![]() While Marvel Studios and the majority of films in the DC film universe have focused on getting the biggest names, or the kinds of names that lend themselves to breaking out within the celebrity machine and social media “stanning,” The Batman seems almost classic in the way it’s being cast. But look at the cast of The Batman and you largely see a group of performers who aren’t prone to scheduling conflicts or are tied up in half a dozen other franchises, or who typically seek out the kinds of films that would make their appearance in The Batman seem trivial and repetitive. There is a need for actors who can commit to these roles for a long time, something that didn’t seem to be in Ben Affleck’s future given his career as a director. Longevity has become as equally important to superhero movie casting as talent. It’s possible that The Batman will not only launch a new trilogy but create a larger Batman universe that includes characters like Batgirl and Nightwing. Reeves has picked actors who might not match the look of comic counterparts to a tee, but have the acting capabilities to bring these characters to life in not only new ways, but lasting ones. ![]() The ability of Reeves to go from Jonah Hill (who once considered The Riddler or The Penguin) to Farrell speaks to his larger casting ambition, one that isn’t limited to body types, age or nationality. Gotham City is a strange world, befitting actors willing to get strange and walk the line between naturalism and camp. The talent that Reeves has gathered doesn’t simply seem like a “cool kids’ table” of names to sell, but a collection of artists who will breathe life into this world, rather than the other way around.Įven looking at the shortlists and failed negotiations that impacted Reeves’ film provide a lens into a film that is looking for performances a bit more off-kilter and surprising than what’s expected. ![]() And Dano not only held his own against Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood, but he’s emotionally compelling in a way that echoes John Cazale. Kravitz employs a kind of naturalism and sincerity that doesn’t carry a trace of affectation. Serkis is a chameleon, whose ability to harness the craft is ahead of his time. ![]() Wright is a consummate professional, and one of film’s great thespians who provides a solid foundation to every film or series he appears in. Similarly, Farrell, a character actor that Hollywood tried to force into the box of leading man during the early 2000s, has emerged as one of our most versatile actors when allowed to let go of the kind of straight laced self-awareness that prevents too many leading men from losing themselves in a role. Pattinson may have starred in one of the biggest franchises in 2000s, but his larger filmography, which includes Cosmopolis (2012), The Lost City of Z (2016), Good Time (2017) and The Lighthouse (2018), tells a story of an actor far less interested in being a heartthrob than seeking out challenging roles to disappear into, roles in films that don’t rely on the marquee potential of his name or fan base. These are all actors who have thrived in supporting roles and developed their own tics and rhythms that demand the viewers’ attention even when they’re sharing a screen with a bigger name. We could debate who exactly qualifies as a character actor, but looking at the cast list of The Batman, and even considering the leading roles some of those actors have held over the years, and it becomes clear that there is something different brewing here than the average superhero movie. Rather, the director who has thrived on the strength of his casting decisions is populating his Gotham City with celebrated character actors who not only provide the film with some prestige with the cast’s collective awards nominations, but also the strangeness that is the backbone of a strong take on Batman. But Reeves doesn’t seem interested in splashy movie stardom for The Batman, or in reaching out for the biggest names or up-and-comers ready to made into movie stars, a practice that has become common in the latest superhero movies. Each of these actors is taking on an iconic role that has been cemented in the public consciousness by a prior performances that led to increased stardom and demand. While there are a few more characters rumored to be featured in the film, it seems that Reeves has found his primary players. Joining Robert Pattinson as Batman are Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth and Colin Farrell is in negotiations to portray The Penguin. The central cast for Matt Reeves’ The Batman is nearly complete, and with it we can start to see the vision the filmmaker has in store for the latest iteration of Gotham City.
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