Vengeance is returning to Gotham. Warner Bros. Pictures made that revelation plus a couple of first-look debuts during the studio’s presentation April 26 at CinemaCon, the annual convention of movie theater owners held this year in Las Vegas.
‘The Batman’ Sequel
Warner announced that director Matt Reeves has begun scripting a sequel to “The Batman,” which he and Dylan Clark would also return to produce. The news comes on the heels of the current film passing the $750 million mark at the global box office. The announcement was made by Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, and Reeves himself, who joined Emmerich onstage during his opening remarks.
HBO Max recently announced a series centered around Colin Farrell as The Penguin, derived directly from the universe launched by the “The Batman.” Reeves is currently reteaming with J.J. Abrams and DC universe veteran Bruce Timm on the streamer’s upcoming animated series “Batman: Caped Crusader.” The filmmaker’s prior films include the hugely successful “Planet of the Apes” franchise, the acclaimed fantasy horror film “Let Me In,” and the sci-fi horror hit “Cloverfield,” among others. Reeves’ additional credits include the popular TV series “Felicity,” which he co-created with Abrams, as well as the series “Ordinary Joe,” “Lift,” “Mother/Android,” “Away,” “Tales from the Loop” and “The Passage,” among others.
‘Don’t Worry Darling’
Director Olivia Wilde unveiled the first look at Harry Styles and Florence Pugh in the psychological thriller “Don’t Worry Darling.”
In the film, a 1950s housewife (Pugh) living with her husband (Styles) in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company may be hiding disturbing secrets.
During her presentation, Wilde shared the idea behind “Don’t Worry Darling,” which is inspired by “Inception,” “The Matrix” and “The Truman Show.” She calls the movie “a love letter to movies that push the boundaries of our imagination.”
Slated to open in the Philippines this September, “Don’t Worry Darling” is Wilde’s follow-up feature to 2019’s coming-of-age comedy “Booksmart.”
‘Barbie’
A first-look image of the much-anticipated live-action adventure “Barbie” starring Margot Robbie was also revealed at CinemaCon. The photo features Robbie behind the wheel of a pink convertible, flashing a megawatt smile and donning a polka dot headband.
Directed by Academy Award-nominee Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with her partner Noah Baumbach, “Barbie” opens in Philippine cinemas in 2023.
While receipts for the latest “Fantastic Beasts” movie are still coming in, Warner is celebrating the triumph of “The Batman” which has flown past $750-M at the global box office. The film has maintained its top spot as the highest-grossing film of the year, both in the U.S. and worldwide.
Earning widespread praise from critics and audiences alike, director Matt Reeves’s powerful new vision of the globally iconic DC Super Hero has taken in $365 million in U.S. receipts and $386 million internationally, and is still going strong.
In the Philippines, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” likewise opened at No.1 for the two-day April 16-17 frame, capturing a market share of 63%. Together with “The Batman” which is still playing in local theaters, Warner is dominating the market with an over-all 68% share for the same period.
“We couldn’t have started the year better,” said Francis Soliven, General Manager of Warner Bros. Philippines. “`The Batman’ and the new `Fantastic Beasts’ are consecutive blockbusters for Warner this early in 2022, and we owe it to the local moviegoers who, despite the challenges, have trooped back to the theaters.”
For the rest of 2022, Warner is betting on Baz Luhrmann’s epic musical “Elvis,” the animated superhero comedy “DC League of Super-Pets,” the horror-thriller “Salem’s Lot,” the psychological thriller “Don’t Worry, Darling” and the superhero tentpoles “Black Adam” and “Shazam: Fury of the Gods.”
About “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore”
Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” is the newest adventure in the Wizarding World™ created by J.K. Rowling.
Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?
The film features an ensemble cast led by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”), two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law (“Cold Mountain,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley”), Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, Katherine Waterston, and Mads Mikkelsen.
“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” was directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling & Steve Kloves, based upon a screenplay by J.K. Rowling. The film was produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves, Lionel Wigram and Tim Lewis. Neil Blair, Danny Cohen, Josh Berger, Courtenay Valenti and Michael Sharp served as executive producers.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films Production, a David Yates film, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” now playing in Philippine theaters. The film is distributed worldwide in select theatres and IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #SecretsOfDumbledore
The Warner Bros. Pictures global blockbuster, Matt Reeves’The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne premieres Monday, April 18 first on HBO GO.
Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz) and Batman (Robert Pattinson) in The Batman
Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman (Robert Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies – Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) – amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens.
When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Paul Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.
Starring alongside Pattinson (Tenet, The Lighthouse) as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (Big Little Lies, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) as Selina Kyle; Paul Dano (Love & Mercy, 12 Years a Slave) as Edward Nashton; Jeffrey Wright (No Time to Die, Westworld) as the GCPD’s James Gordon; John Turturro (the Transformers films, The Plot Against America) as Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard (The Magnificent Seven, Interrogation) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (Farewell Amor) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the Planet of the Apes films, Black Panther) as Alfred; and Colin Farrell (The Gentlemen, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) as Oz, aka The Penguin.
Reeves (The Planet of the Apes franchise) directed from a screenplay by himself and Peter Craig, based on characters from DC. Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger. Dylan Clark (the Planet of the Apes films) and Reeves produced the film, with Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Simon Emanuel serving as executive producers.
The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team included Academy Award®-winning director of photography Greig Fraser (Dune, Lion); Reeves’ Planet of the Apes production designer, James Chinlund, and editor, William Hoy; editor Tyler Nelson (Rememory); and Oscar®-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (1917, Little Women, Anna Karenina). The music is by Academy Award -winning composer Michael Giacchino (the current Spider-Man, Jurassic World, Star Wars films, Up).
Filipinos can stream or download The Batman from April 18 first on HBO GO. Also enjoy other Batman films including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Dark Knight, as well as Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store on your device for as low as ₱99.70/month. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
The Caped Crusader is back on the big screen, and if you have yet to see Matt Reeves’ take on the famous DC superhero, then you’re surely in for a treat! Aside from the promising performance of Robert Pattinson as the new Dark Knight, the superhero movie also doubles as a compelling noir thriller perfect for fans of the genre!
Whether you’ve seen the film or are still contemplating it, here are some offscreen facts about The Batman that you will surely find interesting!
1. Robert Pattinson auditioned in George Clooney’s Batsuit.
In an interview with Comicbook.com, The Batman actor Robert Pattinson revealed that he actually auditioned for the role wearing the infamous Batsuit of George Clooney from Joel Schumacher’s 1997 Batman & Robin film– yes, it’s the one with the nipples.
“It was incredible,” Pattinson said during the interview. “I mean, I remember when I was doing the screen test, because it was really fun and it was really, really long. I mean, I literally did a screen test in it for about eight hours and the entire time was just pouring sweat so much with Matt saying, ‘What can we do about this sweat?’ I’m like, ‘There’s nothing to be done. The only way past this is not drinking any liquids.’”
“I remember sneaking a little selfie in it when everyone left the room thinking if this doesn’t work out… I’ll always have this. I’ll always have a picture of me and my nipples!” added Pattinson.
Photo: Batman & Robin on Netflix
2. Paul Dano’s Riddler is based on the Zodiac Killer.
While the common depiction of the Riddler is a grinning criminal who likes to throw taunts, Paul Dano’s Riddler in the film gives off a terrifying impression. This is because director Matt Reeves actually based his take on the character on the infamous and unapprehended serial killer Zodiac, who in real life taunted the authorities with ciphers and coded messages.
“I read Mindhunter. It made me think of the Zodiac killer, and how he actually wore this primitive costume that really is a primitive superhero costume… a rogues’ gallery costume,” director Reeves told Total Film, via Games Radar. “And I was like, ‘Oh, that’s really scary, the idea of people really wearing masks, and withholding their identities, and terrorizing people, and how scary that is.’ And so I started thinking, ‘Well, it could be an origin tale for the Riddler, and it could be an origin tale for some of these other characters.’”
Paul Dano suited up as the Riddler. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
3. Pattinson didn’t know that Batman was a detective.
Throughout his long history, Batman has been called many names like the Dark Knight, the Caped Crusader, and the Defender of Gotham, but Pattinson revealed that he didn’t know that the superhero was also called the “World’s Greatest Detective” before filming.
Pattinson shared with GQ that when Reeves told him that he wanted to do a ’70s noir detective story, Pattinson didn’t know that detecting is actually what Batman does.
“I kind of assumed that meant the mood board or something, the look of it. But from the first shot, it’s, ‘Oh, this actually is a detective story.‘ And I feel like an idiot because I didn’t even know that Batman was ‘the world’s greatest detective’; I hadn’t heard that in my life before—but it really plays. Just ’cause there’s a lot of stuff where he’s in amongst the cops. Normally, when you see Batman, he arrives and beats people up. But he’s having conversations, and there are emotional scenes between them, which I don’t think have been in any of the other movies.”
Jeffrey Wright’s James Gordon investigates alongside Batman. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
4. Matt Reeves tried to turn down the project.
As it turns out, while Matt Reeves has always been a fan of Batman, he wanted to say no to the project when Warner Bros. pitched it to him. This is because the original script, penned by Ben Affleck who was also supposed to play the role, was filled with action and rooted in Batman’s role as part of the DC Extended Universe.
“I read a script that they had that was a totally valid take on the movie. It was very action-driven. It was very deeply connected to the DCEU, with other major characters from other movies and other comics popping up. I just knew that when I read it this particular script was not the way I’d want to do it,” Reeves told Esquire.
“I said look, I think maybe I’m not the person for this. And I explained to them why I love this character. I told them that there have been so many great movies, but if I were to do this, I’d have to make it personal, so that I understood what I was going to do with it, so that I know where to put the camera, so that I know what to tell the actors, so that I know what the story should be. This take, I told them, pointing at the script, is a totally valid and exciting take. It is almost James Bond-ian, but it wasn’t something that I quite related to,” added Reeves. In the end, Warner Bros. allowed Reeves to have his own take on the film and it definitely delivered.
Director Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson in the Batman suit. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
5. In the making of the film, Reeves was inspired by Nirvana & Hollywood films.
As both writer and director of the film, Matt Reeves takes a lot of credit for the creation of this new Batman flick. Sharing his many inspirations, Reeves cited Nirvana and even revealed how his Batman was inspired by the band’s Kurt Cobain.
Reeves told Esquire, “Early on, when I was writing, I started listening to Nirvana, and there was something about ‘Something in the Way’, which is in the first trailer, which is part of the voice of that character. When I considered, ‘How do you do Bruce Wayne in a way that hasn’t been seen before?’ I started thinking, ‘What if some tragedy happened, and this guy becomes so reclusive, we don’t know what he’s doing? Is this guy some kind of wayward, reckless, drug addict?’ And the truth is that he is a kind of drug addict. His drug is his addiction to this drive for revenge. He’s like a Batman Kurt Cobain.”
Other inspirations for the movie according to Reeves are the films The French Connection, Taxi Driver, All The President’s Men, and Klute.
Superhero fans and K-Pop stans’ interests have aligned at Cinema ‘76 Café this March as the alfresco movie-themed café celebrates the releases of “The Batman” and “BTS Permission To Dance On Stage – Seoul Concert”.
Free Batman and Riddler latte art
In time with the release of Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” this week, Cinema ‘76 Café offers free latte art on hot drinks featuring the iconic Batman symbol and the question mark — The Riddler’s calling card. Simply present your movie ticket of “The Batman” purchased from Cinema ‘76 microcinema to get cool designs poured on your cups.
Treat yourself to a hearty breakfast before your screening and indulge in refillable Americano coffee every morning from 8 am – 11 am.
The March movie line-up for the microcinema also includes Disney Pixar’s latest animated movie “Turning Red” and Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-nominated musical “West Side Story”. Tickets are priced at Php 280. Book your tickets at bit.ly/c76tickets.
K-Pop stan drinks, pasta, and sandwiches
Have a taste of one of South Korea’s popular drinks with Cinema ’76 Café’s Soju Yakult Series. The first drinks in the series are inspired by the global pop sensation BTS. It comes in two refreshing flavors: “Borahae”, a sweet berry concoction in a pretty purple hue, and “Young Forever”, a more grown-up twist on everyone’s favorite childhood yogurt drink.
The BTS-inspired mix is available for a limited time only from March 7 to March 20. Catch it while you can and enjoy the Unli Soju Yakult (Php 399) every night from 6 pm to midnight. Expect more flavors to be added to this series inspired by some of your favorite K-pop groups.
Aside from these exciting drinks, Cinema ‘76 Café is introducing a new line of pasta dishes and sandwiches. These include Ala King Pasta (Php 280), Pinoy Pasta (Php 275), and the house special, Spicy Laing Tuna Pasta (Php 255). The café’s delicious sandwiches come in six variants: Egg Salad Sandwich with chips (Php 195), Chicken Sandwich with chips (Php 295), BLT Sandwich with chips (Php 295), The Ultimate Clubhouse Sandwich with chips (Php 355), Classic PB&J with chips (Php 155), and The Wrong Sandwich – a play on the name of the local luncheon meat (Php 295).
The open-air cafe operates Monday to Sunday from 8 am to midnight. For more updates, follow Cinema ‘76 Cafe on Facebook and Instagram.
Filipino talents in Hollywood continue to represent with their world-class craft. This time, Filipino-American Robert Alonzo is making us proud by heading up the team that trained Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz for their fight scenes in Warner Bros. Pictures new epic superhero film, The Batman. He was also responsible for other physical demands required for the film’s massive action sequences.
Robert Alonzo
Pattinson said in an interview that he felt completely prepared for the fight scenes thanks to the weeks of prep with Alonzo, stating, “Rob has a great style. You learn certain signature moves, which you can build into different patterns really quickly.”
“Rob Alonzo and his whole team are just incredible people,” said Kravitz, who has known Alonzo for most of her life, ever since he taught her Tae kwon do when she was just seven. “He was really concerned about everything feeling grounded and being motivated by emotion and that’s really great.”
Alonzo is a Hollywood veteran with 25 years of diversified skill-set and international resume as a Stunt Performer, Fight Choreographer, Stunt Coordinator and Second Unit Director. His Second Unit directing credits include “Oblivion,” “Tomorrowland,” “Deadpool,” “Bright” and “Alpha.” He also helped design the action scenes in the animated film, “Incredibles 2.” In the following interview, Alonzo talks about working with Pattinson, Kravitz and director Matt Reeves, while giving us a glimpse of his Filipino heritage.
Question: How did you land the dual roles of Supervising Stunt Coordinator and Second Unit Director for “The Batman”?
Robert Alonzo: I landed the dual roles of Supervising Stunt Coordinator and Second Unit Director when I was called by Dylan Clark, who I had worked with previously on “Oblivion” starring Tom Cruise. On “Oblivion” I also served as the Supervising Stunt Coordinator and Second Unit Director. Dylan and I had previous experience working together so he called me to team up again, this time with himself and Matt Reeves. Matt and I then hopped on the phone to discuss the project and we both hit it off creatively. He said that he wanted a raw, grounded and visceral approach to this iteration of Batman. I then said that although I am able to design action for various different types of genres (sci-fi, thriller, comedy, western, fantasy, superhero, etc), I gravitate most to designing and executing action that is based on reality and abides by the laws of physics that we as humans clearly understand. Matt’s version of Batman is also the version of Batman that I wanted to see most as a fan of the franchise. His take was so interesting… It was a great match and I’m so grateful that Matt and Dylan believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be a part of this team!
Q: How did you design the action to execute Matt Reeves’ vision?
RA: Matt’s vision was to have the action raw and real so that the audience feels every punch, kick, fall, hit, and crash through the emotion of the characters, whether they are enduring extreme amounts of pain or experiencing pleasure and satisfaction while doling it out. With that, I studied each character and their respective journeys throughout the story so that we can design movement based not only on their physical attributes, but also on the emotional state for each specific moment. Every move had an objective and we strayed away from inefficient action that was “action for the sake of action”. By taking into account each of the varying character personalities, it helped me design distinct styles of action per character for their fighting, driving/riding, and improvisational adaptability to the moment as well as the environment. This way Batman’s objective can remain clearly distinct from the objectives of Catwoman, Penguin, and the Riddler. This meant that I also had to train the cast in their respective styles of fighting. For example, the goal of fight training with Rob Pattinson was to allow the jeopardy to come in much closer than he’s used to in order to eliminate anticipatory movement and heighten his close proximity reactivity. With this as a primary goal, we trained him in FMA – Escrima/Kali/Arnis, Penjak Silat, Muay Thai, JKD, Boxing, and Kickboxing. For Rob, we avoided kicking and used more hammer fists, elbows and knees, while also drilling with sticks that would later enable him not only to improve his reaction time in closer pockets of engagement, but also to pick up anything and use it as a weapon. In contrast to this, the character of Selina Kyle/Catwoman felt like she kept everyone at a purposeful distance and was always beguiling in her personality. With that as an overall character focus, we complemented her physicality by training Zoe Kravitz in the styles of TKD, Hapkido, Capoeira, Boxing, Savate, and Muay Thai. Her style was focused more on speed, agility, footwork, feinting, and evasive movement because it requires her comfort level to be much more distance oriented.
Q: How was Matt Reeves as a collaborator?
RA: Matt is fantastic to work with! He cares so much about each character, each moment, each frame. His attention to detail is amazing and he always pushed towards creating a very real world where the audience can believe that Gotham and it’s characters actually exist. Every time we would review a stunt or action sequence, we would always discuss the emotional perspectives of each character to keep everything grounded for each individual character in each specific moment. It’s so rewarding working this way because we were always striving for the consistency of authentic character emotion while matching it with their respective character physicality. It was such a wonderfully challenging experience!
Q: What’s it like working with Robert Pattinson?
RA: Working with Rob was such a fun experience! He came in and fully committed to the approach. He was a sponge and wanted to learn everything from a place of developing and understanding his own character. He was very interested in “why” he would do things rather than simply learning choreographed moves without understanding the purpose. This desire helped me focus Rob’s training on learning real world-practical technique, and we focused a lot on the strategic side of fighting in order for him to learn the advantages and disadvantages of being in an attacking, defensive, or neutral position. We discussed the pros and cons of each position so that he can understand things from an applied methodology rather than a more surfaced approach focused on aesthetic form. He loved it… And so did I! As a former martial arts instructor, I’ve always had a passion to develop training programs for actors with this approach. And it has always been my hope that the actors I train would continue to pursue some type of training on their own beyond the film. I always believe that if you practice with a passion, you will always have the passion to practice. And Rob definitely exhibited these traits. It was such a rewarding experience.
Q: We heard that Zoe Kravitz practically knows you all her life, ever since you taught her Tae kwon do at age 7. What is that dynamic like? Having been her teacher back then, and now designing action scenes for her?
RA: Yes, it’s true! I’ve known Zoe for such a long time. She was one of my students that took regular group classes and also did private lessons with me on a regular basis. She was really good and was so driven and focused, even at such a young age, when I noticed a lot of kids were so easily distracted. I recall the moment she first came into the dojo with her dad holding her hand. I found it hard to contain my excitement at the time because I am a huge fan of Lenny Kravitz. Let Love Rule is still one of my favorite albums of all time! But I remember pulling myself together as I looked at the little rocker girl by his side. I noticed that Zoe already had a presence back then. And it was once she stepped on the mat with her uniform on and I saw her doing drills and forms that I realized how special she was going to be. I remember saying to my fellow instructors back then, “watch out for that one…she is going to be a force when she gets older.” And it came true! So when I finally heard the news that she was cast as the iconic Selina Kyle, I was super excited! Then when she showed up to our first training session, we hugged it out and took a stroll down memory lane with an already an established level of comfort and trust. She even texted me a picture of us back then that her mom took of us in class together. It brought back some pretty cool memories.
I’ve trained actors before, but I’ve never trained an actor that used to be my student. It was something I’ve never experienced. And once we began training it was electric hearing the gunshot smack on the mits and pads, feeling the power of her kicks and punches once again. But this time her focus and intensity had elevated to a whole other level as she quickly recalled her understanding of the practicality and strategy of the movement. It was so great because it felt like we were picking up right where we left off. However, the challenge ahead of us was that we had to train in more complex movement that reflected her character throughline. In some instances, it was movement that she had never done before. But as she did when she was younger, she picked up quick… It was so gratifying seeing all that training from when she was younger come full circle. Designing her sequences was one of my favorite parts of this journey because it was very challenging to make sure her movement was strong and fierce, while maintaining the power in her femininity. We talked a lot about that and it helped that we were on the same page with her intentions from moment to moment. It was such a great experience directing her action scenes because I knew how to tap in and get the best out of her performance because of the comfort level that was established over 20 years ago. I can’t wait to see all her hard work on the big screen and what she does with this character in the future. It will definitely be something special!
Q: Where is your family’s roots in the Philippines?
RA: My mother and father were both born and raised in the Philippines. I believe my father was from Cagayan while my mother was from Tarlac. They both spoke Tagalog and my dad also speaks Ilocano. My brother was born in Baguio and I was born in Manila, but we were both raised in the US, having lived in San Francisco for 5 years until my parents finally settled down in Los Angeles. Unfortunately though, My brother and I were never taught to speak in Tagalog or Illocano. One thing I wished I would have learned growing up.
Q: When was the last time you visited? Where did you go and how was your stay?
RA: The last time I visited the Philippines, I think I was 13 or 14. I went to Manila and Cagayan and spent two months there when I went, but I haven’t been back since. I’ve always wanted to go back and even had an opportunity to work there on “The Bourne Legacy” when Jeremy Renner asked me to go because he wanted to fight me on screen! We became friends when we trained together for “Mission Impossible 4.” He loved to train and we worked out together almost everyday. I would have loved that opportunity to go back, but I already had committed to working on “Jack Reacher” with Tom Cruise so that never panned out. Hopefully one day, I’ll be able to go back and learn more about the islands, people and heritage that I’m so proud to be apart of.
Q: We heard that your next goal is to step up into directing and writing your own films. What stories would you like to bring to the screen? Which genre are you drawn to?
RA: Yes, making that next step into the director’s chair has always been the goal. But for me, it is so important to find the right project with the right people once I make that jump. So on the road to taking that next step, I relish any opportunity to collaborate and learn from all the great filmmakers out there. I’m so grateful for all the knowledge that has made me the filmmaker I am today and plan to utilize all the tricks I’ve picked up along the way once the right directing opportunity presents itself. I hope to start my directing career in the action genre because that is what I’m most comfortable with, but I look forward to a time when I would get the opportunity to potentially direct a crime thriller, a historical biopic, and even an animated feature since that has been my first artistic passion since I was 6 years old drawing flip pages. I was even fortunate enough to work on Incredibles 2, which was an unforgettable experience working at Pixar with Brad Bird and the rest of that team. It was a satisfying feeling to know that the filmmaking tools I learned in my college animation classes were very much applied on some of the biggest features out there. Hopefully one day soon I’ll be able to command the emotions of an audience as a director in the same way the auteurs I have worked with have done it so brilliantly in the past. Fingers crossed, my time is coming soon!
“The Batman” is now showing in cinemas across the Philippines.
“I am vengeance.” The first time that Robert Pattinson uttered these words in The Batman trailer, fans knew that we’re in for quite a different ride in Matt Reeves’ iteration of the Caped Crusader.
That trailer was a year ago. Now, we’re just a day away from seeing the film in all its glory on the big screen! This March 2, we’ll see the Dark Knight as the world’s greatest detective who must track down a masked killer targeting Gotham’s elites. With the killer called the Riddler fond of using deadly contraptions and leaving behind riddles and ciphers for the Batman, the budding hero of Gotham is sought to crack the case and put a stop to the killings with the help of his newfound allies, James Gordon and Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman.
Before the official release of the film, members of the Philippine press were given the chance to attend the film’s global press conference virtually, which was joined by director Matt Reeves, producer Dylan Clark, its cast members Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, and more! Below are a few things you need to know about The Batman, according to its creators and cast.
When the Knight is young
There have been different takes on Batman on the big screen, but what sets this new movie apart from the past adaptations? For one, The Batman is set just over a year after Bruce Wayne decided to put on the cowl. This means that just like everybody else going into a new job, he is still learning the ropes. This also gives the viewers a glimpse of his early dynamics with Gordon and Selina.
“I knew that I wanted to take this iteration of a younger Batman who was early in his arc– that there was room for growth, room for an awakening, and put him at the center of this mystery that would pull us into the path of all of these characters,” explained director Matt Reeves who also worked on the script.
Director Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson in the Batman suit. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Robert Pattinson also said that it makes up for a more interesting Batman for him to play.
“Normally for Batman, he goes away, trains, and he comes back fully realized. He’s confident that his abilities have changed, he’s confident and he’s heroic. In this [film], I love all the kinds of frailties he has– like when he was using the cape for the first time. Batman has always been fallible, he’s just a man in an armored suit, but this really embraces that. It makes it more interesting to play,” said Pattinson.
Of course, behind the mask, this Batman is also quite different from being the admired billionaire of Gotham. The Bruce Wayne in this film is a total recluse who is far more focused on being the Batman, rather than putting on the facade of a socialite.
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
The Cat’s chemistry with the Bat
As mentioned, The Batman gives us a look at the Dark Knight’s relationships in its earlier days. In the case of Batman and Selina Kyle, the film already bares some romantic chemistry between the two as questions about a city-wide conspiracy put them both on the same path.
Zoë Kravitz who plays Selina Kyle talked about the chemistry between the two characters, saying that slipping into it was very easy.
“Me and Rob had been friends for a long time and I think a lot of [the chemistry] was on the page,” said Kravitz. “It’s really what Matt wrote, the emotional states of both of these characters were so clear and the connection that they find in each other and why they connect was so clear, so I feel like it was kind of built-in.
“These people, they’ve both felt alone their entire lives, and to meet somebody who has a similar way of thinking, and that grabs you the way that they grab each other, I think it really is in the heart of the story and it’s really a big deal for both of these characters to feel this way. So if you’re attached to your character emotionally, it’s really easy to play that part of it.”
Zoë Kravitz’ Selina Kyle and Pattinson’s Batman. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Partners in fighting crime
Meanwhile, the dynamic between Batman and James Gordon– who is still a police lieutenant in this film– also stands out in this film. Asked why and how this team-up came to be, James Gordon’s actor Jeffrey Wright believes that the partnership stems from the police officer’s desperation.
“Two isolated characters in a sea of mistrust that is Gotham,” Wright began. “For Batman, there’s something within the core of the character that we’ve come to know that he’s honorable– troubled, and all of that– but there’s something honorable there. I think perhaps he recognizes that maybe there’s a strand of that within Gordon despite the company that he keeps.
“But I think for Gordon, ‘there’s something very useful about this guy, I’m not quite sure what it is.’ Again it’s early days in the relationship, but when he has so few tools of his own and so few partners of his own that he can trust, it’s really out of a sense of desperation that he says, ‘well, bring him on board.’”
Jeffrey Wright’s James Gordon investigates alongside Batman. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
The Riddler and a city riddled with crime & corruption
The Riddler also gets a revamp in the film– far from the image of an energetic Jim Carrey in green spandex or Frank Gorshin clad in a green suit. In this film, we get a merciless manhunter in a creepy leather mask and a grungy green jacket.
Paul Dano plays this film’s Riddler which director Reeves actually based on the real serial killer known as the Zodiac, who is infamous for not being caught and taunting the authorities with ciphers and phone calls.
Paul Dano suited up as the Riddler. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Asked how he brought the Gotham villain to life, Dano said “I spent a lot of time thinking about the Batman.
“I love the idea that you can’t really have Batman without his rogues’ gallery, but I love that you can have this Riddler, without the Batman. I think that the dynamic between them, [in] the storytelling and with the camera, there is some boundary there that I think is beautifully explored.
“There’s more murkiness to the morality, it’s less just hero and villain, and black and white. There’s not just protecting the status quo, there is something wrong in the city, and it’s really complicated to have a villain who– some of his ideas are not wrong, but the execution is a little off. But I found that to be really complicated and compelling. It’s Batman, it’s Gotham, there are these incredible archetypes at work in its history. But I think the contact with reality in this character, [it comes] from an as emotional and psychological place as possible, but the contact with reality is also what makes it, I think, potentially really scary,” explained the actor.
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
Inspirations from pages and films
During the press conference, director Matt Reeves also mentioned the many comics and films that inspired The Batman.
“In the comics front, I did a deep-dive and read so many comics. I would say that tonally, [Batman: Year One]. There was something in the tone of that. It was grounded in a way and also felt cinematic in a way that reminded me of an American 70s movie[…] And then Ego by Darwyn Cooke was really important because it was really dealing with the psychology of being Batman, the idea of the beast within and [his] internal struggle, which I thought was really captivating. And I would say The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, that was super important because it was this idea of a serial killer who has a series of crimes and the idea of Batman getting caught up as the world’s greatest detective. Drawing from those, I think the comic book front was really important.
“As for the movies that were so inspirational, to me, there’s a way in which Gordon and Batman in this movie are Woodward and Bernstein, with all the corruption and how high does it go. And so it’s kind of like All The President’s Men, and there’s a bit of French Connection, and there’s a bit of Taxi Driver. You know, it’s neo-noir, it’s like Alan Pakula’s Klute– the relationship between Klute and Bree Daniels very much informs the relationship between Batman and Selina. So there are a lot of 70s movies that were, to me, are the movies that really inspired me to make movies in the first place,” Reeves explained.
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
The Batman also stars Colin Farrell, Andy Serkis, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, and Jayme Lawson. Distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, this film opens in Philippine theaters this March 2. Tickets are now available.
The stars of Warner Bros. Pictures’ new superhero epic adventure The Batman have taken to the red carpet as part of the celebrations at the film’s London special screening on February 25.
Robert Pattinson who plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne / The Batman led the cast on the red carpet. Joining him were Zoë Kravitz (who plays Selina Kyle), Paul Dano (The Riddler); Jeffrey Wright (Lt. James Gordon) and Andy Serkis (Alfred Pennyworth).
Check out the photos below taken from the red carpet and watch “The Batman” exclusively in Philippine cinemas March 2.
About “The Batman”
From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.
Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman (Robert Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies—Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright)—amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens.
When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Paul Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.
Starring alongside Robert Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse”) as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Big Little Lies,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”); Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”); Jeffrey Wright (“No Time to Die,” “Westworld”); John Turturro (the “Transformers” films, “The Plot Against America”); Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Interrogation”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”); and Colin Farrell (“The Gentlemen,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”).
Reeves (“The Planet of the Apes” franchise) directed from a screenplay by Reeves & Peter Craig, based on characters from DC. Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a 6th & Idaho/Dylan Clark Productions Production, a Matt Reeves Film, “The Batman.” The film is set to open in Philippine theaters on March 2; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #TheBatman
We’ve got a solid lineup of films hitting the big screen soon! From Robert Pattinson suiting up as the Batman to Jared Leto’s Marvel superhero pic, there are many films to enjoy in the theaters for the month of March.
Here’s a list of movies in Philippine cinemas this March 2022:
When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld.
Mei Lee is a confident dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming is never far from her daughter. As if changes to her interests, relationships, and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited she “poofs” into a giant red panda!
Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder, and determined to save others suffering his same fate, Dr. Morbius attempts a desperate gamble. What at first appears to be a radical success soon reveals itself to be a remedy potentially worse than the disease.
Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero when Dr. Robotnik returns with a new partner, Knuckles. Sonic teams up with Tails in a journey to find a powerful emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.
[Note: release dates subject to change without prior notice.]
The wait is almost over. Batman fans across the Philippines have a chance to be one of the first people in the world to see The Dark Knight’s next big screen adventure.
Warner Bros. Philippines has just announced that tickets to the nationwide midnight screenings of “The Batman” on March 2 at 12:01AM are now available. Fans may check the social pages of Warner Bros. Philippines for updates on participating cinemas.
Advance ticket selling for dates after March 2 has also started. The public may buy their tickets now.
Watch the film’s latest trailer below:
From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.
Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman (Robert Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies—Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright)—amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens.
When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Paul Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.
Starring alongside Robert Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse”) as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Big Little Lies,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”); Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”); Jeffrey Wright (“No Time to Die,” “Westworld”); John Turturro (the “Transformers” films, “The Plot Against America”); Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Interrogation”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”); and Colin Farrell (“The Gentlemen,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”).
Reeves (“The Planet of the Apes” franchise) directed from a screenplay by Reeves & Peter Craig, based on characters from DC. Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger. Dylan Clark (the “Planet of the Apes” films) and Reeves produced the film, with Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Simon Emanuel serving as executive producers.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a 6th & Idaho/Dylan Clark Productions Production, a Matt Reeves Film, “The Batman.” The film is set to open in Philippine theaters on March 2; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #TheBatman
