James Gunn Switches Up His DCU Plans Yet Again, Adds Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ Spin-Off Series ‘Arkham’ To Mainline DCU

Batman (Robert Pattinson) reveals himself to a gang attempting a robbery in The Batman (2022), Warner Bros. Pictures
Batman (Robert Pattinson) reveals himself to a gang attempting a robbery in The Batman (2022), Warner Bros. Pictures

For the better part of four years, Matt Reeves has been fleshing out his Batman universe. Starting with The Batman, the director is expanding it with a sequel and, first, a Max series continuing the saga of The Penguin in the underworld

He has had more than that planned. A police drama about corruption within Gotham’s precincts was in the works but was later shelved in favor of a show about Arkham.

Batman (Robert Pattinson) solves The Riddler's (Paul Dano) first riddle in The Batman (2022), Warner Bros. Pictures
Batman (Robert Pattinson) solves The Riddler’s (Paul Dano) first riddle in The Batman (2022), Warner Bros. Pictures

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In an interesting twist, Reeves’ Arkham story develops further by going in a surprising direction. If the media is on the right track with what James Gunn is saying, the Arkham series is being folded into the prime DCU continuity rather than an Elseworlds tributary.

Batman (Robert Pattinson) finds out what the Riddler’s (Paul Dano) real plan was in The Batman (2022) via Warner Bros. Pictures

Gunn, the chief creative force at DC Studios, was asked what else Reeves is developing beyond his currently announced Batverse projects. “Right now Matt is producing Arkham as a DCU series, so there’s just the two for now,” he responded on Threads.

James Gunn confirms Matt Reeves is producing Arkham for DCU
James Gunn on Threads

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When another user checked for clarification, Gunn confirmed, “Yes. We love Matt as a director and producer so he’ll be producing stories both within his The Batman universe and within the DCU.”

James Gunn confirms Matt Reeves will produce stories in the Batverse and DCU
James Gunn on Threads

Furthermore, he added a bigger wrinkle. This was the plan for Arkham all along. “It was one of the first pitches we bought when Peter and I came onboard. I don’t know the permutations it went through before that time,” Gunn soon explained.

So it could be that Arkham is explored to build on the Bat-Family mythos we are to see in The Brave and The Bold, the chapter in Gunn’s “Of Gods And Monsters” DCU phase to be directed by Andy Muschietti.

James Gunn confirms Arkham was always for the DCU via Threads
James Gunn on Threads

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Wait and see there, but meanwhile, the news of Reeves and Arkham’s addition to the DCU is seen as a prediction fulfilled by at least one noteworthy outlet. 

Cosmic Book News declared a DC scoop from 2019 confirmed. At the time, sources told the site DC was being rebooted by Reeves, Gunn, and the polarizing nominee of JJ Abrams. 

Batman (Robert Pattinson) and Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) interrogate William Kenzie (Peter McDonald) in The Batman (2022) via Warner Bros. Pictures
Batman (Robert Pattinson) and Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) interrogate William Kenzie (Peter McDonald) in The Batman (2022), Warner Bros. Pictures

His proposed projects were canned, and Abrams’ role in things is likely nixed and filled by producer and co-president of DC Studios, Peter Safran.

NEXT: ‘The Flash’ Director Andy Muschietti Rumored To Direct For DC Studios’ ‘Brave And The Bold’ Batman Film

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