Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Rise of the Planet of the Apes sequels) is slated to direct, write, and produce the upcoming Batman reboot starring Robert Pattinson as the titular character. Robert (Bat)-inson will likely deliver a great performance, and (Bat)t Reeve’s filmmaking resume is solid, so things are looking up for a much-needed reboot on one of the most iconic fictional characters ever created. No pressure.
With so many adaptations of Batman existing across all forms of media and pop culture, writing an engaging and satisfying original story can be a challenge. With that being said, here are a few things, both good and bad, to keep in mind going forward regarding another Batman movie.
Yup: A More Comic Book Accurate Batman
Say whatever you want about Batman using guns in his early appearances; the character is very much not a wielder of guns in virtually every other version of the character. Batman changes a lot over the years, but some things are standard, and few massive changes ever stick. The same logic would leave Superman unable to fly and merely able to do Hulk-like jumps.
Likewise, it’s more interesting to see Batman think his way out of a fight than shoot it out. Along with that, there needs to be a reason for and consistency to Batman. He is brooding but filled with emotions. He has a dry sense of humor but doesn’t go out of his way for laughs. He is strong, but not superhuman. He is intelligent, but not all-knowing. Batman’s popularity is due to his humanity, which is why many of the most popular superheroes are the most relatable ones.
Nope: Having To See The Waynes Get Shot Again
For all of the jokes about seeing Uncle Ben die multiple times, it pales in comparison to seeing the Waynes shot. In fact, almost every incarnation of the character has shown the Waynes’ death; Batman: The Animated Series, the Arkham Asylum games, Tim Burton’s Batman, Batman: Forever, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Batman Begins, Batman v. Superman, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, The Dark Knight Returns, and now, even Joker. This list isn’t all of them, and it will continue to grow.
How many times must an audience endure seeing those pearls fall to the ground? It loses the emotional impact every time it is utilized.
Yup: New Villains
There certainly is a lot to be excited about. The Riddler will return to the screen, in a more serious manner, played by Paul Dano. The Penguin will return as well, played by Colin Farrell. Zoë Kravitz will also join the cast as Catwoman. Many more are to come, and, with Batman hosting of the best rogues’ galleries in comic book history, the possibilities are endless.
Some of the heavy-hitters not yet seen in any live-action film (perhaps in TV) are Clayface, Professor Pyg, Hush, Hugo Strange, Mad Matter, Man-Bat, The Court of Owls, Ventriloquist, Solomon Grundy, and so on. And there are villains that would have a welcome return to the screen such as Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Scarecrow, etc. Those are only the bigger names. Who wouldn’t want to see a serial killer version of Calendar Man?
Nope: A Joker-Heavy Story
While Batman has a massive rogues gallery, there is no denying that the Joker is his arch-enemy. In short, he is essential to Batman. While that might be true, we don’t need the Joker right now, and, if he does appear, it doesn’t need to be in a big spotlight. Audiences are still fresh off Todd Phillips’ Joker and the DCEU needs to figure out how to skirt around Jared Leto’s dreadful Joker. Seeing as how many possibilities for villains there are, Joker can be put on a back-burner for later.
Yup: A Detective-based Batman Story
Batman is the world’s greatest detective—at least in DC comics—and seeing him piece together a genuine mystery while the audience guesses what happens along with him is exciting. Batman v. Superman had a tepid plotline of Batman trying to figure out who was setting him up to fight Superman, but audiences were aware from the start that it was Lex Luthor. A new mystery with more depth would be a good change of pace.
Nope: Setting Up Other Movies
The DCEU needs to work out its own problems and find itself before it’s ready for a relationship with The Batman. As of now, it’s unclear how continuity will be presented going forward, and, with Flashpoint apparently on the horizon, it will likely be used as a clean slate for the DCEU to pick and choose what is canon. A few winks and nods to the DCEU wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but they aren’t needed, and any massive threads would drag The Batman down.
Yup: An Intense/Wacky Balanced Movie
Pg-13 doesn’t mean a movie can’t be intense. In fact, the creativity needed to make something with a lower rating more intense often pays off. Exhibit A: The Dark Knight. Thankfully, Reeves has creativity in spades. But, on top of that, a comic book movie shouldn’t try to ground itself to the point of holding back potential.
A movie that takes itself seriously and can still do the comic book wackiness on top of that is the best of both worlds. Look at HBO’s Watchmen or Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse. Batman dealing with a gloomy existential crisis and fighting a goofy narcissist who makes riddle-based crimes truly is a good balance.
Nope: Emulating “The Dark Knight”
When it comes to superhero movies, few had the cultural impact of The Dark Knight. Everything that was poured into the movie went right. The performances, the script, the score, the cinematography, absolutely everything that went into it was a work of art in of itself. And, sadly, like a big older brother, grittier superhero films (not just DC) always suffer in its shadow. Not every Joker needs to be so serious. Not every aspect of Batman’s abilities has to be explained in detail. Not every DC film needs to be scored by Hans Zimmer.
Yes, Batman is the Dark Knight, but he is also the Caped Crusader, the World’s Greatest Detective, and yes, Batsy. Not everything has to be gloom and doom, as it is just one perspective of a complex character.
YUP: Taking From “The Long Halloween” or “Hush”
The Long Halloween is one of the best Batman comic storylines ever written. It showcases the transition of mobsters to “freaks” in Gotham City, explains the origins of Two-Face, shows Batman’s detective side in full force, and has an incredible mystery with a great reveal. It very likely will inspire The Batman in some form, which is great news. It certainly explains the casting of several villains and the hints from Reeves and pushes from Pattinson that it will be a detective tale.
Likewise, the Hush storyline could be a possibility, as it also hosts a large rogues gallery and features a major villain not yet put to screen. It also has one of the most quintessential Batman/Catwoman romance plots in Batman’s entire comic book history.
Nope: Taking From “A Death In The Family”
A Death In The Family is another classic Batman tale, the story of how Jason Todd’s Robin was so annoying, fans voted to kill him off. And, indeed, DC did so, having the Joker beat a teen with a crowbar and blow him up. Years later, Jason comes back, vengeful and angry, and dons a red hood and becomes a murderous vigilante known as… Red Hood.
Batman v. Superman clearly wanted to hint to this with a vandalized Robin display case shown in the Batcave. Likewise, Batman: Arkham Knight decided to make this its main storyline. If The Batman wants to be an engaging detective story, doing the most open known secret in comic books won’t be interesting. Everyone will know who the mysterious guy who has beef with Batman is. Maybe sit on it for an adaptation later. Much later.
