Matt Reeves talks to us about 'The Batman', the 'Penguin' spinoff, and more

In our epic-length interview with director Matt Reeves, we talk about his work on 'The Batman', what movies inspired him, how it relates to 'War For The Planet of the Apes', the 'Penguin' spinoff with Colin Farrell, and much more.
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[@ChuckTheMystery]

“Using CGI to create the illusion that everything is practical” Lines like this show how much Matt Reeves just understands Batman. This was one of the the longest and best interviews I’ve seen with Matt so far. The “Fictional Cinema” question was fantastic! Val Kilmer has always been my favorite Batman but I feel that Robert Pattinson will be amazing in this role for years to come. Penguin is Fredo! Love it!

[@isaacharlacher1672]

They used CGI

[@deadfool3344]

@@isaacharlacher1672 did you not actually hear what he said or read what he wrote.

[@reggiewatts1926]

There was some really terrible CGI in this though. The scene where cat woman is fighting Batman when she’s cracking the safe for example. Some of the kicks look like they were taken straight from the black Panther end fight scene.

[@ChuckTheMystery]

@@deadfool3344 Thank you!

[@FrozenCulo]

@@reggiewatts1926 that scene was done for real, there’s a behind the scenes lol

[@mercurymachines4311]

I could listen to Matt Reeves talk about Filmmaking all day long. What a wonderful talent. Great interview.

[@entertainmentie]

It's captivating! His love for film pours into everything he says.

[@VeraxMusic]

11:24 I can't tell you how surreal it is for me to hear him reference the Telltale video game. He truly explored everything Batman related.

[@purveshgholap5025]

Honestly, i can listen to Matt reeves talk about batman all day long, in every interviews he is always so passionate about this movie. All the actors who worked on this movie especially Collen Farrell and Zoe Kravitz have mentioned how committed he is to this movie and how much love he has for these characters and the world of batman. Dare I say that out of all the directors that has made batman movies. Matt reeves understand batman the most.

[@NicksHEAT1995]

I know this message will likely never reach Matt Reeves, but, Matt Reeves, thank you for giving us the greatest Batman movie we ever had. You have surpassed many people's expectations. You gave us the Batman that fans have been waiting for. Thanks again. Your film was riveting.

[@imayormaynotbebatman8388]

Thanks for giving me cancer

[@yani2499]

It truly is the best portrayal of Mr. Wayne.

[@imayormaynotbebatman8388]

@@yani2499 if you're a teenage girl maybe . But if you're someone who read comics and watched the first batman animation then what you said is basically blasphemous

[@calebberens9692]

@@imayormaynotbebatman8388 silly comment. Cinema and Comic Books are different mediums. This is excellent cinema.

[@imayormaynotbebatman8388]

@@calebberens9692 your justification is what's silly . Why not give him 6 legs and wings and the face of a vampire bat then because it's cinema? When I was writing that it was supposed to sound stupid ... But it would probably still be better than this movie ..

[@krush1892]

Whoever did Colin's making for Penguin deserves an oscar. He transforms that man so amazingly and it looked so real. There wasn't any moment that I could see that it looked like prosthetics. It was so realistic.

[@marshalldoxtador870]

Michael Marino was the makeup artist who designed both Penguin, and the Unnamed arakham prisoner. He's truly a master of his craft and more than deserving of an oscar

[@michaelangeloh.5383]

Honestly, as great as it is, there's still that thing, particularly around the mouth and chin, where it seems too stiff and not really "alive", like it's part of the same person. I think the "under-chin" or "neck fat" isn't "wobbly" enough to entirely sell it as real. Cause look at people who actually have that and it really... is a sight... - It doesn't really show to most people, but I keep seeing that kind of stuff after so many attempts to full transformations. It's like the physics of it are off, cause... well, the actor can't really control the outer layers and they're just there, stuck in place. - But agreed with the Oscar, cause it's a far cry from what we've seen in movies like "Back to the Future" and such. And Farrell's performance is also worth an Oscar, actually. If there isn't at least a nomination for both... riots in Gotham...

[@craigwilson3532]

I loved this penguin

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

That's Mike Marino. He has an Oscar for his Suicide Squad makeup.

[@diahaidificbs]

11:23 haha I love how Matt Reeves knows about Telltale Batman…he’s such cool director

[@nomercyinc6783]

why wouldnt the creators of comic book movies know about the different versions of characters. that part isnt impressive

[@thiagoteixeira6537]

Matt Reeves referencing the Telltale Batman game's penguin! That's something I never thought I'd see, I guess he must've played the games which is awesome!

[@FunTime-ke4vw]

Yes matt reeves truly a batman fan 🙌🏼

[@thiagoteixeira6537]

@@FunTime-ke4vw Yeah!

[@prajwaljayaraj5887]

I was worried it might take too much inspiration from them, but he managed to really make it his own!

[@Deazy98]

I knew as soon as Matt signed onto direct and he picked rob this would be something special I loved every minute of it. Congrats to the entire cast The Batman is 10/10

[@imayormaynotbebatman8388]

Liar 😂😂

[@christopherdavis678]

​@@imayormaynotbebatman8388Your delusional!!

[@bucketophil]

Matt’s desire to keep everything about this film ‘grounded’ in reality (even the CGI) is a huge reason why this film is so fantastic. He really brought out the grittiness and ‘real’ aspects of why Batman is so great. Even the few gadgets he used were practical and not over the top.

[@Tomversal]

I love that he just rambles and doesn't stop talking, it makes me feel like he loves talking with fans and talking about the behind the scenes which is so fun to hear as a fan!

[@andreimcallister1365]

Matt reeves is one of the most underrated directors. Like seriously, people don’t talk about this man enough. He is one the best directors working this day.

[@teddng1828]

A great Batman movie, but a PERFECT Batman story.

[@imayormaynotbebatman8388]

Bad story bad movie bad acting bad special effects bad script bad cast . Are you a real person or a program ?

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Thankyou Matt for giving us the best Batman movie to date!

[@scrappycoco7428]

cutest director ever no competition

[@CB-qg3yh]

Uh.... what...?

[@scrappycoco7428]

@@CB-qg3yh i've said it once i'll say it again, cutest director ever no competition

[@michaelangeloh.5383]

@@scrappycoco7428 - Wait, what?...

[@scrappycoco7428]

@@michaelangeloh.5383 i've said twice i'll say it a third, cutest director ever no competition

[@thebatman4279]

He is certainly adorable.

[@KingAlternate]

It's soo cool to hear the cast and Matt Reeves talk about Telltale's version of batman, Robert Pattinson and the others talked about it in a recent interview. Telltale's iteration is one of the best in my opinion, with the new Batman film.

[@RacingSnails64]

Yeah I really enjoyed Telltale Batman! There's some very good stuff in there, some really unique takes on the characters and conflicts. One of many is Harley Quinn being the dominant member of her and Joker's relationship.

[@KingAlternate]

@@RacingSnails64 Yeah, but that's not the only aspect I would judge it's greatness upon

[@Random-xd4zm]

Wow i Love how He never really got the respect for His Masterpieces Planet of the apes 2 & 3 but now He gets the respect and apreciation that He deserve

[@elliottobelliotnwaobi4779]

This dude is a fan of great comics and great movies and it shows. 'The Batman' was awesome.🤘🏿🦇🔥

[@yarapah]

Matt Reeves out here looking like he shoulda played Jim Gordon lol

[@teddng1828]

Matt Reeves is a blessing to me and Batman fans in my eyes. Wanna give him a warm big hug for blessing us with this movie. I’m in awe everytime when he describes what movie he’s making and how he’s making it 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 Still a freaking genius to this date

[@dariojovicic9346]

Kevin Feige for DC i think he could do it

[@TheBlueOwlX]

After having seen War for the Planet of the Apes, I knew he'd do a great job with Batman, but never could I have predicted he'd create a masterpiece. Matt, thank you!

[@patcaldwell5730]

I love what he is doing with Batman, young, angry, lost, and showing him being an actual detective in film, the mystery he is trying to solve, hopefully he keeps it going.

[@antwany4149]

I just really appreciate how much matt Reeves cares about this. He really put his all into it and I respect that. Going to see it tmw. Super excited

[@riseofazrael]

After this I will watch any movie Matt Reeves makes. This was a masterfully crafted film.

[@iClone316]

Please go back and watch the Planet of the Apes films that he directed. They're amazing.

[@riseofazrael]

@@iClone316 I've seen all his movies, they're great. I was just saying I won't miss any future films he directs.

[@imayormaynotbebatman8388]

Who paid you to say that ? The movie is carcinogenic.

[@riseofazrael]

@@imayormaynotbebatman8388 If you got cancer from watching a movie I'd recommend you speak with your doctor.

[@imayormaynotbebatman8388]

@@riseofazrael I tried . Doctor asked me why I'm watching movies that give me cancer . I told him it's because I didn't know they were dangerous until it was too late . When they shoved a tiny thin Englishman into the batsuit I should have stopped watching . But it was too late . I had already read the comics and watched the entire batman animated series. I honestly watched this movie with one thought , "nobody could be worse than Christian bale as batman" . I've never been so wrong about anything in my life . To those of you who still haven't finished watching the movie , Congratulations you're one of the last of us . #BatmanIsTeenageVampire #PhagasorusRex #SupportBrainTumors

[@lukecywalker]

Thank you so much, Matt Reeves. Jesus this movie was great. I was leaning forward the entire movie.

[@Vivianeboavista]

This is a really good interview. One of the best ive seen with Matt, well done.

[@SebastianGonzalez-cf1jl]

He looks just like Commissioner Gordon

[@Wolfsburge]

This man loves cinema. & his craft .. 👏 Appreciate it dearly .

[@sharfraz6482]

Thank god for this man

[@iClone316]

You're welcome.

[@leon2368]

Matt reves the film was fantastic, keep them coming. Keep all the characters the same, love every minute

[@thejoeyjoey]

one of the better interviews!!

[@TheFortressMaximus]

It's almost weird Matt Reeves didn't cast himself as James Gordon. The resemblance is uncanny.

[@Chaditude]

I loved this movie so much. I had to make a review of it just to talk about all the minor details since none of my friends had watched it yet. You can tell a lot of love went into this movie. 😄

[@shannoncurry2037]

Why wasn't Matt Reeves Commissioner Gordon?

[@enterthebruce91]

🤣

[@michaelangeloh.5383]

I'm surprised he even refers to the Telltale-games when he was considering Colin Farrell. - You wouldn't think those would really get acknowledged, but Reeves seems to be on top of all the material out there. - I even just found a post by just a random person, all the way from 2019, how they thought the casting of Farrell as Penguin was "so Telltale-inspired", and they were right.

[@jeremyroberts8822]

I was surprised to hear him reference the telltale games as well. Just goes to show that he really did a deep dive on Batman when preparing for this film and really looked at the character and how he was portrayed in all forms of media so far. I’m curious to see what direction they take with the sequel. I know he’s mentioned mr freeze as a possible future villain and personally I’d love to see that. Gotham is perfectly set up for that type of plot too because the city is all flooded now and in the film it’s close to winter

[@BruceThePugDog]

Colin as penguin is the best character im this movie hands down.

[@yani2499]

Matt Reeves is a cool dude, man. He really does love fans that are inquisitive. I'm re-learning about Bruce Wayne and Film from the points he presents. This Batman is very reflective to us. Sometimes we won't agree with Bruce...and that's why we respect the fictional character. He pays a lot of homage to David Fincher in this project so I can't wait for the sequel. He's never done a bad movie.

[@topshonuff]

Matt Reeves looks like Commissioner Gordon.

[@leon2368]

Keep Robert Patterson as the actor, keep it serious and hardcore

[@jameson5755]

Of course they are keeping Rob why in the hell would they change that

[@a.block.of.tofu.]

Love his answer for the next possible 10 years. Bring it on, I need more of this Batman injected straight into my veins.

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Mike marino is a fukin genius! He was robbed of a 2nd Oscar.

[@richardparker7957]

I want Matt Reeves batverse story 🔥

[@wonderfulfabulous5917]

Matt Reeves, you are the best producer. The Batman movie is a masterpiece.

[@craigwilson3532]

They really did mess up Collin's "beautiful face" like Reeves said, hardly recognizable under that makeup. Loved his version of Penguin

[@JibranAbbasi_1]

if these guys hadn't announced that Colin was playing the Penguin, no one would figure it out. People would literally be asking why Colin was cut from the movie or who this new Penguin actor is

[@sebastianalegria3401]

Before to see The Batman, i didn't know Matt, so he is someone new to me. On the other hand, I'm quite amazed by Paul Dano's The Riddler as much as Colin Farell's Penguin, although he was the supporting actor. As a matter of fact, Paul said; "he would love metting Jim Carrey", let's not forget that Carrey was who played the first Riddler in Batman forever. I want also to suggest that if you're going to a long movie like The Batman, get some food in order to keep you awake all the time, which I didn't do when I saw Matt's film at the cinema haha.

[@iClone316]

I love Matt "Jim Gordon" Reeves

[@Junior2000625]

This guy would probably be great directing a The Sentry movie for Marvel

[@mancavetheater1240]

"This is one of the reasons why I felt the comparison in 70s blaxploitation cinema when it came to the look,the shot,cinematography in so many words(matt mentioning what he was going for,the inspiration behind the look of this film),is what I personally took away from this entertaining interpretation 😎 I understand completely that reeves grew up off of the more noir/more marketable choices in 70s entertainment but for myself, I caught much more fred Williamson, jim brown,pam Grier cinema than that of Matt's viewing upbringing(plus I am 17 years younger lol) but I still see the similarities very much, regardless of sub genre. Even the grindhouse films from that decade in which inspired tarintino and Rodriguez double underrated feature😔 I definitely enjoyed the approach taken here with such a perspective driven franchise! Our protagonist was portrayed in the shadows and that added to the trauma of the vigilante who others suffer what he suffers from a internal conflict. I felt that the cat and mouse, CSI POV direction of the film worked and opposed each other in a way that kept the viewers on the edge of their seats! From what I gathered and it can go either way,the riddler,who was depicted frightening and his wardrobe embodied a true life serial killer,was more satisfied by bruce Wayne knowing that he himself knows his the batman's real identity and more won the battle but the war is far from over. As to feeling the defeat at blackgate of not completing his list of murder on Gotham elite but being comforted by a likewise deranged psychopath! Either way,I was left in fine hands with my favorite character in comic book history!"😎

[@user-dv6nh3mu3y]

Hope they made penguin become more violance in sequel. All this time everyone always underestimate him, the actor who play penguin need took inspiration from joe pesci agressive performance in goodfellas, and casino

[@morninglight1606]

Matt Reeves movies: 💀😑😧💥 Matt Reeves: 😊☺😁🙂

[@skyleylines9459]

The batman is in good hands

[@TheReelAnalyst]

Well Batman be in the Penguin show? And if not often how will he be written off

[@SWizz871]

it might be partly a prequel

[@MukiMuki688]

Thank you! So glad this movie is going to be good Street Fighter 6 - Ryu Theme Guitar MV - EX Plus Alpha kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpTSmmWPpdickMk King of Fighters 15 Nameless theme Guitar MV kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2qam4anra6aZtk Gundam Hathaway Main Theme Guitar MV (Senkou) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZCUaYabecSmj6s

[@AintNoWaye]

Matt is so dope and this is a tadbit spoilery

[@tigerwarsaw99]

Batman is in good hands.

[@leon2368]

Matt don't change any characters please!

[@jamestangoace2193]

4:25 2020

[@swedlepop7092]

Matt reeves is the only director who understands Batman. Nolan made good films but he didn’t understand shit. Don’t even talk to me about zack Snyder

[@OMAR-vq3yb]

What a stupid question to ask if he's okay with doing this for 10 years. Duh. It's a dream job and a mega payday. He can do projects in between films like Nolan.

[@johnboko7110]

I think the better question if it's going to be very complicated for him having to juggle the films and shows simultaneously or will it be very smooth sailing for him, crew, cast knowing the past with WB douchbagary ?

[@johnboko7110]

I think the better question to be asked if he will be able to juggle two more movies and spin off shows with different cast, crew, writers simultaneously and potential crossovers if they happen and not feel worn out by the time all that is said and done with the studios breathing down his neck now since he is under contract ? Payday is good but it's the passion, art, effort, energy and motivation that is important in being a filmmaker and in creating entertainment, Nolan didn't even wanted to do the Dark Knight Rises and it shows in his work, You can say money will keep Reeves motivated but that depends, some people they just give it up because they get fed up doing the hard work or get fed up with creative conflicts or can't stand the hate from people on social media, so far everyone loving the film and praising Reeves but then things can get ugly real fast if things go in ways that they don't like.

[@NOcanDoification]

What does a liar do when he's dead ? .......... He lies still 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@tonycockerham6971]

Matt Reeves should direct the next Avengers movie. Or he should hit the X-Men for Marvel Studios. Fantastic Four..over Jon Watts?

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Lol you really think WB is gonna let him go after the success of The Batman?

[@tonycockerham6971]

@dcmastermindfirst9418 let him go? Nah, it's not "letting him go" when he's basically an independent contractor and can direct for whoever hires him. Unless he's actually employed by WB, and solely tied to them as THEIR property, he can contract with whoever he wants..from my understanding.

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

@tonycockerham6971 Lol he's locked into a contract. He works for WB and nobody else for a decade.

[@tonycockerham6971]

@dcmastermindfirst9418 well, that's what it is then.

[@RighteousBrother]

Why does Matt Reeves look like he's about to rob an old west railroad train?

[@BruceThePugDog]

Noir gangster film would have been nastyyyyyyy!!!!! With that said some CGI in this film is painfully cheesy.

[@sifu2u_now]

I couldn't tell which part were CG except the Gotham City itself... Can you share which scene were CGI that was painfully cheesy? I would love to know.

[@batmaneatspizza]

Dude that’s bs there’s no “painfully cheesy” cgi in the movie

[@inyourgranmaass3605]

Whitch scene atleast stand on what you said coward

[@Outzienhier]

So it could be HUSH.

[@kevinvasquez5272]

He sounds so much like Jordan Peterson here lol

[@myth3516]

Interviewer needs to learn to ask questions while making some eye contact (look into the camera) and write some of the questions down.

[@MrDevinlane]

He was probably looking at reeves from the screen which would be below the camera…

[@phatmantv]

OMG, WE DON'T NEED A EFFING SPIN OFF ON EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING BATMAN DC! *UGH*

[@ishaankumar3895]

No one is forcing you to watch or anything. 😒

[@OasisJK22]

Who is "we"? Speak for yourself. No one will be forcing you to watch, but somehow I think you will.

[@CN-dl6fb]

Speak for yourself.

[@phatmantv]

@@OasisJK22 Get a life fan boy, while you still can. Bread&Circus nor Batman will save you.

[@phatmantv]

@@CN-dl6fb Movie was boring. I don't need another Batman show without Batman.