The new trailer for The Batman was just released in 4K by director Matt Reeves, even if only 30% of the movie has actually been filmed according to him. Even still, there’s quite a lot to unpack in the two-and-half minutes. In the teaser, we get a considerable look at Batman, his allies and the Rogue’s Gallery. Here are some observations about the featured characters:
1. The Riddler
In the eerie opening sounds and quick shots of what appears to be the Riddler in a head covering and thick-rimmed glasses, he appears to be disposing of his victim with duct tape as an ominous message written on it reads “No More Lies.” This certainly isn’t your Jim Carrey-in-a-bright-green-suit Riddler. And while Christopher Nolan’s trilogy was certainly grittier than the 90s era of Batman films, it never felt this dark. Presumably, the Riddler is going to have Batman hunt him down on a Se7en-esque chase as we see with the taunting riddles on his victims. This new dynamic to the famed villain is especially enticing considering Paul Dano’s pedigree and ability to play the serial psychotic so brilliantly in role’s past.
2. Batman a.k.a. Vengeance
Robert Pattinson has certainly come a long way since his Twilight years. And if his recent standout indie features along with his starring role in summer blockbuster Tenet are any indication, we’re in for a performance. Pattinson brings a younger and on-edge urgency to the caped crusader with what little in the trailer we’ve seen thus far. He also surprisingly fits into the bat suit in a way that we haven’t quite seen before. He is just as physically powerful as previous Batmen. However, there is a rawness in his presence that other actors haven’t quite managed with his unrefined and brutal fighting technique. To add to this, the black face paint Batman uses to disguise his eyes doesn’t magically disappear when he removes the mask. Reeves seems to be going for a more unhinged and obsessive portrayal of Batman, suggesting the scars from delivering vigilante justice don’t just disappear when he switches back to Bruce Wayne.
3. Commissioner Gordon
Unlike previous portrayals of James Gordon where in his interactions with Batman he’d have to meet with him in the shadows or summon him via bat signal, it appears in this film they are publicly working in tandem. We do see Batman walk through a row of numerous FBI agents with suspicious eyes, so the tension between the vigilante and the Gotham PD already seems to be set in motion with Gordon acting as the typical intermediary. A mustachioed Jeffrey Wright of Westworld fame plays Gordon, and there isn’t a better modern casting choice around to play the noble commissioner.
4. Catwoman
Zoë Kravitz portrays the infamous anti-hero Selina Kyle, although no words are spoken as she lets her action do the talking. As with Gordon, this casting seems spot-on. We see Catwoman try to break into what appears to be a heavily secured vault and entangle with Batman as she is prone to do, but the trailer leaves her exact role within the story to the imagination for now.
5. The Penguin
Colin Farrell is near unrecognisable as the Penguin. I wasn’t even sure that it was the Penguin or Farrell at all – full credit to the makeup department for this feat. Although he doesn’t appear all that much in the trailer nor does he look exactly like his comic-book likeness, it seems he will steadily grow into the ‘Penguin’ moniker and role in the film. We also see that he will physically antagonize Batman based on the footage of him speeding away from a pursuant Batmobile, as opposed to the Riddler who has thus far been waging psychological warfare. We also see what appears to be one of the Penguin’s painted henchman confront Batman only to be mercilessly beaten to a pulp.
The end of the teaser cheekily hints that The Batman will be released in ?0?1. Pandemic and riddles aside, everything so far looks very encouraging in terms of this film’s direction considering the talent behind the cast of characters. Let’s hope come next year that movie audiences get something akin to Joker, rather than Batman vs. Superman.
