Matt Reeves’ Arkham Asylum Series Will Officially Be Set in James Gunn’s DCU

In a surprising turn of events, it seems that the Arkham TV series being developed by The Batman director Matt Reeves’ for his Batverse will now be set in James Gunn’s DCU. Plus, an actor expresses his interest in playing the DCU’s Batman.


With Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom set to officially conclude the DCEU era of DC films, the focus has now shifted to the developments of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU. While much of the information publically confirmed about the DCU is confined to Creature Commandos and Superman: Legacy not much else is known about this new cinematic universe.

One confirmed aspect of the DCU was that there would be projects taking place outside the main continuity, labeled Elseworlds projects. Under this new label, projects such as Todd Phillips / Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker movies and Matt Reeves / Robert Pattinson’s Batman universe can exist without being tied to a larger universe.

After it was announced that Matt Reeves was spearheading multiple projects within his Batverse, it was widely assumed that those spin-off projects would be Elseworlds, but that does not appear to be the case, according to James Gunn himself.

Actor Robert Pattinson and director Mat Reeves on the set of The Batman.

Shortly after the release of The Batman, director Matt Reeves was confirmed to be working on a sequel, a spinoff television series for Max focusing on the rise of Colin Ferell’s Oswald Cobblepot / Penguin and a second television series set to explore the hallowed grounds of Arkham Asylum. While responding to a commenter’s question on Threads regarding any additional Batverse projects from Reeves, Gunn shared that the Arkham Asylum series will be under the umbrella of the DCU.


It’s worth noting that the Arkham series actually started out as a series that focused on the Gotham City Police Department, partially inspired by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka‘s 2002 Gotham Central comic book, with Reeves stating that during the show’s development, it evolved into focusing more on Arkham Asylum.

This shocking news has inevitably prompted fans to ponder how exactly Reeves’ DCU show will tie into The Batman: The Brave and the Bold. While news regarding who will be the DCU’s Batman is stricken to unconfirmed rumors and fan casts these days, Jack Reacher / Titans star Alan Ritchson has thrown his name into consideration. While speaking to the Fortress of Solitude podcast promoting Season 2 of Jack Reacher, the actor touched upon his desire to play the DCU’s Caped Crusader.

With all the rumours flying that I’m supposed to be playing Batman, how can I knock Batman? I would love to play Batman.

Actor Alan Ritchson on potentially playing the DCU’s Batman. Via the Fortress of Solitude.


Needless to say, by this time next year, fans should have a much clearer picture of what James Gunn and DC Studios have planned.

Which DC villains would you like to see play a role in Matt Reeves’ DCU Arkham series? Who would you like to see take up the mantle of the DCU’s Batman? As always, sound off in the comment section down below, and be sure to tune in right here at The Cultured Nerd for latest breaking news on James Gunn’s DCU.

Published by Kenneth Yambo

Que Obi-Wan’s “Hello there !” My name is Kenneth Yambo and I’m originally from Oakland, California. While I personally love everything nerd, my “specialization” is everything and anything that has to do with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DC Cinematic Universe, the Galaxy Far Far Away. I have my personal page on Instagram, theculturedworldofdc, that posts anything and everything that has to do with James Gunn’s new DC Cinematic Universe so give that a follow. Looking forward to sharing my passion with you guys. Excelsior!