The second trailer for Justice League post-credits sequence. Due to studio restructuring and an overhaul of DCEU direction, however, The Batman is now a standalone movie directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson in the title role.
The Batman's first trailer released in August 2020, and offered an early glimpse at Pattinson as arguably the most brooding, dark, tortured Dark Knight ever to grace a cinema screen. Still in the early stages of his crime-fighting career, Batman teams up with Jeffrey Wright's Jim Gordon as The Riddler (Paul Dano) embarks on a killing spree of public figures, communicating with Bruce via his traditional method of clues and puzzles. The trailer included brief looks at Colin Farrell as Penguin and Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, and though the butler stayed off camera, we know Andy Serkis plays Alfred Pennyworth.
After a hugely successful debut event in 2020, DC FanDome is back for 2021. Last year's online convention found an innovative way to provide fans with all the latest DC news, updates and trailers at a time when physical gatherings were tricky. The format was widely hailed as a triumph, and returns for a second year, putting The Batman top of the bill. Here's our complete breakdown of The Batman trailer 2.
37. The Batman's Gotham Resembles Blade Runner
Since Matt Reeves took charge on The Batman, the director has been busily crafting the most noir-ish environment any cinematic Bruce Wayne has dwelt within thus far. The opening shot from The Batman's second trailer highlights exactly why, depicting the noir-est of noir settings imaginable. A dingy backstreet cafe on a rainy, fog-filled night is lit only by the neon lights and curved glass windows. It's a typically Gotham-esque collision of downbeat and shabby with the ever-so-slightly futuristic - a neat visual metaphor for the city's economic disparity.
36. Jim Gordon Catches Riddler
The Batman's previous trailer revealed a first look at Paul Dano's Riddler, but only wearing a rudimentary mask that a Slipknot percussionist would be proud of. The latte drinker in the second trailer's diner is Edward Nashton, the Riddler himself, and though we don't get a good look at his face, the heavy police presence and "?" foam art are solid clues. Jim Gordon can be seen leading the squad that brings Riddler in, but the ease with which they do so is highly suspicious. One would expect this capture is all according to Nashton's super-cerebral plan.
35. The Batman's New Bat Signal Shows Gotham's Realism
After the obligatory DC and WB logos, The Batman's second trailer gives a clear look at the new Bat signal atop GD headquarters, with Jeffrey Wright's Jim Gordon firing up the iconic beacon. This Bat signal is simply a large chunk of metal vaguely resembling a bat shoved into the center of a searchlight, creating the most rudimentary live-action Bat signal yet (apart from Christian Bale using an actual criminal). The amateurish signal not only demonstrates how green Batman is within the vigilante game, but also how grounded and realistic Matt Reeves' vision for The Batman is, even compared to Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy.
34. "Fear Is A Tool" & Pattinson's Perfect Batman Voice
Ahead of DC FanDome 2021, a short teaser revealed more of Robert Pattinson's Batman voice, and fans responded with delight on social media. The trademark deep, gravelly tones are present, but where some past actors have sounded in desperate need of cough syrup, Pattinson's voice possesses a much more natural quality. As for the content, "fear is a tool" speaks to Batman's tactic of striking fear into the city's criminals, while his next line about the Bat signal acting as a "warning" cements Pattinson as the most violent, dangerous cinematic Batman yet.
33. Robert Pattinson's Full Batman Costume
Looking up at the Bat signal is none other than the man himself - Robert Pattinson in full costume. It's clear that the cowl is very low-tech, and the whole ensemble brings a homemade feel that's nothing like the suits of armor audiences have come to expect from big screen Batmen. Particularly interesting is that, despite The Batman aiming for a very grounded aesthetic, the most comic book-ish elements of Pattinson's costume (namely the pointy ears and cape) are actually exaggerated. Matt Reeves is brewing an intriguing visual mixture of Christopher Nolan and Tim Burton - especially in the costume department.
32. The Clown Gang - Is Joker In The Batman?
The first enemies spotted in The Batman trailer 2 are the same villains glimpsed in previous footage - Gotham gangsters wearing clown-like white face paint. There's no obvious counterpart in DC comics that might identity this group but, of course, wherever there's clowns in Gotham City, Joker usually isn't far behind. Chances of the Clown Prince himself appearing in The Batman are slim, but these goons may confirm his presence in the background, paving the way for Joker's debut in a sequel. Other rumors suggest The Batman may be somehow connected to Joker (despite the timeline difference), and criminals wearing clown face paint would that theory.
31. Titans' Tim Drake Cameos In The Batman
Actors are lucky to receive one call-up into Titans season 3 as Tim Drake, the third official Robin. In The Batman, he's among the clown-faced gangsters getting bloodied and bruised at the hands of Robert Pattinson. Lycurgo's movie role is almost certainly smaller than the Tim Drake Titans gig, but his The Batman character may hold some deeper significance that's hidden in the trailers.
30. Pattinson's Batman Costume Is Realistic (But Bulletproof)
Given how basic Robert Pattinson's Batman costume is compared to his fellow cinematic superheroes, it's only natural to assume he'll be more vulnerable to attacks. The Batman's second trailer proves otherwise. Facing off against the clown-painted criminals, Batman's gear absorbs several bullets in quick succession, with Bruce barely getting knocked back by the blasts. The Batman may take place during the DC superhero's early years, without the bells and whistles he'll later add, but Bruce isn't taking any chances with Gotham's gun-toting scumbags.
29. Pattinson's Batman Uses A Taser - The Most Brutal Batman Yet?
In one of several impressive action scenes teased by FanDome's The Batman trailer, Robert Pattinson takes on a dozen or so clown gangsters at a rainy subway station using nothing but his fists... almost. Pinning one criminal against a pillar, Batman emits an electrical charge into the villain's neck, suggesting the Dark Knight's either wielding a taser, or has one secreted within his gauntlets. Though the shock doesn't look fatal, it's certainly unusual to see Batman carrying such weaponry when a solid punch to the face usually gives the same result. Bruce's taser is yet another example of how The Batman's title character cranks the violence up several notches.
28. Batman Visits Riddler(?) In Arkham
When it comes to Batman movie interrogations, it's impossible not to think of Heath Ledger's Joker. The Batman has its own version, with Robert Pattinson visiting a patient whose face is obscured. Given the circumstances, Riddler is the most obvious guess and, if so, The Batman's marketing is making great effort to obscure the villain's face. That's pretty suspicious... Although the setting is unclear, Riddler's jumpsuit appears to read "Arkham Hospital" (though it could also say "Gotham"), which could mean "asylum" has been dropped due to the outdated connotations.
Batman screams "what have you done?" which s the theory that Riddler lets himself be captured after laying the necessary pieces of his scheme. Batman's rage in this scene shows how deeply Paul Dano's Riddler is getting under the vigilante's skin. Riddler, meanwhile, claims he's been trying to "reach" Batman, referencing the greetings card clue from the previous trailer.
