for the Dark Knight’s “favorite holiday.” There are also plenty of other upcoming Batman-related movies and TV shows debuting (or returning) between now and then for fans to bide their time with.
Robert Pattinson Returns To Lead The Batman: Part II Cast
Matt Reeves’ first visit to Gotham City brought together a deliriously talented ensemble to bring this mystery story to life. Let’s take a look at who from 2022’s The Batman cast is set to return.
Robert Pattinson (Bruce Wayne/Batman)
Fans of how Robert Pattinson measured up to (or, perhaps, even surpassed) the great Batman actors before him can be happy to know that he will put the cape and cowl back on in The Batman: Part II. A lot of people — including Jimmy Kimmel — like to joke that the English actor prepared to play a “bat” by starring as a vampire in the Twilight movies cast for so many years. Of course, it was really his performances in gritty thrillers like 2017’s Good Time that earned him the honor of portraying a brutal and emotionally tormented iteration of Bruce Wayne.
Colin Farrell (Oswald Cobb/The Penguin)
Bruce Wayne's alter ego will, once again, come at odds with Gotham gangster Oswald Cobb, as reprised by a completely unrecognizable Colin Farrell. However, before he returns to the role on the big screen, the Irish Academy Award nominee leads and executive produces The Penguin TV show, which is also available to stream with a Max subscription.
Currently Unconfirmed The Batman: Part II Cast Members
While his involvement has not yet been formally announced, James Gordon actor Jeffrey Wright told Discussing Film that he hopes to take a deeper, more personal dive into the character, who is now a lieutenant for GCPD. Also, in February, when Vanity Fair mentioned Barry Keoghan's Joker reprisal, the Saltburn star did not deny it – suggesting the Clown Prince of Crime will also return. We can also infer that Andy Serkis is coming back as Alfred, based on his comments about The Batman: Part II’s expected production schedule, but more on that later.
The Batman: Part II Is Not Part Of The New DCU Slate
Right now, we don't know what the story of The Batman Part II will entail but we do know that it will follow the events of the aforementioned new DC TV show, The Penguin. We also know that the film is part of a separate category of upcoming DC movies called “Elseworlds” — in reference to the eponymous comic book imprint that explores other areas of the DC Multiverse — and is not canon to the new plans for the DCU as overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
However, that continuity will also have its own version of Batman — which has yet to be cast — and who will be partnered with his son, Damian Wayne, as his Robin in The Brave and the Bold. That being said, it would still be cool to see a different Robin appear in the Batman Epic Saga one day.
Director Matt Reeves Is Writing The Batman: Part II With Mattson Tomlin
Despite being a comic book movie, when compared to the previous screen adaptations of Bill Finger and Bob Kane’s creation, The Batman is unique enough to be considered a singular vision. Thus, it is a relief to know that Matt Reeves is back at the helm of The Batman: Part II to continue what he started and, based on his comments to the Team Deakins podcast, he appears to be looking to really up the ante on what he established with the original.
The filmmaker — also known for directing Cloverfield and some of the more recent Planet of the Apes movies — previously told EW that the script, which he is co-writing with Mattson Tomlin, is finished. However, James Gunn later revealed on Threads that DC Studios has not received a finished screenplay yet.
The Batman: Part II Reportedly Starts Filming In 2025
We have some reports on when to expect The Batman: Part II to start principal photography. Speaking to Popverse, Andy Serkis said that the sequel is "probably likely to be starting filming" in early 2025.
The actor – also known for playing Ulysses Klaue in the MCU and his extensive performance capture work, especially as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies – also added that he knows "nothing about the movie" in terms of story. Considering James Gunn's Threads comment about the script, it appears that he truly is as much in the dark about the franchise's future as we are.
That is the extent of what we know about The Batman: Part II for now. We will be sure to shine the Batsignal in your direction when new updates come about.
