The Batman: Nearly Every Scene Features Bruce Wayne, Says Matt Reeves

The Batman director and co-writer Matt Reeves says nearly every scene in the film features Bruce Wayne/Batman. Known for his Planet of the Apes films, Reeves’ reboot marks the beginning of Warner Bros./DC Films’ third Batman franchise of this century. Following in the footsteps of Ben Affleck—who was originally supposed to direct and star in The Batman—Robert Pattinson takes on the role of the Caped Crusader in a film set to introduce its own “Batverse.”

In addition to “Battinson,” The Batman stars Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, Jeffrey Wright as Lieutenant James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, and Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/Riddler. Inspired by comics like Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One and Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s Batman: The Long Halloween, The Batman sees Bruce Wayne in his second year as Gotham’s City’s Dark Knight and focuses on his hunt for a Zodiac killer-esque Riddler.

In an interview with EW, Reeves talked about how, in The Batman, Pattinson’s character had to remain the focus in a film filled with exciting characters. While The Riddler is the main villain, his omnipresence is mostly felt through the messages/clues he leaves Batman at crime scenes. According to Reeves, every scene includes Bruce of Batman as they play out through his point of view. Read the full quote below:

“Batman or Bruce is in almost every scene in the movie,” said Reeves, “which is not the usual way these movies are done. It’s a very Hitchcockian kind of point of view where you are wedded to his experience.”

Given audiences’ familiarity with Batman, Reeves’ needed to do something different with his film—which finds its “weirdo” Bruce in a place moviegoers haven’t seen before: a vengeful recluse whose proclivity for donning the cape and cowl is comparable to drug addiction. Bruce Wayne hasn’t yet crafted a public, playboy persona to mask his double life and, instead, is spending more time as Batman than himself. Ironically, The Riddler will turn Bruce’s identity and point of view on its head. As the serial killer goes around targeting Gotham’s elites and leaving clues for the “World’s Greatest Detective,” he’s poised to unveil the city’s corruption—which may involve the Wayne family.

The Riddler may know Bruce Wayne’s secret identity in The Batman. Therefore, his penchant for riddles will challenge Bruce’s approach to vigilantism while robbing him of his anonymity, putting him in a vulnerable, angry, and insecure position. By deconstructing everything Bruce knows about his city and family, The Riddler will hold a mirror up to Batman’s POV. Not only should this result in twists and turns but a satisfying character arc. The Batman releases in theaters on March 4, 2022, and on HBO Max on April 19, 2022.