Warner Bros. Discovery commits to Matt Reeves and “the Batman universe”
By Dan Selcke
The Batman was a huge hit for Warner Bros. when it dropped into theaters this past March, which seems like a lifetime ago. Even with the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery seemingly pitching Batman projects left and right, this is one they want to hold onto. According to Deadline, director Matt Reeves is already working on a sequel, with lead actor Robert Pattinson set to return.
In fact, Warner Bros. Discovery wants to do more than just capitalize on the success of the first movie: they’re doubling down on Reeves, The director has signed a first look deal, meaning that Warner Bros. Discovery will get first crack at any movie or show ideas he brings to the table. “Making this legendary studio my home is a dream,” Reeves said in a statement. “I am so excited…to bring captivating stories I am truly passionate about to the big and small screen.”
Obviously that starts with Batman stuff, although it may not end there. In addition to The Batman 2, Reeves is working on a TV spinoff series about the Penguin starring Colin Farrell. (That show was originally announced for HBO Max, but given how Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has been deemphasizing the platform, we might wanna keep watch and see where it lands.) There’s also a Batman Arkham series in discussion.
The Batman director signs plush deal with Warner Bros. Discovery
“Keeping Matt and creating a home for him to do more projects in the Batman universe but also originals, was very important to us,” said executive Michael De Luca. “Someone like Matt, we’ll buy for him whatever he wants to do.”
"We’re making an investment for whatever Matt feels a pull toward, in the Batman universe and otherwise. He has an open invitation to go wherever his interests take him. We’ll lean into whatever Matt wants to do. In terms of the writer/directors out there working in this very elevated genre space, with everything Matt’s done, from Let Me In to the Apes trilogy to The Batman, he’s in a class by himself."
There’s no release date for The Batman 2 as of yet, or for the Penguin show. But given the studio’s confidence in Reeves, they’re definitely coming.
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