James Gunn Says THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD Isn’t DCU’s Priority Yet, Keeps Batman Casting Under Wraps

James Gunn is in no rush to reveal who will wear the cape and cowl in The Brave and the Bold. While fans are eager to meet the DCU’s new Batman, Gunn made it clear that the project is still in early development.

Gunn was asked about casting on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, and he responded:

“There's people out there I think about, but let's see where the script comes in. It's not the furthest along thing. I mean, we have things that are much, much further along.”

This means fans shouldn’t expect news anytime soon. Gunn also confirmed that Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II and The Brave and the Bold likely won’t share a release year.

He avoided confirming whether this film will serve as the official debut of the DCU’s Dark Knight but did tease its significance, noting it will introduce Damian Wayne as Robin, marking the first live-action appearance of Bruce Wayne’s son.

For those keeping track, Gunn and Safran’s DCU rollout is pacing differently than Marvel. After Superman, the only other major DC release this year is Peacemaker Season 2, which arrives on HBO Max August 21.

Supergirl follows on June 26, 2026, and Clayface lands on September 11, 2026. That’s two DC films in 2025 compared to Marvel’s three movies and three series before mid-year.

As for Batman, patience will be key. The Batman Part II is set to start filming in 2026 with an October 2027 release date, making it almost certain that Reeves’ sequel will arrive before Gunn’s take on the Dark Knight. For now, The Brave and the Bold has no set release date, so it may be a while before we see the Bat-family enter the new DCU.

Would you rather see Gunn introduce Batman sooner in a cameo or wait for a full introduction in The Brave and the Bold?