DC Elseworlds: The Batman 2 to be part of new label

James Gunn and Peter Safran are launching a new DC Elseworlds label, under which The Batman and Joker sequels will be distributed.

The Batman 2, Matt Reeves, Robert Pattinson

With today’s big announcement from James Gunn relating to his new DC slate of films, many are wondering where The Batman – Part II belongs in this new continuity. It turns out, The Batman 2 will be part of an all-new label called DC Elseworlds. According to Variety, this label will consist of DC features that exist outside of the new continuity established by Gunn and co-DC chair Peter Safran. In addition to The Batman – Part II, the Todd Phillips sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, and the Teen Titans Go animated series will also be branded as DC Elseworlds. The same, presumably, will go for Matt Reeves’ upcoming Penguin spin-off series starring Colin Farrell and Ta-Nehisi Coates’ untitled Superman project, which will now know definitively will fall outside the continuity.

Indeed, this is an exciting development that offers a glimmer of hope to fans of the other DC movies. Think about it – a DC Elseworlds label would be the ideal place to slot another Gal Gadot Wonder Woman movie. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is given this label (maybe even Shazam: Fury of the Gods or The Flash too), as the film features Ben Affleck as Batman, who we now know will not be part of Gunn’s new continuity. They could even release the shelved Batgirl movie as an Elseworlds project. We could even, maybe (just maybe) one day get Henry Cavill back as Superman in an Elseworlds movie. However, I wouldn’t hold your breath, as the character seems to be the most crucial ingredient in Gunn’s new DC continuity, and he won’t want to confuse audiences.

What else could be part of the DC Elseworlds label? Let us know in the comments!

About the Author

Chris Bumbray began his career with JoBlo as the resident film critic (and James Bond expert) way back in 2007, and he has stuck around ever since, being named editor-in-chief in 2021. A voting member of the CCA and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, you can also catch Chris discussing pop culture regularly on CTV News Channel.