The release date for The Batman is gradually stepping closer into view, anchored by promotional rollouts that help to generate excitement for the newest take on the iconic Bruce Wayne narrative. Now, a newly released clip centers around Bruce Wayne and the Riddler, highlighting the villains madness while equally setting the stage for what's to come.
The Riddler, played by Paul Dano, looks to be added to an exclusive list of unforgettable antagonists for Gotham's masked vigilante. The character's perverse behavior has been discussed for months leading up to the release of The Batman, sparking hope within many that his barbarity will add an edge to the franchise that hasn't surfaced before.
It's important to note that Reeves stated Riddler's sinister plan begins with the mayor of Gotham, presumably the character at the center of the crowded funeral. The clip opens with a familiar moment from the trailers, showcasing Wayne, shamed for not doing enough for Gotham by a mayoral candidate equally looking to obtain his support. The focus then moves to a silent moment held between Wayne and supposedly the deceased mayor's son before the voice of Jeffrey Wright's Jim Gordon is heard discussing the sudden disappearance of a character by the name of Gil Colson. Next, rumblings can be heard, followed by screams, leading to a fearsome encounter between Wayne and the Riddler cloaked heavily in shadows.
The clip continues with another familiar moment from the trailers, showcasing a car bursting through the chaotic setting as Wayne leaps, pulling the mayor's son away from its destructive path. Once the vehicle crashes, Gil Colson emerges from the driver's side of the car, ducked taped with a bomb strapped around his neck. The tape contains the phrase "No more lies," and upon his chest is a taped note addressed solely to the Batman. It's no secret the Riddler hopes to unearth some uncomfortable truths in the plague-ridden city, with Bruce Wayne clearly at the center of his attention. Most looks at the film imply that the villain already knows Batman's true identity, but this clip helps to confirm further that Wayne's secret is well-known to the vicious character.
Throughout the clip, Bruce Wayne, played by Robert Pattinson, doesn't say a word, but the emotional nature of the moment comes through in his demeanor and facial expressions. This version of Wayne looks to differ from past portrayals of the character, carrying a caliginous air about him that Pattinson executes well in the footage. His nonverbal cues help provide an edge to the masked vigilante, which many felt would be absent due to the film's PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association. The clip, while brief, resembles the atmospheric realism of the similarly rated Dark Knight trilogy but embodies a unique tone all its own.
As The Batman's release creeps closer into theaters, no stone is left unturned. Trailers and posters have fanned the flames of enthusiasm for months, alongside the release of Michael Giacchino's score for the film, which makes the wait for many that much more unbearable. It was undetermined if a clip would surface for audiences, seeing as how most of the film's critical components are under wraps. Luckily a taste of what's to come has arrived for The Batman, and it looks to mirror the hype it has exuded since its inception.
The Batman will land in theaters on March 4, 2022
Source: Mario Z/ YouTube