Matt Reeves' The Batman starring Robert Pattinson, finally has a working title as it nears its start of principal photography; according to Production Weekly the film will be tentatively called Vengeance. Though Warner Bros has not released any plot spoilers or details about the script, the DC fandom already has some theories about the upcoming flick based on the title.
It's possible that Thomas and Martha Wayne's murder will make for a crucial subplot in the film; although the film is not an origin story, it will feature some of the foundational moments in the Caped Crusader's trajectory, which is also the reason why Warner Bros opted for a younger Batman and replaced Ben Affleck with Pattinson. Interestingly, Batman's narrative has always had a thematic allegiance to the idea of vengeance, but in the upcoming film, it will make for a driving force in the superhero's agenda.
It was revealed last month that the film will have several scenes set in the Arkhaim asylum, which is a fictional psychiatric hospital from the Batman comics; one of its most notable residents is of course, Two-Face, who is a part of the movie and will be essayed by Peter Sarsgaard. Batman:Vengeance is also the name of a 2001 video game which takes place in a post-Joker Gotham, where crime gangs are back in power and Batman is framed for an attack against Commissioner Gordon.
Though it's unlikely that the film follows the video game, it may borrow some influences from its script, especially as Joker is missing from both these narratives, making way for other iconic Batman villains to shine. Many fans believe that the 'Vengeance' is a thematic nod to Kevin Conroy's depiction of Batman in the Animated Series, specifically the episode titled Nothing to Fear, where Batman had famously said, "I am vengeance. I am the night. I am Batman."
Reeves had revealed last year that the new Batman will have the tone of a noir detective thriller. It's very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale. It's told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it's going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It's more Batman in his detective mode than we've seen in the films. The comics have a history of that. He's supposed to be the world's greatest detective, and that's not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been," Reeves had been quoted saying.
Besidies Paatinson and Sarsgaard, the film also stars Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Paul Dano as The Riddler, Andy Serkis as Alfred and Colin Farrell as Penguin. The film is scheduled to release in June 2021.