Welcome to the 2019 edition of the Batman On Film Mailbag! Thanks for all of your questions, so let’s get to ’em. And remember…#TheBatmanIsComing!
Given that Batman is WB’s most valuable IP right now, do you think Matt Reeves is tasked with developing some “continuity” for future spin-offs?
JETT SAYS: Doubtful.
Matt Reeves is only concerned about making his Batman film the best it can be — not setting up spin-off films. Sure, he’ll create a continuity and a Batman on film universe — just as Chris Nolan did with THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY — but THE BATMAN won’t be setting up anything other than a THE BATMAN sequel…maybe. (What I mean by maybe is that I believe THE BATMAN will a contained film that will spawn sequels if successful — which it will be.)
Do you hate Batwing as much as I do?
JETT SAYS: Well, I’ve never really had any interest in Batwing and I don’t know if I’ve ever read a story that had the character in it. But I’m not a fan of Batman Bat-sidekicks anyway, so that that for what you will.
I’m a “Solo Batman Man.”
Do you think we’ll get any villain origin stories in Reeves’ Batman movie(s)?
JETT SAYS: I’m not sure. He’s said a rogues gallery already exists, so I’m thinking maybe not — at least not like those we saw in the four Burton/Schumacher films.
Does Batman prefer white or dark meat on the turkey? Also, we are all thankful for you and BOF.
JETT SAYS: He’s “The Dark Knight,” so I figure he likes the legs and thighs.
And THANK YOU!
Do you think THE BATMAN could have a similar box office to BATMAN BEGINS?
JETT SAYS: I believe THE BATMAN will have a higher box office return than BEGINS. The Batman brand is strong — just look at JOKER‘s success. As long as it’s good, people will turn out to see it in droves.
Why is it that Batman always has directors falling over themselves to do a Batfilm, but Superman doesn’t seem to attract the same interest? Do you know if Cavill will get to fly once more?
JETT SAYS: In regard to your first question, Batman is a more appealing character than Superman.
Look, I love Superman, but I totally get it — there’s a lot more you can do creatively with a human, yet flawed, character like Batman/Bruce Wayne, as opposed to an invincible “god” such as Superman/Clark Kent.
Frankly — and this pains me to say it — I’m not sure if Superman is all that popular with the mainstream audience. Warner Bros. has tried twice in the last (almost) decade and a half to reboot Superman and set up a Superman on film series, and both SUPERMAN RETURNS and MAN OF STEEL failed in that endeavor.
As far as your question about Henry Cavill, his Superman on film run is over — and I say that as someone who “borderline loves” MOS, believes Cavill (and the character of Superman) got screwed in the BATMAN v SUPERMAN/JUSTICE LEAGUE debacle and would like to see him get another crack at the character in a solo Superman film. But that simply doesn’t make business sense for Warner Bros.
JETT SAYS: Tony Stark/Iron Man so Batman could kick his ass — no super-suit of armor needed!
Is Two-Face going to be in THE BATMAN?
JETT SAYS: That’s the scuttlebutt. We shall see very soon.
How does Alfred cook the turkey for Thanksgiving?
JETT SAYS: I don’t know how he does it — probably some old-fashioned British way — but I know how he should cook it: Cajun-fried style (like me)!
I know JOKER has made a bunch of money but do you think Warner Bros. missed out on not merchandising the movie? In other words, they didn’t have posters, t-shirts, figures, etc. for purchase as they did with their other comic book properties?
JETT SAYS: I’ll put it this way: Do you really think JOKER — which was rated R — was a film that needed — or should have — a lot of merchandise tied to it?
Was Aaron Eckhart Nolan’s first option as Harvey [Dent in THE DARK KNIGHT]?
JETT SAYS: He was not. Matt Damon was offered and turned down the role.
With rumors swirling about the color and style of Reeves’ Batsuit, it got me thinking: Why is it that most cinematic Batmen have donned suits that were mainly black?
JETT SAYS: The Batsuit in THE BATMAN isn’t going to be “blue” — that’s all BS — it’ll be black with maybe a blueish tint when the light hits it; like this…
The reason why the movie Batsuits have been mostly all-black is that they look the best. Frankly, a truly “blue and gray” like this one…
…would like silly AF in a serious, live-action Batman film.
Plus, Batman’s cape/cowl/etc. were never supposed to be “blue” in the comics — all that stuff was supposed to be black. The reason for the blue tint, historically, was due to limitations on the coloring — especially black ink — back in the day.
Same reason as characters with black hair — like Superman for example — had “blue hair.”
Can you give us a hint about the next Batmobile? Maybe a few pictures resembling it?
JETT SAYS: I have. 😉
Jett, what is your favorite songs from movies so far? Personally my favorite are Dan Hill’s It’s a Long Road from First Blood, James Ingram’s A Better Way from Beverly Hills Cop 2, Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On from Titanic, Kenny Loggins’s Danger Zone from Top Gun and George Harrison’s Cheer Down from Lethal Weapon 2!
JETT SAYS: Tan, that would be “Mean Woman Blues” by Elvis Presley from the film, LOVING YOU (1957).
Jett, what’s the best Thanksgiving dish you cook?
JETT SAYS: Well, my fried Cajun turkey is awesome, but I’d probably say it’s my cornbread dressing (stuffing, for all you non-Texans and if you’re not from certain parts of the South) with andouille sausage and apples.
Oh yeah!
Again, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating this coming Thursday!
As it’s our tradition, I will be in Arlington, TX with Announcer Rachel and my 3rd spawn as we attend the professional football game that has taken place annually since 1966 (except for 1975 and 1977).
¡Van los vaqueros de Dallas! AND…
#TheBatmanIsComing! – Bill “Jett” Ramey
