Batman himself arrived at the protests in Philadelphia this weekend, prompting cheers from those in the crowd. Batman is one of the most well-known comic book characters of all time, making him an instantly recognizable figure. He’s starred in countless TV shows and movies and been portrayed by several high-profile actors, including Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney. In Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy, Christian Bale plays the part, while Ben Affleck has famously portrayed Batman in the DC Extended Universe so far.
However, that will change with Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which is still in the DCEU, but will see Robert Pattinson take over the part. The movie isn’t scheduled for release until next year. However, Pattinson has already suited up as Batman and revealed any concerns he has about playing such an iconic character. Luckily, though, Pattinson sees the number of times Batman has been seen on screen as an opportunity, saying, “it’s fun when more and more ground has been covered. Like, where is the gap?” Despite the sheer number of Batman films already out there, cast members have praised Reeves’ script as unique, which likely helped Pattinson create his own version of the part.
This weekend, protests have occurred, and continue to occur, across America. One particularly large protest is centered in Philadelphia, where activists were surprised with an appearance by Batman. In a surprisingly realistic costume, the Batman fan made his way through the crowd, which several people attending were able to get on video. One Twitter user even compared the moment to Batman and Bane’s second fight scene in The Dark Knight Rises.
This isn’t the first time a real-life Batman has taken to the streets in recent months. Back in April, a fan drove a homemade Batmobile around a city in Mexico. The mysterious Batman used a megaphone to yell at those walking, encouraging them to respect the coronavirus lockdown. It actually makes sense; everyone knows who Batman is, making him a figure who commands respect, despite being fictional.
As one of the most iconic DC characters in history, Batman’s appearance logically led to cheers. The Dark Knight Rises comparison is interesting as well. Ironically, this is the second time recently Bane has been used as a reference point for a big moment like this one. Earlier this month, Bane masks began to sell out online, with Batman fans buying them up due to the coronavirus. All told, these moments show the enduring effect comic book characters have on society, especially in difficult moments.
