Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: The Batman

  • Joe Barton Joins ‘The Batman’ Spin-Off ‘Gotham Central’ as Showrunner

    Joe Barton Joins ‘The Batman’ Spin-Off ‘Gotham Central’ as Showrunner

    Fans are eagerly anticipating their next look at Matt Reeve’s upcoming film The Batman. It’s currently in production and should wrap-up within the coming months. Yet, even before this film hits theaters, Reeves is going all-in on his new version of Gotham. Last year, we got the confirmation that Matt Reeves had teamed up with Boardwalk Empire’s Terrence Winter. They were working together on a prequel series titled Gotham Central. It will release exclusively on HBO Max. The project would focus on the corruption within the GCPD during Batman’s first year of crusading in Gotham.

     

     

    A few months after this news broke, we got word that showrunner and writer, Terrence Winter, had departed the project over creative differences with Matt Reeves. It gave many fans an awry feeling towards the project, as it may have delayed it by quite a bit. It seems the project is back on as Joe Barton, creator of Giri/Haji, has officially joined the project as showrunner and executive producer.

    The project comes from Reeve‘s With 6th and Idaho Production company and is the first spin-off set within this new Gotham City. It won’t connect to previous projects, as it will explore an independent storyline from the rest of the DCEU. Although no casting was announced, the project has assembled some familiar faces, such as The Batman producer Dylan Clark, who will also be serving as Executive producer alongside Daniel Pipski and Adam Kassan.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘The Batman’

    ‘The Batman’

    Premiere: March 4, 2021

    The Matt Reeves helmed Batman project is shaping up to be a wild ride. Robert Pattinson will put on the cowl and, according to reports, work his way through his rogues gallery to solve a mystery with the help of Jim Gordon (Jeffery Wright) and Alfred (Andy Serkis). Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz), The Riddler (Paul Dano), Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) and Harvey Dent are just some of the familiar faces set to appear when The Batman swoops into theaters on October 1, 2021.

    Production on The Batman began in the UK in January of 2020.

    In February of 2020, director Matt Reeves gave fans their first look at the new bat suit (link at the bottom of the page) and shortly thereafter, the first set photos hit the web, showing Pattinson’s stunt double in the suit in broad daylight, giving fans a great look:

    On October 5, 2020, Warner Bros. announced yet another reshuffling of their upcoming DC release schedule due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This meant that The Batman is now set for release in the United States on March 4, 2022.

    Cast

    • Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne / Batman
    • Zoe Kravitz as Selena Kyle / Catwoman
    • Paul Dano as Edward Nigma / The Riddler
    • Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot / Penguin
    • Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon
    • Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth
    • John Turturro as Carmine Falcone
    • Barry Keoghan as Stanley Merkel
    • Alex Ferns as Pete Savage
    • Jayme Lawson as Bella Real
    • *Barry Keoghan in an unknown role
    • Max Carver in an unknown role
    • Charlie Carver in an unknown role

    (* indicates RUMORED additions to the cast)

    Promotional Material

  • Tracking DC’s Ever-changing Slate

    Tracking DC’s Ever-changing Slate

    Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there is hardly any business that hasn’t needed ongoing adjustments throughout 2020. Movie studios have been struggling ever since movie theaters had to be shut down, leaving them without the expected money influx, and even with some theaters reopening it has been tough to get audiences to return.

    Warner Bros. isn’t unaffected by it all and has, until now, resorted to postponing DCEU release dates, from The Batman to The Flash and Shazam! Fury of The Gods, hoping for a brighter future down the road.

    Yesterday came the news that, after several delays, Wonder Woman 1984 is now scheduled to be released both in theaters and through HBO Max on December 25. It was originally announced for release on December 13, 2019, but after an initial (non-coronavirus-related) delay, it was only on March 24 that the rollercoaster really began.

    Check out the moves Warner Bros. made in 2020 concerning the DCEU’s release schedule below. The only thing we know for sure is that going into 2021, there are probably still some changes ahead.

     

    (click to open the full picture in new window/tab)

  • Superman and Wonder Woman Seemingly Exist in ‘The Batman’ Universe

    Superman and Wonder Woman Seemingly Exist in ‘The Batman’ Universe

    So far, The Batman seems to be set within its own universe. It will not be directly connected to the DC Extended Universe to explore Bruce’s second year as the titular vigilante. It seemed like the story would mainly focus on Batman and his rogue’s gallery. Even the first trailer revealed a much more grounded story. As such, we didn’t really think there would be any connection to the wider DC Universe, as it could collide with Matt Reeve’s vision. Interestingly enough, recent set photos may have changed that perception. Twitter user @DCEUMX shared an image from the film’s set that features people in costumes for a Halloween set. Among them, there are two very distinctive and recognizable designs.

    It seems that Superman and Wonder Woman might exist in this universe. Of course, these are just costumes and not the real deal. ScreenRant shared the first image teasing Superman, so this is our best look at the character. However, we did not see Wonder Woman until now. This reveal would imply that these characters have existed to some degree in this universe. Perhaps, Reeves is trying to distinguish this version of Batman from the rest by having them be characters from comic books that are the base for these designs. The costumes in question are closer to that of the original comic runs than any modern designs we’ve seen. So, that could be the reason for their appearance. Still, there is one more picture from the set that may confirm Superman’s existence. @Bat_Source shared an article of the Gotham Times mentions the line: “faces looking up to the skies, fingers pointed, everywhere looking for you know who”.

    There is one more aspect that sticks out. This is definitely showing the inspiration from The Long Halloween. The comic also included a Halloween costume party. So, this might be shortly before another murder happens in the story. We got our glimpse at the Riddler, who is quite a unique take on the character. He might be hiding among the crowd in a comic-accurate costume. The concept of this Halloween party could also be a way to sneak in a lot of references if characters like the Penguin are also included in the scene. Sadly, the wait will be a bit longer until the film releases but these set photos are already very promising.

    Source: Twitter, ScreenRant, Twitter (Article)

  • Robert Pattinson’s Returns to ‘The Batman’ Set in BTS Photos

    Robert Pattinson’s Returns to ‘The Batman’ Set in BTS Photos

    The Batman was one of the first series to enter production after the pandemic has calmed down. It took some time but it seemed we were slowly returning to normalcy. We all knew there would always be the risk that the production set could be hit at any time. Suddenly, the news dropped that Robert Pattinson had been tested positive and the production shut down. Now, a month later we heard rumblings of the production slowly returning to normal. Now, we got our first look at the set that also includes the confirmation that Pattinson has returned to the set. The Daily Mail shared some photos from Liverpool’s George’s Hall. They confirmed that it will be used as Gotham’s City Hall, as a sign was sighted outside of the building.

    It is great to see that he is healthy again. It seems like they are filming a sequence we’ve already seen a part of from the first trailer that was released during DC FanDome. Pattison‘s suit seems to closely match what we’ve seen in that scene, especially the black tie. The scene they are filming seems to take place during the funeral scene where a man drives a car into the building. Gotham P.D. is on stand-by outside to keep the place safe. So, this could take place after the bomb threat, so that they can hold a public funeral. It could also be before the events from the trailer, as they might be making sure whoever killed him won’t strike again. If that is the case, they did not do a good job going by what follows in the film’s first trailer.

    There are also set photos from Twitter user @yassinfinite that may give us our first look at Riddler’s goons in the film. The dead giveaawy is the big question mark on their back.

    https://twitter.com/yassinfinite/status/1315602476570157056

    The set photos also give us a first look at Bruce’s vintage ride. The Daily Mail calls it a Batmobile, but it just seems like the car he uses for his day persona. In the past, we’ve seen Batman drive a lot of fancy modern vehicles, so this car highlights the gothic nature of this incarnation. Moreover, it may also be a tribute to the 60s vehicle as a nice Easter Egg for the film. I love the visual approach they are taking with this film. The film sadly was delayed, but it gives them enough time to shoot the footage they need without the worries of constant delays. We hope that everyone on set remains healthy and safe in these troubling times.

     

    Source: Daily Mail, Twitter

  • Revisiting a Forgotten Gem: The Original ‘The Batman’

    Revisiting a Forgotten Gem: The Original ‘The Batman’

    Batman is probably one of the most consistent pop culture icons in the industry. Every reboot of the franchise is an exciting prospect. Each incarnation has such a unique take but remains true to what made Batman so iconic. Now, we are all anxiously awaiting the release of Robert Pattinson‘s version with the simple title The Batman. Some animation fans might know that this isn’t the first incarnation we got with that title. Most of us fondly remember the iconic 90s Batman: The Animated Series when we think of an animated Batman. Yet, 2004 gave us another iconic incarnation that is one of my personal favorite animated shows from the early 2000s. The team behind Jackie Chan Adventures got together to give us their spin on the iconic bat and rogues’ gallery. Now that the title will be taken over by a new generation, it might be a perfect time to revisit this forgotten gem on Batman Day.

    Batman Beginnings

    So, the story focuses on a young Bruce Wayne just starting. This might be among my favorite versions of the character, as even with his nightly obsessions, they show him as a kind and caring individual. His relationship with Alfred Pennyworth is fantastic, as he constantly gets berated by his surrogate father. I don’t think it would work as well without Rino Romano and Alastair Duncan‘s chemistry throughout the five-season run. Batman has an interesting arc throughout the show. In the beginning, we get the usual obsession with working alone before he starts letting others into his life. It starts with his hopes of including his close friend before tragedy pushes them apart. He does end up joining forces with detective Ellen Yin, voiced by Ming-Na Wen. It isn’t until the third season that we get his first sidekick in the form of Batgirl.

     

     

    Yes, the show skips Robin who doesn’t show up until the fourth season. The reason was mainly due to the character’s prominent role in the Teen Titans series. It was a great turn of events as it gave us more time with Barbara Gordon as a self-made Batgirl, who had a fun rivalry with Robin throughout the show. Batman letting more people into his life also leads into the final season that expands the entire world. Now, Batman is faced with a new challenge beyond his city with the introduction of the Justice League. It was such a great development seeing this world expand as the show continued. We get the interactions with the other members of the team from Bruce’s perspective. It offers some rather quirky moments where these different personalities clash. My favorite episode focuses on these two characters, as they try to keep this show’s version of Black Mask in prison. Every season builds upon the previous which just adds to the joy of revisiting after all these years.

    Artist Jeff Matsuda‘s art style translated these iconic characters perfectly into this new incarnation. Interestingly enough, while Batman is pretty much a direct adaptation, his rogue’s gallery got some rather unique adaptations. To give an example, let’s look at the most iconic Batman villain out there. The Joker still wears his iconic purple suit but left his shoes at home throughout the series. This version leans more into his manic personality. He even manages to keep up with Batman in a fight while still sticking to his usual schemes. I love this version and Kevin Michael Richardson’s voice really brings the character to life.

     

     

    Each character stays true to the original but adds their own twists. Mr. Freeze is less a tragic figure but a cold-hearted thief voiced by Clancy Brown. They completely revamped Clayface, as he starts off as a friend of Bruce. Yes, the friend I mentioned previously. Ethan Bennett turns into the iconic villain due to Joker’s meddling with hypnosis. The first season tries to introduce a variety of minor villains from the comics to flesh them out like the Firefly, Ventriloquist, and even Cluemaster. Still, a major focus was on the well-known villains like Joker, Penguin, Mr. Freeze, and Catwoman. Funny enough, we never got a version of Two-Face in this series, which was rectified in Beware the Batman‘s second season.

    Later seasons added a lot more classic villains. Riddler doesn’t appear until the second season and is voiced by Freddy Krueger, Robert Englund. His design is strangely gothic but works incredibly well. This was probably my favorite version of the character until I read Scott Snyder‘s Batman: Zero Year run. We even get a revamped origin story for Harley Quinn, who is a pop-psychology host rather than an actual psychiatrist. Ron Perlman voices a very southern incarnation of Killer Croc that is quite intimidating. We even get other minor villains like Spellbinder, Rag Doll, Solomon Grundy, Prank, and even Maxie Zeus. Once the Justice League joins this world we also get to meet some of their rogue’s gallery. We see a variety of characters like Metallo, Sinestro, or the Mirror Master. The series has a fantastic list of voice actors that brings these characters to life.

    A Forgotten Cult Classic

    This series is a perfect blend of old and new. One of my favorite aspects was the unique soundtrack that used guitars in a way that created a dark ambiance. I still have the soundtrack in the back of my head. As iconic as the intro is to the ’90s animated show, I wish they used this one got more love with recent adaptations. It is probably one of my favorite cartoon intros that are just edged out by Spectacular Spider-Man‘s iconic theme. Adding to the darker tone of the show’s first few seasons, it just was such a unique take. It knew it couldn’t compete directly with the original so it did something unique while staying true to the comics. Its successor Beware the Batman tried to go even a step further by completely reinventing the mythos. This show not only embraced the Batman mythos but also that of the entire DC Universe once it expanded.

    The Batman had a perfect balance in the way it handled the original mythology. It embraced the wackiness of these characters while not ignoring the psychology of them. For example, the Ventriloquist is such an interesting character in this show. Arnold Wesker is a kind person whose attachment to Scarface is his downfall. Every character arc is continued at a later time letting these characters develop. It also knows what characters simply need to be intimidating. This show introduced me to what became one of my favorite villains, the before-mentioned Black Mask. This version is calculating in a way that made him intimidating. These are just some examples of why I believe this is one of the best adaptations of the iconic Batman. Sadly, it just seems no one talks about it as much. Batman: The Animated Series is so iconic that it dominates the conversation around animated adaptations. Even trying to find a picture for this article, I mostly end up finding something for the upcoming The Batman film or the 90s animated version. To me, it just wouldn’t be Batman Day if we didn’t talk about this forgotten gem. 

  • Robert Pattinson Tests Positive for COVID on ‘The Batman’ Set

    Robert Pattinson Tests Positive for COVID on ‘The Batman’ Set

    Just a few hours ago, a crew member of DC’s The Batman had been tested positive for COVID-19. Warner Bros. was quick to put out a statement that they followed isolation protocols once it was uncovered during filming in the U.K. Now, Vanity Fair has revealed that Robert Pattinson has also been tested positive putting the film’s entire production on hold. All of us here at Murphy’s Multiverse hope that anyone affected by the virus on set will make a quick recovery soon.

    The Batman was among the few films to resume production in Europe. Alongside Jurassic World: Dominion it would be the test for Hollywood to see how the new regulations can keep people safe while filming. The film had just recently released the first trailer based on just 25% of the film’s overall production. Everything seemed to be picking up speed again but with this news, it is uncertain how this may delay the production. Of course, the health of Pattinson and anyone else that has been infected are top priority.

    Source: Variety, Vanity F

  • ‘The Batman’ Trilogy to Court Owls

    ‘The Batman’ Trilogy to Court Owls

    Connecting Imaginary Dots are pieces we write here that allow us to be what we all truly are: fans. These should not be taken as scoops, exclusives or facts; just speculation about the things for which we all share a great passion.

    The Batman already looks amazing. Not going to lie, I have probably watched that trailer way too many times by now. We’ve had so many different incarnations of Batman in film. Michael Keaton explored the character in a Gothic world. Christian Bale brought him into the modern era and politics. Ben Affleck showed us that a man can stand among giants. Now, it is Robert Pattinson‘s turn to show us another side of the Bat we had yet to explore. How about we dive in and see what little clues this trailer is hiding from us. Let’s highlight what this trailer may be telling us about this new world and the story it might tell.

    riddler-jpg

    Oh, what an opening this is. The sound of duct-tape being ripped is familiar but not when it means to silence a person. Well, killing him is actually a better choice of words here. His victim seems to be the Mayor of Gotham going by the newspaper clippings. Yes, we start this story with our look at the main antagonist, Paul Dano‘s Riddler. He is quite a departure from the character we know but the iconic green is still present. He deliberately is sending messages to Batman. A green envelope attached to the silenced politician starts off the investigation. At one point, he lets a man strapped with a bomb drive into a funeral. Pattinson‘s Bruce Wayne is present so it creates the illusion he might know is behind the cape and cowl. This is mainly because of the following quote from the trailer:

    “You are a part of this too.”

    This question seems to be directed at Bruce Wayne in the trailer. There is a chance this is just a red herring, as the timing of the quote shows us Bruce unmasking. Kuddos that this is the first version where he doesn’t magically lose his eye paint. Something about this quote is interesting, as it alludes to some bigger picture. We know that director Matt Reeves has planned an entire trilogy. As such, he can already set some important story elements early on. We know that A Long Halloween arc will also be an inspiration. There are small glimpses of John Turturro’s Carmine Falcone in the newspapers. Reeves even discusses in the DC FanDome panel that they will uncover a much deeper level of corruption. His second quote around the halfway point does hint at this more.

    “If you are justice, please do not lie. What is the price for your blind eye?”

    Reeves is already working on a mini-series that will explore Gotham P.D. during Year One of Batman. He once again pointed out that the corruption of the police force will play a major role in that show’s story. We even get a glimpse at it in this trailer, as we see Batman escaping from a group of cops with his grappling hook. As he dives deeper into the mystery, he might stumble upon something he wasn’t meant to find. At the beginning of the trailer, we see the police work alongside him so something must’ve happened to make them turn. The short snippet of Batman surrounded by cops may have kickstarted the manhunt.

    There is one aspect of the story that is subtle but might hint at why this all connects back to Bruce Wayne. A major emphasis was put on this versions’ bat symbol. It looks to be made from the gun that killed Thomas and Martha Wayne. He carries the guilt around with him wherever he goes. It seems like just a nice little touch but it could become an important emotional element for his character. If the corruption was spread throughout the city, his family would’ve been involved as well in some way. Any sane person would start to question if his family had kept secrets from him before their death. What kind of secret could that be? Well, maybe Riddler’s greeting card already teased it.

    owl

    I do not think the Court of Owls will be introduced in this first installment though. They might be hinted at throughout but the focus will be on Riddler unraveling Gotham’s system. The actions of this story will unravel Batman’s journey deeper down into Gotham’s history. Reeves is exploring the detective aspect of the character. Slowly uncovering the influences of a shady organization that has existed since the 1600s seems like a perfect fit. The only missing riddle is what connection does Edward Nashton have to the bigger picture.

    So, how do Catwoman and Cobblepot play into the story? Let’s start off with the more obvious connection, Zoe Kravits’ Selina Kyle. Most likely, she ends up getting entangled after stealing an important item from the victim’s apartment. We see the warning tape as she is trying to break into a safe. Her involvement isn’t necessarily deliberate. She just ends up getting dragged into the bigger picture. As Batman still operates alone, she might become an unlikely ally throughout the film. This is just the start of their relationship that will develop throughout the trilogies’ overarching story.

    catwoman

    Alright, let’s talk about the Penguin. First off, I still cannot believe that was Colin Farrell. What an amazing makeup job they did. Either way, we are here to discuss his role in the bigger picture. Once again, Reeves confirmed that a lot of the villains in this film aren’t fully formed. Oswald is still working his way up the ladder before cementing his role as a mob boss. This actually might be the reason he is in this film. As he rises through the ranks in this film, we get introduced to how deep the corruption is in the city. Cobblepot simply becomes an unknowing pawn throughout the trilogy. Maybe we get a Batman Returns tribute as he runs for mayor at one point. Have to replace the one lost at the beginning of this one. Well see how deep the rabbit hole goes once The Batman releases October 1st, 2021.

    Sources: Deadline, NME

  • ‘THE BATMAN’ Still Filming in Chicago

    ‘THE BATMAN’ Still Filming in Chicago

    According to a new report from Screen Magazine, Matt Reeves‘ The Batman is still expected to film in Chicago this Fall, planning for a late October shoot.

    Screen Magazine reports, filming in “The Windy City” is expected to take one to two weeks, with at least one month of pre-production. They are expected to do mainly shots of exterior downtown and that would possibly include Chicago landmarks, (suggested were the Thompson center and Board of Trade). It is currently unclear if stars Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, or Colin Farrell would be there for filming.

    Twitter account @filming_chicago retweeted the article from Screen commenting that they hadn’t heard anything at this time, but felt confident in Screen’s information.

    Meanwhile in Chicago, FX series Fargo has resumed production on it’s fourth season, with other Chicago based NBC shows (Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med)expected to start up again in September. CW series The Batwoman had also done some filming in Chicago, and is expected to return at some point. Here’s hoping all go on without a hitch.

    Source: Screen Magazine

  • FanDome: ‘THE BATMAN’ is Vengeance in First Teaser

    FanDome: ‘THE BATMAN’ is Vengeance in First Teaser

    This was always going to be the big news of the day and despite the big build up, it didn’t disappoint. Matt Reeves take on the story of the Dark Knight looks to be unlike anything we’ve seen to this point and darker than expected.

    Reeves teased that the film, which finds Robert Pattinson’s Batman in “Year Two”, will serve as the origin stories for villains like The Riddler, Penguin and Catwoman while giving us new iterations of classic Batman supporting characters Alfred and Jim Gordon. The film takes place at a time where the legend of Batman is growing in a corrupt Gotham City and the citizens have yet to learn his true intentions. Reeves’ passion and enthusiasm for the project was evident while discussing the film and this version of Batman. Have a look at what is an incredibly noir take on the world’s greatest detective!