There are plans for Batman to debut in the DC Universe with a solo film, but I’m convinced that the hero’s introduction in the franchise would be better if it came in a 2026 R-rated movie. While I would love it if that happened, James Gunn and Matt Reeves have made it clear that Robert Pattinson is not the DCU’s Batman.

That should not be a problem, as DC’s Elseworlds brand allows The Batman Universe to be separate from Gunn’s new DCU. Besides, DCU Batman will have a Bat-Family, so it would make sense if he were played by an older actor. At the moment, the Dark Knight’s live-action DCU debut is set for Batman’s The Brave and the Bold movie.

The Batman movie will focus on Bruce Wayne discovering he has a son, Damian, and the two coming together. That is an exciting premise for the DCU’s Batman film, but I don’t necessarily think it should be his live-action debut. Instead, one of DC’s upcoming movies, an R-rated project, is better for Batman’s live-action DCU debut for a few reasons.

We’ve Seen DCU’s Batman In Animated Form, But Not Yet In Live-Action

Creature Commandos Teased Many Future Heroes For The DC Universe

While Batman still has to be cast for the new DC Universe, the character has already appeared twice in the franchise. That came in animated form, with the Dark Knight having a cameo role in James Gunn’s Creature Commandos. Batman’s first appearance in the series came through one of the most shocking moments in the short-lived DC Universe until now.

The Wonder Woman villain Circe, played by The Witcher‘s Anya Chalotra, showed Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller a vision of a possible dark future. If the evil Princess Ilana Rostovic were allowed to see out her plans for world domination, she would kill the Justice League. Characters like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Starfire, Robin, Peacemaker, and more appeared ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in the vision.

Beyond that appearance alongside other Justice League heroes, Batman had a solo role in a later episode of Creature Commandos. As the tragic backstory of Doctor Phosphorus played out, the character eventually became a mob boss, which put him up against Batman. The Dark Knight did not speak, but it was implied that Batman defeated and sent Phosphorus to prison.

DCU’s First R-Rated Movie Seems A Perfect Place To First See Batman In Live-Action

A Batman Villain Is Getting A DCU Movie Before Him

After his brief animated adventure in the DCU, Batman needs to come to live-action soon. With Robert Pattinson’s The Batman – Part II delayed multiple times, The Brave and the Bold feels incredibly far away. Matt Reeves’ second Batman movie is set to debut in theaters in 2027, which means the earliest the DCU Batman film could debut is in 2028.

With David Corenswet’s Superman having a solid debut to formally start the DCU in 2025, waiting three years for Batman’s live-action appearance is too long. However, DC already has the perfect way of casting the DCU’s new Batman way before then, as a 2026 movie would be fitting for the Dark Knight. The movie in question is DC’s R-rated Clayface.

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Clayface also appeared in Creature Commandos, with the character now set to be the main player in a horror film developed by genre mastermind Mike Flanagan (Netflix’s The Haunting franchise). Clayface is famously a Batman villain. While the body horror movie will focus on the origins of the villain, there is still plenty of room for Batman’s live-action DCU debut.

After all, DC would not need to make the new Batman the focus of the Clayface movie. Instead, Bruce Wayne could pop up at the end of the film to establish the DCU’s Batman and connect him to the villain spinoff. Clayface‘s main story could finish, with the character then meeting/fighting Batman, which would set him up for his movie.

Seeing The DCU’s Batman Before The Brave & The Bold Could Build Even More Hype For The Movie

Superman Is Already In The DCU, So Batman Must Hurry

If there is someone I trust in the horror genre to always deliver, it is Mike Flanagan. James Gunn has explained how Clayface is only happening because Flanagan reached out with a compelling story and delivered a masterful script. As such, the 2026 DC movie has everything it needs to be a hit. That makes it a big stage for Batman’s debut.

DC needs the first few movies in the new franchise to succeed, establishing that this is a new era for the studio. By including Batman in Clayface, DC would be helping both the R-rated movie and The Brave and the Bold. For Clayface, the film would have the addition of arguably DC’s most popular character.

For Batman, it would be a way of raising awareness with the general audience that Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is no longer the only live-action version of the hero. Before fully diving into a completely new Batman franchise with The Brave and the Bold, Batman having a cameo in Clayface could increase the hype for a new iteration of Batman.

It would also cater to the fans who have asked for an R-rated Batman movie for years. By putting Batman in Clayface, DC would be providing a unique experience for fans in live-action Batman history. I hope DC sees the potential in not waiting more than a year for the DCU’s Batman to arrive.