Los Angeles: In an unconventional touch to Batman movies, the upcoming Matt Reeves “The Batman” film is not only going to be a noir action film, but will also be more of an origin story for the dark knight's villains rather than one for the caped crusader himself.
Matt Reeves explained: “The thing about the movie is that it isn't a Batman origin story, but it is an origin story for every rogue's gallery character that you come across.”
He also revealed: “Selina Kyle is not yet Catwoman and The Penguin is not yet the kingpin.”
Zoë Kravitz too, has had a lot to say about her take on the role of Catwoman and it would seem that here Selina Kyle hasn't quite become the iconic and infamous cat burglar we know and love. “It was really lovely to be able to play Selina and not have to jump straight to Catwoman,” said Kravitz. “I had this wonderful opportunity to slowly develop her, and the audience gets to come on that journey with me.”
But then, Catwoman and The Penguin (Colin Farrell) aren't the only villains in The Batman. Also featured in the movie, fans will see the legendary mob boss, Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), not to mention the main act – Paul Dano's vigilante take on The Riddler who is more of a psychopath and serial killer than anything else.
This focus on the origins of some of Batman's rogues gallery rather than the traditional scene of pearls flying in a dark alley at the end of Thomas and Martha Wayne's murder marks a stylistic shift in the telling of Batman's story, which usually focuses on the death of Bruce's parents and though this element will remain in The Batman's background, Bruce Wayne's rise as the dark knight is marked by many differences from the source and standard depictions.
If anything, this features a Batman who is not just young , brash, and reckless but also broken. “It's kind of different to the traditional origin story,” explained Robert Pattinson, who plays the masked crusader for the first time. “He doesn't go away and train and come back as a fully mastered Batman at all, and he's not the traditional playboy persona. Something has happened to him and he's basically just… there's too much trauma for him to deal with. When he's Bruce – it's still the day his parents died. He hasn't gotten over it at all.”
Apart from this shift in storytelling, there are plenty more villains to feature and explore in any potential sequels, with director Reeves is keen to take on Mr. Freeze.
Meanwhile, Pattinson wants to explore the Court of Owls. With two sequels said to be on the cards and so much material with new modes of storytelling on the plate the potential Batman trilogy sure sounds like one awesome popcorn munching time.
Andy Serkis will be seen as Alfred Pennyworth, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Colin Farrell as The Penguin, and Paul Dano as The Riddler.
Reeves' The Batman is based on a screenplay he co-wrote with Peter Craig. It will be theatrically released worldwide on March 4. (UNI)
