The first trailer for filmmaker Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” has arrived featuring a first look at Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman in a movie less like a superhero tentpole and more like a darker psychological thriller involving the hunt for a murderous maniac (in this case The Riddler).
The feature was seven weeks into a several month shoot (with just 25% of the film shot) when the coronavirus pandemic shut it down. The project will resume production in early September and will run for the rest of the year with Liverpool being one of the key locations.
Reeves confirms the film is set to explore the Dark Knight’s younger years, but definitely won’t be an origin story – specifically calling it ‘Year Two’. He cites Darwyn Cooke’s “Batman: Ego” as source material that inspired him, as was the film “Chinatown” and various other 1970s street set crime movies like “The French Connection”. He adds:
“It’s early and Batman’s still a vigilante. [Gotham’s people] wonder, ‘That guy sounds a little dangerous.’ He’s not yet the symbol of hope yet… He’s still a growing legend. People wonder whether he exists. It’s one of the things he will confront in the story. [Bruce is] trying to figure out what he can do to improve Gotham. And that’s when the murders start to happen and those start to tell the history of Gotham.”
He says that Batman’s superpower is “to endure” and “super focus”. The film will serve as an origin for many of the character’s rogue’s gallery with all new takes on both them and how Gotham City has been portrayed before. Reeves adds about the city:
“It’s just as important as any of the rogues gallery. I wanted to present it in a way that was really fleshed out. I wanted it to feel like an American city you’ve never been to.”
The murder mystery is the central thrust, allowing numerous villains to appear as supporting characters along with having a grounded tone. Reeves also says the upcoming “Gotham PD” limited series for HBO Max will delve into the corruption deeper than a feature film could and will go back to Year One, Batman’s first appearance and how the cops view the change in Gotham.
The film also stars Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Colin Farrell as The Penguin, Paul Dano as The Riddler, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Peter Sarsgaard as D.A. Gil Colson, and Jayme Lawson as mayoral candidate Bella Real.
“The Batman” opens in cinemas on October 1st 2021.