“On a comics front, I did a deep dive and read so many comics,” said The Batman director Matt Reeves about his preparation for the upcoming film. He cited the grounded tone of Batman: Year One (a comic book arc based on Batman’s first year as a superhero) as one of his key inspirations. “It felt cinematic in a way that reminded me of an American 70s movie,” said the 55-year-old director. Given that The Batman is ultimately a comic book movie (in an era of superhero movies), what better way to approach this reimagining of the classic character than by going back to its roots — the comics?
Unlike Batman: Year One, The Batman is actually set in the second year of Batman’s career as a crimefighter. The film was originally going to be part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) with Ben Affleck reprising his role as Batman. However, Reeves later took over the project, seeking to explore a different side of Batman. The film stars Robert Pattinson as the titular character, with Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Colin Farrell as the Penguin, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Paul Dano as the central antagonist, the Riddler. In the film, Batman must unravel a series of murders orchestrated by the Riddler, even as he struggles with his identity and the impact of Batman on Gotham City.
Other comic books that Reeves took inspiration from include Batman: Ego (also titled Ego: A Psychotic Slide into the Heart of Darkness), a character study of the Batman and Bruce Wayne personalities within Batman. “[The comic] deals with the psychology of being Batman, and the idea of the beast within and him in an internal struggle, which I found really captivating and informed it,” explained.
Reeves also looked at Batman: The Long Halloween, a comic book series that takes place after Batman: Year One about Batman’s early days as the Caped Crusader. “That was super important because it [had] this idea of a serial killer on a spree of crimes and Batman being caught up in it as the World’s Greatest Detective.”
“Drawing from those on a comic book front was really important.”
Reeves is also no stranger to the gothic horror that is the trademark of Batman films (except 1997’s Batman & Robin). Having directed 2008’s Cloverfield, Reeves had the same sound designers work on The Batman. “The whole idea was to put you, as much as possible, in the point-of-view of the characters, specifically, the point-of-view of Batman. And sound is one of the tools to do that.”
“You sit there in the theatre with Dolby Atmos sound and it literally moves your hair. When you have that Batmobile chase, you feel like you’re just in it. And that was the intention, to make sure you felt the visceral quality of it.”
One of the key differentiators of The Batman from other Batman films is that it focuses on Batman’s flaws and vulnerabilities, rather than having him be the experienced, confident hero that we’re familiar with. “I loved all the kind of frailties he has. I mean, the scene when he’s jumping off and using his cape for the first time,” reminisced Robert Pattinson. “Batman has always been kind of fallible.
“He’s just a man in an armoured suit. And this embraces it so much.”
The Batman is out in cinemas 3rd March.
Comics you might want to read before watching The Batman:
This article was written for and first published on Yahoo.
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I’m an independent scriptwriter who’s written for popular shows like Lion Mums, Crimewatch, Police & Thief, and Incredible Tales. I’m also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. You can find me on social media as Optimarcus and on my site.
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