DC Fans React to 'The Batman' Series Being Officially Canceled

James Gunn and Peter Safran’s newly established DC Universe (DCU) already has fans scratching their heads over what’s canon and what isn’t. Earlier this year, Superman (2025), starring David Corenswet as the lead, kicked off the new series — at least theatrically (shows like Creature Commandos and Peacemaker keep things ticking along on the small screen).

Superman, directed by Gunn, will be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026 and Superman: Man of Tomorrow in 2027. But Gunn hasn’t been shy about cherry-picking content and characters from the defunct DC Extended Universe DCEU) and making them part of this new franchise, which has left many fans wondering about how Batman will fit in.

What’s Happening With Robert Pattinson’s Batman?

Previously, Gunn and Safran reportedly considered integrating Robert Pattinson’s version of the Dark Knight into their new DCU, which suggests a lack of vision. The Batman (2022) director Matt Reeves chose to keep his series separate as always intended, but the “Batman Epic Crime Saga”, as it’s officially been dubbed, appears to be in a place of uncertainty itself.

It’s been three years since The Batman was released. The film follows Bruce Wayne (Pattinson) in his second year fighting crime in Gotham, which sees him battle Edward Nashton/The Riddler (Paul Dano) and Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin (Colin Farrell).

Is The Batman (2022) Sequel Still Happening?

The Batman was a huge commercial success, grossing $772.3 million against a $185–200 million budget and receiving positive reviews from audiences and critics. It also became the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2022 and Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing COVID-19 release, setting pandemic-era box office records, particularly for IMAX screenings.

It was also nominated for three Academy Awards and won many other accolades. And while the universe established in Reeves’ film continued in the critically acclaimed HBO series The Penguin (2024), The Batman — Part II has been repeatedly pushed back by Warner Bros.

Related: James Gunn’s DCU Falls Apart as Zack Snyder Confirms That Henry Cavill Is Still Superman

The Batman Series Has Been Canceled, James Gunn Confirms

The Penguin saw the return of Colin Farrell as the Rogues Gallery villain of the same name. That series also received wide praise and was nominated for 24 Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. But oddly, there’s been no word on a follow-up. Not only that, but another TV series intended for the “Batman Epic Crime Saga” universe has been canceled.

Originally said to center on the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD), the project was eventually repurposed into an Arkham Asylum-set “horror”. Either way, the series is no longer happening, as James Gunn recently told BobaTalks (via IGN), “That isn’t something that is being developed by anyone right now,” adding, “You know, it just didn’t work.”

Related: James Gunn’s Superman Removed Amid Rumors of Henry Cavill’s Return, Warner Bros. Gives Update

DC Fans Take Aim at James Gunn

Of course, many fans hoping for another expansion of Reeves’ universe are disappointed.

Responding to the news shared by Collider on Instagram, one fan wrote, “Considering that Matt Reeves created one of the best executed superhero films in history with a great story and phenomenal cinematography, yes, this would have been amazing.”

Others took aim at Gunn, with one saying, “The fact that James Gunn is now in charge of everything and is just planning to turn the entire DCU into a slapstick comedy embarrassment of the typical garbage he produces, I’m doubly sad that this project got canceled.”

Another said, “He just wants his own shows and films.”

“First, he takes over the Clayface spin-off and now the Arkham asylum series got canceled!” another disappointed fan wrote.

Fortunately, despite some troubled water, the “Batman Epic Crime Saga” isn’t going anywhere. The Batman — Part II might have been delayed a number of times, but it’s now set for an October 1, 2027 release, with filming expected to begin sometime in early 2026.

And although there’s no word on a second season of The Penguin, Colin Farrell will return opposite Robert Pattinson in the 2027 sequel — the Irish actor recently praised the script.

And with Pattinson’s Batman staying put in Reeves’ standalone continuity, the original plans to cast a new actor as the Dark Knight in Gunn and Safran’s DCU remain. Whoever that actor ends up being will lead a Batman reboot titled The Brave and the Bold, which is being helmed by The Flash (2023) director Andy Muschietti. There’s no release date for that film.

Are you a fan of Matt Reeves’ “Batman Epic Crime Saga”? Let us know in the comments!