The Batman – Part II has finally replaced a key member of the creative team. The superhero sequel has been in development since the first film debuted in 2022, with Matt Reeves returning to write and direct the superhero sequel, which is part of Warner Bros. and DC’s Elseworlds. The Elseworlds stories are based on DC Comics characters, but take place outside the continuity of the larger DCU, keeping it separate from things like James Gunn’s Superman and the forthcoming Lanterns series. The gritty Batman film stood out among other iterations of the character, focusing heavily on the detective elements from the comics and embracing darker themes.
Fans have seen the movie delayed as Reeves continued to perfect the script with co-writer Mattson Tomlin. The Batman – Part II is currently slated for a 2027 release, but during the lull between films, the production lost a key member who helped define the look and feel of Gotham in cinematographer Greig Fraser. Fraser is a three-time Academy Award nominee for his work on Lion and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films, winning for 2021’s first entry. He is currently busy with other projects, having shot Project Hail Mary with directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, with his next project set to be Sam Mendes’ upcoming run of Beatles films.
As reported by The InSneider, The Batman – Part II is replacing Fraser with another Oscar-winning cinematographer with the addition of Erik Messerschmidt. The Academy Award winner earned the title thanks to his work on David Fincher’s 2020 Netflix film Mank, which starred Gary Oldman as screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. Messerschmidt has teamed with Fincher several times, serving as the director of photography on the 2023 film The Killer and the Netflix series Mindhunter. His other work includes the films Devotion and Ferrari, with his TV credits featuring Fargo and Raised by Wolves.
Will ‘The Batman – Part II’ Be Worth the Wait?
Details about The Batman – Part II‘s plot are still unknown, but with Reeves as the driving creative force, he is likely to lean into the detective story elements he built with the first film. Rumors have pointed to potential villains in Hush, the Court of Owls, and even Mr. Freeze, but those details remain unconfirmed. HBO’s The Penguin series will potentially play a part as well, as the character is intended to return in the forthcoming sequel.
The Batman follow-up already boasts a stellar returning cast that sees Robert Pattinson back as Batman/Bruce Wayne, with Andy Serkis back as his Alfred Pennyworth. Colin Farrell is reprising his role as Oz Cobb after The Penguin series, with Jeffrey Wright set to portray Jim Gordon again. Further cast announcements are expected as the movie moves through pre-production, as Zoë Kravitz has not been confirmed to return as Catwoman, nor has there been any word of The Penguin stars joining the cast, as Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone seemingly won’t be involved.
While The Batman – Part II has been taking its time to get things right, recent word points to pre-production moving rather quickly, with filming potentially starting in early 2026. The release is slated for October 1, 2027, but that could change depending on production. Still, the sequel is already showing strong promise from the cast, director, and now, an Academy Award-winning cinematographer.