“What does a liar do when he’s dead?”
Matt Reeves’ The Batman has officially wrapped up the shooting after a series of unfortunate events and a global pandemic. The released trailer showcased Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman/Selina Kyle, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, and Colin Farrell as Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot much to the fans liking who admired the tone and aesthetic of the movie. Although not giving much away, the trailer did promise that Riddler, played by Paul Dano, will play a major role in the movie. But there is more to it than meets the eye. If you don’t like being spoiled, turn back now:
It is inspired by Batman: Ego
‘Riddle me this, how many sides a circle has?’
Matt Reeves himself said that Batman: Ego was the inspiration behind his version of Batman. This comic book, Ego: A psychotic slide into the Heart of Darkness is probably the best and most underrated standalone Batman comic. It is a true dissection of the character; a look into the psyche of Batman and how close to the edge Batman really is. This comic lays bare the impact Batman and the villains directly have on Gotham’s citizens.
The confrontation between Bruce and Batman where the latter berates the former for losing his will to avenge in a visual depiction more akin to Batman: The Animated Series. Unlike most comics, it focuses more on the vulnerable Bruce Wayne rather than Batman and the emotional baggage he carries while being Batman. The comic shows how equally important the idea of Bruce Wayne is to having a Batman; you can’t remove the ‘Bat’ from the ‘man’ and the two must co-inhabit to exist.
‘Two, inside and outside’
Story takes elements from Batman: The Long Halloween
‘Riddle me this, why is a quarrel like a bargain?’
Jeffrey Wright, who portrays James Gordon in the movie, shared an image of The Long Halloween comic book on his instagram with the caption ‘Another for the culture’. Written by Joseph Loeb, Batman: The Long Halloween takes place in the earlier years of the Batman where he investigates a spree of killing staking place on holidays. During the DC FanDome, Matt Reeves himself confirmed that The Batman will take place in the early years of Batman, it just puts more weight on the theory that the story of the movie will be derived from the same comic book. The amount of lore the movie will derive from 13-issue comic book series remains yet to be seen.
‘It takes two to make one’
Stanley Merkel is the actual villain
‘Riddle me this, when is a person like a piece of wood?’
Insider Daniel Richtman wrote, “I hear the Riddler will turn out to be a good guy in the end and Barry Keoghan’s character is the real villain.” The irish star, Barry Keoghan is set to be portray Stanley Merkel in the movie and yet much of his involvement was kept a secret. In the comics, Stanley Merkel is a minor character, former partner of James Gordon but how will his character be changed for the movie remains yet to be seen. Besides, it would be pretty much anticlimactic if the villain actually turned out to be The Riddler in a detective movie as already shown in the trailers.
‘When it’s a ruler.’
The Batman seems to be taking the middle route of the previous Batman incarnations; not too grounded like Christian Bale and not too outlandish like Ben Affleck, which seems good thus far. The Batman is set to launch in theatres in 2022 and for sure, there will be more leaks and updates of the movie, so stay tuned.
“He lies still.”
