Well, this certainly is different from the other live-action Batman movies we have seen. The very first trailer for The Batman was revealed at the DC Fandom virtual convention, giving us a better look into Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader and a concept of who the first villain is. We already know that Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell), and Riddler (Paul Dano) will figure into the movie. However, due to the first trailer, it looks like the Riddler will be getting the most screen time of the three. At DC Fandom in August 2020, DC Films president Walter Hamada confirmed that the film was no longer part of the DCEU but took place in a different universe within DC Film’s multiverse.
The two-minute clip shows that Riddler leaves a trail of bodies with notes and coded messages to Batman, indicating the villain is obsessed with him. The Riddler also seems to be painting Batman as a “liar” and seeking to reveal him. It is refreshing to see the trailer center so heavily on Riddler. This portrayal takes a much different direction than the other big-screen Riddler fans have seen (Jim Carrey’s in Batman Forever).
This take on the character is dark, demented, and murderous. Dano is not any stranger to this kind of role. There is plenty else to examine with this trailer, including a gang of thugs wearing face paint that appears somewhat like an absolute Clown Prince of Crime and many other characters you will meet within the film. Of course, there is a lot of Bruce Wayne brooding happening too, because what is a Batman movie without that?
After he was cast as Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Ben Affleck began developing a DC Extended Universe (DCEU) Batman film with Geoff Johns and was attached direct, write, produce, and star. In January 2017, Affleck stepped down from directing and writing after struggling with the story and focusing on playing Batman. Reeves took over directorial and scripting duties the following month and reworked the story to focus on a younger Batman, hoping to emphasize the character’s detective aspect to a greater extent than previous films. Affleck stepped down from all involvement in January 2019. Pattinson was cast the following May, with Craig and Mattson Tomlin later contributing to the script. The film’s connections to the DCEU were subsequently eliminated. Principal photography began in London, England, in January 2020 but was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Production is expected to resume in early September. The Batman is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2021. A spin-off prequel television series is in development for HBO Max.
Warner Bros. released a trio of stills pulled from the trailer that shows Bruce off perfectly. However, we do not get an excessive amount of Wayne talking. Still, one line is delivered after brutally dispatching a criminal. Director Matt Reeves also had plenty to say about what is to be expected from the film. It is important to note this is not another Batman origin story.
But instead, the new Batman movie is based on his second year of fighting crime. Batman explores the corruption that plagues Gotham City and how it may tie to his own family, in addition to coming into conflict with a serial killer known as The Riddler. Selina is not yet Catwoman within the film, and Cobblepot is not the criminal kingpin he will become. He hates being called Penguin, a staple of the character. Since this is just the first look at The Batman, there will be plenty more for director Matt Reeves to share within the upcoming months, especially seeing that only 25-30% of the film has been shot thus far. It is expected to resume shooting next month.
In July 2020, HBO Max began developing a spin-off police procedural drama television series written by Reeves and Terence Winter and centered on the Gotham City Police Department, sharing continuity with the film. The series was intended “to build on the film’s examination of the anatomy of corruption in Gotham City.” Reeves and Winter will executive produce the series with Daniel Pipski, Adam Kassan, and Dylan Clark. The Hollywood Reporter reported that it was unclear if actors such as Wright and Pattinson would reprise their roles for the series. In August 2020, during the DC Fandom event, it was revealed that the series would be a prequel to the film, as it is set during Batman’s first year from the perspective of a crooked cop in the GCPD and the battle for his soul.
It suffered a delay of some months, though its new date does fit the fabric. The Batman is currently scheduled to hit theaters on October 1, 2021.
