Director Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ with Robert Pattinson in lead is the most anticipated movie of 2021. Since its announcement, speculation is rife about the possible storyline and plot for the movie. Ardent fans and casual onlookers alike understand Reeves’ take will not just be another ‘by-the-book’ iteration of the caped crusader. The director has clearly mentioned a noir tale skipping the usual origin story.
The impeccable cast of the Robert Pattinson-led movie includes Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Colin Farrell as Penguin, Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon. Reeves hand picked actors that might not look much like their comic counterparts but have a meticulous discipline they bring to their acting.
Watch: The Batman First Look
The movie halted production due to the spread of Coronavirus. But Batman 2021 resumeed production in the month of September. However, the temporary halt proved to be beneficial for the cast and crew as the director and his team got more time to fine-tune things further. Now with things getting back on track, the cast is giving away details that might finally tell us more about the Batman we’ll meet soon.
Not Your Socially Averse Gotham-like Batman
While talking about his idea of a noir Batman, Matt Reeves told THR, “There’s something in there that feels very psychological, very emotional, and it felt like there was a way of exploring that along with the corruption in Gotham.” Reeves who is also producing a spin-off HBO Max series based on Gotham wants to explore the initial years of Bruce Wayne as a detective and coming to terms with his loss. He explains,
Like this guy, he’s majorly struggling, and this is how he’s trying to rise above that struggle. It’s that whole idea of the shadow self and what’s driving you, and how much of that you can incorporate, and how much of it you’re doing that you’re unaware of.”
Watch: Matt Reeves Talk About His Vision For The Batman
In a recent interview with SFX, actor Colin Farrell who is playing The Penguin, further confirms the director’s vision. He said, “I have been watching the Batman films with my kids, but this script is something that feels incredibly original. It leans into it but it doesn’t borrow; it’s born of the mythology of that character, Bruce Wayne, Batman and Gotham. Further talking about the treatment of the character, Farrell affirms Reeves has done an incredible job of ‘keeping it (Batman) familiar yet unique and new.’: “It feels like a treatment and a version that I hadn’t seen before.”
Originally, the idea for Batman 2021 was conceived as a spin off for Ben Affleck’s Batman after the Justice League movie. But soon things took a 360 degree turn and the project shaped up as we know it now. The success of standalone Wonder Woman and Joker taught DC to take the non-franchise route for their characters. However the roots of the project points at a broodier, hedonically motivated Batman – an undertone that’s part of Reeves’ work too.
A Young And Naive Bruce Wayne
In Christopher Nolan’s 2005 Batman Begins, Bruce Wayne celebrates his 30th Birthday. A theme harmonizing with Reeves’ Batman, 33-year-old Robert Pattinson is showcasing the detective days of the Batman. There’s something in that age of Batman, the initial 30’s – in his prime, alert but naive. Shaping up his worldview with each experience – turning into the hero Gotham got but never deserved.
All indications point to the presence of Bruce Wayne two years before the events of the film take place. So Pattinson’s Batman will be more sure-footed in the suit than Christian Bale’s version but less known than Michael Keaton’s 1989 portrayal. It’s a sweet spot, ain’t it?
Watch: The Batman 2021 Trilogy Breakdown
Actor Andy Serkis, who is portraying Alfred Pennyworth, previously discussed bits of the caped crusader with LADbible. He said, “It’s very much about the emotional connection between Alfred and Bruce. That’s really at the centre of it. And it is a really exquisite script that Matt has written.”
Jeffery Wright who is set to play another long time ally of the Batman as Commissioner Gordon told THR, “We are trying to create something together that is our own, but is also Batman.” Describing how he, together with Pattinson and Reeves, tried ‘to create a mood, to create an idea, a setting, and a tone.’ Wright said, “This is the next evolution since 1939 when these stories began.”
Reeves hopes to explore the detective skills of Pattinson’s caped crusader in this action flick. Robert Pattinson has trained in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for his maiden appearance as the Batman, training under the instructor responsible for Keanu Reeves’s impeccable action sequences in John Wick.
This suggests Reeves will stray away from Nolan’s choppy editing and low lighting action sequences. Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne will not hide in shadows and would be a grittier, grizzly fighter (Hello Affleck!) who isn’t afraid of hand-to-hand combat. With a possible Joker on the charts, it’s even more exciting!
While Pattinson knows how to carry a role and Reeves know his way around a screenplay, Batman fans can be rest assured that this iteration of the caped crusader is neither about Bruce Wayne’s becoming nor about Gotham’s saviour.
The Batman will hit the big screen on 1 October 2021.
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