The Batman is getting a companion show at HBO Max, but will Batman actually appear?

HBO Max orders series set in the world of Matt Reeves’ The Batman

The Batman might not hit theaters until 2021, but Warner Bros. is already betting big on the Matt Reeves directed movie. Not only is the hope that the film will help usher in a new Batman film franchise, but the studio is looking to expand the universe within the world of television as well with a spinoff series announced for HBO Max.

As announced by HBO Max, the newly minted streaming service has given a series commitment to a companion series centering around the Gotham City police department set in the world of Reeves’ The Batman. While details about the series are still scarce, the show is expected to further extend the world which will be established in The Batman by exploring “the myriad of compelling and complex characters of Gotham.”

Considering the vast number of iconic characters in the Batman comic canon, the writing team should have no problem fleshing out its cast with a blend of familiar faces and new characters created specifically for the show. However, the burning question on the minds of most fans is just how large a role, if any, the likes of Robert Pattison’s Batman and the film’s other actors will have on the show.

Will Robert Pattison’s Batman appear in HBO Max’s The Batman spinoff series?

In announcing the project, HBO Max and Warner Bros. did not reveal any casting information nor did the official release include mention of any characters. Given the show will focus on the Gotham City police department, it seems almost certain the show could include Jeffrey Wright’s James Gorden — a character who played a key role in DC’s former Gotham-set drama, Gotham. 

What’s not quite as clear is whether the Caped Crusader himself will make any appearances on the show. Reeves’ involvement in the spinoff series and the fact that it will air on a service such as HBO, which will likely afford the show a bigger budget than your average broadcast drama, does help to improve the odds of Robert Pattison’s Batman dropping; however, we imagine any appearance would be minor.

Although the show and movie will be connected, it’s hard to picture Warner Bros. would want to overuse the title character in order to make any cameos on the show feel more exclusive and eventful. Perhaps he’ll cameo in the premiere or finale, but it seems most likely the character’s presense will largely be through quick references by the show’s central cast.

Which characters from The Batman will appear in the HBO Max show?

When it comes to The Batman movie, Matt Reeves has put together quite an impressive cast including Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/Riddler, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth and Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin. There are also rumors the film could introduce other iconic characters such as The Joker and lesser-known characters as well to flesh out its ensemble.

As of today, there’s no clear indication of these actors will crossover to the HBO Max series. As we mentioned above, if there is one member of The Batman cast most likely to appear in the series its Westworld star Jeffrey Wright. After all, James Gordon has long been the most recognizable face of the GCPD across all mediums including comics, television and movies.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels