ALSO READ: The September 2020 BOF Mailbag #2
Any inside info on how Patterson’s performance is like as Bruce/Batman?
JETT SAYS: Inside info? No. But publicly, the folks working on the film say he’s killing it.
What’s your personal level of excitement for THE BATMAN in comparison to BATMAN ’89 and BATMAN BEGINS?
JETT SAYS: On par.
One thing I find quite curious: so far, no sight of Andy Serkis’ Alfred. Not a single shot in the trailer, no publicity stunt, no blurred backstage leak. Ain’t that funny?
JETT SAYS: Not really to be honest. Perhaps he hadn’t worked all that much on the film before it went on that long COVID-19 hiatus and he’s probably not needed for on-location filming. As far as a backstage leaked pic, I don’t see that happening because they’ve got that thing locked down significantly. I’m sure we’ll be seeing Andy Serkis’ Alfred soon enough.
What are your hopes/expectations for further trailers/footage? I know you’ve hinted towards something in December. As the release is now March 2022, do you have any concerns about seeing more footage this year and therefore WB revealing too much by the time of release?
— Raymond Reddington (@BlacklistRedd) October 30, 2020
JETT SAYS: With THE BATMAN being pushed back to March 4, 2022, perhaps December is a bit early for another trailer — especially since the first one was so powerful and received so well. Maybe something in the Spring of 2021 about a year out from release we could see something.
Would you like Batwing to die and be retconned so that he never existed in the first place, and stay that way forever? This is an actual question: I am a Bat-Family fan but not even me can put up with such a repetitive, pointless character.
JETT SAYS: Honestly, I can’t recall reading anything comic book-wise that featured that character, so I’m really not in the know enough about Batwing to comment. I’m not a big fan of the Bat-Family when it comes to sidekicks, etc., so that’s probably why I’m blissfully Batwing ignorant.
In the spirit of Halloween, if we were to ever see a more overtly horror-flavored Batman movie, what classic horror films would you personally want to see the director take inspiration from? On a semi-related note, what is your personal favorite horror film of all time?
JETT SAYS: Good question and one that certainly made me think, but your question is way better than my answer. Honestly, I’m not a big fan of the horror genre — especially gore and slasher movies — so I’m not sure that I’d be keen on a Batman film made as a horror movie. As a kid, I was quite fond of the old Universal monster movies like FRANKENSTEIN, DRACULA, and THE WOLF-MAN, though. PSYCHO is fantastic. So, I’d say that my favorite of all-time is probably FRANKENSTEIN — though I’m a fan of THE EXORCIST and THE OMEN from the 1970s as well.
Batman vs (insert horror/slasher movie icon) would make the most intriguing story. Which character and why?
— Steve Helm (@shelm66) October 30, 2020
JETT SAYS: Hmm…related to the previous question, but framed a bit different. How about Batman vs. Hannibal Lecter. Why? Batman matching wits with Dr. Lecter would be kinda cool.
Do you think THE BATMAN will make The Riddler a true superstar?
JETT SAYS: On the superstar level of The Joker? Nah, I highly doubt that sir. The Riddler is an iconic Batman character/villain, easily recognizable, and one of the villains the mainstream would name if asked to name as many Batman baddies as possible. With all that said, it does appear that Matt Reeves is going to give us a very different take on The Riddler and one that certainly not be a riff on Frank Gorshin, John Astin, and Jim Carrey.
I got one! Since it’s halloween, what would you consider the scariest episode of Batman TAS?
— Codey Dauch🎨 (@codeydraws) October 30, 2020
JETT SAYS: “Nothing to Fear”.
What do you think about Jared Leto reprising his Joker role?
JETT SAYS: I think (know) that the people who believe it’s going to be some “cool” sequence with Ben Affleck’s Batman vs. Leto’s Joker are going to be tremendously disappointed.
What DC hero (or team) would you like to see adapted to a movie or TV series that’s NOT Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman?
JETT SAYS: Dude, I got a BUNCH of ’em: The Spectre, Deadman, Metal Men, Booster Gold, The Outsiders, and Justice League Dark are at the top of my list.
The BOF Mailbag continues below the video!
Since Affleck is suiting up again for THE FLASH movie and the [ZSJL] reshoots, how likely is it that he has the opportunity to re-purpose his original Batman screenplay and adapt it into an HBO max or miniseries?
JETT SAYS: I’m not going to speak in absolutes on this one, but I highly, Highly, HIGHLY doubt that after THE FLASH Ben Affleck will play Batman again. Matt Reeves’ THE BATMAN, it’s sequels, and it’s spinoffs — on the big screen and on HBO Max — are a BIG priority for Warner Bros. Thus, I just don’t see it happening. Plus, I don’t think Ben Affleck wants to make that film or turn it into an HBO Max miniseries. He had his chance and he walked away from it.
Keep in mind that the ZSJL “additional photography” only took up a few days of his time and his cameo in THE FLASH will likely do the same. I simply don’t see him investing 2 years of his professional life making his version of THE BATMAN for HBO Max.
Hi Bill, big fan — I’ve been a heavy daily reader of BOF for 20 years now. Knowing how much you like [Christopher] Nolan’s work, did you have a chance to watch TENET? What did you think of it? Loved it personally. Rob’s gonna be a great Batman!
JETT SAYS: Yes, I’m with you on both accounts sir: I really liked TENET a lot and I totally believe that Rob Pattinson is going to be a great Batman.
I had to see TENET a couple of times to fully get it lol, but I think it’s rather brilliant. (And before anyone says, “You’re a ‘Nolanite’ and loves anything Nolan makes,” that is NOT true. I really didn’t care that much for INTERSTELLAR. So there!) I do think it sucks for Chris that TENET ended up being collateral damage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope a lot of folks discover its brilliance on VOD and home video.
Oh yeah…a BIG thanks for being with me now for 2+ decades!
Who’s the one DC character that you think has been cast really well, delivered a very good performance, but has been most let down by the quality of the associated film(s). I would go with Harley Quinn. #BOFMailbag
— WW (@Batboat77) October 30, 2020
JETT SAYS: Henry Cavill’s Superman, hands down.
In an alternate Batman film universe, would you have rather seen Tim Burton’s Batman 3 or Joel Schumacher’s Batman 5 (Batman Triumphant/Unchained)?
JETT SAYS: Well, the answer to this will take some assuming and some knowledge of each based on what I know. I’ll assume that Burton’s BATMAN 3 would’ve been more like BATMAN RETURNS than BATMAN ’89. Schumacher’s BATMAN 5 — which would’ve been titled BATMAN UNCHAINED (and not BATMAN TRIUMPHANT as we all thought for years) — would’ve been more dark and serious than BATMAN FOREVER and BATMAN & ROBIN. Based on that, I’d rather have seen Schumacher’s BATMAN UNCHAINED. It would’ve been nice to see what George Clooney could’ve done with the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in a film that was more serious than B&R. Also, seeing Jack Nicholson reprise his role of The Joker in Scarecrow fear toxin-induced hallucinations would’ve been cool.
