The Batman (film)
A reboot of the Batman film franchise starring Robert Pattinson.
The Batman is a 2022 American superhero film directed by Matt Reeves, who co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Craig. It reboots the Batman film franchise based on the DC Comics character. Robert Pattinson plays Bruce Wayne / Batman, with a supporting cast including Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell. The story follows Batman during his second year of crime-fighting in Gotham City as he investigates a serial killer called the Riddler, who is targeting the city’s wealthy elite, and uncovers corruption linked to his own family. Warner Bros. Pictures distributed the film, produced by Reeves and Dylan Clark for DC Films.
A Batman film for the DC Extended Universe was announced in October 2014, with Ben Affleck set to star. By 2016, Affleck had signed on to direct, produce, and co-write *The Batman*, but he had doubts and stepped down in January 2017. Reeves took over the following month, reworking the story to remove DCEU connections and focus on a younger Batman earlier in his vigilante career than Affleck’s version. Reeves developed the script with Peter Craig and Mattson Tomlin, aiming to highlight Batman’s detective skills more than earlier films, drawing inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock movies, New Hollywood cinema, and comics such as *Year One* (1987), *The Long Halloween* (1996–97), and *Ego* (2000).
After Affleck left the starring role in January 2019, Pattinson was cast in May, with other actors joining later that year. Filming ran from January 2020 to March 2021, pausing for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Production took place across the United Kingdom, including location shoots in England and Scotland, and on soundstages at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. Cinematographer Greig Fraser used Industrial Light & Magic’s StageCraft virtual production technology, and Michael Giacchino composed the score. The film contains over 1,500 visual effects shots and is one of the longest superhero films ever made. A viral marketing campaign ran during and after production.
After multiple pandemic-related delays, *The Batman* premiered at Lincoln Center in New York City on March 1, 2022, and was released theatrically in the United States on March 4, 2022. Critics gave it positive reviews, praising Reeves’s direction, the performances of Pattinson and Kravitz, the cinematography, and th
- release_year
- 2022
- director
- Matt Reeves
- screenplay_by
- Matt Reeves and Peter Craig
- distributor
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- budget
- $185–200 million
- box_office
- over $772 million worldwide
- runtime
- one of the longest superhero films ever made
Lore & Background
The Batman was announced in October 2014 as part of the DC Extended Universe, with Ben Affleck starring as Batman. Affleck signed on to direct, produce, and co-write by 2016 but stepped down in January 2017. Matt Reeves took over the following month and reworked the story, removing DCEU connections to focus on a younger version of the character earlier in his vigilante career. Reeves worked on the script with Peter Craig and Mattson Tomlin, drawing inspiration from films of Alfred Hitchcock and the New Hollywood era, and comics such as 'Year One', The Long Halloween, and Ego. Following Affleck's departure as star in January 2019, Robert Pattinson was cast in May 2019. Filming took place from January 2020 to March 2021, halted for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and occurred throughout the United Kingdom, including location shooting in England and Scotland and on soundstages at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The film used Industrial Light & Magic's StageCraft virtual production technology and has over 1,500 visual effects shots. The Batman was theatrically released in the United States on March 4, 2022, after multiple pandemic-related delays.
Reader's Guide
The Batman received positive reviews from critics, with praise for Reeves's approach, the performances of Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz, and the cinematography and score, although the tone, runtime, and third act received some criticism. The film's depiction and characterization of Batman prompted critical analysis, as did themes exploring class conflict and inequality. It was a commercial success, grossing over $772 million worldwide against a $185–200 million budget, making it the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2022 and Warner Bros.'s highest-grossing pandemic release. The film set several pandemic-era box office records, particularly for IMAX screenings. It was nominated for three Academy Awards and received numerous other accolades. The Batman is intended to start a trilogy and a shared universe called the 'Batman Epic Crime Saga'. A sequel, The Batman: Part II, is scheduled for release on February 18, 2028, and a spin-off television series starring Colin Farrell, The Penguin, debuted on HBO in late 2024.
Did You Know?
- The film was originally part of the DC Extended Universe but was reworked by Matt Reeves to remove those connections.
- Filming was halted for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Batman has over 1,500 visual effects shots and is one of the longest superhero films ever made.
- The film's sequel, The Batman: Part II, is scheduled for release on February 18, 2028.
More in American superhero films 1-24
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