A new poster for The Batman offers a clear look at the film’s interpretations of Riddler, Penguin, and Catwoman. The upcoming project from Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves stars Robert Pattinson as a new version of Gotham’s Caped Crusader, set outside of the DC Extended Universe continuity. After experiencing pandemic-related production delays, The Batman is scheduled to release theatrically on March 4.
Set during Bruce Wayne’s second year of fighting crime as his vigilante alter-ego, Reeves’ film includes three staples of the Batman rogues’ gallery, though Paul Dano’s Riddler is being positioned as the movie’s primary antagonist. Colin Farrell’s mob boss Penguin isn’t expected to play a major role in this project, with an HBO Max spinoff series centered on the character already in development, while Zoë Kravitz’s Selina Kyle/Catwoman might not even be a villain. The Batman trailers have so far positioned Wayne and Kyle as collaborators with the potential for romantic entanglement, an antiheroic position the latter has occupied in the comics as well..........
Now, a new The Batman poster shared by Warner Bros. India places all three characters front-and-center, along with depictions of Pattinson’s two identities. Of the villains, Riddler departs most significantly from his classic costumes, sporting a much more grounded look inspired by the real-life Zodiac Killer. Catwoman can be seen carrying her trademark bullwhip, however, and Penguin’s smaller stature potentially references his not yet being established as Gotham’s crime kingpin. Check out the poster below:
Though the decision to cast Pattinson as Batman caused backlash among some DC fans, with many still associating the English actor with his role in the Twilight franchise, the intensity of his performance already visible in trailers has mostly quelled those concerns. Indeed, Pattinson has spent the last few years building a reputation as a thrillingly versatile performer, and his decision to return to franchise filmmaking has also inspired much curiosity. The predominant feeling among potential viewers now seems to be excitement, with many eager to see how Reeves’ dark-but-stylized interpretation presents the beloved superhero in a new light..........
However, there remain those who wish The Batman’s original intention as a Ben Affleck solo-project could’ve come to fruition, particularly fans who want WB to restore Zack Snyder’s larger story arc. Reeves has explained why he wanted the movie to exist outside of the DCEU, not wanting his vision burdened by having to connect to the larger franchise, and the approach was well-received when taken by Todd Phillips’ Joker. Unlike that project, WB is planning on expanding The Batman’s own universe with sequels and spinoff series, so viewers open to Reeves and Pattinson’s movie could be getting the best of both worlds.
