Director Matt Reeves recently confirmed that veteran cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt will serve as the director of photography on The Batman: Part 2. The news answers one of the biggest behind-the-scenes questions surrounding the project after word broke that Greig Fraser would not be returning due to his commitment to shooting all four Sam Mendes–directed Beatles films.
Fraser’s departure created a moment of uncertainty for fans of Reeves’ brooding Gotham, particularly because Fraser’s work on the first film was so widely celebrated. His atmospheric, noir-inspired visuals helped solidify The Batman as not only a strong entry in the character’s cinematic legacy but also, as some argue, the best-shot Batman movie ever made. Even legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins praised Fraser’s work, calling it the best cinematography of 2022 and lamenting its lack of Oscar recognition as a matter of genre “snobbery.” Fraser’s portfolio—Dune, Dune: Part Two, Zero Dark Thirty, Vice, Foxcatcher—made his involvement a prestige marker for the emerging franchise.
But with Fraser fully committed elsewhere, the next question became: Who could step in and maintain (or even elevate) the tone Reeves had established? Jeff Sneider over at The InSneider was the first to break the story, with the answer being Messerschmidt, and it’s a choice that immediately sparked excitement among cinephiles.
Messerschmidt is perhaps best known for his longtime work with David Fincher. His cinematography on Mindhunter, Mank—for which he won an Academy Award—and the recent The Killer has been widely praised for its precision, control, and emotional restraint. There is a quiet intensity to his imagery, a polished darkness that feels tailor-made for Reeves’ grounded Gotham City. His work on Michael Mann’s Ferrari further showcased his ability to balance elegance with grit.
Notably, Messerschmidt is currently finishing work on Fincher’s The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a project he is expected to wrap in January. Once completed, he will move directly into prep and production on The Batman: Part 2, with cameras reportedly set to roll in February or March.
Matt Reeves himself confirmed the news, sharing a post on social media celebrating Messerschmidt’s involvement. In the tweet, Reeves welcomed the cinematographer aboard, making the announcement official and giving fans an early jolt of excitement as development on the sequel moves forward.
This… is a true story. Let’s go Erik… 🦇🦇🦇🎥 https://t.co/nKcfOaBFWD
— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) December 2, 2025
As for the film itself, The Batman: Part 2 is currently slated to begin production in early 2026. Robert Pattinson is expected to return as Gotham’s haunted vigilante, continuing the arc established in the first film. However, details beyond that remain tightly under wraps. No plot synopsis has been revealed, no villains confirmed, and no casting announcements released. Reeves and his team have been characteristically secretive, though industry observers expect more information to surface soon—possibly even within the month.
With Messerschmidt now on board, anticipation for the sequel has only intensified. His visual sensibilities, combined with Reeves’ meticulous world-building, suggest a film that will continue the franchise’s commitment to noir-inspired realism while potentially pushing it into even moodier, more refined territory. While some fans may still fantasize about a Roger Deakins-shot Batman film—a dream that was always a long shot—the choice of Messerschmidt feels both inspired and faithful to the tone Reeves has cultivated.
For now, the pieces are falling into place, and The Batman: Part 2 is beginning to take form. If Messerschmidt’s past work is any indication, Gotham’s shadows are about to get even richer.
