- "I wish I could say I'm making a difference, but I don't know. Murder, robberies, assault. Two years later, they're all up. And now this. The city's eating itself. Maybe it's beyond saving. But I have to try."
- ―Batman[src]
The Batman is a 2022 superhero film based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name. It focuses on the character's second year as the crime fighting vigilante and released on March 4, 2022. It is the first film and installment of The Batman Universe.
The film is directed, co-produced, and co-written by Matt Reeves and stars Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/Riddler, Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson, Barry Keoghan as Joker, with Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Colin Farrell as Oz Cobblepot/Penguin.
A sequel, The Batman: Part II, is set to release in theaters October 2, 2026.[3]
Synopsis
"Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman (Robert Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies -- Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) -- amongst the city's corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens. When a killer targets Gotham's elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World's Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin(Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Paul Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City."[4]
Plot
Batman at the crime scene investigating Don Mitchell, Jr.'s murder.
On Halloween night, Gotham City mayor Don Mitchell, Jr. is brutally murdered by a serial killer calling himself the Riddler. Billionaire Bruce Wayne, who has operated in Gotham for two years as the vigilante Batman, roams the streets of Gotham as the Drifter, a third persona of Bruce, searching criminals so he can stop them. The Bat Signal is on, and the Batman's symbol can be seen in the skies. Criminals of all kinds look at the symbol as a bad omen, and tremble in fear looking at the shadows that pervades the city thinking that Batman may be hiding in them, waiting to strike them at last. A small gang of punks tries to rob an innocent man, but they are stopped by Batman. After dealing with the gang, the vigilante goes to the crime scene where the body of the mayor is, and alongside the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD). Lieutenant Jim Gordon discovers that the Riddler left a message for Batman, but GCPD commissioner Pete Savage berates him for allowing Batman to enter the crime scene and forces him to leave. In a press conference, Commissioner Savage confirms to the media that the mayor is dead and promises that he will capture the killer. At a distance, Bruce, as the Drifter, watches the press conference, and then drives back to the Batcave in his Batcycle. There, Bruce writes a diary and watches the footage recorded from his contact lens to help with his memory, which is weakening because of his non-stop night patrols. The Riddler kills Savage shortly afterward, leaving another message for Batman and sending a video of his death to Gotham news media.
Catwoman robbing the Mitchell Mansion.
Batman and Gordon discover that the Riddler left a thumb drive in Mitchell's car; it contains images of Mitchell with a woman, Annika, at the Iceberg Lounge, a club operated by mobster Carmine Falcone's lieutenant Oswald Cobblepot aka Penguin . Batman questions the Penguin, who claims to know nothing, but notices that Selina Kyle, Annika's roommate and girlfriend, works there as a waitress. He follows Selina to Mitchell's house, where they discover Annika's passport in a safe. When Annika disappears, Batman sends Selina back to the Iceberg Lounge to search for answers. Through Selina, Batman discovers Gotham District Attorney Gil Colson is on Falcone's payroll, but Selina shuts off communication when Batman presses her about her relationship with Falcone.
Batman attempting to save Gil Colson from death.
The Riddler abducts Colson, straps a time bomb to his neck, and sends him to interrupt Mitchell's funeral. When Batman arrives at the scene, the Riddler calls him via Colson's phone. He threatens to detonate the bomb if Colson cannot answer three riddles; Batman helps Colson answer the first two, but Colson refuses to answer the third—name the "rat" who gave the GCPD information that led to a historic drug bust ending mobster Salvatore Maroni ‘s operation—so the Riddler kills him. Batman and Gordon deduce that the informant may be the Penguin and track him to a drug deal. They discover that Maroni's operation never actually ended and many GCPD officers are involved in it. Their plan to interrogate the Penguin is interrupted when Selina arrives to steal drug money and inadvertently exposes them. As the Penguin flees, Selina discovers Annika's corpse in a car trunk.
Batman in the Batmobile chasing after Penguin.
Batman captures the Penguin after chasing him in the Batmobile, but learns that he was not the informant. Batman and Gordon go to investigate the ruins of an orphanage operated by Bruce's parents Thomas and Martha. They learn that the Riddler was a resident at the orphanage and holds a grudge against Thomas; as Thomas is dead, he has decided to target Bruce. Bruce's butler and caretaker, Alfred Pennyworth, is hospitalized after opening a letter bomb addressed for Bruce. Selina tells Batman that Falcone is her father and that he neglected her. The Riddler then leaks evidence alleging that Thomas, who was running for mayor when he was murdered, hired Falcone to kill a journalist for threatening to reveal embarrassing details about Martha's history of mental illness.
Bruce Wayne devastatingly confronts Carmine Falcone about his father.
A devastated Bruce, who grew up believing his father was a morally upstanding man, confronts Falcone and Alfred. Alfred confirms that Thomas asked Falcone to intimidate the journalist, but decided to turn Falcone over to the police after learning of the murder; he surmises that Falcone had Thomas and Martha killed to prevent this. Selina then signals Batman and Gordon and tells them that Falcone strangled Annika after Mitchell told her that he was the informant, and resolves to kill him. Batman and Gordon arrive at the Iceberg Lounge in time to stop her and arrest Falcone, but the Riddler snipes him from a nearby building. Unmasked as forensics scientist Edward Nashton, the Riddler is arrested and incarcerated in Arkham State Hospital.
Batman confronting Edward Nashton at Arkham State Hospital.
After arresting Riddler, Batman and the GCPD search Riddler's apartment for evidence and they discover his real name is Edward Nashton and he is a forensic accountant at KTMJ who had been planning to expose the Gotham's corruption for years, before asking Batman to visit him at Arkham. At Arkham, Nashton says he was envious of the sympathy Bruce received after his parents' murder while he was ignored, and wanted to partner with Batman and become a similar masked vigilante. After Batman angrily rejects Nashton, he reveals that he has placed numerous car bombs around Gotham. The bombs destroy Gotham's Seawall and flood the city. Batman discovers that Nashton cultivated an internet following that plans to assassinate mayor-elect Bella Reál in the ensuing chaos and takes down the followers with Selina's help. Nashton's followers attempt to kill Reál, but Batman and Selina manage to stop them. As Batman begins to aid in recovery efforts, Selina resolves to leave Gotham, deeming it beyond saving.
Batman and Catwoman saying goodbye.
Back at Arkham, Nashton is met by a fellow inmate who commends him on the scope of his plan to flood Gotham. He then provides a riddle regarding the value of friendship as the two of them share a laugh in their respective cells. While at Maria Kyle's tomb, Batman and Selina bid farewell as Selina is leaving Gotham. She asks Batman to come with her but she knows he's needed in Gotham. the two then leave on their various motorcycles.
Cast
- Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman
- Oscar Novak as Young Bruce Wayne
- Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
- Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/Riddler
- Joseph Walker as Young Edward Nashton
- Jeffrey Wright as Lieutenant Jim Gordon
- John Turturro as Carmine Falcone
- Peter Sarsgaard as District Attorney Gil Colson
- Barry Keoghan as Joker
- Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth
- Colin Farrell as Oz Cobblepot/Penguin
- Jayme Lawson as Mayor Bella Reál
- Gil Perez-Abraham as Officer Martinez
- Peter McDonald as Detective William Kenzie
- Con O'Neill as Chief Mackenzie Bock
- Alex Ferns as Commissioner Pete Savage
- Rupert Penry-Jones as Mayor Don Mitchell, Jr.
- Charlie Carver as Twin #1
- Max Carver as Twin #2
- Kosha Engler as Mrs. Mitchell
- Archie Barnes as Don Mitchell, Jr.'s Son
- Hana Hrzic as Annika Kosolov
- Luke Roberts as Dr. Thomas Wayne
- Stella Stocker as Martha Wayne
- Sandra Dickinson as Dory
Appearances
Locations
- Estonia (mentioned)
- United States of America
- New York
- Blüdhaven (mentioned)
- Gotham City
- Ace Chemicals (poster)
- Arkham State Hospital
- Bank of Gotham
- Battergate (poster)
- Blackgate (mentioned)
- Corner Diner
- Eastside Depot
- Edward Nashton's Apartment
- Gotham Army Surplus (mentioned)
- Gotham Asylum (photo)
- Gotham Cemetery
- Gotham Central Court House (plaque)
- Gotham City Hall
- Gotham City Police Headquarters
- Gotham Empire
- Gotham General Hospital
- Gotham Harbor
- Gotham Orphanage
- Gotham River
- Gotham Square Garden
- Gotham Subway
- KTMJ (mentioned)
- Marriott Hotels & Resorts (logo)
- O'Shaughnessy's (logo)
- Shoreline Lofts
- Southern District of Gotham City (mentioned)
- Wayne Tower
- Waterfront Industries
- Metropolis (newspaper)
- New York
Events
- Halloween
- Skirmish in Gotham Subway
- Riddler's Game
- Assassination of Don Mitchell, Jr.
- Assassination of Pete Savage
- Infiltration into the Iceberg Lounge
- Abduction of Annika Kosolov
- Attack on Gotham City Hall
- Chase of the Penguin
- Bombing of Wayne Tower
- Assassination of Carmine Falcone
- Arrest of the Riddler
- Battle at Gotham Square Garden
- Flooding of Gotham City
- Arrest of Salvatore Maroni (footage)
- Murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne (mentioned)
- Gotham Music Festival (poster)
Items
- Advanced Contact Lens
- Bat Signal
- Batcomputer
- Batsuit
- Catwoman Suit
- Catwoman's Lockpick
- Catwoman's Whip
- Drops
- Rataalada.com
- Riddler Costumes
- The Gotham Project
Vehicles
Species
Organizations
- Arkham Family
- Delicious Poison (poster)
- Falcone Crime Syndicate
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Flower Paradox (poster)
- GC1 Eyewitness News
- Gotham Action News 4 HD
- Gotham City Council (mentioned)
- Gotham City Fire Department
- Gotham City Health Department
- Gotham City Police Department
- Gotham Drug and Drops Resistance
- Gotham Gazette
- Gotham Renewal Corporation
- Gotham Transit Authority
- Gotham Water & Power
- GothCorp (poster)
- Maroni Crime Family (mentioned)
- New York State Senate (mentioned)
- Riddler's Cult
- Special Air Service (mentioned)
- The Gotham Times (newspaper)
- The Stevensburgh Voice (newspaper)
- Train Gang
- Tri Corner Cab
- United States National Guard (mentioned)
- Wayne Family
- Wayne Enterprises (mentioned)
- Wayne Foundation (mentioned)
- WGOT7-TV
Mentioned
- Christopher Anderson
- Katie Blakemore (poster)
- Edward Elliot (photo)
- Mia Fardy (newspaper)
- William Gotham
- Maria Kyle
- Martinez's Uncle
- Salvatore Maroni (footage)
- Dan O'Neil
- Martha Robinson
- Martha Wayne's Father (photo)
- Martha Wayne's Mother (photo)
- Katie Sharpe (newspaper)
- Frank Smith
- Mildred Smith
- The Wayne Killer
- Donald C. Wright
- Barbara Gordon (deleted scene)
Production
In August 2013, Warner Bros. announced that Ben Affleck signed on to play Batman in multiple movies, which included Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. In mid-2014 rumors started that a standalone Batman film would be developed with a tentative release date of 2019.[5] Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara revealed that many other DC properties were being worked on that weren't part of the official announcements made in August 2014 such as solo films for Batman.[6] Reportedly, Warner Bros. has Ben Affleck lined up to both star and direct a solo Batman movie for release in late 2018 or early 2019.[7] In July 2015, Ben Affleck was reported to direct, write, and star in the film, along with Geoff Johns who would also help write the script.[8]
Affleck stated he felt "emboldened" watching Zack Snyder work on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice encouraging him in making a superhero film of his own "I've wondered about directing movies like this before and it was a really valuable learning experience for me to watch Zack do it and see how he did it ... For me, as a director, it's about the material and the characters, so if I found the right material I would definitely throw my hat in the ring to direct something on that scale.".[9]
In April 2016, Kevin Tsujihara confirmed that Ben Affleck will write, direct, and star in the film.[10]
On August 29, 2016, Ben Affleck uploaded a teaser that revealed Deathstroke. Warner Bros later confirmed that the footage was not fake. On September 8th, 2016, Geoff Johns confirmed that Deathstroke will be the villain in the film and that Joe Manganiello will portray him.[11]
In an interview with the associated press, Affleck confirmed that the tentative title of the film would be The Batman.[12]
Joe Manganiello revealed in an interview that filming will begin in Spring 2017.[13] In January 2017, Ben Affleck stepped down as director.[14] On February 23, 2017, it was confirmed that Matt Reeves will direct and produce the film.[15]
In August 2018, Reeves updated that they "are working on getting our draft in the next couple of weeks and things are progressing," with hoping to begin production spring or early summer 2019.[16]
On January 30, 2019, Warner Bros. announced that the film would be released on June 25, 2021.[17]
Some sources have claimed this film will have no connection to the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, and is said to be a complete reboot of the character.
On October 16, 2019, Mattson Tomlin was tapped to co-write the script.[18] The same month, it was announced that Michael Giacchino would compose the film.[19]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film's release date was pushed back to October 1, 2021.[20]
On October 5, 2020, it was announced that The Batman would be delayed once again, and would be pushed back to March 4, 2022.[21]
At the virtual 2020 DC FanDome event, Peter Craig was revealed to have contributed to the script.[22]
On December 26, 2021, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar revealed that the film would release on HBO Max on April 19, 2022.[23]
On January 11, 2022, the MPAA confirmed that the film will be rated PG-13 for "strong violence, disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material.”[24]
Casting
On May 16, 2019, it was announced that Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult were the frontrunners to portray Bruce Wayne/Batman, though nothing is confirmed yet. On May 31, 2019, however, Robert Pattinson was officially approved by Warner Bros. Studios to portray the younger Bruce Wayne/Batman.[25]
In September 2019, it was revealed that Jeffrey Wright was being eyed for Jim Gordon and that Jonah Hill is in talks to play a villain in the film, which reports saying that it will either be the Riddler or the Penguin.[26][27]
On October 2, 2019, it was revealed that Catwoman would be in the film as casting for her had already begun, with Zoë Kravitz, Lupita Nyong’o, Tessa Thompson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alexandra Shipp, Logan Browning, Zazie Beetz, Ana de Armas, Ella Balinska, and Eiza Gonzalez on the shortlist.[28][29] On October 14, 2019, Zoë Kravitz was cast as Catwoman for the film with Jeffrey Wright also confirmed as Jim Gordon.[30]
On October 17, 2019, Jonah Hill revealed that he was no longer in talks for Riddler or Penguin, instead Paul Dano was cast as the Riddler.[31][32]
On November 5, 2019, Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell were reportedly in talks to portray Alfred Pennyworth and Penguin.[33][34] A week later, Matt Reeves confirmed on Twitter that Andy Serkis will play Alfred Pennyworth.[35]
On November 11, 2019, newcomer Juilliard actress Jayme Lawson was cast in an unknown role.[36]
On November 22, 2019, The Hollywood Reporter announced that John Turturro will play Carmine Falcone, while also confirming that Colin Farrell would play the Penguin.[37][38]
On December 6, 2019, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Peter Sarsgaard joined the cast in an unknown role.[39] On January 28, 2020, Peter Sarsgaard and Jayme Lawson's roles were revealed to be Gil Colson and Bella Reál.[40]
On January 23, 2020, it was announced Alex Ferns and Con O'Neill joined the cast.[41]
On February 28, 2020, Gil Perez-Abraham joined the cast in an unknown role.[42]
On March 3, 2020, it was announced that twin actors Charlie and Max Carver had joined the cast in unknown roles.[43]
During the 2020 DC FanDome event, Barry Keoghan and Rupert Penry-Jones were announced as Stanley Merkel and Don Mitchell, Jr., while Alex Ferns and Con O'Neill were confirmed to be portraying Pete Savage and Mackenzie Bock.[22]
Filming
Filming was scheduled to begin spring 2019 with Affleck attached as producer for the film.[44] On January 4, 2019, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the studio wants to begin filming in November.[45] On January 5, 2020, Jeffrey Wright announced on Twitter that he was off to film The Batman, with set photos being released too.[46][47][48]
Principal photography for the film began on January 27, 2020 in London, England and Liverpool, England.[49] On March 14, 2020, production for the film was shut down for two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic[50], then it was reported that the production would be shut down indefinitely.[51] On August 19, 2020, Variety reported that filming would resume in early September in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England.[52]
On September 1, 2020, Alex Ferns revealed on his Twitter account that filming had resumed, though his tweet and account were deleted shortly afterwards. Three days later, it was reported that Robert Pattinson was diagnosed with COVID-19, forcing production to be halted once again.[53] The filming crew entered quarantine for the next two weeks, by when filming will resume, while construction on the sets and props at Leavesden Studios continued.[54]
On September 17, 2020, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Pictures told Variety that filming has officially resumed once again with Pattinson cleared of COVID-19 and that exterior shots and stunt scenes would film in Chicago.[55]
On October 21, 2020, Colin Farrell revealed in an interview that he would be shooting his scenes on and off until February of 2021.[56]
On November 30, 2020, actors Elliot Warren and Jay Lycurgo revealed on their social media accounts that they have finished filming their scenes and that production is close to being finished.[57]
On March 13, 2021, director Matt Reeves officially announced that production for the film has wrapped.[58]
On June 20, 2021, Daily Record reported that production had restarted again in Glasglow with Robert Pattinson and Colin Farrell returning for reshoots.[59]
Music
| Song title | Artist | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ave Maria | Tiffin Boys' Choir |
|
| Something in the Way | Nirvana |
|
| Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73 "Emperor": II. Adagio un poco mosso | Ludwig van Beethoven |
|
| Frisk | Patrick Topping & Kevin Saunderson |
|
| Tesla | Corvad |
|
| Hot 44 | Baauer |
|
| Troop | Peggy Gou |
|
| Dido's Lament | Tiffin Boys' Choir |
|
| Requiem in D Minor, Op. 48: 7. In paradisum | Monteverdi Choir, Salisbury Cathedral Boys' Choir, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique & John Eliot Gardiner |
|
| Darkroom | Peggy Gou |
|
| I Have But One Heart | Al Martino |
|
| Dark | Alesso |
|
| Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu) | Dean Martin |
|
| Ave Maria | Paul Dano |
|
Videos
Trailers
TV Spots
Featurettes
Clips
Other
Special Features
References
External links
- Official Movie Website
The Batman on DC Database- The Batman on Wikipedia
- The Batman at the Internet Movie Database
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zh:The Batman