'The Batman': Paul Dano in talks to play Riddler and everything else you need to know of the Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz-starrer
If you're a Batman fan, get ready to see the Caped Crusader back on screen as a new solo movie is in the works. While the movie doesn't have a title, an official working title has been leaked from the sets. Matt Reeves is gearing up for production on the movie and Production Weekly recently revealed that the movie is being called 'Vengeance'.
Actor Zoë Kravitz of 'Big Little Lies', 'Divergent' and 'Dope' fame has landed the role of antihero Catwoman in 'The Batman', an all-new film reboot of the Dark Knight of the DC universe. Kravitz is all set to play Selina Kyle, a role was previously played by Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
While Robert Pattinson being cast as the caped crusader continues to be a contentious topic — in an interview with Esquire magazine, the 33-year-old actor claimed he "doesn't understand" how he was chosen for the iconic role — Kravitz joining the cast garnered only more excitement for the much-anticipated film.
Release date:
The Batman is set to release in theaters on June 25, 2021.
Plot:
Currently, there is no particular plot revealed for the forthcoming movie. News reports, however, suggest the new film will not be an “origin story”.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year, director Matt Reeves said the film was “very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale,” adding, “It’s told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it’s going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It’s more Batman in his detective mode than we’ve seen in the films. The comics have a history of that. He’s supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and that’s not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been.”
Cast:
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman
The British actor is perhaps most famous for his role as the “vegetarian” vampire Edward Cullen in the film adaptation of the 'Twilight' saga, a young-adult novel series. But even before that, Pattinson was well-received as Cedric Diggory in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. The 33-year-old, however, has also tried his hand at more “serious” cinema. He’s received critical acclaim for his roles in 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Rover', 'Life' and 'Remember Me'.
Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
The daughter of American singer, songwriter and actor Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet, Kravitz has received praise for her performance in HBO’s 'Big Little Lies'. She has also starred in many other globally successful features, such as 'The Divergent' series, 'Mad Max: Fury Road' and 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'.
Funnily enough, this isn’t the first time the 30-year-old will play Selina Kyle/Catwoman. She portrayed the antihero back in 2017, in the animated superhero comedy, 'The Lego Batman Movie'.
Jeffery Wright as Commissioner Gordon
The 53-year-old American actor is best known for his award-winning role in the HBO miniseries 'Angels in America'. Wright has also starred as Felix Leiter in the James Bond films (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and No Time to Die). Wright also received critical acclaim for his performance as Bernard Lowe in the HBO sci-fi/western 'Westworld'.
Director:
Matt Reeves
The American filmmaker is most famous for directing the critically acclaimed science fiction films, 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' and 'War for the Planet of the Apes'. Reeves shot to fame with his 2008 hit 'Cloverfield'. According to reports, Reeves took over the new Batman film from Ben Affleck in January 2017, who departed his role as the caped crusader following Justice League.
Trailer:
There is no trailer released for the movie yet, but be sure to check this space often as we will update it once it is.
News:
According to an October 18 report on Variety, Paul Dano ('Escape at Dannemora') will be joining the cast for the movie as Edward Nigma, the supervillain known as the Riddler. The Emmy-nominated actor has reportedly been engaged in talks for the role after negotiations broke down between the studio and Jonah Hill, who was the one initially being looked at for the part.
Earlier reports suggested actor Jonah Hill of 'Superbad', 'The Wolf of Wall Street', '21 Jump Street' and 'Maniac' fame was also in the mix. According to sources who spoke to Variety, the film’s producers had long wanted Hill for the project, but “casting decisions were put on hold until the role of Batman was filled." But a new report suggests otherwise. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Hill is no longer eyeing the role in ‘The Batman.' The report adds that while Hill was considering playing either the Riddler or the Penguin, he and Warner Bros. could not come to terms on a deal.
The news of Kravitz being cast for the film first appeared when actor Jason Momoa of Aquaman and 'Game of Thrones' fame congratulated her on Instagram. The new Catwoman has also found appreciation from Anne Hathaway, who was the last actor to don the mask.
Again taking to Instagram, Hathaway wrote, “The biggest congrats to [Zoe Kravitz] on landing the role of a lifetime. Well, one life anyway... Enjoy the ride, Selena." Of course, not all had shared such enthusiasm.
Back when 'The Dark Knight Rises' was being cast (Anne Hathaway ultimately made it to the role), Kravitz was reportedly rejected for being “too urban”, controversial, considering her racial background.
"In the last Batman movie [The Dark Knight Rises], they told me that I couldn't get an audition for a small role they were casting because they weren't 'going urban’," Kravitz said at the time. "It was like, 'What does that have to do with anything?' I have to play the role like, 'Yo, what's up, Batman? What's going on wit chu?'" Timothy Chalamet said if the role of Robin, Batman’s sidekick, came up, he would not mind playing it.
If you like this, you might like these:
‘Joker’, ‘Shazam!’, ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Justice League’, 'Batman Begins' and ‘Aquaman.'