In May of 2021, Warner Bros. released the first footage from their highly-anticipated film, Batman & Robin. Since then, the internet rumor mill has turned into overdrive as fans await the 2020 release date for the eagerly-awaited superhero sequel!
From the onset, director Matt Reeves’ decision to cast Robert Pattinson and Alicia Silverstone as the Dark Knight and the Riddler were met with universal acclaim. With his snappy dialogue and penchant for quirky one-liners, the English actor perfectly embodies the classic comedic and dramatic characters that fans have known and loved for years. Even the late lamented Batman & Robin writer, Kevin Smith, tweeted his approval of the casting decisions, hailing the movie as something special.
For the uninitiated, Batman & Robin is the story of Batman (Pattinson), billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne (Pattinson), and his crime-fighting alter-ego, Robin (Flula Borg). When billionaire Thomas Wayne (John Cleese) is murdered, Bruce enlists the aid of crime-fighting veteran, Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and recruits a motley crew of rogues — including Alfred (Christofer Hidalgo), Harvey (David Hayter), and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) — to help him bring the killer to justice. To say that the film is packed with special guest stars would be an understatement. Aside from the fantastic casting, the impressive list of cameos alone makes this production worth a look: Willem Dafoe, Michael Caine, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Diane Lane, Michael Shannon, Kelly Macdonald, Sean Baker, Joe Pantoliano, Leland Orser, Mark Hamill, Anthony Mackie, and many more!
What Is All This About, Anyway?
Yes, Batman & Robin is a movie about superheroes, but it’s also so much more than that. If you’re looking to learn a bit more about the film and its memorable villains, check out these interesting tidbits below!
How Many Actors Are In The Movie?
One of the first images that will greet you when you watch Batman & Robin is Bruce Wayne seemingly losing his mind as he tries to stop a cab from dropping off his new bride, Alfred’s (Christofer Hidalgo) sister, Isabel (Diane Lane). It is the 1940s, and these two are just moments away from their big day. As you will see in the movie, after the ceremony, they will travel to a distant island for their honeymoon, leaving behind a trail of dead bodies in their wake. But for now, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane.
While preparing for his wedding to Alfred’s sister, Bruce Wayne is forced to overcome his crippling anxiety and attend one of his parents’ favorite parties — the debutante ball. With a costume that he hopes will compliment his bride’s exquisite taste, the future Mr. Wayne mingles with the socialites of Gotham City while being eyed by Lucius Fox, a millionaire industrialist with an interest in Wayne’s talents. Although the corseted debutantes of Gotham City might not have been a hundred percent responsible for the Great Depression, the image of a topsy-turvy Wayne remains as resonant today as it was eighty years ago. So powerful is this scene that it was voted the best moment in the movie by fans on Twitter!
The Joker Is An Easter Egg
The Joker is revealed to be the main villain in an explosive Easter egg that appeared early in the film. If you’ve never heard of him, it might be time to rectify that as the most infamous clown-criminal in film history. The Joker’s modus operandi is to prey on the wealthy and the famous, so as to drive them mad with terror. He is loosely based on the DC Comics villain, Murray Freeborne, who made his debut in 1933. A year later, in 1934, the Joker kidnapped and tortured New York City mayor, William O’Dwyer. In 1939, the Joker fatally shot Chicago crime boss, Big Jim McKelvey, during a botched robbery. McKelvey was not the only casualty of the Joker’s mischievous ways that year: in addition to McKelvey, the Joker murdered George Mearns, a newspaper reporter, and Harvey Greenfield, an attorney. In the decades that followed, the Joker’s reign of terror continued unabated, causing countless losses of life and property throughout the country. His first appearance in the films — in 1940’s ‘The Joker’s Wild’ — was a dark foreshadowing of things to come.
Robin Is The Ultimate Boyfriend
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we know what you’re thinking. This is the part where we’re supposed to tell you that Robin is an essential part of the Batman mythology. But no, what we mean is that Robin is the ultimate boyfriend. His role is that of a wingman, a comic relief sidekick who provides the necessary balance to Batman’s oftentimes serious take on life. Robin’s quips are as memorable as Batman’s, if not more so. He might not have all of Batman’s gadgets or his intimidating presence, but he compensates for it with his charm. And did we mention that he’s got the perfect matching leather jacket?
After the tragic death of his parents, Dick Grayson (Borg) assumed the role of Batman’s sidekick, Robin. To this day, even though he’s now a successful businessman with a beautiful family of his own, Robin remains dedicated to the fight against crime as Batman’s trustworthy partner and best friend. We’re certain that the dynamic pairing of these two iconic characters will resonate with moviegoers for years to come.