The Robert Pattinson-led and Matt Reeves-directed The Batman was a box office and critical success. Grossing, $770 million on a $185 million to $200 million budget, the film began a new chapter about Gotham’s dark knight. However, when Pattinson’s casting was first announced, social media was in an uproar.
No one wanted the Twilight actor to play one of the most iconic superheroes ever. There were jokes made about his career and physique. But by now we know that Pattinson was the one Reeves always wanted for the film. But why?
Why Did Matt Reeves Write The Batman Script With Robert Pattinson In Mind?
In an interview with Movie Maker, Matt Reeves revealed that he began writing The Batman with Robert Pattinson in mind for the lead role. He did so even though he wasn’t sure if the actor would be interested in portraying the role. The reason why the director chose The Lighthouse actor was because he was impressed with his performance in films like Good Time (2017).
Producer Dylan Clark said that even though he had met Pattinson for various things, it was the actor who ultimately asked him about the current status of Batman’s live-action adaptation. So it looks like ultimately everything fell into place as Reeves’ biggest worry about Pattinson not being interested in the role was put to rest.
But did the High Life actor know about Matt Reeves’ plans to get him to star as the caped crusader all because he loved his rustic character in Good Time? Apparently not. Pattinson said, “I had no idea that Matt had seen Good Time and thought, ‘I want to do a really dirty, dirty, slimy Batman.’”
While his Batman isn’t slimy or dirty moralistically, he’s definitely so from the outside. If one looks closely, there are shades of Good Time in the film too. However, it’s that dirt and grime that makes The Batman feel grounded and realistic. But that’s not the only thing that made the movie iconic. It was also the fact that Reeves paid attention to the kind of details nobody normally seemingly does.
The Batman Stars Praise Matt Reeves’ Eye For Detail
In the Movie Maker interview, Robert Pattinson revealed that he was stressed and worried because Matt Reeves would ask for multiple takes, way more than he was used to giving. Naturally, he thought that he was being terrible. But when he saw the playback, he understood that the director was fine-tuning the nuances, like lighting his cowl properly so that it gives off the aura he ideally wanted.
Zoë Kravitz, who portrayed Selina Kyle/ Catwoman backed up Pattinson’s statements and recalled a memory of the director’s freaky attention to detail. She described a scene where one small mouth movement changed the entire vibe of it.
The actress said:
“There was a scene where I — Selina — was coming out of a club and I’m upset and he said, ‘You know, you walk out and you’re upset and your mouth is kind of open because you’re breathing because you’re emotional. And then you’re closing your mouth, but we’re just kind of getting rid of the emotion, just slightly. So try to just keep your mouth relaxed the same way.’ But then I watched back and I can see the difference. And I was like, ‘You are a freak and I love it.'”
It is this prowess of Matt Reeves that made the film a success. Over the months since its release, fans have dissected the film and found it to be perfect in every frame. With Batman 2 now locked in, all eyes are on Reeves and Pattinson to recreate the magic of the first one again.
The Batman is streaming on HBO Max.
Source: Movie Maker
