Let’s talk about the Bat-craze sweeping the world right now. Following the box office and critical reception of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, Ben Affleck's run as the Dark Knight was relatively short-lived. After the release of Justice League, whispers began circulating that Matt Reeves, fresh off the success of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes, would be taking the reins of the Batman franchise. The plan? To reboot the Caped Crusader's story, sending him back to his gritty, early days. And now, according to Variety, the actor who might be donning the cape and cowl is none other than Robert Pattinson—the sparkly vampire himself from The Twilight Saga. Yes, you heard that right. Cue the Bat-fans losing their minds, and not always in a good way.
Back to the Beginning: Why Robert Pattinson?
Listen, I get it. When you think of Batman, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t necessarily “sparkly vampire.” But let’s take a step back and consider Pattinson’s journey. Sure, he became a household name as Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga, but since then, he’s been racking up serious credits in the indie film world. Movies like Good Time, The Lighthouse, and The King showcase his range and ability to dive deep into complex characters. Pattinson has proven that he’s more than just a heartthrob; he’s a versatile actor capable of handling the weight of a role like Batman. And with Matt Reeves at the helm, the potential for a fresh, gritty take on the Dark Knight is immense.
History Repeats Itself: Remember Michael Keaton?
Here’s the thing: this isn’t the first time fans have freaked out over a Batman casting choice. Back in 1989, when Tim Burton cast Michael Keaton as Batman for the first live-action adaptation in decades, people were equally skeptical. Keaton was known for playing quirky, comedic characters like in Beetlejuice and Mr. Mom. How could he possibly embody the brooding, dark vigilante? But when the film hit theaters, it became a cultural phenomenon, and Keaton proved to be a perfect fit for the role. Now, we find ourselves in a similar situation with Pattinson. Will history repeat itself? Only time will tell, but given Reeves’ track record, the odds seem to be in his favor.
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Matt Reeves: The Man Behind the Mask
When we spoke with Matt Reeves back in 2017 during the release of War for the Planet of the Apes, he was understandably tight-lipped about his plans for Batman. But he did share his excitement, saying, “The only thing I can say is I’m incredibly excited about doing it. I have been obsessed with Batman since I was a child, the way that I was with Apes. I think that it’s an incredible character and I’m hoping to find a way to make it as personal and point of view-driven as I’ve tried to make the Apes films. I’m really excited about that journey.” Reeves has a knack for bringing emotional depth and complexity to his films, and his passion for Batman is undeniable. Fans should be thrilled about what he might bring to the table.
Support from the Team: Andy Serkis and Mark Bomback
Reeves isn’t the only one excited about this project. Andy Serkis, who played Caesar in the Apes films, had nothing but praise for his director, saying, “I think he absolutely loves the Batman stories. He’s a big fan and I can’t think of anyone else to do it, really, because he’ll give it the same level of truth and emotional centeredness. He’s just going to knock it out of the park, I think.” Screenwriter Mark Bomback echoed those sentiments, noting, “It’s very exciting. I think that there’s no version of Matt doing any film that doesn’t come from the same place with emotional truth being front and center; with character being front and center. And that approach to the iconography of Batman, to me, is just beyond exciting. There is just a complexity to Batman; it has so many depths to it that you can have filmmakers as different as Christopher Nolan and Matt Reeves and Tim Burton diving in there and finding their own take.”
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