It's only a matter of weeks now until 'The Batman', one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year, is released worldwide.
So we thought it a perfect time to do a deep dive into what we can expect going into the movie on March 4.
There is a basic understanding of the movie's plot, but a lot is still unknown. However, here's what we do have information on for Matt Reeves entry into the world of Gotham.
What type of Batman will we see?
Robert Pattinson's Batman is going to be slightly different from the ones we've seen on screen before. What's notably different is the age profile and experience of the big bat himself.
'The Batman' is set in the early days of Bruce Wayne's caped crusader era. In fact, he's only just around a year or so into wearing the suit and taking to the streets. That means the Batman we see on screen will be much more raw, much less qualified and not yet respected by the public or the authorities.
The significance of that means we'll see a Batman focused more on solving crimes (and riddles) on the ground, a grittier and more "realistic" superhero than the one we might've become used to.
The comics very much expand on Batman's genius-level intellect. However, it's not something we've seen all too much in the movies. Movie Batman has been, for the most part, a superhero running mostly on muscle and fear-factor.
Matt Reeves, the film's director, stated that the storyline will be focused on Batman's legacy as "the world's greatest detective."
"This story is, in addition to being almost a horror movie, a thriller, and an action movie, at its core, it's also very much a detective story. It's very narrative."
Reeves has drawn inspiration from various Batman comics for his movie, but has specifically referenced 1987's 'Year Two' and 2000's 'Batman: Ego and Other Tales'
Who will he be up against?
The 'Batman' movies have given us some incredibly iconic villains throughout the years, particularly in Cristopher Nolan's 'Dark Knight' trilogy. From Heath Ledger's Joker, Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow and Tom Hardy's Bane, the new film has a lot to live up to in terms of Gotham's wrong-doers.
There will be two main villains in the upcoming movie, the Penguin and the Riddler. But don't be surprised if more show up in brief cameos or even subtle nods to future potential sequel appearances.
The Penguin is played by Ireland's own Colin Farrell, but you would barely know it. He's wrapped up in mounds of makeup and prostethics to give him a distinct look.
"I found it hard to find out where he was and his trajectory as a man and as a criminal," said Farrell in an interview with Fandango. "Because I know the Penguin we found was very aspirational. He had dreams about power and dreams about getting out from beneath the shadow of what he perceived as his own disfigurement and for how he was judged as well."
The Riddler is played by the fantastic Paul Dano. He is far from the luminous green spandex-wearing Jim Carrey version though. Dano's Riddler has a much more threatening appearance and is based partly off the Zodiac Killer.
How is Catwoman involved in all of this?
Catwoman is nearly as iconic as Batman at this point. Various iterations have been seen throughout the years with actors like Michelle Pfeiffer, Ann Hathaway, Eartha Kitt and of course... Halle Berry.
Now Zoe Kravtiz steps into the fold as Batman's mysterious friend Selina Kyle. Just like Batman, Catwoman is at the beginning of her career and still figuring things out about herself. Kravitz has stated that this is a just woman trying to survive.
"I think she really wants to be free from her past in this story. The Catwoman that we know and love who's really able to relish and enjoy the chaos is not quite there yet, so its a really interesting place to meet her."
Will this be a standalone movie?
The short answer is no. Already, it's been confirmed that there will be at least two spinoff television shows on HBO Max in the coming years, set in Reeves' Gotham.
One will focus on Gotham police department, with Joe Barton (Giri/Haji) attached as showrunner. There are very few details surrounding the show still, but it will focus on the corruption surrounding the department during the height of crime in Gotham.
Another spinoff will be focused on Oswald Cobblepot, more commonly known as the Penguin. It would see Farrell reprise his role as the underworld mobster. The series has been in development since September last year. Reeves and the film's producer Dylan Clark would executive produce the Penguin series.
As far as movie sequels go, a trilogy is what's planned by Warner Brothers. Robert Pattinson has already stated he would be on board for a three-film run. There seems to be a lot of world building in this film and across the spinoffs so it wouldn't be a shock to hear of sequel talk pretty much straight after the movie's release.
"I’ve talked to Matt about the idea of doing a trilogy, and that would be wonderful. I really, really enjoyed the process and it’s such a fun character to play."
'The Batman' releases in Irish cinemas on March 4.
