The Batman star Robert Pattinson feels that his Dark Knight will never cross paths with Man of Steel for one important reason.

The Batman starring Robert Pattinson provided a fresh new take on the DC superhero from filmmaker Matt Reeves. Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is fairly early in his crime-fighting career and the film is an extremely gritty and grounded take on the source material. As a result, the film does not feature any of the fantastical elements associated with the character.

Robert Pattinson played the titular role in The Batman (Credit: Warner Bros).

During an interview, Pattinson discussed the future of his Batman universe and the possibility of his Dark Knight coming face-to-face with Clark Kent / Superman. Here is what Pattinson had to say about David Corenswet’s new DCU character and why Superman might not appear in Reeves’ universe.

Robert Pattinson revealed why The Batman universe cannot have a Superman

Robert Pattinson appeared as Bruce Wayne / Batman in 2022’s The Batman. The film was directed by Matt Reeves and received critical acclaim, primarily because of its grounded nature. It exists in a continuity separate from the upcoming Superman movie, which will lay the foundation for James Gunn’s new DCU.

Robert Pattinson doesn’t think Superman will appear in The Batman universe (Credit: Warner Bros).

In an interview with ComicBook.com, Pattinson was asked about the future installments dealing with the fantastical aspects of Batman from the comics, including characters like Superman and Justice League. We were talking the other day, like, ‘Can you add Superman into it but he just doesn’t have any powers? He’s just a guy in a cape?

Pattinson made the above statement, suggesting that ideas for incorporating such elements and characters had taken place with Reeves.

However, the actor noted that concepts associated with Superman did not necessarily mesh well with the more ground and realistic take Reeves had on Gotham City and Batman. As a result, Pattinson seemingly turned down the idea of Superman sharing the screen with his iteration of the Caped Crusader.

James Gunn contemplated uniting Robert Pattinson’s Batman and David Corenswet’s Superman

Director James Gunn recently unveiled the first teaser trailer for the upcoming Superman movie starring David Corenswet. It serves as the first installment in the new DCU, which is a separate continuity from Reeves’ Batman universe, which also includes The Penguin series.

James Gunn wanted Robert Pattinson’s Batman in the DCU (Credit: Warner Bros).

During a podcast, Gunn admitted that he contemplated incorporating Pattinson’s Batman into the sprawling DCU. However, he later gave up on the idea because it worked better in its separate continuity unburdened by fantastical elements. He said:

I’ve contemplated it, yeah. I contemplate everything and talk about everything.

Gunn explained that Reeves wanted the two universes to stay separate and he complied as the newly founded DC Studios was committed to telling all kinds of stories even outside a shared universe.

With a second installment starring Pattinson on the horizon and the recent success of The Penguin, it is safe to say that the two brands will remain distinct at least for the foreseeable future. However, rumors of Gunn wanting to add Pattinson’s Batman to the DCU continue to persist.

The Batman – Part II is scheduled to be released on October 2, 2026, while Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025.