Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: The Batman

  • A King for the Court? — Charles Dance Joins ‘The Batman-Part II’ in Key Role

    A King for the Court? — Charles Dance Joins ‘The Batman-Part II’ in Key Role

    Matt Reeves is adding some serious gravitas to the Epic Crime Saga. According to a breaking report from Deadline, legendary screen icon Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, Godzilla: King of the Monsters) has officially joined the cast of The Batman – Part II.

    While his specific character is being kept under a shroud of secrecy typical of a Reeves production, the casting of a man known for playing calculating, high-society power players has sent the rumor mill into overdrive.

    Deadline mentioms that Dance is believed to be playing Charles Dent, father of Harvey; however, if the sequel is indeed introducing the Court of Owls, Dance is the quintessential choice to play a member of the High Court.

    The report confirms that Dance will join Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, and Jeffrey Wright when filming kicks off in London this August.

    Source: Deadline

  • Ever Watchful— ‘The Batman-Part II’ Working Title Points to the Court of Owls!

    Ever Watchful— ‘The Batman-Part II’ Working Title Points to the Court of Owls!

    Matt Reeves is back in the director’s chair, and the production secrets for the most anticipated sequel in DC history are finally starting to leak. The working title for The Batman – Part II has been revealed and it may well point to the sequel being exactly what we all thought it might be.

    While a working title is often a decoy, in the world of Reeves’ Epic Crime Saga, it’s usually a roadmap. And if you know your Gotham lore, “Semper Vigilans” points directly to the one villain fans have been begging to see: The Court of Owls.

    In the comics, the Court of Owls is a centuries-old secret society of Gotham’s wealthiest families who pull the strings of the city from the shadows. Fans have heavily theorized their inclusion in the franchise since 2022.With the city still recovering from the Riddler’s flood, the power vacuum is the perfect time for an ancient elite to re-emerge.

  • Further Details Emerge on Scarlett Johansson’s ‘The Batman 2’ Villainous Role

    Further Details Emerge on Scarlett Johansson’s ‘The Batman 2’ Villainous Role

    Matt Reeves made a major splash in landing Scarlett Johansson in a lead role in his upcoming sequel to 2022’s The Batman. Synonymous with Marvel Studios early success, Johansson remains a bonafide movie star in an era where those are harder and harder to find.

    Following the initial report by Nexus Point News, fans immediately began theorizing about Johansson’s role, with Poison Ivy an early favorite. However, industry vet Jeff “The In” Sneider shot that idea down while adding enough additional context to lift another Batman baddie into contention.

    Sneider shared word that Johansson will indeed be the film’s villain with the caveat that she may also be the new love interest of Robert Pattinson‘s Bruce Wayne. And for many fans, that was enough to go on to believe that the actress will be playing Andrea Beaumont, also known as The Phantasm.

    Picking the right villain that digs into what that does and goes into his past and his life, that was what drove that discussion.

    -Matt Reeves

    Given what’s known about the role, Beaumont–who first appeared the 1993 animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm–is as good of a fit as can be imagined. Reeves has previously revealed that the new film’s villain has never been featured in live-action Batman films before and Beaumont as a love interest-turned antagonist does indeed fit that description.

    Fans had previously believed that Reeves was teasing Hush, a character created by Jeph Loeb in 2022, who was seemingly set up in the first film. Given Hush’s connections to Wayne’s past, he did seem to fit if the film is going to explore the billionaire more than the Bat. However, Johansson’s casting has changed that a bit and a further excavation of The Phantasm’s creation only strengthens the likelihood that’s who she’ll be playing.

    While it’s certainly not out of the question that Johansson could be playing a gender-swapped Hush that serves of an amalgam of multiple characters, including Beaumont, knowing Reeves‘ desire to keep his Batman Epic Crime Saga rooted in noir-style storytelling makes The Phantasm a fantastic fit.

    Though The Phantasm is an original character created Alan Burnett and Paul Dini for the animated feature, the character was derived from a pair of characters who first appeared in Mike Barr’s four-issue Batman: Year Two comic. Given that The Batman was a “Year One” tale, it’s certainly an interesting coincidence that the sequel’s villain could be connected to a “Year Two” tale.

    Though Batman: Year Two isn’t on anyone’s best Batman stories list, it introduced Rachel Caspian as a love interest for Batman. It also introduced her father, Judson, who was eventually revealed to be a villain named the Reaper. Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm loosely weaved those characters into Andrea Beaumont, the film’s femme fatale.

    There is an exploration to be had, and one of the explorations for me was to do something that pushes even further into the character of Bruce Wayne.

    -Matt Reeves

    With The Batman-Part II clearly cut out to be another piece of hardboiled detective noir work from Reeves and the villain intended to help the story connect to and explore Wayne’s past, Beaumont checks all the boxes. Her history and path to becoming a vigilante closely mirrors Wayne’s, allowing for a new angle on how the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne set their son on the path to becoming Batman, making the sequel the “Bruce Wayne” movie that Reeves wants to create.

  • ‘The Batman-Part II’ Casting Rumor Could Point Toward the Sequel Delving into the Shadows of the Dark Knight’s Lineage

    ‘The Batman-Part II’ Casting Rumor Could Point Toward the Sequel Delving into the Shadows of the Dark Knight’s Lineage

    Production on Matt Reeves‘ long-awaited sequel to 2022’s The Batman is still two years away from landing in theaters but that hasn’t kept the film from being a near-constant part of the news cycle over the past few months.

    With a script finally complete, production is scheduled to commence on the sequel in the UK next April and with the Reeves-led spinoff streaming series The Penquin having made some noise at the Emmy Awards, the director spent some time in the spotlight talking about the project.owt notably, Reeves explained that while the first film was focused on the Batman, the sequel will put Bruce Wayne at the center.

    “The first story is so much about The Batman. I always wanted in the movies, and let’s say we get to make three—I have no idea—that I always wanted the movies to be focused on his character,” said Reeves. “Once you get past the origin tale, then you start telling the rogues’ gallery story and that character’s arc. I never wanted to lose Rob at the center of these stories, so that is what we really set our aim on,” the director explained.

    There is an exploration to be had, and one of the explorations for me was to do something that pushes even further into the character of Bruce Wayne.

    -Matt Reeves on The Batman-Part II

    Still, the villain of a Batman film still needs to be compelling, even if it isn’t one of the most well-known rogues. “Picking the right villain that digs into what that does and goes into his past and his life, that was what drove that discussion,” Reeves said and a new casting rumor could hint at how he plans to accomplish that in The Batman-Part II.

    A report by Pop Crave claims that F1 and The Crown star Tobias Menzes has been cast in the sequel as Amadeus Arkham.

    While it’s always wise to proceed with caution with casting rumors, this is an interesting possibility. The Batman established that Bruce’s mother, Martha, was an Arkham, rather than a Kane as is typically canon in the comics. Should Amadeus Arkham indeed be in the film, he would then be some relation to Bruce. The Batman established that after Martha’s mother killed her father and then herself, Martha was placed in Arkham State Hospital. While that film explored some of the dark corners of her and Thomas Wayne’s past, Reeves’ desire to further explore Bruce and his past could pull back the curtain even more on Martha and the Arkham legacy.

    Interestingly, there’s also some intersection between Amadeus Arkham and the Court of Owls, long a favorite to be revealed as the big bads of the sequel. With Reeves making it known that the film’s villain is one that has never been used in a Batman film before, this rumor does seem one worth at least keeping an eye on.

  • Matt Reeves Calls ‘The Batman-Part II’ a Bruce Wayne Story, Teases Film’s Villain

    Matt Reeves Calls ‘The Batman-Part II’ a Bruce Wayne Story, Teases Film’s Villain

    In 2022, producer Dylan Clark promised that the sequel to The Batman would make it to theaters much quicker than the original, which took five years to finish. While that won’t be the case, it is beginning to sound like The Batman-Part II, which will begin principal photography in April 2026, will be worth the wait.

    I will go on record and say it will be less than five years.

    -Dylan Clark

    Director Matt Reeves recently went on record to state his belief that the sequel–on track for an October 1st, 2027 release–will be based on the best possible script and “will be better than the last.” Part of that, according to Reeves, is keeping star Robert Pattinson at the heart of the story rather than diverting too much attention to the new project’s villain–though the director did have some exciting news on that front.

    “There is an exploration to be had, and one of the explorations for me was to do something that pushes even further into the character of Bruce Wayne,” Reeves told Josh Horowitz.

    “The first story is so much about The Batman. I always wanted in the movies, and let’s say we get to make three—I have no idea—that I always wanted the movies to be focused on his character. A lot of the other films, which I love, once you get past the origin tale, then you start telling the rogues’ gallery story and that character’s arc,” explained Reeves, referencing prior Batman projects in which villains such as Catwoman and the Joker, among others, served essentially as co-leads.

    “I never wanted to lose Rob at the center of these stories, so that is what we really set our aim on.” he said. “Picking the right villain that digs into what that does and goes into his past and his life, that was what drove that discussion,” before revealing that the “right villain” is one that has yet to be featured in previous Batman films.

    We’re super excited about it, and I will say, it’s never really been done in a movie before.

    -Matt Reeves

    Though that quote from Reeves isn’t too revealing, it does keep Batman villain Hush in play. Fans of The Batman have long theorized that the baddie, created by Jeph Loeb in 2022, was set up in the first film. Given Hush’s connections to Wayne’s past, he does seem to fit if the film is going to explore the billionaire more than the Bat.

    Source: Happy Sad Confused

  • Holy Finishing Touches, Batman! Matt Reeves ‘The Batman’ Sequel Gets a New Release Date

    Holy Finishing Touches, Batman! Matt Reeves ‘The Batman’ Sequel Gets a New Release Date

    Rumors and speculation of a delay for The Batman Part II have been making their way around social media for quite some time. Now, there’s no need for them to continue to swirl as Warner Bros. has given the sequel to Matt Reeves‘ 2022 hit a new release date.

    As part of a series of moves, The Batman Part II will now release on October 2, 2026, a full year later than originally planned.

    Produced under DC Studios’ Elseworlds banner, The Batman Part II–like its predecessor and the upcoming Max streaming series, The Penguin–will not be part of the new DCU’s main continuity.

    According to THR, the delay is a result of the strikes which would have put development of the film’s script, being co-written by Reeves andatt Tomlin, on hold for most of 2023.

    Updating…

    Source: THR

  • CONFIRMED: ‘The Flash’ Director to Tackle DCU’s New Batman

    CONFIRMED: ‘The Flash’ Director to Tackle DCU’s New Batman

    The Flash has had a rough development cycle throughout the last few years, but it still managed to put Andy Muschietti on Warner Bros. Discovery’s radar as someone that can tackle a good slew of projects. As first reported by One Take News, he has seemingly also nabbed the job to direct the new DC Cinematic Universe’s Batman movie, The Brave and the Bold inspired by the iconic comic storyline of the same name.

    DC Studios presidents James Gunn and Peter Safran shared the following statement on adding him to their new slew of directors.

    We saw The Flash even before taking the reins at DC Studios, and knew we were in the hands of not only a visionary director but a massive DC fan. It’s a magnificent film – funny, emotional, thrilling – and Andy’s affinity and passion for these characters and this world just resonates through every frame. So, when it came time to find a director for The Brave and the Bold, there was really only one choice. Luckily, Andy said yes. Barbara signed on to produce with us and we were on our way. They’re an extraordinary team, and we couldn’t have better or more inspiring partners as we embark on this thrilling new adventure in the DCU .

    James Gunn and Peter Safran

    There currently is no writer attached, but that isn’t too surprising given that the WGA strike is still going on. Interestingly enough, Christina Hodson was at one point attached but decided to tackle the eleventh Fast and Furious film. For now, they may have attached a director but it seems unlikely that they’ll get the project moving until the writer’s strike wraps up.

    Source: One Take News, The Hollywood Reporter

  • Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ Sequel to Feature Clayface

    Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ Sequel to Feature Clayface

    While we still have little to no information on what to expect in a The Batman sequel, a rather curious little detail may have unveiled one of the main antagonists in Matt Reeves‘ expanding Elseworld DC universe. In an article by Deadline on a pitch by Mike Flanagan for an original film based around the Batman rogue Clayface, they unveil that he will also be featured in The Batman Part 2.

    There is no word though if Flanagan‘s take might actually occur within the other universe, or might be part of the greater James Gunn and Peter Safran DC Universe. Reeves has his own plans that are seemingly moving forward even as Warner Bros. Discovery aims to establish a single universe. The Penguin spinoff is currently filming and we also know of one more project focused on Arkham Asylum that seemingly is still in early development.

    Clayface as a villain in the more down-to-earth take on the Dark Knight opens up many new avenues. While the popular choice was Mr. Freeze given how Gotham ended up flooded at the end of the first film, who knows if they’ll truly take the actor background that many connect with the character of Clayface, the man once known as Basil Karlo.

    They might take another more grounded take or slowly expand Batman’s world into the supernatural after the first was a classic noir. The only one who knows is Matt Reeves and we’ll have to wait a bit longer until we get our first look or hint at what the sequel has to offer. Once castings start, then we’ll likely truly know more.

    Source: Deadline

  • Clancy Brown Joins ‘The Penguin’ as Salvatore Maroni

    Clancy Brown Joins ‘The Penguin’ as Salvatore Maroni

    After being referenced in The Batman, Gotham mob boss Salvatore Maroni is set to appear in the HBO Max streaming series The Penguin and will be played by Clancy Brown. The eight-episode series will be set in the aftermath of the events of The Batman and is rumored to chronicle the rise of Colin Farrell‘s Oswald Cobblepot through the ranks of Gotham’s organized crime.

    Maroni’s appearance in the series could complicate things for Cobblepot. As explained in The Batman, Maroni ended up in prison after fellow gangster Carmine Falcone, played by John Turturro, ratted him out, which allowed Falcone to fill the void. With the death of Falcone in the last act of The Batman, Cobblepot looked poised to repeat the pattern and make moves through the organized crime scene in Gotham. However, with Salvatore Maroni and his daughter, Sofia, played by Cristin Milioti, in the mix, things won’t be easy for Oz.

    In comic book continuity, Salvatore Maroni was responsible for the disfigurement of Harvey Dent that led him down the road to becoming Two-Face. Though Dent isn’t known to be appearing in The Penguin, there have been rumors of him appearing in The Batman-Part II. If the events of The Penguin serve as a bridge between the two films, it’s possible Brown could reprise the role of Maroni in the sequel.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘The Batman’s Gotham PD Spinoff May Be in Development After All

    ‘The Batman’s Gotham PD Spinoff May Be in Development After All

    The DC Cinematic Universe is about to unwind in a new direction, but that doesn’t mean that Matt Reeves‘ corner of the DC Multiverse is going away anytime soon. Luckily, the new Elseworld branding gives them the opportunity to expand The Batman franchise. Just recently we are finally seeing some movement on the Penguin-focused spinoff with Rhenzy Feliz joining the project. Yet, there’s an interesting detail tucked away.

    For a while, there was a Gotham PD-focused series in development for HBO Max. Yet, that project eventually ended up becoming something entirely different with the focus now set on Arkham Asylum. While we only know that the project is being spearheaded by Antonio Campos, it seems that a Gotham PD series is in development. Variety points out that it’s one of the three The Batman spinoffs Matt Reeves is using to expand his unique corner of the franchise.

    It’ll be interesting to see how Matt Reeves maps out these projects, as we won’t have the sequel to The Batman until 2025. So, we might have these series to bridge us until then. Gotham PD was originally going to be Batman’s Year One but that may have changed. If Arkham Asylum took over that timeline, this may be something that’ll be used to explore the aftermath of the events from the first film.

    We can only speculate and there’s no word about who might be involved with the project. There’s a good chance that it simply is still on the table while the main focus relies on the Arkham Asylum series, which still has no title. Actually, even the Penguin-focused spinoff doesn’t have a title quite yet. So, we’ll have to see what’s heading our way once Matt Reeves gets a chance to share what his universe plans are.

    Source: Variety