While The Batman universe continues to expand with new movies and shows, it’s already one of the most compelling DC media franchises of all time. Starring Robert Pattinson as the titular Dark Knight, 2022’s The Batman was written and directed by Matt Reeves, introducing an all-new version of Gotham City and its protector, the likes of which have never been seen before. That said, this universe is only just getting started.
Compared to other Batman movies such as Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy, Tim Burton’s Batman movies, or even the DCEU films featuring Ben Affleck’s Caped Crusader, 2022’s The Batman is unique in that it features an early Bruce Wayne who’s still early in his vigilante career while not being a full-on origin story for this first entry in Matt Reeves’ Batman universe. Now, The Batman universe is growing with a full trilogy in the works, as well as various spin-off series like 2024’s The Penguin. Here’s The Batman universe explained in its entirety and everything we know so far.
The Batman Universe Movies And TV Shows
Currently, The Batman universe consists of two on-screen projects that have been released thus far. 2022’s The Batman was the first movie in this new DC universe, revealing Batman’s war with The Riddler who sought to expose the city’s darkest secrets. Likewise, The Penguin was released in 2024, an 8-episode series on Max starring Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb as he seeks to take control of Gotham’s criminal underworld in the immediate wake of The Batman. There’s also the canonical novel Before the Batman as well as the comic miniseries Riddler: Year One (written by Paul Dano). However, there are more movies (and shows) that are planned as well.
The Batman Universe’s Upcoming Movies & TV Shows
Beyond 2022’s The Batman, Matt Reeves is expected to direct two more movies, resulting in a full trilogy for The Batman (not unlike Nolan’s Dark Knight movies). To that end, The Batman – Part II has a release date for October 2nd, 2026, continuing Batman’s war on crime after realizing at the end of the first Batman movie that he had to become more than just a symbol of vengeance. While a third part is hoped for by Reeves, it’s not been revealed when development nor filming will begin, and there hasn’t yet been any new shows announced for The Batman universe following The Penguin.
The Batman Universe’s Cancelled Projects
Initially, there were more shows in development for The Batman universe beyond The Penguin. This included a spin-off show about the Gotham PD (which many thought might star Jim Gordon or Renee Montoya). Likewise, a series about Arkham Asylum was also in the works. While both projects were announced in July 2020 and were in various stages of development, both were ultimately canceled with Reeves confirming that the decision was made to lean into more “marquee characters” like Penguin. However, it’s also been said that an Arkham project could perhaps still happen in the future.
The Batman Universe’s Rumored Projects
As far as rumors are concerned, it’s recently been suggested that a spin-off series starring Barry Keoghan’s Joker may be in the works, one set between the events of The Batman – Part II and Part III. Additionally, Reeves confirmed during interviews promoting The Penguin that other characters and ideas were currently being considered for future shows and spin-offs. While not confirmed, Reeves and executive producer Dylan Clark also voiced enthusiasm for one interviewer’s proposed idea for a show starring Harvey Dent’s Two-Face. To that end, one can imagine that a new show set in The Batman universe will be announced sooner rather than later.
The Batman Universe Timeline Explained
2022’s The Batman is set in the present day, beginning on October 31st, specifically the year in which it was first released in theaters. To that end, The Penguin is also set in 2022, taking place the week after the events of The Batman and the Riddler’s brutal flooding of the city. The Batman also confirms that Bruce Wayne started his work as Gotham’s vigilante two years prior, in 2020.
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Keeping that in mind, it’s likely that The Batman – Part II will be set not long after the events of The Penguin. As such, this means that the second movie will either be set at the end of 2022 or at the beginning of 2023 (despite the fact that the movie itself is set to release in 2026). Keeping that in mind, it follows that Robert Pattinson’s Batman will continue to evolve and improve as The Batman universe’s timeline progresses.
How The Batman Universe Connects To The Larger DC Universe Explained
Although The Batman universe began when the DCEU was still ongoing, it remained unconnected to the greater universe of connected films and shows that first began with 2013’s Man of Steel. Instead, Ben Affleck was the DCEU’s Batman, a Dark Knight who’d been operating in Gotham for 20 years before facing Superman and eventually forming the Justice League. Meanwhile, Pattinson debuted in 2022 as a brand-new and younger iteration of The Dark Knight.
It’s also been reported that The Batman universe will remain unconnected from the new DC Universe in the works from new DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, beginning with 2024’s Creature Commandos as its first animated series and 2025’s Superman as its first live-action movie. To that end, Batman: The Brave and the Bold is a current DCU movie in development that’s expected to debut its own connected Batman. As such, Pattinson’s Caped Crusader and his universe will presumably continue to exist alongside the new DCU as its own isolated franchise.
Robert Pattinson’s Batman Explained
Robert Pattinson’s Batman Origin Explained
As established in 2022’s The Batman, Bruce Wayne’s parents were killed in 2002 ahead of that year’s election when Thomas Wayne was running for mayor. Bruce was 10 years old at the time, becoming the orphaned heir to the Wayne Fortune and his father’s company, Wayne Enterprises. Upon graduating, Bruce begins traveling abroad to learn various fields and multiple forms of martial arts, eventually returning to Gotham in 2020 to begin his first year as a vengeance-seeking vigilante.
During this first year, Batman takes down an explosive ring with connections to Oz Cobb’s Penguin, as well as various drug dealers selling drops. Eventually, Batman forms a partnership with the GCPD’s Jim Gordon, and together they create the bat-signal for Gordon to use when he needs The Dark Knight’s help. The end of this first year is also when Batman takes down a serial killer who will presumably become the Joker in the future, having become obsessed with The Dark Knight following their first encounter.
2022’s The Batman then follows Bruce Wayne’s second year in Gotham taking on The Riddler and his massive gambit for Gotham, one that involves the exposure of hidden truths about Bruce’s father and his history with crime boss Carmine Falcone. Additionally, this conflict also marks the start of Batman’s relationship with Selina Kyle’s Catwoman. The ending of The Batman also results in Bruce’s revelation that Gotham needs Batman to be more than just vengeance alone, as it also needs a symbol of hope and justice as well.
Robert Pattinson’s Batman Batmobile Explained
In The Batman universe, the Batmobile is a modified muscle car custom-built by Bruce Wayne. In 2022’s The Batman, the impressive armor-plated and bullet-resistant car is notably used during The Batman’s pursuit of The Penguin when both The Dark Knight and Jim Gordon believed he might have been the “rat with wings” that had been referenced in the Riddler’s latest riddle at the time. Fitted with an Auxiliary Turbo-jet engine with an afterburner on the back and a custom battering ram on the front, The Batman’s Batmobile was built to be the fastest ride in Gotham while also able to both give and receive some major punishment.
Robert Pattinson’s Batman Batsuit Explained
After deciding to begin a war on Gotham’s criminals, Bruce Wayne builds a tactical suit of armor inspired by the bats that lived in the underground Wayne Terminus, his Batcave. Fitted with a classic utility belt for various gadgets and devices, Batman’s batsuit also features gauntlets with refills for his grapple gun, and features some decent ballistic resistance. Additionally, the bat-symbol on his chest can be removed as a bat-shaped tactical knife. Bruce Wayne’s batsuit also features an experimental wingsuit that can be activated via ripcords on his arms.
Robert Pattinson’s Batman Fight Style Explained
Thanks to his years of training all over the world, The Batman is well-versed in multiple forms of martial arts, just like The Dark Knight from the original comics. While training for the role, Robert Pattinson himself worked with stunt choreographer Robert Alonzo to learn Filipino martial arts and other techniques from Southeast Asian fighting styles such as Muay Thai. Likewise, Bruce Wayne can be seen utilizing various boxing moves and wresting tackles in The Batman as well.
Robert Pattinson’s Batman Allies Explained
Alfred Pennyworth
Having been with Bruce since his parents died, Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis) eventually discovers what the last living Wayne was doing at night during Batman’s first year. Unable to convince Bruce to deviate from his mission, Alfred ends up running Wayne Enterprises on Bruce’s behalf, while also assisting Bruce from time to time during his various cases thanks to his past with British Intelligence. He was also one of Bruce’s first trainers as a child before he left to travel the world. During the events of The Batman, Bruce and Alfred grow closer after the butler nearly dies in a bomb sent by Riddler that had been meant for Bruce.
Lieutenant Jim Gordon
One of the few officers of the GCPD who wasn’t in Carmine Falcone’s pocket, Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) partners with Batman during The Dark Knight’s first year, creating the bat-signal as a means of calling the vigilante when needed. While many in the GCPD carry a lot of mistrust towards Batman, Jim Gordon maintains his trust in Gotham’s vigilante, believing he’s someone who’s genuinely trying to make Gotham better. To that end, Jim Gordon and Batman work extensively together during Riddler’s attack on the city, especially in light of the GCPD’s significant role in the city’s years of corruption.
Selina Kyle’s Catwoman
Meeting Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz) for the first time during his investigation into The Penguin at his club, Batman and Catwoman agree to join forces. Selina wants to know what happened to her disappeared friend, while Batman needs Selina to get him access to the mob club underneath Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge, known as 44 Below. As The Batman progresses, it’s also revealed that Selina is the illegitimate daughter of Carmine Falcone.
While Catwoman wants vengeance after it’s discovered that Carmine killed her friend when she learned about the Renewal scandal, Batman convinces her to spare Falcone’s life. By The Batman’s end, Selina’s Catwoman leaves Gotham for Blüdhaven. However, she does send a letter to Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) as seen in The Penguin’s finale, Selina’s incarcerated half-sister (who also hated their father as Carmine similarly killed both Sofia and Selina’s mothers).
The Batman Universe’s Confirmed Rogue’s Gallery
Edward Nashton aka Riddler
Edward Nashton’s Riddler (Paul Dano) was a former forensic accountant turned serial killer once he learned the truth about Gotham’s darkest secret about the Gotham Renewal Fund created by the Waynes and how it had been used by the Falcone Crime Family and various corrupt officials for years. This made Nashton extremely bitter and disenfranchised once he learned the truth. After all, the Renewal Fund was originally meant to improve Gotham, including orphans like himself, prior to Thomas Wayne’s death.
Believing he and Batman were kindred spirits, it’s not until after Riddler is captured and meets The Dark Knight face to face that he realizes they don’t share the same goals. Riddler also had several followers who helped him flood the city after he was put in Arkham, while also opening fire on mayor-elect Bella Reál (before they were stopped by Batman). To that end, Riddler’s influence is still felt in Gotham as seen in The Penguin, and he also makes friends with the similarly incarcerated Joker at the end of the 2022 film, teasing a future return in The Batman universe.
Carmine Falcone, Head Of Gotham’s Biggest Crime Family
Thanks to the Renewal scandal and subsequently ratting out Salvator Maroni’s drops operation, Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) effectively became the most powerful and influential man in Gotham for two decades. However, The Riddler ultimately exposes the truth and subsequently assassinates the crime lord after Batman gives Falcone up to the police as seen in The Batman. Additionally, The Penguin confirms that Carmine strangled and hung multiple women beyond Selina Kyle’s mother, including the mother of his children, Alberto and Sofia.
To that end, Carmine even pinned the murders on Sofia and had her committed to Arkham for 10 years after she began looking into his dark past. This resulted in Sofia taking over and completely erasing Carmine Falcone’s legacy once she was released shortly after Carmine’s death in The Batman. Sofia also became a key rival to Oz Cobb, who was looking to take advantage of the power vacuum in the wake of Falcone’s murder (as seen in The Penguin).
Oz Cobb aka The Penguin
Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) was once Carmine Falcone’s right-hand man in The Batman universe. Although he was an initial suspect in connection to the Riddler murders, it was ultimately revealed that Oz was innocent in this regard after a confrontation following an intense car chase pursuit with Batman. However, Oz’s Penguin wasted no time trying to seize power in the aftermath of Carmine’s death.
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Clashing with both Salvatore Maroni and Sofia Falcone as seen in his spin-off series, Oz’s mercilessly cold ambition and willingness to do whatever was necessary results in Penguin becoming Gotham’s newest kingpin of the criminal underworld. This is largely due to his surprising success unifying the city’s various gangs under one banner, as seen in The Penguin’s monumental finale. As such, Batman’s future conflicts with Penguin will undoubtedly be far more dangerous considering all the power Oz now has at his disposal.
The Future Joker
Played by Barry Keoghan, a version of the Joker does exist in The Batman universe, though Matt Reeves has confirmed that Batman’s classic arch-foe has not yet fully become the Joker. While this future Joker does appear at the end of The Batman speaking with his new cellmate and friend at Arkham (Riddler), Reeves later released a cut sequence where Batman and Joker meet earlier in the film where he helps The Dark Knight profile Edward Nashon, confirming their previous history during Batman’s first year. As such, it’s expected that Keoghan’s Joker will play a much bigger role in the future of The Batman universe.
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The Batman follows a young Bruce Wayne as he investigates a sadistic serial killer targeting key political figures in Gotham. As he delves deeper, he is confronted by the city’s hidden corruption and questions surrounding his own family’s legacy.
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Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
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The Batman Part II is the sequel to Matt Reeve’s The Batman, released in 2022, and will continue where the original film left off. The film shares a universe with the HBO Max original Penguin series and sees the return of the Riddler and a different incarnation of the Joker.
