Kurt Cobain's influence was all over Matt Reeves' The Batman and justified Robert Pattinson's casting as the beloved title character. Pattinson's Batman was initially met with some skepticism, and many had a hard time wrapping their head around a more youthful, messy Batman. While there was initial doubt, the box office and critical success of The Batman signified this version of Batman resonated with audiences.
Through the mind of Matt Reeves and the rage-filled, focused performance from Pattinson, audiences were treated to a Batman obsessed with vengeance and violence. Setting the tone was important for Matt Reeves. That was made clear by the bleak cinematography and grim story direction. Meanwhile, the reclusive rock star aesthetic Pattinson brought to the table was a fantastic fit. From Kurt Cobain's angsty influence to the sharper focus on the detective aspect of the character, the film represented a breath of fresh air for the superhero genre.
The Batman Kurt Cobain Influence Was Perfect For Pattinson
The Batman featured a heavy Kurt Cobain influence, as explicated by Reeves' soundtrack including Nirvana's "Something in the Way." Pattinson's Batman was full of rage, and his mind was focused singularly on his duty as Batman. He had abandoned the Bruce Wayne identity entirely and became a recluse, similar to what happened with Cobain as his fame grew. The Cobain influence informed Pattinson's journey down to his disheveled look and impatient demeanor.
This fresh take on a younger Batman also explained why The Batman's reviews were so positive and why fans embraced this new direction. Deconstructing the character of Batman and portraying his Bruce Wayne persona as a reclusive, tragic rock star similar to Kurt Cobain separated Pattinson's Batman from traditional comic book movies. In previous movies, Batman had often been portrayed as a stoic and mature individual. Reeves used this expectation to his advantage and crafted a detective-focused storyline with a subversive journey.
The Batman's Nirvana Inspiration Makes Bruce Wayne Fresh
Batman is one of the most popular characters of all time, and because of that, there has been no shortage of Batman content on the big screen. Matt Reeves' challenge with his vision of the character was to present audiences with something new that resonated and separated itself from previous iterations. In an interview with Esquire, The Batman director Matt Reeves talked about how he listened to Nirvana while crafting the script and how it informed what the character would become.
Reeves' younger, reckless, impatient version of Batman was a fresh take that explored tragedy, self-doubt and overcoming adversity. These are all topics present across Nirvana's discography. The Batman's Kurt Cobain influence vindicated Pattinson's casting, as a younger Batman (and Cobain proxy) struggling to find his way in the world was the unique take the character needed, and Reeves and Pattinson delivered.