‘The Batman – Part II’ Replaces Cinematographer Greg Fraser With ‘Mindhunter’s Erik Messerschmidt

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The next Batman movie has a new key creative team member. The sequel has been in the works since the first film came out in 2022, with Matt Reeves still writing and directing. This Batman story is part of Warner Bros. and DC’s ‘Elseworlds’ line, meaning it features DC characters in stories separate from the main DC Universe—things like James Gunn’s Superman and the upcoming Lanterns series won’t affect this Batman story. The first Batman film was unique for its focus on detective work and its dark, serious tone.

Movie fans have waited longer for the sequel because director Matt Reeves kept refining the script with his co-writer, Mattson Tomlin. The Batman – Part II is now scheduled to come out in 2027. During the break in production, the film lost Greig Fraser, the cinematographer who was crucial in creating the distinctive look of Gotham City. Fraser has been nominated for three Academy Awards for his work on films like Lion and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, winning for the first Dune movie in 2021. He’s currently working on other projects, including Project Hail Mary with directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and is also set to film Sam Mendes’ upcoming movies about The Beatles.

According to reports from The InSneider, The Batman – Part II has a new cinematographer: Erik Messerschmidt. He’s replacing Greig Fraser and brings an Academy Award to the project, which he won for his work on David Fincher’s 2020 film Mank, starring Gary Oldman. Messerschmidt has frequently collaborated with Fincher, including on the 2023 film The Killer and the Netflix series Mindhunter. He’s also worked on films like Devotion and Ferrari, and TV shows including Fargo and Raised by Wolves.

Will ‘The Batman – Part II’ Be Worth the Wait?


Warner Bros. Pictures

While the exact story for The Batman – Part II is still a secret, director Matt Reeves is expected to continue focusing on the detective side of Batman, similar to the first movie. There’s been talk that villains like Hush, the Court of Owls, and Mr. Freeze might appear, but nothing is confirmed yet. Plus, the HBO series The Penguin could tie into the sequel, with the character planned to return.

The sequel to The Batman will bring back several key actors, including Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth. Colin Farrell will reprise his role as Oz Cobb, following his appearance in The Penguin series, and Jeffrey Wright is returning as Jim Gordon. While more cast members will be announced as the movie develops, it’s currently unclear if Zoë Kravitz will return as Catwoman or if any other stars from The Penguin series will join the film. Cristin Milioti’s character, Sofia Falcone, doesn’t appear to be involved this time around.

Though development on The Batman – Part II has been deliberate, it seems pre-production is now progressing rapidly, with filming possibly beginning in early 2026. The movie is currently scheduled to release on October 1, 2027, though this date is subject to change based on how production goes. Early signs are positive, with a talented cast, director, and now an Oscar-winning cinematographer all on board.

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2025-12-03 13:17