I'm Reading Your Stuff: General News and Discussion Thread

[emielaen]

Just because it's planned doesn't mean it'll materialize. Just look at the Authority, Swamp Thing and Waller.

The day they announced everything they also reiterated flexibility; the schedule isn’t fixed and they aren’t gonna run to shoot just bc a finished script is turned in. About half of that OG slate is out, coming out or being made rn. (I remember people saying Supergirl and Lanterns weren’t getting made. But I digress.)

In the mean time, they went and hired/re-hired great talent and put other things into production. That doesn’t really tell me things won’t materialize. It tells me they’re a production studio and can maneuver accordingly.

 

[BatsAndNights]

I just hope Reeves' treats Part Two as a standalone entry, like Nolan did with his films, in case a third entry doesn't happen. I'm not rooting against him (I love Cloverfield, Let Me In and Dawn), but in the current studio environment and Zazlav in charge, if the sequel underperforms it doesn't seem likely that we'll get any more. Especially if Reeves wants 200 million+ like the first one.

I mean, did he?

The initial figure pre COVID was somewhere around $150 million and the official figure post COVID (which absolutely would've inflated it somewhat considering production basically shut down outright for nearly six months along with whatever COVID related measures had to be put in place once production resumed) is $185-200 million. It's not like the main ethos of the sequel as far as we've heard has been "BIGGER AND BETTER" either

 

[Mysteryman]

Didn't dispute that. As I said, time is the only thing which is gonna give us the true answer. But if they pull the plug, there's not exactly gonna be a big delay in it being formally announced. As of this exact moment, we've still got a trilogy coming despite the current circumstances. That can absolutely change on a dime, but that is the current status

Time and box office for, Part 2. If it’s Great, WB might give it a go.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

Part 3 will happen under the same circumstances it always would have: if part 2 makes money. I feel like we could all collectively do well focusing more on the movie we are almost for sure getting - I’m absolutely guilty of thinking about the future too much with this stuff too, but I feel like it’s making everything a lot more collectively unfun.

 

[BobJM]

Still rooting for an adaptation of Prey instead of Hush or Court of Owls.

Give me Jesse Plemons as Sgt. Maxwell Cort / Night Scourge (or, better, omit that moniker), and Ralph Fiennes as Jeremiah Arkham (replacing Hugo Strange, for a more personal/family connection with Bruce). Maybe a final showdown between Batman and Dr. Arkham inside the Asylum with Joker, Riddler, and potential other villain cameos (Sofia??).

Dr. Jeremiah Arkham: Ralph Fiennes, 62
Sergeant Maxwell Cort: Jesse Plemons, 36
Vicki Vale: Alicia Vikander, 36
D.A. Harvey Dent: Benny Safdie, 39

Of course, bring back Farrell as Oswald Cobb as he continues to amass his criminal empire from the ashes of the Falcone family, with help from Councilman Hady.

Catwoman too has a minor role in Prey, and I’d love to Zoe return. But, if she doesn’t, then please please please a HBO series (especially if we’re not getting a S2 for The Penguin). In the comics, Batman kept bumping into Catwoman when he was investigating Falcone—in this universe, I could see her being a thorn in Penguin’s side. Especially after what he did to her half-sister Sofia).

 

[BobJM]

Also, if it’s no longer being called The Batman - Pt II, does anyone have any favorites for a new title?

Kind of like Shadow of the Batman or Legend of the Batman, especially with a Prey-inspired story…dealing with the impact/legacy of Batman’s vigilantism on Gotham City, and how certain Gothamites react to the new status quo.

 

[Lily Adler]

Matt Reeves Batman Part 2 is over 4 hours long and turns into 2 films.

 

[J.Drangal]

Still rooting for an adaptation of Prey instead of Hush or Court of Owls.

Give me Jesse Plemons as Sgt. Maxwell Cort / Night Scourge (or, better, omit that moniker), and Ralph Fiennes as Jeremiah Arkham (replacing Hugo Strange, for a more personal/family connection with Bruce). Maybe a final showdown between Batman and Dr. Arkham inside the Asylum with Joker, Riddler, and potential other villain cameos (Sofia??).

Dr. Jeremiah Arkham: Ralph Fiennes, 62
Sergeant Maxwell Cort: Jesse Plemons, 36
Vicki Vale: Alicia Vikander, 36
D.A. Harvey Dent: Benny Safdie, 39

Of course, bring back Farrell as Oswald Cobb as he continues to amass his criminal empire from the ashes of the Falcone family, with help from Councilman Hady.

Catwoman too has a minor role in Prey, and I’d love to Zoe return. But, if she doesn’t, then please please please a HBO series (especially if we’re not getting a S2 for The Penguin). In the comics, Batman kept bumping into Catwoman when he was investigating Falcone—in this universe, I could see her being a thorn in Penguin’s side. Especially after what he did to her half-sister Sofia).

I'd also like the sequel to be inspired by a story like Prey. It allows to continue to exploit Gotham's reaction to Batman, and a character like Strange is the perfect vehicle to really explore the psychology of this Batman in particular (something that, for me, the first film could have explored even more).
If the desire is to continue the parallel between this Batman and a Cobain-like icon, I'd also turn to a story like Venom. I still think that the adrenaline injection at the end of the first film came out of nowhere, and I'd forgive it a little more if the sequel developed the idea that this Batman, drowning in his desire for vengeance, could be flirting with addiction to various products enabling him to push back his limits.
It's something that's never been tackled in the films, and it would be a fresh and ballsy direction to go in, as well as offering a complex portrait of the character like never before... but that's not going to happen, especially with the way the first film ended and Bruce already on track to let some light enter his shadow.

Personally, while I liked the first film, I often made it known that my problem with it lay in its script, with a mystery that I found a little too predictable and not always very well articulated. In the end, a good story is a good story, but I think I'd honestly be a little disappointed if the next film were to tell the story of Dent's downfall again (although I'd love to see what Marino could do with it) or if it were to go back to a conspiracy among the city's elite...

I may shut up after a killer trailer though...

 

[BatsAndNights]

Also, if it’s no longer being called The Batman - Pt II, does anyone have any favorites for a new title?

Kind of like Shadow of the Batman or Legend of the Batman, especially with a Prey-inspired story…dealing with the impact/legacy of Batman’s vigilantism on Gotham City, and how certain Gothamites react to the new status quo.

Matt was still calling it The Batman Part II when he got asked about it during the Emmys a few months back. I think the whole "sequel has a new name" thing could be a bit overexagerrated honestly

 

[SwordOfMorning]

I love the Part II title - wanted that for the sequels title long before it was announced - but after such a long delay it probably is the right move to call it something that doesn't imply it is the second half of a movie from five years ago the GA may only vaguely remember details of. Probably best to market it as much more of a Standalone Batman Event.

 

[BobJM]

I'd also like the sequel to be inspired by a story like Prey. It allows to continue to exploit Gotham's reaction to Batman, and a character like Strange is the perfect vehicle to really explore the psychology of this Batman in particular (something that, for me, the first film could have explored even more).
If the desire is to continue the parallel between this Batman and a Cobain-like icon, I'd also turn to a story like Venom. I still think that the adrenaline injection at the end of the first film came out of nowhere, and I'd forgive it a little more if the sequel developed the idea that this Batman, drowning in his desire for vengeance, could be flirting with addiction to various products enabling him to push back his limits.
It's something that's never been tackled in the films, and it would be a fresh and ballsy direction to go in, as well as offering a complex portrait of the character like never before... but that's not going to happen, especially with the way the first film ended and Bruce already on track to let some light enter his shadow.

Personally, while I liked the first film, I often made it known that my problem with it lay in its script, with a mystery that I found a little too predictable and not always very well articulated. In the end, a good story is a good story, but I think I'd honestly be a little disappointed if the next film were to tell the story of Dent's downfall again (although I'd love to see what Marino could do with it) or if it were to go back to a conspiracy among the city's elite...

I may shut up after a killer trailer though...

Totally agree about the predictability of the first movie—maybe that’s always going to be an issue moving forward as a long-time Batman fan but, at this point, with so many iterations of Batman onscreen, it’d be great to see something different.

Venom is another great shout-out—it’s a shade to Batman we’ve yet to see onscreen. And provides the potential for a new villain for him to face off against.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

IMO, the first movie might as well end with a giant blinking neon sign saying I AM NOW CLASSIC HEROIC BATMAN. The Venom storyline feels like a weird fit to follow that up.

 

[solidsnake86]

I love the Part II title - wanted that for the sequels title long before it was announced - but after such a long delay it probably is the right move to call it something that doesn't imply it is the second half of a movie from five years ago the GA may only vaguely remember details of. Probably best to market it as much more of a Standalone Batman Event.

I think you're right and that may be the reason why the title is not "set" anymore.

March feels like it will be another slow month in terms of news. Hoping by April/May we start hearing some breadcrumbs of info.

Although, the Penguin releases next week on home video so at least there is that.

 

[BobJM]

IMO, the first movie might as well end with a giant blinking neon sign saying I AM NOW CLASSIC HEROIC BATMAN. The Venom storyline feels like a weird fit to follow that up.

I don't think they're mutually exclusive? At the end of The Batman, Batman now understands he's more than just vengeance--he's a beacon of hope for a very broken city. That's a lot of pressure for one man. He's trying to be everywhere at once, further isolating himself in the BatCave and in his mission.

Rather than accept the help of allies (like Alfred, Gordon, Catwoman, etc.), he relies on this Venom compound but doesn't realize it's dulling his senses & his ability to be an effective Batman. Which, in turn, could pit him against the GCPD (especially officers like Maxwell Cort who resents that a masked vigilante is above-the-law while he is restrained to the confines of the job).

Then, you could have a cerebral villain (Hugo Strange, Jeremiah Arkham, Deacon Blackfire), further complicating matters

 

[SwordOfMorning]

Ol Bill Ramey abruptly doing a 180 and implying he thinks Battinson will be in the DCU on Twitter all of a sudden via Nacho Libre gif? Am I misreading his intent or? Not that he’s the most reliable source now.

 

[TheGDBatman]

Ol Bill Ramey abruptly doing a 180 and implying he thinks Battinson will be in the DCU on Twitter all of a sudden via Nacho Libre gif? Am I misreading his intent or? Not that he’s the most reliable source now.

He seems to think that Clayface was originally destined for The Batman Part II but it was shifted to the DCU because the grounded version "didn't work". If I recall correctly, very early on he implied that Clayface was the villain in The Batman Part II..... so I'm not sure if he's just trying to legitimize old tweets for the sake of relevancy or if he actually knows something. But citing old articles from 2022 certainly doesn't strengthen his case imo.

I still don't see Pattinson getting folded into the DCU... otherwise you'd think they would have announced it by now. The only possible thing I could see is that they're holding off to see what the reception is for Superman before they tie him to the DCU banner, but even then I'm not sure it 100% makes sense.

 

[WayneMB]

i'm now 90% sure Harvey Dent is gonna be in this. the anti-corruption task force seems curated for him and i predict him leading it while 'big bad harv' will be actively working against it.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

The obnoxious and absurdly ableist Hollywood version of DID is maybe the last thing I want in the sequel. Fine in a 90s kids show, gross lame and cheesy in a modern movie. It’s both just demonization of an actual disorder as well as deeply corny.

 

[BobJM]

Would love to have Harvey Dent in the mix, but not keen on him being the villain. Fine with him being a red-herring though

 

[ENCK]

He seems to think that Clayface was originally destined for The Batman Part II but it was shifted to the DCU because the grounded version "didn't work". If I recall correctly, very early on he implied that Clayface was the villain in The Batman Part II..... so I'm not sure if he's just trying to legitimize old tweets for the sake of relevancy or if he actually knows something. But citing old articles from 2022 certainly doesn't strengthen his case imo.

I still don't see Pattinson getting folded into the DCU... otherwise you'd think they would have announced it by now. The only possible thing I could see is that they're holding off to see what the reception is for Superman before they tie him to the DCU banner, but even then I'm not sure it 100% makes sense.

Especially since Gunn said, "Patterson will NOT be the DCU Batman." During his junkett

 

[WayneMB]

i mean gunn is not exactly a truth teller

 

[solidsnake86]

Ol Bill Ramey abruptly doing a 180 and implying he thinks Battinson will be in the DCU on Twitter all of a sudden via Nacho Libre gif? Am I misreading his intent or? Not that he’s the most reliable source now.

I saw that as well. He is also dead set against Reeves' batman in the DCU so I don't think he would make something like that up.

But I think right now it's more of a wait and see what happens with superman. If superman is as successful as the Batman I think they join up. If it's an utter disaster, the Batman continues as its own thing and the DCU ends as soon as it began.

I just don't see a world where there are two on screen batmen at the same time. No fan can convince me otherwise because only comic book fans think it's a good idea. Also, if I'm Pattinson and/or his agent I would be pissed at this whole situation.

When it comes to Clayface, any casual person is going to think this is related to Reeves' batman once they hear this is a Batman villain so I'm not surprised Reeves is producing it. I'm sure he wants some control over the batman content because it does ultimately affect his series.

 

[TheSmoothKnight]

Let’s just say that there is a lot of pressure on this upcoming Superman movie. If it doesn’t do well ( I think it will.) will it force WB/DC to combine the two universes? Let’s be real, Matt Reeves’s Batman stuff has been the only thing from DC that has been golden since 2021.

Can Mike & Pam Survive at Warners?

As Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy’s first full slate for Warner Bros. hits theaters, the talk around town is about the studio’s big budgets, risky bets, and how David Zaslav let his deputies spend so much.

puck.news

 

[solidsnake86]

^ if you're Reeves though, and superman doesn't do well criticallly, do you want to tie your film series to the DCU?

I think that is the question that is facing him right now. Along with what level of say and control he has over batman. It's also facing James Gunn and probably why some reporters at the most recent press conference made a specific note to point out that Gunn "shuddered" at the idea of sharing batman.

In the broader context of things, superhero movies are not sure fire hits, many countries are facing an economic recession, if not already in one, WB is also in clear trouble. I'm sure multiple people have told Gunn to streamline the product, not create various versions, so that resources such as marketing can be utilised appropriately.

 

[Babillygunn]

Let’s be real, Matt Reeves’s Batman stuff has been the only thing from DC that has been golden since 2021.
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Can Mike & Pam Survive at Warners?

As Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy’s first full slate for Warner Bros. hits theaters, the talk around town is about the studio’s big budgets, risky bets, and how David Zaslav let his deputies spend so much.

puck.news

I’m trying to think what DC film from 2021 was golden.

The Suicide Squad?

Aside from that I cannot think of anything I’d consider even halfway “good.” (Aside from Superman and Lois, of course.)