James Gunn Reveals Why The Batman Sequel Pushed to 2027

The Batman II delayed to October 2027, confirms James Gunn.

Warner Bros. announced Friday that The Batman II, the highly anticipated sequel to Matt Reeves’ dark and gritty reboot of the Caped Crusader, has been pushed back by an entire year. Originally slated for an October 2026 release, the film will now hit theaters on October 1, 2027. Read our review of The Batman here.

James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, confirmed the delay on social media. He attributed the shift solely to script development. On Threads, Gunn addressed fans directly, stating: “Yes, it is true. The only reason for the delay is there isn’t a full script (those of you who follow me here probably know that already). Matt is committed to making the best film he possibly can, and no one can accurately guess exactly how long a script will take to write. Once there is a finished script, there is around two years for pre-production, shooting, and post-production on big films.”

On X, formerly Twitter, Gunn added context about the timeline for sequels.

“A 5-year gap or more is fairly common in sequels. 7 years between Aliens. 14 years between Incredibles. 7 years between Terminators. 13 years between Avatars. 36 years between Top Guns. And 6 years between Guardians Vol. 2 and Vol. 3.”

The delay has sparked mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing disappointment and others supporting Reeves’ commitment to quality over speed. The first installment of The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson, was a massive critical and commercial success, grossing over $770 million worldwide. It introduced a brooding new take on Gotham’s vigilante, leaving audiences eager for more.

In the meantime, Warner Bros. has adjusted its release calendar to fill the void. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s untitled feature, starring Tom Cruise, will now anchor the fall 2026 season, arriving on October 2, 2026. Mike Flanagan’s Clayface, a standalone film set in the DC Universe, is also set for release on September 11, 2026.

As for The Batman II, it remains uncertain whether Reeves’ iteration of the character will eventually intersect with Gunn’s overarching DC Universe. Speculation continues, fueled by comments from Batman: The Brave and the Bold director Andy Muschietti. Speaking on California Secreta, Muschietti revealed that his Batman film, set within the DCU, has also been delayed. He hinted that he might pursue a smaller-scale sci-fi project before returning to the Batcave.

With shifting timelines and uncertainty surrounding the future of Gotham’s protector, one thing is clear: fans will need to exercise patience. Reeves’ meticulous approach to storytelling, combined with Warner Bros.’ strategic reshuffling, signals that the studio is committed to crafting a worthy follow-up to one of DC’s most celebrated films in recent years. For now, the wait continues until October 1, 2027.

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