Production on the highly anticipated sequel had been temporarily paused in early October 2026 so Reeves could focus on the personal situation. A studio statement at the time noted that Reeves had the full backing of DC Studios and that the team looked forward to continuing soon. NowVariety confirmed that Soderbergh (who approached Reeves himself as a longtime admirer of his work) would step in to help finish shooting.
“As Matt Reeves continues to attend to an ongoing family matter, Steven Soderbergh, as an admirer of Matt’s work, approached Matt and will step in, with the full support of DC Studios, to help the writer-director complete the final weeks of principal photography on ‘The Batman Part 2,’” a studio representative said. “Matt and Steven will work closely together with the actors and crew to fulfill Matt’s vision of the film.”
Soderbergh, known for films including Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, and Ocean’s Eleven, issued his own statement emphasizing continuity: “I thought Matt Reeves’ work on ‘The Batman’ was stunning; it was intentional, specific and rigorously coherent. The goal here is to work with Matt and his team to generate footage that will integrate seamlessly with what’s already been shot so Matt can properly finish his film.”
Reeves quickly clarified on X that he is not departing the project. “Just to be clear, I am not leaving The Batman Part II. I am profoundly grateful to Steven for coming to my aid during this challenging time to help me finish principal photography. Thank you to all for your concern and well wishes,” he wrote, adding a bat emoji. He will continue contributing remotely while principal photography wraps and is expected to take a more hands-on role in post-production.
According to additional reporting, the film is roughly two-thirds complete. Soderbergh is set to work with the cast and crew in London, while Reeves operates from Los Angeles, with the two staying in close communication to keep the material aligned with Reeves’ established vision. Reeves is then expected to oversee post-production more directly once principal photography ends.
The Batman Part II stars Robert Pattinson returning as Bruce Wayne/Batman, joined by Scarlett Johansson, Colin Farrell, Sebastian Stan, Andy Serkis, and Jeffrey Wright. It is the sequel to Reeves’ 2022 film The Batman, which introduced Pattinson’s grounded take on the character.
The project has faced multiple delays since its announcement at CinemaCon in 2022. An original target of October 2nd, 2026 was pushed to October 1st, 2027, then further delayed to February 18, 2028. The current plan aims to keep that 2028 theatrical release on track as production resumes under this collaborative arrangement.
Ever since The Batman reinvented Gotham with its darker, detective-driven take on Bruce Wayne, audiences have been invested in this corner of the DC universe. That momentum only grew with The Penguin, which expanded the world by showing Oz Cobb’s brutal rise through Gotham’s criminal underworld and proved there is a huge appetite for more stories in this grounded, gritty setting. With both projects earning strong fan support and keeping viewers engaged between films, demand for the next chapter of Matt Reeves’ Batman saga feels stronger than ever.
While it’s set in a different DC universe, the upcoming Clayface film is already attracting attention because it focuses on one of Batman’s most iconic and tragic villains. Long regarded as a fan-favourite member of the Batman mythos, Clayface brings a unique mix of horror, drama and comic book spectacle that sets him apart from traditional villains. The first trailer has sparked curiosity among fans eager to see a fresh interpretation of the shape-shifting character, proving that Batman’s rogues gallery remains one of DC’s biggest strengths, even outside Reeves’ Gotham.
For fans who have waited through the delays, the news offers reassurance that the film remains on its path toward Cinemas.
