The Batman 2 Script Officially Complete: What We Know So Far
Director and writer Matt Reeves, along with co-writer Mattson Tomlin, have reportedly finished the script for The Batman 2.
The highly anticipated sequel, starring Robert Pattinson and long in development, has finally received a promising update. Director Matt Reeves shared a new photo on X that sent fans into a frenzy. At first glance, it’s a simple black and white shot of Reeves and Tomlin sitting side-by-side. However, the focal point is a script resting on the table, bearing the unmistakable Batman logo on its cover.
While Reeves and Tomlin haven’t officially confirmed the script’s completion, Variety has verified that the script is indeed done. Just last week, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn told Entertainment Weekly that he expected to see the script for The Batman 2 sometime this month.
Gunn stated, “We’re very excited about that, Matt [Reeves] is working hard on it. He comes in and pitches us stuff all the time, actually. I’m really excited about it. So we’re excited to read it, but if you’re asking about that, we haven’t read it yet.”
The Batman, which premiered in March 2022, presented audiences with a gritty and grounded vision of Gotham City. The film garnered critical acclaim (including a perfect 10/10 score from IGN) and resonated with a large segment of fans, resulting in impressive box office numbers. According to Box Office Mojo, the 2022 Batman film grossed a total of $770 million worldwide.
Although the spin-off series The Penguin, centered around Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot, has offered a temporary fix for fans, DC has been diligently searching for the right sequel to continue the original story.
A Quick Recap of The Batman (2022)
To refresh your memory before the sequel arrives, here’s a summary of the first film:
On Halloween night in Gotham City, Mayor Don Mitchell Jr. is murdered in his home by a mysterious criminal calling himself “The Riddler,” who leaves behind cryptic messages accusing Mitchell of “lies.” Bruce Wayne, the reclusive billionaire who has been operating as the vigilante Batman for two years, is called upon by Lieutenant James Gordon to assist the Gotham City Police Department in the investigation, as the Riddler has left a message specifically for Batman. However, Police Commissioner Pete Savage and most of the police force disapprove of the vigilante’s involvement. Batman uses a contact lens to record evidence and returns to his Batcave in an abandoned subway station. He is later pressured by his butler, Alfred Pennyworth, to maintain his public image. Soon after, Savage is also murdered by the Riddler.
Batman and Gordon follow a lead to a USB drive left by the Riddler in Mitchell’s car, containing photos of Mitchell with a woman named Annika Koslov at the Iceberg Lounge. Batman confronts the Penguin, the club’s manager, who denies knowing Annika. Batman notices Selina Kyle, a waitress who is also Annika’s roommate and close friend, and observes her as a skilled thief. Batman learns that Annika is not directly involved in the case, but she disappears. Selina reluctantly agrees to help Batman find her, venturing into the club’s private rooms to gather information. Batman discovers that Mitchell, Savage, and other Gotham officials are connected to Carmine Falcone, a Gotham crime lord, including District Attorney Gil Colson. Unable to find Annika, Batman also realizes Selina’s unusual relationship with Falcone, leading to a falling out.
The Riddler kidnaps Colson and straps a bomb collar to him, forcing him to drive into Gotham City Hall during Mitchell’s memorial service. Batman arrives and attempts to disarm the bomb, but the Riddler threatens to detonate it if Colson fails to answer three riddles. Batman helps Colson answer the first two, revealing Colson’s long-standing corruption. However, Colson refuses to reveal the identity of the informant who helped the police bust Salvador Maroni’s drug ring, and dies. Based on clues from Savage’s murder scene, Batman and Gordon believe the informant is the Penguin and track him to a drug deal at a riverside warehouse. They learn that Falcone has taken over Maroni’s drug operation and is protected by corrupt police officers. Selina steals money from the warehouse and discovers Annika’s body, exposing their presence. Selina flees with the money, and Batman captures the Penguin, but learns he is not the informant.
Batman and Gordon realize they misinterpreted the clues and reinvestigate, finding the abandoned orphanage sponsored by Bruce’s deceased parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne. They learn that the Riddler holds a grudge against the Wayne family. Batman rushes home, only to find Alfred injured by a mail bomb. The Riddler reveals shocking truths about the Wayne family, disclosing that Thomas hired Falcone to silence a journalist named Edward Elliot, who had uncovered Martha Wayne’s history of mental illness from the Arkham family. Bruce confronts Falcone, who confirms the story. Bruce visits Alfred in the hospital, who clarifies that Thomas only wanted Falcone to intimidate the journalist, but Falcone murdered him. Thomas intended to report Falcone to the police, but he and his wife were murdered the same night in a hit orchestrated by Falcone.
Selina reveals that Falcone is her father and finds a recording of Falcone murdering Annika, who had overheard Mitchell revealing Falcone’s role as an informant. Selina attempts to kill Falcone, but Gordon releases the recording to the media, leading to Falcone’s arrest. Batman stops Selina from killing Falcone and turns him over to the police. However, the Riddler, hiding in an apartment across from the club, snipes Falcone, killing him. He is arrested and identified as forensic accountant Edward Nashton, and is incarcerated in Arkham State Hospital. The Riddler meets with Batman, confessing his hatred for the Wayne family and corrupt officials who abandoned orphans like him, and claims that his crimes were inspired by Batman. Batman refuses to join him, but learns that the Riddler has a final plan.
Batman finds a city map hidden under a rug in the Riddler’s apartment, revealing that the Riddler has parked seven car bombs along the city’s seawall and recruited followers online to assassinate the newly elected mayor, Bella Reál. The explosions destroy the seawall, flooding Gotham City, and Gotham Square Garden becomes a refuge. Batman and Selina stop the Riddler’s followers from assassinating Reál and help rescue citizens, earning him the city’s recognition as a hero. The Riddler is dismayed by the news, and befriends a fellow “patient” in Arkham. As Gotham becomes an underwater city, the Penguin takes over the mob leadership, and Selina leaves Gotham, believing it is beyond saving. Batman resolves to become a symbol of “hope” instead of “vengeance.”