The Batman Has No Business Being Just A Trilogy

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Summary

  • Hollywood’s trilogy obsession is limiting Matt Reeves’ grand Batman universe potential.
  • Not all stories fit a trilogy model, some lore needs more movies for adequate storytelling.
  • Reeves’ Batman series has potential for over 3 films; it shouldn’t be confined to a trilogy.

As a seasoned film enthusiast who has seen the rise and fall of various superheroes on the silver screen, I find myself deeply concerned about the direction Warner Bros. is taking with Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” Having witnessed the evolution of the Caped Crusader since the 90s, I can’t help but feel that a trilogy simply isn’t enough to fully explore the depth and complexity of this iconic character.

Concerns about the speed of “The Batman Part II” script are valid, but there’s another, less apparent issue that casts a shadow over the film series. The upcoming movie could mark Batman’s second trilogy in just over two decades, which wouldn’t normally be an issue, except it may signal the end of one of the most extensive and ambitious live-action portrayals of Batman since Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises” in 2012.

Matt Reeves, who has previously excelled in trilogies following his work on the Planet of the Apes series, is reportedly planning to continue this pattern with The Batman. However, limiting such an intricate and dark portrayal of Gotham City and Robert Pattinson’s performance as Batman to only three films would be a missed opportunity. Pattinson’s Batman and Reeves’ Gotham are too expansive and captivating to be confined within the structure of a trilogy.

Hollywood Has an Obsession With Trilogies

It seems that trilogies are increasingly popular in Hollywood, and it’s not hard to understand why. With their three-part narrative structure – introduction, conflict, and resolution – they offer a sense of unity and focus that is highly appealing to moviegoers. In fact, since the era of “The Godfather,” films labeled as trilogies have consistently resonated with film audiences.

The 2000s marked an era of great trilogies in Hollywood, with Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings,” Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” and “The Hunger Games,” as well as Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy. Among comic book trilogies, “The Dark Knight” is highly revered, even more so than Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man.” It was the first comic book film to earn over $1 billion at the box office with “The Dark Knight,” released in 2008. Additionally, it ranks among the highest rated on Rotten Tomatoes.

Trilogies Are Not One-Size-Fits-All Storytelling Shoe

Not all narratives conform to the three-act structure typically seen in trilogies. Works like “The Hobbit,” given its origin as a short book, and “The Matrix” and “50 Shades” might have been more effectively told as standalone films, while series such as “The Hunger Games,” which spanned four movies, arguably required additional installments to fully develop the story.

George R.R. Martin’s “Fire and Blood” might suffer limitations if adapted into trilogies. The “Dance of the Dragons,” or Targaryen succession war, could theoretically be divided into three parts: the reign and death of King Viserys, the actual civil war, and Rheanyra’s execution and near-extinction of dragons. However, this format would omit several epic battles that can’t fit comfortably within a three-hour movie without significant cuts or sacrifices. While “House of the Dragon” may not be the sole method to narrate such a story (as “The Lord of the Rings” demonstrates), a trilogy structure could weaken its impact significantly.

Matt Reeves’s Batman Is Worth More Than Just Three Movies

Matt Reeves’ “Batmanverse” promises more than just the book, “Fire and Blood.” As a skilled filmmaker, he has crafted a Gotham that feels authentic and compelling enough to sustain a series of at least six films. However, it will conclude as a trilogy. This is delightful news for fans who still cherish the nostalgia of “The Dark Knight,” but those who found Christian Bale’s post-2012 Gotham unsatisfactory and crave a deeper exploration of Bruce Wayne/Batman, spanning multiple films like the “Twilight Saga,” might feel disappointed once again.

The Caped Crusader’s interactions with his extensive library of villains is an enviably vast lore. Unraveling the mysteries behind each awakening in spin-off series like The Penguin only sounds like a good idea when it doesn’t at the cost of more Batman films. Thus, a Catwoman series might be cold comfort for hungry fans. Besides, Warner Bros. has cast a new Batman every seven or so years for the big screen since the turn of the century; the upcoming Andy Muschietti-led DC Universe Batman: The Brave and the Bold would be the fifth in 26 years.

Since it seems unlikely for Robert Pattinson to continue as DCU’s Batman, Warner Bros. and DC executives (including CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran) should consider keeping him in the role for at least five more films before a replacement arrives. This is because there might not be another opportunity due to concerns about Batman fatigue. Additionally, with Gunn suggesting that Superman will lead the new universe, it appears that an in-depth look at Batman and Gotham (without Reeves’ vision) may not be forthcoming soon.

By the time the third movie in the trilogy is released, expected to be around 2029 due to delays with the script for “The Batman Part II,” Robert Pattinson would be approximately 43 years old. This age would still make him suitable for continuing his role as Batman for three more films. Thankfully, Warner Bros.’ history indicates a glimmer of possibility. Todd Phillips’ “Joker” was initially planned as a single movie, but the remarkable box office success led to a sequel – although that didn’t go as well as hoped. In essence, Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” should adopt an open-ended storytelling approach instead of adhering strictly to a trilogy structure.

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2024-12-22 19:33