Matt Reeves has directly addressed his temporary absence from The Batman Part II, making it clear that he is still very much involved with the highly anticipated DC sequel.

Steven Soderbergh is stepping in to help oversee the final stretch of principal photography while Reeves attends to a family matter. The arrangement will allow production to continue while Reeves remains connected to the film and its creative direction.

The Batman II [dc studios]

“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.”

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. 🦇

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) October 15, 2026

Soderbergh is expected to work closely with the existing cast and crew to complete the remaining material while maintaining the visual style and direction Reeves has already established.

Reeves is still the director of The Batman Part II and is expected to continue overseeing the film once principal photography is completed.

Robert Pattinson returns as Bruce Wayne and Batman, with Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell also returning. Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan are among the major new additions to the sequel.

The Batman Part II is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on February 18, 2028.

The first reactions to DC Studios’ Clayface have arrived, and the upcoming Batman villain film appears to be leaning fully into its horror roots.

Directed by James Watkins, Clayface stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, an actor who suffers a devastating facial injury before undergoing an experimental treatment that transforms his body and ultimately turns him into the shape shifting character known as Clayface.

Early reactions following screenings have been largely positive, with viewers praising the film’s gruesome body horror, dark atmosphere and Harries’ performance in the lead role.

Collider’s Steven Weintraub called the film “fantastic” while noting that it delivers an R rated experience filled with brutal moments.

Clayface [DC Studios]

Brandon Davis described Clayface as “freakishly awesome,” praising Watkins’ unsettling version of Gotham and the creative ways the film uses Clayface’s abilities.

Several reactions have also compared the movie to classic body horror films such as The Fly and Sam Raimi’s Darkman, suggesting DC Studios has created something much closer to a traditional horror movie than a typical superhero release.

Harries has received particularly strong praise, with multiple early viewers pointing to Clayface as a potential breakout performance for the actor.

Naomi Ackie stars alongside Harries as Dr. Caitlyn Corr, the scientist whose experimental treatment plays a major role in Hagen’s transformation. The cast also includes Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan and David Dencik.

Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, Clayface [dc studios]

The screenplay was written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini from a story by Flanagan, while James Gunn, Peter Safran, Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris serve as producers.

Clayface also represents another major tonal shift for the developing DC Universe. Rather than treating every project as a traditional comic book blockbuster, DC Studios appears willing to use individual characters to explore completely different genres.

If the early reactions are any indication, Clayface may be one of the studio’s biggest swings yet.

Clayface arrives in theaters October 23, 2026.

James Mangold’s long developing Swamp Thing movie is still alive at DC Studios, with studio co chairman Peter Safran confirming that work on the project is actively moving forward.

Speaking at the premiere of Clayface, Safran addressed the status of the film after years of limited updates and growing speculation that it may have quietly fallen off DC Studios’ slate.

“We’re working on it, absolutely.”

Safran said. “The script is being written as we speak.”

Safran added that DC Studios remains excited about the project, while acknowledging that getting the film into production will also depend on Mangold’s availability.

Swamp Thing was originally announced in 2023 as part of the first chapter of James Gunn and Safran’s new DC Universe. The film is expected to explore the dark origins of the character while leaning heavily into horror rather than functioning as a traditional superhero movie.

Swamp Thing

Mangold previously described his approach as a simple Gothic horror story centered around a man and a monster, comparing the concept to the type of classic tragedy found in Frankenstein.

That direction would make Swamp Thing one of the darker and more distinct projects currently being developed for the DC Universe.

The character, most commonly associated with scientist Alec Holland, has long occupied the horror side of DC Comics. After Holland is killed in an explosion, Swamp Thing emerges as a powerful plant based creature connected to a supernatural force known as the Green.

The character most recently received a live action television adaptation in 2019, although the series was canceled after a single season.

Mangold remains attached to direct the new film, though DC Studios has not announced a production start date, cast, or release date.

For now, Safran’s comments offer the clearest indication in some time that Swamp Thing remains part of DC Studios’ plans.