Batman Part II production is temporarily paused as director Matt Reeves steps away to address a family matter, DC Studios confirmed Monday.
“Production on The Batman Part II has been temporarily paused while Matt Reeves focuses on a family matter,” a DC Studios spokesperson said in a statement. “Matt has the full support of DC Studios and we look forward to continuing the journey soon.”
The news arrives as Skydance completes its takeover of Warner Bros. on Tuesday, a merger that has already reshuffled leadership across the studio, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
What happened with Batman Part II production
Batman Part II began filming in London in June after years of delays while Reeves and co-writer Mattson Tomlin finished the script.
The film currently carries a Feb. 18, 2028 release date. CBR reported that it’s too early to say whether the newly formed Skydance leadership will push that date again as a result of the pause.
Batman Part II cast and status
Robert Pattinson returns as Bruce Wayne and Batman, with Andy Serkis back as Alfred Pennyworth and Colin Farrell reprising Penguin, according to CBR. The sequel adds Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Jayme Lawson, Charles Dance, Gil Perez-Abraham and Sebastian Koch to the cast.
The film is considered a crown jewel of DC Studios’ slate, since Batman remains the company’s most bankable character at the box office. Reeves’ 2022 film The Batman grossed $770.3 million globally and spawned the HBO spinoff series The Penguin, starring Farrell. There are no current plans for a second season of The Penguin, leaving Batman Part II as the next chapter in what DC calls “The Batman Epic Crime Saga.”
Reeves also produced DC’s upcoming Clayface movie, which centers on the Batman villain and is scheduled for Oct. 23.
Background
Batman Part II has already weathered multiple delays, first due to the 2023 WGA strike and later because Reeves had not finished writing the script. Warner Bros. Pictures confirmed earlier this year that the release shifted from 2027 to February 2028. If that date holds, it would mark six years between The Batman and its direct sequel, the longest gap ever between a Batman film and its follow-up.
The pause also coincides with major changes atop DC Studios. James Gunn and Peter Safran are staying on as Skydance takes over Warner Bros., while studio film bosses Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy are departing. Read more on DC Studios leadership changes.
What’s next
Batman Part II remains scheduled for Feb. 18, 2028. DC Studios says production will resume once Reeves returns, though the studio has not given a timeline.
Reporting from The Hollywood Reporter and Cbr contributed to this story.
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