Summary
A film goes from good to great in the hands of a master, and that’s exactly what happened withThe Batmanin 2022. Robert Pattinson’s debut as the Caped Crusader would not have been as acclaimed without Matt Reeves as director, Michael Giacchino’s atmospheric score, and most importantly, Greig Fraser’s groundbreaking cinematography.
The Batmanis synonymous with its visual aesthetic, mirroring the film’s inherent darkness and mystery – a credit to Fraser, who achieved this on an epic scale. However, as of now, the visionary DOP’s return forThe Batman Part IIhangs in the balance. This leavesDC Studios and Warner Bros.with the challenge of finding a replacement who can save their day, while their Batman saves the night.
Greig Fraser May Not Return ToThe Batman Part II
The cinematographer’s availability forThe Batmansequelis closely tied to the rumored production schedule of another visual masterpiece’s sequel:Dune: Messiah. Having collaborated with Denis Villeneuve on bothDune: Part OneandPart Two, Fraser may choose to reunite with Villeneuve, given that his work on the firstDunewon him an Academy Award for Best Cinematography. While there’s no official word onDune: Messiah’s release date or shooting schedule, several reports hint at various timelines. A recent unconfirmed report from @DCFilmNews on X (Twitter) suggests that Villeneuve could start work onDune: Messiahas early as 2025, which would demand Fraser’s involvement.
https://x.com/DCFilmNews/status/1849971825838784837
This reported production date overlaps withThe Batman Part II, which is also set to begin filming in April 2025 after a significant delay. It could force the film to proceed without Fraser, who defined its iconic visual style. Moreover, Denis Villeneuve seems fully energized and ready to bring his actors back intotheir Fremen stillsuits. In arecent interview withDeadline, the Canadian filmmaker teased his plans to releaseMessiahby 2026, gettingDunefans excited andThe Batmanfans concerned.
These movies take a lot of time to be made, so it’s best not to say out loud when I might shoot. Unfortunately, I’m supposed to shut up. Let’s say that I thought that afterPart Twothat I will take a break, that I will go back in the woods and stay in the woods for a while to recover. But the woods weren’t really suiting me, and I would go back behind the camera faster than I think. But that’s all I can say.
Who Can Replace Greig Fraser InThe Batman Part II?
Assuming Villeneuve doesn’t want his visual collaborator to return toThe Batmansequel, another one of his favorite, longtime colleagues could come to DC’s rescue. And this isn’t just any other accomplished cinematographer, it’s the greatest of them all –Sir Roger Deakins CBE. The 75-year-old veteran needs no introduction, thanks to his legendary work inBlade Runner 2049,The Shawshank Redemption, andSkyfalljust to name a few. Deakins might be available, considering he may be occupied only with Sam Mendes’ Beatles biopics (unconfirmed), which is also expected to start filming in late 2025.
Rooting for Roger Deakins to shootThe Batman Part IIisn’t an educated wish, as Deadpool would call it. The English visionary is a big fan of the first film and the industry knows it. The two-time Oscar winner (and 15-time nominee) called out The Academy for leaving Matt Reeves’ film from the list of contenders for the cinematography prize that year.Deadlinereported in March 2023that Deakins had high praise forThe Batman, specifically for Greig Fraser’s visual flair.
The best cinematography hasn’t been nominated. It’sThe Batman. That’s the best work in my view. The reason it wasn’t is pure and simple: snobbery. There’s this unfair tendency to avoid the Marvel universe and the other popular universes. It comes down to the work. Good work is good work whatever the genre.
Did Roger Deakins InspireThe Batman’sLook?
Roger Deakins is an ideal fit forThe Batman Part IIfor more reasons than one, as Greig Fraser has openly cited the English cinematographer as a major influence.The Batmanpresented a darker, more grounded Gotham that drew immediate visual comparisons to the tone ofBlade Runner 2049. Deakins’ influence was evident in Fraser’s use of realistic lighting environments and innovative, low-tech solutions, which gave the film its signature moody aesthetic. In a way, it’s theSicariocinematographer’s expert interplay of shadows and light that helped bringThe Batman’s atmosphere and realism to life.
If Greig Fraser is unavailable,Matt Reeveshas other strong options, such as longtime collaborator Michael Seresin, or visually compatible choices like Darius Khondji or Hoyte van Hoytema. Other interesting collaborations could include cinematographers fromHBO’sThe Penguin, such as Darran Tiernan, Jonathan Freeman, or David Franco. However, Reeves seems reluctant to look beyond Fraser for the sequel, as he mentioned inan interview withColliderlast month.
I don’t know yet. I certainly hope that the timing will work out for that, but I actually don’t know. We’re not to the place where we know that yet. I hope that’s the case because I just love working with him. I think he’s the best. … I love working with Greig, and I certainly hope that we’ll continue onThe Batman Part II. So, we’ll see. But it really comes down to timing and whether or not our schedules can align.
Who knows, Fraser might surprise everyone by choosing Reeves overDenis Villeneuve. If that happens, the tables could turn, with Roger Deakins potentially reuniting with Villeneuve forDune: Messiah. As fans ofDune,The Batman, and cinema’s greater good, let’s hope Warner Bros. can resolve the scheduling conflicts for both sequels.
The Batman Part II
Cast
The Batman Part II is the sequel to Matt Reeve’s The Batman, released in 2022, and will continue where the original film left off. The film shares a universe with the HBO Max original Penguin series and sees the return of the Riddler and a different incarnation of the Joker.
