SerpApi.Org
The Batman: Part IIis officially in production, more than four years after the first film hit theaters in 2022. Matt Reeves, Robert Pattinson, Andy Serkis, and more are all back for the highly anticipated sequel, joined by a litany of new stars, including Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Brian Tyree Henry, and Charles Dance. After years of waiting, the film is finally set to hit theaters on February 18, 2028.
While Matt Reeves' Epic Crime Saga has deviated from the traditional idea of Batman in several ways, the upcoming sequel will keep certain traditions alive. Included among these is one underrated ritual that began almost forty years ago, with Michael Keaton's original appearance in Batman (1989). All this time later, some things just don't need changing.
The Batman: Part II Continues a 37-Year Tradition
One of the longest-standing traditions in Batman movies is that the titular Caped Crusader always gets a costume upgrade between new installments. Robert Pattinson's Batman has been confirmed to have a new suit, though its exact specs have yet to be revealed. In a teaser announcing the beginning of filming, the vengeance-wielding vigilante is shown from the shoulders up, revealing a brand-new cowl, complete with longer bat ears jutting from his head.
Fans took to X to discuss the new change, which Matt Reeves later confirmed in a reply on the same platform. This marks the first significant costume change for Robert Pattinson's Batman, who has only made one appearance thus far. This shouldn't be surprising to longtime fans of the Dark Knight, however, as the hero traditionally gets some kind of new costume or upgraded apparel with each new big-screen appearance.
The History of Live-Action Batman Suits
This tradition began all the way back in 1989's Batmanstarring Michael Keaton, the first live-action iteration of the character since Adam West's iconic television show. After his first appearance, Keaton's Batman returns in the 1992 sequel, Batman Returns. The costume changes between these films were subtle, with a sleeker design for the sequel and colors that pop slightly better than the original.
After that came the Joel Schumacher era, beginning with 1995's Batman Forever. Val Kilmer takes over the role of Batman in this film, wearing a bulkier suit with more musculature and, of course, the infamous bat-nipples. This suit also takes on a greyer tone in some lighting, giving Kilmer's Batman a distinct look when compared to his counterparts.
George Clooney stepped into the role of Bruce Wayne in 1997 with Batman and Robin. His Batman is notably slimmer than either Kilmer's or Keaton's, and the suit reflects this change. Clooney's suit is visually closest to that of Kilmer, but with even more pronounced muscle sections and, yes, even more pronounced nipples. This is typically regarded as the worst live-action Batman suit, as well as the worst live-action iteration of the character as a whole.
Batman didn't appear onscreen again until Christopher Nolan's reboot starring Christian Bale, which began with 2005's Batman Begins. This iteration of Batman starts with an all-black stealth suit that looks pretty epic, but is still missing many of the iconic elements of the costume from the comics, including the yellow-and-black bat insignia. By 2008's The Dark Night, Bale's Batman had a more flexible suit (in which he could actually turn his head!). In 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, he adds some extra armored padding, though the difference is largely negligible.
Ben Affleck is the Batman of the DC Extended Universe, starring in multiple films as the iconic vigilante. He first shows up in 2016's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, sporting a bulky, armored suit capable of fighting a Kryptonian. He wears his more traditional black-and-grey suit for most of 2017's Justice League and gets a truly horrendous teched-out suit for 2023's The Flash, marking his final appearance.
The Flash also features a throwback to Michael Keaton's Batman, who returns to help Barry Allen restore the proper timeline. Upon his return, Keaton sports a nostalgic suit resembling the 1989 costume, but with greater flexibility, more high-tech gadgets, and a wider cowl.
Of course, Robert Pattinson started out his tenure as the Caped Crusader in 2022's The Batman. He has one of the most heavily designed Batman suits in cinematic history, giving him a distinct look compared to the previous live-action iterations. Now, he officially gets his first upgrade in the sneak peek at the 2028 sequel. Thirty-seven years later, Batman's longest-running movie tradition is still going strong.
What to Expect From The Batman: Part II
The Batman: Part II is going to be an epic new adventure for Robert Pattinson's iconic hero. Although the sequel comes out almost six years after the first film, it takes place only a few months later, as Gotham City freezes over while it continues to recover from the massive flooding caused by the Riddler's schemes. This will give the film a unique aesthetic, as it depicts the wintry landscape of Gotham.
Several new characters will join the mix in the upcoming sequel. Perhaps the most exciting of these is Harvey Dent, played by Sebastian Stan. It is unclear whether or not Dent will assume his villainous alter-ego of Two-Face in the film, but given that he is expected to play a major role therein, it seems very likely. Also joining the cast are Charles Dance as Charles Dent, Harvey's abusive father, and Scarlett Johansson as Gilda Dent, Harvey's wife.
Many fans have theorized that other Batman villains may appear in the film who haven't been announced yet. Chief among these is Mister Freeze, who would naturally fit the winter aesthetic of the film and who hasn't appeared in a Batman movie since 1997's Batman and Robin, where he was played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Barry Keoghan and Paul Dano are rumored to reprise their roles as the Joker and the Riddler, respectively, after previously appearing in the first film.
The Batman: Part II takes place after the events of the hit HBO Max spin-off series The Penguin, starring Collin Farrell's Oswald "Oz" Cobb. By the events of the sequel, Oz has taken over Gotham City's criminal underworld as its sole kingpin, eliminating the Falcones and Maronis. He begins Part II at the most powerful he has ever been, making him an even bigger threat to Robert Pattinson's hero.
Fans should not expect The Batman: Part II to have any connections to any other DC properties. Matt Reeves and James Gunn insist that the film will not be absorbed into the DCU, which launched its cinematic campaign last year with Superman. Although there are some fans who desperately want to see Robert Pattinson's Batman team up with David Corenswet's Superman, this seems increasingly unlikely as time goes on.
James Gunn is already working on another Batman reboot with The Flash's Andy Muschietti. The Brave and the Bold will be the character's first solo film in the DCU and will introduce Damian Wayne as Robin in his feature film debut. These plans supposedly won't interfere with Matt Reeves' Epic Crime Saga, with at least one more The Batman film expected to close out the trilogy in the next few years. Hopefully, the wait for that sequel won't be as long as it has been for Part II.
The Batman: Part II is already shaping up to be one of the biggest movie events of 2028, borrowing a tradition from older Batman movies to get fans even more hyped.
