Director Matt Reeves has shed light on the creative direction for The Batman Part II, offering fans a glimpse of what to expect when production begins next year. Speaking with Josh Horowitz of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Reeves explained that the upcoming sequel will place a stronger emphasis on Bruce Wayne while introducing a villain unlike any previously seen in live-action films.
Reeves revealed that he and his writing partner, Matson Tomlin, revisited classic Batman comics and studied a wide range of films outside of the superhero genre as part of their development process. Their goal was to ensure that the new story not only builds upon the foundation set in The Batman but also expands the emotional and psychological exploration of its central character.
Reflecting on his approach, Reeves stated, “One of the explorations for me was to do something that pushes even further into the character of Bruce Wayne, because the first story is so much about the Batman. And so picking the right villain that digs into what that does, that sort of goes into his past and his life, that was what drove that sort of discussion… I will say it’s never really been done in a movie before, so we’re excited.”
While the filmmaker remained guarded about revealing the identity of the new villain, his comments indicate that audiences can expect an adversary tied closely to Bruce Wayne’s personal history, rather than one designed merely to showcase Gotham’s rogues gallery. Reeves also emphasized his long-term vision, suggesting that if the series extends to three films, each entry would remain focused on Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of the Dark Knight rather than letting the villains overshadow him.
The discussion also touched on Reeves’ broader “Batverse” plans, including The Penguin spin-off starring Colin Farrell. Reeves confirmed that filming on The Batman Part II is scheduled to begin in late April or early May, with pre-production already underway. He added that other potential spin-offs remain under consideration, though the immediate priority is ensuring the sequel takes shape according to his original vision.
As for speculation about future collaborations within the mainline DC Universe under James Gunn’s leadership, Reeves said there have been general conversations but reiterated his commitment to completing his trilogy first. “What I really want to do is play out these stories that we began and make that arrive at the conclusion that I had hoped we would arrive at from the beginning,” he explained.
With filming set to commence soon, anticipation is building for what promises to be a darker and more personal continuation of Gotham’s latest cinematic saga.
