Matt Reeves’ The Batman is gearing up for start of production. Set prep has already begun and it looks like the filmmaker is eyeing the UK to commence principal photography. Construction is underway on a set at the Cardington Sheds for what is being described as a “funeral scene”. A casting call for extras has also been sent out with the production reportedly seeking some 500 people to participate.
The very thought of a “funeral” brings to mind the most obvious sequence: the Waynes’ death scene. Nearly every Batman movie has featured the Wayne family murders and their subsequent funeral in some manner. By this point, their death has become similar to the death of Uncle Ben from Spider-Man and I’m still hoping Reeves uses a different approach to deal with them given the amount of people already familiar with this aspect of Batman’s mythology.
Speaking of Batman himself, Robert Pattinson revealed in an extensive interview to The Guardian that he has already begun rehearsals for the movie a while back. The actor is riding a resurgent wave of popularity that comes with his acclaimed performance in The Lighthouse (which will see a wide release early next year) as well as the release of Christopher Nolan’s IMAX prologue of Tenet and its trailer which gave us a limited look at him. While he basks in the attention, he’s admittedly both excited and nervous about taking on a part with such monumental responsibilities.
Talking about what attracted him to the role, he revealed:
I felt a connection to it, I donโt know why … I just really wanted it. [It has a power, [which is why] everyone is attracted to it. Itโs an unidentifiable thing.
He also revealed the immense burden of expectations he feels when taking a role like this.
Iโm already remembering what itโs like to talk about a movie where thereโs an expectation. Whenever you say anything, people are like, โArgh! You idiot!โ Like, dude, I havenโt even started yet!โ
Lastly, when reminded that it indeed is a role with a rich legacy and a lot to live up to, he reverts:
But there is no harsher critic of myself than myself, so I donโt need to worry about anyone else.
The Batman is expected to start filming early 2020 for a July 25, 2021 release date. It has so far cast Robert Pattinson, Paul Dano, Zoe Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis and John Turturro. It will be written and directed by Matt Reeves and will supposedly be set in the DCEU despite an all-new cast.
