The Batman Part 2 Might Lose Who Made The First Film Great, But A New Vision Awaits

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The Batman Part 2 Might Lose Who Made The First Film Great, But A New Vision Awaits

Key Takeaways

  • Greig Fraser’s groundbreaking cinematography defined the iconic visual style of The Batman.
  • Fraser’s availability for The Batman Part II is uncertain due to possible commitments with Dune: Messiah.
  • If Fraser doesn’t return, the legendary Roger Deakins could step in to maintain The Batman’s visual excellence.

As a die-hard fan of cinematography and a connoisseur of dark, atmospheric films, I cannot help but express my fervent hope that Roger Deakins will be behind the camera for The Batman Part II. His work on films like The Shawshank Redemption and Skyfall has left an indelible mark on cinema, and his influence is evident in Greig Fraser’s stunning visuals for The Batman.

In 2022, the movie “The Batman” transformed from good to exceptional under the guidance of a skilled craftsperson, and that’s precisely what transpired. The impact of Robert Pattinson’s first appearance as the Caped Crusader wouldn’t have been so highly praised without Matt Reeves at the helm as director, Michael Giacchino’s evocative musical score, and above all, Greig Fraser’s revolutionary cinematography.

The character “The Batman” is closely tied to its distinctive visual style, reflecting the movie’s underlying themes of darkness and enigma – a testament to Fraser’s skill in creating this atmosphere on such a grand scale. However, whether the talented cinematographer will return for “The Batman Part II” remains uncertain. This uncertainty places DC Studios and Warner Bros. in a tough spot, as they must find a suitable replacement capable of delivering a successful sequel while the original Batman continues to protect the night.

Greig Fraser May Not Return To The Batman Part II

The Batman Part 2 Might Lose Who Made The First Film Great, But A New Vision Awaits

The availability of the cinematographer for the next Batman film is linked to the potential production timeline of another anticipated sequel: Dune: Messiah. As he worked with Denis Villeneuve on both parts of Dune, there’s a possibility that Fraser might decide to work with Villeneuve again, considering his win for Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards for the first Dune. Although no specific release date or shooting schedule has been announced for Dune: Messiah, various sources suggest multiple possibilities. A recent unverified report from @DCFilmNews on Twitter hints that Villeneuve could begin work on Dune: Messiah as early as 2025, which would require Fraser’s participation.

The proposed release date for this movie clashes with “The Batman Part II,” scheduled to start filming in April 2025 following a major postponement. This could potentially mean the film will move forward without Fraser, who is known for shaping its distinctive visual aesthetic. Additionally, Denis Villeneuve appears eager and prepared to reunite his cast in their Fremen costumes once more. In an interview with Deadline, the Canadian director hinted at plans to unveil “Messiah” by 2026, sparking enthusiasm among “Dune” enthusiasts while causing apprehension among “The Batman” fans.

After completing Part Two of these movies, I had planned on taking a break, retreating into nature for some rest. However, nature didn’t seem to provide the solace I expected, and I found myself eagerly returning to work behind the camera sooner than anticipated. But that’s as much as I can disclose.

Who Can Replace Greig Fraser In The Batman Part II?

The Batman Part 2 Might Lose Who Made The First Film Great, But A New Vision Awaits

If Villeneuve decides against his regular visual partner rejoining the upcoming Batman sequel, another esteemed collaborator of his, none other than the acclaimed Sir Roger Deakins CBE, could step in to help DC. Deakins is not just any skilled cinematographer; he’s widely regarded as the best – a title backed up by his iconic work on films like Blade Runner 2049, The Shawshank Redemption, and Skyfall. Deakins could potentially be available for the DC project, given that he may only be involved with Sam Mendes’ Beatles biopics (not yet confirmed), which is scheduled to start filming towards the end of 2025.

Rooting for Roger Deakins to shoot The Batman Part II isn’t an educated wish, as Deadpool would call it. The English visionary is a big fan of the first film and the industry knows it. The two-time Oscar winner (and 15-time nominee) called out The Academy for leaving Matt Reeves’ film from the list of contenders for the cinematography prize that year. Deadline reported in March 2023 that Deakins had high praise for The Batman, specifically for Greig Fraser’s visual flair.

In a nutshell, the exceptional cinematography in “The Batman” was overlooked during the nominations. In my opinion, it’s the best work I’ve seen. The reason it didn’t get nominated is simply due to snobbery. There’s this persistent bias against the Marvel universe and other popular franchises. However, quality should never be judged by genre; good work is good work regardless of its source.

Did Roger Deakins Inspire The Batman’s Look?

The Batman Part 2 Might Lose Who Made The First Film Great, But A New Vision Awaits

Roger Deakins would be an excellent choice for “The Batman Part II” due to several factors, one being that Greig Fraser, the cinematographer for “The Batman,” has acknowledged Deakins as a significant influence. The visual style of “The Batman” closely resembles the dark and grounded tone of “Blade Runner 2049,” which is also associated with Deakins’ work. This is evident in Fraser’s use of realistic lighting environments and creative, low-tech solutions, contributing to the film’s distinctive moody atmosphere. Essentially, it was Deakins’ masterful manipulation of shadows and light that helped create the immersive and realistic environment seen in “The Batman.

Should Greig Fraser be unable to work on the sequel, director Matt Reeves has several other highly capable alternatives at his disposal. These include his long-time collaborator Michael Seresin, and visually fitting choices like Darius Khondji or Hoyte van Hoytema. Additionally, cinematographers from HBO’s “The Penguin,” such as Darran Tiernan, Jonathan Freeman, or David Franco, could also be potential collaborators. However, it seems that Reeves is hesitant to explore options beyond Fraser for this project, as he expressed in an interview with Collider last month.

I’m not sure if we’ll be working together on The Batman Part II just yet. I truly hope that our schedules will coincide for this project, but at the moment, I don’t have definite information. We’ll need to see how things unfold regarding timing. I really enjoy collaborating with Greig and think he’s terrific, so if we can make it happen, I’d be thrilled!

It’s possible that Fraser could shock everyone by selecting Reeves instead of Denis Villeneuve. If this occurs, it might lead to a shift in circumstances, possibly resulting in Roger Deakins teaming up with Villeneuve once more on “Dune: Messiah”. As enthusiasts of “Dune”, “The Batman”, and the overall advancement of cinema, we can only hope that Warner Bros. can manage the scheduling issues for both sequels.

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2024-11-04 03:05