Christian Bale, the Batman of Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy has not yet seen Matt Reeves’ Batman with Robert Pattinson… And here is his reason!
Batman is arguably one of DC Comics’ most beloved and most portrayed heroes onscreen, whether in animation or live-action. And 2022 marked the return of the franchise, seen this time by director Matt Reeves. Reimagining the famous Dark Knight, The Batman follows a young Bruce Wayne, played here by Robert Pattinson, who is in his second year as protector of Gotham City. A critical and commercial success, The Batman won the heart many fans: a good reason for the Warner Bros. studios. to officially announce a sequel in preparation, with the confirmed returns of the director and its headliner.
But before Pattinson there was Christian Bale in the black mask of the famous Avenger Bat, star of Christopher Nolan’s beloved The Dark Knight trilogy, which debuted with Batman Begins in 2005. Similar to Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne, the version by Christian Bale evolved in a grounded and realistic world, where there were no other superheroes. The latter, who finished his tenure as Batman in 2012 with The Dark Knight Rises, is set to return to the heroic genre with his role in Thor: Love and Thunder. At a recent release event for the upcoming Marvel movie, Variety asked the actor if he’s seen The Batman. His answer: not yet!
“I still haven’t seen it. I am going to see him. […] It’s amazing how few movies I see. All the directors I work with, I’ve only seen a few of their films, and they always look at me and say, ‘Are you kidding?’ I really like to savor movies and I don’t want to watch too many of them. But I will, I certainly will. Robert [Pattinson] is an absolutely wonderful actor. We passed each other, we talked about it a little in advance and I heard wonderful things.”
Christian Bale is one of the few actors to have portrayed the role in an entire trilogy. Although he doesn’t have his own solo film series, Ben Affleck has also lent his features to the cult figure in three films, joining Zack Snyder’s DC Universe in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016. Affleck later reprized the role in Suicide Squad and Justice League, and is set to appear in The Flash in 2023. Michael Keaton, who will also be seen in The Flash, meanwhile starred as the superhero in Tim’s adaptations. Burton, Batman (1989) and Batman, the challenge (1992). It only remains for Robert Pattinson to appear in two other films to join the exclusive club of those who have played Batman three times!
As for when Christian Bale will watch The Batman and what his opinion will be on the film and his colleague’s performance, we will have to be patient. In the meantime, bets are off!