Thoughts on The Batman’s Camera Test Footage

Director Matt Reeves gave us our first look at Robert Pattinson as Batman via a screen test. 

A screen test. 

Of course this whipped up fans across the board as the footage, coming in at just under a minute, also contained the first notes of composer Michael Giacchino’s score. Soon after, social media exploded with feedback and nonsense theories that dissected everything about a…screen test.

You might be thinking about just what it is that people are making a big deal over in the video. Could be the red light, which some are saying could hint at romantic tones in the movie. Or maybe it represents blood. Or maybe Reeves just wanted to see what the suit looks like under a red light. Perhaps he has other footage with blue and yellow lights. 

The suit itself has caused a stir as it has been picked over by everyone. Many have pointed out how the sculpted armor looks like it was influenced by the video game Arkham Knight. With the red lighting, it looks a little Daredevil-ish but the biggest draw is the Bat symbol that could be Batarangs or even pistol grips. No word if this suit is even finished because, after all, this is a screen test.

By this point we shouldn’t be surprised at fan backlash but when it comes at the expense of footage that’s very rough, one has to shake their head. This movie is still battling reaction over casting, which is nothing new to the Batman franchise. 

I wish the world wide web existed in 1966 because I can only imagine the reaction Cesar Romero got when he was cast as Batman’s Joker and refused to shave his mustache. “You mean he’s going to paint over it? What a square! Let’s start a petition.”

With Pattinson as Batman, fans are still harping on it. In case you hadn’t heard, Pattinson was in a movie franchise called Twilight. It did really well at the theaters but outside it’s fanbase, is ridiculed still today. Because of this intense dislike, any actor or actress attached to it has a hurdle to overcome.

Pattinson has starred in a number of movies since, many of them independent films, picking up critical acclaim for his acting. Even so, as soon as the actor was announced to be Bruce Wayne, the majority of posts said in some form…”The Twilight guy???”

How many times do we go through this dance?

Michael Keaton as Batman.
Jack Nicholson as Joker.
Heath Ledger as Joker.
Ben Affleck as Batman.
Jennifer Garner as Elektra…OK forget that one.

Then we have Zoe Kravitz who will be playing Catwoman. Kravitz has admitted it was a little scary becoming Catwoman for the movie, but she’s using that to stay focused. “It was a little scary, but also whenever I get nervous about something, I feel it pushes me to a better place anyway, so I welcome the nerves,” Kravitz told Variety. “If you start focusing too much on what people are going to think you’re doing yourself a disservice, it’s almost like you’re putting your energy in the wrong place.”

“Of course, I want to honor the fans and hope they like what I do with the role, but in order to do what I think I need to do with Catwoman I have to go internal and forget about the rest of the world.”

Hopefully she stays off of social media. Kravitz also talked about working alongside Pattinson. “He’s just a delightful person and such a wonderful, thoughtful actor. I think he’s perfect for the role and it’s going to be such an adventure,” Kravitz said. “I’m excited to have him as my partner in crime and to be there to support each other, because it’s intense. It’s going to be a long shoot and there’s a lot of pressure, and I know he has my back and I have his.”

No matter the screen test, we’ll judge for ourselves on June 25, 2021.