Robert Pattinson Has Mapped Out Batman's Psychology For Several Sequels
Robert Pattinson is one of the most exciting actors working today, working with exceptional directors in the last few years like the Safdie brothers ("Good Time"), Claire Denis ("High Life"), Christopher Nolan ("Tenet"), and Robert Eggers ("The Lighthouse"). He's become known for the extensive preparation and intensity he brings to each role (like how he stayed drunk, ate mud, and pissed himself for "The Lighthouse"), so it's easy to explain the excitement surrounding his turn as Bruce Wayne for Matt Reeves' forthcoming superhero-noir epic "The Batman."
While we don't have any stories of Pattinson donning a cape for some nighttime excursions or living in a cave to prepare for the role (yet), a recent interview in Empire has given fans a window into the depth of his preparation to the World's Greatest Detective. The revealing interview confirms that Warner Bros. and DC are firmly committed to building "The Batman" into a full fledged film world, and shows that shows that Pattinson is taking the complex hero seriously (which will surprise no one) and has a strong handle on where the son of Gotham is ... and where he may be going.
Riddle Me This, Riddle Me That, Who's Psychologically Analyzing the Big Black Bat?
In the interview, "The Batman" producer Dylan Clark signals that they're clearly looking at the film as a launchpad for future stories. "As the first standalone Batman in ten years, the hope is we can lay a foundation that you can build stories upon," notes Clark. We've already seen some of this ethos in play, with HBO Max already planning both a series on Gotham PD alongside a recently greenlit spin-off series based on Colin Farrell's Penguin (who will feature in the film and return for the series). It's an exciting commitment to world-building for a Batman property that so far looks like it can rival Christopher Nolan's vision for the Dark Knight Trilogy as a thrilling interpretation of the big black Bat.
While Warner Bros. and DC are keeping the precise plot for "The Batman" and their sequel plans tightly under wraps, Pattinson has signaled both that he's keen to return to the Caped Crusader role, and that he's already planned ahead for his take on the character several films out. In the interview, Pattinson revealed:
"I've made a kind of map for where Bruce's psychology would grow over two more movies. I would love to do it.
It's exciting that he's so enthused to return to a project with such a strong vision behind it, and that level of character work will certainly add depth and nuance to one of the most iconic superheroes in history.
What's perhaps most exciting is that Matt Reeves' long-ago tease that he has a firm arc in mind seems to be coming to fruition, since Pattinson clearly has the material to know what's next for young Master Wayne. (I'd also like to point out that putting together an extensive psychological profile on Batman is very Hugo Strange, but I digress). Best of all, we only have a few months to wait to see what challenges he faces when Paul Dano's Riddler comes calling.
Bat-fans will have a lot to look forward to when "The Batman" premieres in theaters on March 4, 2022.