James Gunn Defends the Excruciating Delay in ‘The Batman 2’: His Answer Kind of Makes Total Sense for the Legacy of Best Sequels
- The Batman sequel has been delayed by another year, making the release date October 1, 2027.
- James Gunn has defended this delay claiming that some of the best sequels were released years after the first film.
- Some fans are convinced that Gunn and Reeves are delaying the film for the best, while others are not.
It is all fun and games until the sequel to a movie as beloved as Matt Reeves’ The Batman gets delayed. This is not the first time a superhero movie sequel has been delayed and might not be the last, but it has certainly elicited strong reactions from the fans who are desperate to find out what is next for the Caped Crusader.
Fortunately, James Gunn has been quick to defend the decision to delay The Batman 2 and has given an explanation for the same. His answer makes complete sense considering how some of the most successful sequels were made years after the release of the first film.
James Gunn has defended the delay in the release of The Batman 2
Batman is one of the most popular and commercially successful superhero characters. In fact, he was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this year which made him the first superhero to ever receive this honor. Over the years, he has been portrayed by some of the most esteemed actors in the industry- from Michael Keaton to Robert Pattinson.
Pattinson’s take on the superhero is the latest, debuting in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which was released in 2022. The movie was a commercial hit and even got three Academy Award nominations. Later, it was announced that it was the first installment of a new trilogy and the shared universe that is separate from the DCU. Earlier this year, a show named The Penguin, starring the eponymous supervillain in the lead role, was released.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Batman 2, which is currently officially untitled, is expected to go into production in the third quarter of 2025 and is now set for October 1, 2027. Fans have expressed their concern about this on social media which ultimately led to DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn addressing the matter.
Defending this decision to delay the film’s release, Gunn wrote on Threads that Reeves wants to write the best script. Later, he posted again on Threads explaining how some of the best sequels were released years after the first one.
To be fair, a 5 year gap or more is fairly common in sequels. 7 years between Alien and Aliens. 14 years between Incredibles. 7 years between the first two Terminators. 13 years between Avatars. 36 years between Top Guns. And, of course, 6 years between Guardians Vol 2 and Vol 3.
It is good to know that they are taking the time to get the sequel right instead of rushing to make one, only for it to fall flat with the audience. The first movie has raised the bar and the sequel has to live up to it for the trilogy to happen.
Fans are divided over James Gunn’s defense for the delay
While Gunn’s explanation is entirely plausible, it has not gone well with all fans, as some remain skeptical about his reasoning. These fans have pointed out how some of the sequels Gunn listed are disconnected from the original film and some others were not even planned. Here is what they had to say:
It really isn’t common just showed again he hardly knows what he is talking about ffs 🤦🏻♂️ most sequels take 2-3 yrs not 5 or more lol 😂
— Eyepxtch (@eyepxtch46847) December 28, 2024
Love James Gunn but basically all of these are the exception to the rule.
— DCU Brief (@DCUBrief) December 28, 2024
Especially T2, which Cameron himself said he thought he’d never make until someone gave him the idea. And GOTG 3 was delayed.
His argument falls apart when the films he's mentioning all have big time jump from the events of the first movie (except for incredibles 2). The batman 2 is still supposed to be a short time after the events of 1
— Spike💫 (@spikeszura) December 28, 2024
On the other hand, some fans are supportive of this delay in the sequel’s making as long as it does not get canceled.
Just make it good and don’t cancel it
— Idkmyname (@anonymouslolno) December 28, 2024
If you want quality, it takes time
— W🅰️yne (@Shadowshade_) December 28, 2024
I’m not even mad about it. Let Matt Reeves cook. I know it’s going to be amazing. Just wish they would have his Batman be integrated into the DCU. I don’t know how they’re going to pull off a separate Batman on top of this.
— Vincent Paragano (@vincentparagano) December 28, 2024
All that Gunn and Reeves can do at this point is make sure that the sequel is worth the wait when it finally hits the theaters. That will hopefully change the minds of the fans who are currently unconvinced, and reward those who are supporting the creators no matter what.
