Closing out a big day of panels, Matt Reeves came in to the arena with high audience expectations. Audiences definitely expected more news on The Batman at DC FanDome. Did it deliver? Well…
Robert Pattinson introduced the panel by saying he’s not allowed to say anything, and handed it over to Reeves. Filming has been interrupted by COVID, but everyone’s anxious to get back to work. The director said that he’s always been a fan, and related to Batman’s ability to endure despite having no powers. He didn’t want to do the origin story, but about Batman coming into his own and figuring out in year two how best to BE Batman. As the movie starts, he’s having almost no effect, and then a series of murders starts to happen, one that touches on the epic history of corruption in Gotham, and the Wayne family origins.
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Reeves says Paul Dano’s version of the Riddler is very different than you’ve ever seen and the same with Catwoman. It still connects to familiar things, but they make it their own. Selina isn’t Catwoman yet as it starts, Oswald hates being called Penguin, and the Riddler is just emerging. The plot is like “a snowball building momentum” that touches on everyone.
The Gotham PD show in the same universe will be set in Batman’s year one, as a prequel focused on the corruption in the police force, with the Bat-myth building in the background. Gotham City will look like an American city you’ve never been to. Real locations enhanced with CG that combine aspects of different cities. The Batcave is a set, not a location, but Reeves says it looks different from any other.
Seeing Batman grow and fail and be heroic and develop his crime-fighting plan is what makes this one different, according to Reeves. Being a detective is essential. Darwyn Cooke’s Ego is one point of reference. Many things are driven by the parts of him that he doesn’t yet know. He cited movies like Chinatown and Taxi Driver as non-comic inspirations.
And then he shared some footage:
Zoë Kravitz co-stars in the film as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, with Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/Riddler. Additionally, Commissioner James Gordon will be played by Westworld standout, Jeffrey Wright. John Turturro also appears as Carmine Falcone, a powerful crimelord in Gotham City. Colin Farrell will portray Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot.
The Batman will hit theaters on October 1, 2021, barring any further delays.
What do you think about The Batman‘s new teaser? Let us know in the comment section below!
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