The Batman: How Matt Reeves’ vision changes everything
Photo Credit: Batman/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc Image Acquired from DC Entertainment PR
Batman has as many nicknames as directors and actors who brought him to life. Matt Reeves has a specific vision for The Batman, but what kind of Bruce Wayne best fits his story?
Matt Reeves is next in line to direct a Batman film. Over the years, we’ve had a number of directors with a specific vision for what type of Batman they wanted. All of them drew inspiration from the pages of DC Comics, but there’s no doubt each man behind the camera left his mark on Batman. From Tim Burton to Chris Nolan, to Zack Snyder, each director take on Batman felt unique.
Batman’s of years past
Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns were dark, gritty and the first of their kind. His 1989 film was an origin story, a depiction far different from Adam West’s comedic version. Burton’s films drew inspiration from the early Batman comics, and, he focused heavily on rogues like Joker, Catwoman, and Penguin. In fact, it was Joker (Jack Nicholson) who stole the show and became the focus; as opposed to Bruce Wayne himself. The same can be said of Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in Batman Returns.
For his Dark Knight Trilogy, Christopher Nolan placed Batman in the real world. Unlike Burton, there was a more realistic take on the hero. Nolan also drew inspiration from Frank Miller’s Dark Knight series. We got to see some of Miller’s Year One play out on the big screen in Batman Begins, while the latter films focused more on the psychological depth of villains like Joker, Bane, and Harvey Dent.
Most recently, there’s the DC Extended Universe Batman, the brainchild of Zack Snyder. This version of Caped Crusader was ripped straight from the comics. He was physically imposing and brooding but with Snyder’s own unique twist. And Bruce was a seasoned vet with a tragic past that forced him into a dark, psychological corner. There was no retelling of his origin — nor was there any need.
Now, we have Matt Reeves following up the many depictions of the beloved hero. Like his predecessors, Reeves has his own vision. The difference is he’s boxed into a universe with expectations of continuity and an actor fans love in the role.
Nevertheless, Reeves promises to do something that no other Batman film has done. There’s a chance for him dive into a part of Bruce Wayne that none of predecessors was able to.