Steven Soderbergh to shoot final weeks of 'The Batman Part II' as Matt Reeves steps away for a family matter

What was announced

Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh will take over shooting duties for the last stretch of principal photography on "The Batman Part II" while Matt Reeves is away from the production, according to reports on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Warner Bros. confirmed the arrangement in a statement, and /Film reported that Deadline broke the news. ^{[1] [2]}

Warner Bros. attributed Reeves's absence to "an ongoing family matter" and gave no further detail. The studio said Soderbergh approached Reeves out of admiration for his work, and that the two would work together to realize Reeves's vision for the film, per TheWrap and /Film. ^{[1] [2]}

How the handover will work

Soderbergh will shoot the final few weeks of filming. Reeves will not be on set for that period but will stay in contact with Soderbergh during the closing days of the shoot, /Film reported. Reeves plans to rejoin the production for post-production. ^[2]

The Playlist reported that production resumes in London under Soderbergh's supervision, that about two-thirds of principal photography is reportedly complete, and that the two directors will collaborate remotely, with Reeves working from Los Angeles. Those figures are reported, not stated in the studio announcement as relayed by the other outlets. ^[3]

Soderbergh said the aim is to create footage that will "integrate seamlessly with what's already been shot," according to The Playlist. ^[3]

Reeves responds

Reeves addressed the news on X on Thursday. His post began, "Just to be clear, I am not leaving The Batman Part II," according to The Playlist. TheWrap reported that he thanked Soderbergh for helping him finish principal photography, and The Playlist added that he thanked fans for their concern and well wishes. ^{[1] [3]}

The reports do not describe the nature of the family matter, and none says how long Reeves will be away. /Film said Reeves had needed to step away from production for personal reasons earlier this month. ^[2]

Background and what comes next

Reeves directed 2022's "The Batman" and is writer and director of the sequel. Robert Pattinson returns as Bruce Wayne, with Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan joining the cast, TheWrap reported. Returning cast members include Andy Serkis, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright and Jayme Lawson, and newcomers include Charles Dance, Sebastian Koch and Brian Tyree Henry. Erik Messerschmidt replaces Greig Fraser as cinematographer, per TheWrap. ^[1]

The film is scheduled for release on February 18, 2028, TheWrap and The Playlist reported. Neither report indicates that the change in directors will alter that date, though the studio has not publicly addressed the schedule in the coverage reviewed. /Film noted the sequel was already pushed back a year in 2024 while Warner Bros. settled its DC plans. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

The reports did not say whether Soderbergh will receive any credit on the finished film, and no credit has been announced. ^{[1] [2]}