Robert Pattinson was close to finalising his contract with Warner Brothers for Matt Reeves’ upcoming Batman reboot, but the screen-test didn’t go as well as they’d hope. Nicholas Hoult is now next in line to play the Batman.
Update: Pattinson was a 'safer choice' for Batman.
Pattinson’s agent was confident that he would land the role as Warner Bros new caped crusader, but now they aren’t as certain. According to sources close to production the casting agent wasn’t convinced with Pattinson’s screen-test. They called Nicholas Hoult, who was on the shortlist for the role, in for an impromptu screen-test.
It was recently announced that Matt Reeves’ Batman movie would not be apart of the current DC cinematic universe. The film would instead follow a young Bruce Wayne who is seeking those who were responsible for his parents death. Described by Reeves as a noir-esque crime solving movie, the Batman is rumoured to be apart of the new DC Dark cinematic universe which is shared by the upcoming Joker film starring Joaquin Phoenix.
DC Dark
Not much is known about this new rumoured cinematic universe as Warner Bros remain tight-lipped on anything DC related. However, old reports suggest that this standalone universe is based on Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke and will only accommodate Batman and his villains.
Fans are rightfully sceptical about the new Batman movie being in any way connected to the this year’s Joker film. In 2018 Warner Bros told the press that the new Joker film would indeed be a standalone film. In an interview with Time Out London Phoenix said that he would never do a superhero film.
“I’ve flirted with several of those films, having meetings and getting close, but ultimately it never felt like they’d really be fulfilling. There were too many requirements that went against my instincts for character. I’ve been spoiled. I’ve never had to make those compromises. I’ve not met a director yet with one of those films where we go through the script, they say: ‘You know what, fuck this set-piece, let’s focus on the character!’ I understand, but it’s best I don’t do it,” Joaquin Phoenix said.
Then unconfirmed reports surfaced that claimed Phoenix only took the role because Martin Scorsese was producing it and it was a once and done type of deal. And Phoenix’s contract is apparently only for one film.
Batman Begins… again
Let’s not forget that Chrisopher Nolan’s Batman Begins was also supposed to be a standalone film. Christian Bale was not supposed to return as the caped crusader, that only changed because of demanding fans.
Matt Reeve’s Batman may very much share the same universe as Joker. Although we may never actually see the Phoenix’s Joker meet an adult Bruce Wayne, Joker could serve as an origin story to death of the Wayne family.
Ultimately it doesn’t really matter whether the new Batman and Joker movie are connected. Fans can be happy knowing that Warner Bros still care deeply about the license. They are willing to give people the Batman movie they deserve, and the second guessing on the casting proves that. They want to get it right this time around.
(01:30, 1/6/19) Update: Warner want Pattinson regardless of screen-test, Nicholas Hoult favoured by Reeves.
(02:13, 1/6/19) Update: Pattinson has signed contract, will play Batman in Matt Reeves’ film.