It would be an understatement to say that we were pretty surprised when we heard that Robert Pattinson had officially been cast as Batman in Matt Reeves’ upcoming film, The Batman. After all, the last we heard about the film was in September 2019 when it was announced that Ben Affleck would be stepping down as Batman in favor of reprising his role as the caped crusader for one final go-around. We were all caught off guard by the announcement that was made at San Diego Comic-Con. While we’ve seen Robert Pattinson in various incarnations of the Batman in the various films and on television, it was a complete change of pace to see the actor step into the role. After all, he can be quite the rogue and doesn’t tend to play superhero roles.
The Timelessness Of The Role
One of the things that initially drew us to The Batman is its theme of nostalgia. After all, the 2020 calendar already feels ancient, and it’s not even halfway through the year. While the film is set to hit theaters in Fall of 2022, it was obvious that Reeves and company were homing in on a specific nostalgia trip to lure in audiences. The film is set in the ‘80s and will be packed with all kinds of ‘80s pop culture references. Of course, the biggest bombshell of all is that Robert Pattinson will be stepping into the role of Batman. If anything, it feels like the whole movie was planned to remind us of our childhood with all the songs, references, and outfits from that era. It’s almost as if The Batman wants to be as accessible to the nostalgic folks among us as possible. But what exactly is Matt Reeves’ master plan?
An Affectionate Tribute To The Dynamic Duo
One of the things that have always drawn us to Robert Pattinson is his ability to effortlessly switch between comedy and drama. While he can play a role that demands a serious face, he tends to be much more engaging when he’s playing something on the lighter side. There is even an affectionate nod to the Batman and Robin in the film’s title: The Batman. That is quite a bit of foreshadowing on Reeves and company’s part. While we’re not sure if they meant for it to be, the Batman and Robin subplot is definitely one of the more humorous aspects of the film. We love how the filmmakers turned one of Dark Night’s most iconic scenes into a light-hearted comedy. But even in the midst of all that levity, there is still plenty of drama.
A Familiar Face In A New Roles
The Joker is one of the most recognizable faces in comic books. With his sharp teeth, red hair, and devilish grin, the Joker has been the inspiration for villains across the globe. But it wasn’t always easy taking on the role of the Clown Prince of Crime. Aside from the physical requirements of playing the part – the actor has to wear a mask the whole time – the Joker’s repertoire of laughter is not something that’s easily imitated. Indeed, before he became a full-time villain, The Joker spent years trying to live an honest life. He even married his wife after finally realizing that there was no going back. Although their on-screen chemistry is electric, their personal story has never been told on-screen. That is until now.
A Batman With A Twist
Before we were even aware of the existence of The Batman, we heard about Reeves’ take on the Dark Knight. While Ben Affleck’s version of the character was more or less a carbon copy of the 1966 Adam West TV series, Reeves went in a completely different direction. In fact, the filmmaker went above and beyond to make sure that The Batman was a unique take on the iconic DC characters. That is evident in every other aspect of the film. From its colorful pop culture references to its soundtrack, which is absolutely packed with ‘80s anthems. Aside from all that, he decided to give us a Batman with a twist. For one, he is the only one who can properly wear the Batsuit. Also, the way he fights, it’s as if he has a score to settle with the Dark Knight. That is because he views the two of them as brother knights who have fought against each other for many years. One is only trying to save Gotham, while the other wants to destroy it. As such, while Reeves’ The Batman may borrow elements from the 1966 series, it is clearly a film worth watching as its own entity.
An Opportunity To See Batman In A New Light
It’s always a bittersweet moment when an actor is asked to play a character that they have previously portrayed. Indeed, it is one thing to play a role on stage or in a movie, but quite another to put your own spin on a character that you have immortalized in pop culture. The question is: will Reeves’ take on the Dark Knight dethrone Ben Affleck’s portrayal in the minds of moviegoers? One thing is for sure: it will be interesting to see how the general public reacts to Matt Reeves’ vision of the Batman.