After a rocky number of years for the Caped Crusader,The Batman is set to bring the Dark Knight out of the shadows and Robert Pattinson into the spotlight as an all-new interpretation of Bruce Wayne.
The Batman won't be the only project to do so though, as 2022's The Flash will be delving into DC's past to reacquaint audiences with previous Dark Knights. More on both films will be revealed at DC FanDome, which is expected to premiere a new trailer for Robert Pattinson's first Batman solo film.
Catwoman star Zoë Kravitz previously spoke about the leadup to her landing the role in the movie, in addition to discussing how she and the filmmakers hoped to avoid "fetishizing or creating a stereotype" through her portrayal. Co-star Pattinson also hyped up the film, particularly highlighting a "really cool" action scene between him and Kravitz.
Now, a brand-new product based on the upcoming film has been revealed ahead of The Batman's release...
The Batman's LEGO Batcave Revealed
A Walmart listing revealed a brand-new LEGO set based on Robert Pattinson's The Batman, titled "76183 Batcave: The Riddler Face-off."
The product contains 581 pieces, will retail for $79.99 USD, and depicts a confrontation in Bruce Wayne's Dark Knight headquarters against Paul Dano's Riddler.
Rather than being located under Wayne Manor as usually is the case for the Caped Crusader, The "Wayne Terminus" sticker indicates that Batman has opted to build his Batcave under another Wayne family relic: the Gotham City railway station.
Included in the set are six figures, including Batman, The Riddler, Lt. James Gordon, Selina Kyle, Alfred Pennyworth, and Bruce Wayne - Drifter.
It is unclear if the Riddler is wearing his duct tape mask seen in previous promotional materials, but a Zodiac-inspired question mark patch clearly shows that this is indeed the riddle-crafting villain himself.
Interestingly, the description of the set reveals why Robert Pattinson's Bruce Wayne has the term "Drifter" attached to his name, as it seems that it will be another alter ego that he will take on in the film:
"When Batman ventures out on his motorcycle, he can disguise himself as his alter ego, The Drifter. And, if he returns with any villains, the Batcave even has its own jail."
The model is packed with details, including a Bat-computer for Batman to use and a map of Gotham City with a route clearly marked out in a question mark shape.
The Batcave includes a space for buyers to park The Batman's version of the Batmobile, which can be bought separately through "76181 Batmobile: The Penguin Chase."
The full set description can be read below:
Fans of The Batman movie aged 8+ can impress their super-hero friends with LEGO® DC Batman™ Batcave™: The Riddler™ Face-off (76183). Batman’s action-packed HQ The Batcave is equipped with computers, tools and welding gear for vehicle repairs. The 2 side walls, one with a large GOTHAM CITY™ map and the other with a tool rack, are hinged so they can be rotated into different positions for more play space. The set features 6 minifigures from The Batman movie: Batman™, Selina Kyle™, The Riddler™, The Drifter, Alfred and Commissioner Gordon. 3 elements containing coded messages from The Riddler™ can be read only when kids use the special magnifying glass to reveal the clues. When Batman ventures out on his motorcycle, he can disguise himself as his alter ego, The Drifter. And, if he returns with any villains, the Batcave even has its own jail. The playset also allows the Batmobile™ from Batmobile: The Penguin™ Chase (76181, not included) to be driven onto the ramps ready for repair.
Riddler Ruckus in Robert Pattinson's Batcave?
This LEGO set presents a potentially interesting situation for The Batman, as it demonstrates a number of key players making their way into an often off-limits location. Catwoman getting her way into the Batcave would be more expected, as Selina Kyle often gains Bruce Wayne's trust in Batman media.
The Riddler and Jim Gordon's appearances are a bit stranger, but that isn't to say outsiders haven't broken into Batman's home on occasion. For example, the Court of Owls infiltrated the Batcave in the comics, forcing Bruce Wayne to don a mech suit to fight them off.
Perhaps the Riddler uses his genius-level intellect to triangulate the exact position of Batman's stomping grounds, allowing him to pay the Dark Knight a visit. Riddler isn't typically a brawler type of villain though, so it will be interesting to see whether he can go toe-to-toe with Bruce Wayne.
Gordon is also an interesting inclusion, as he typically doesn't get this wrapped up in Batman's affairs. While the duo develops an amicable relationship in many pieces of Batman media, this could be the closest the two have gotten yet.
This is, of course, to be taken with a grain of salt though. LEGO sets have been known to be wrong in the past.
Bruce Wayne's new alter ego is also notable; will Robert Pattinson's character have multiple identities beyond the ones fans are already familiar with? It is peculiar that Bruce Wayne would need another moniker to operate around Gotham, so it makes one wonder for what reason he has created a separate identity to Batman that is ultimately quite similar. Perhaps the Drifter is a precursor to Batman, or it is a vehicle to achieve things that the Dark Knight identity simply cannot.
The Batman premieres in theaters on March 4, 2022.
