The DC live-action universe is an ever-changing place. While Marvel Studios reveals full phases for its release schedule, Warner Bros. is influenced by the performance of each new movie. Certain projects have taken a bit longer to develop, with projects like Flashpoint and The Batman being delayed multiple times throughout the years.
The Batman has had a very long life in development, although it seems to be moving forward with Robert Pattinson attached to play the title character. The movie was originally going to star Ben Affleck's version of the character, with the filmmaker even attached to direct it himself. And now we've got an idea of what his The Batman would have looked like, thanks to cinematographer Robert Richardson, who was attached to film the original movie. As Richardson put it:
I wanted to shoot Batman with Ben [Affleck] cause that was the next film we had. There was a script, but not a loved script. There was a lot of work he was doing to it to change it. He was going into the more insanity aspects. He was entering more into the Arkham, he’s going into where everyone was bad.
Honestly, how cool is that? While this is still a concept that might be going into Matt Reeves' mysterious movie, DC fans are likely to get serious FOMO hearing about doing a deep dive into Arkham Asylum.
Robert Richardson's comments come from his recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, and are sure to excite the myriad gamers who played the Batman: Arkham series. The first of those four games took the Dark Knight deep into the titular Asylum, which is filled with members of his rogue gallery. It's an exciting concept that Bat-fans everywhere would be thrilled to see happen in live-action, especially with Richardson as cinematographer.
Alas, that first script was likely tossed a long time ago, and The Batman was been stuck in development hell for some time. Matt Reeves took over directing duties from Ben Affleck years ago, with the actor eventually hanging up the cowl and cape for good following the poor performance of Justice League. Reeves has been largely tight-lipped about his movie, although he's clearly pivoting from the Batfleck era by casting a younger actor to play the part.
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The official synopsis for The Batman hasn't been released yet, so the original plans about Arkham Asylum can still come to fruition. The movie was previously reported to focus on Batman's work as the World's Greatest Detective, a side of his crimefighting that usually doesn't make it to the big screen. Let's hope that happens within the walls of the mental facility, and while dodging various deadly (and criminally insane) members from his rogue gallery.
The Batman is currently set to arrive in theaters on June 25th, 2021. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
