Here’s a fun little casting twist out of Gotham: Robert De Niro was actually offered a role in The Batman: Part II and said no. That little nugget came from reporter Jeff Sneider, who floated De Niro as a fit for a key part and then, one day later, said the offer really happened and De Niro passed. A tidy arc.
The De Niro wrinkle
Sneider first tossed out De Niro as a curveball for Christopher Dent (Harvey Dent’s father), and the logic tracked. As he put it:
"I haven’t heard anyone mention him, possibly b/c he’s older than other candidates, but if we’re talking about who could realistically have a 43-year-old son & thrive in a CRIME movie?"
Then came the follow-up the next day:
"Serious post: Shortly after I published this tweet, someone reached out to say that De Niro was, in fact, offered the role... and passed. Drats!"
De Niro already has DC history as Murray Franklin in Joker (2019), and his trophy case speaks for itself: Oscars for The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull, plus nominations for Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Awakenings, Cape Fear, Silver Linings Playbook, The Irishman, and Killers of the Flower Moon. He’s also back as Jack Byrnes in Focker In-Law this November, which exists, apparently.
Where things stand with The Batman: Part II
- Matt Reeves returns to direct the sequel to 2022’s The Batman, positioned as the next chapter in what’s being called The Batman Epic Crime Saga.
- Robert Pattinson is back as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
- Production gears up later this year.
- Sebastian Stan is set as Harvey Dent.
- Scarlett Johansson has joined the cast; her role remains under wraps.
- The film has been circling the role of Christopher Dent. High-wattage names like Daniel Craig, Stellan Skarsgard, and Brad Pitt were in the mix at various points, and they passed.
- Per Sneider, De Niro got the offer for Christopher Dent and also passed.
The release plan
The Batman: Part II is dated for October 1, 2027. The clock’s ticking, the cast is taking shape, and that Christopher Dent spot is still wide open. Given the names they’re chasing, expect another heavyweight to enter the conversation soon.