The Batman star Jeffrey Wright explains why comic book characters are so popular, in a recent interview. Wright has established himself as one of the leading character actors in the film industry, and, with a stellar career so far, the 56-year-old will make his first foray into the world of comic book movies with the release of The Batman. The Matt Reeves directed movie features an ensemble cast, headed up by British actor and heartthrob Robert Pattinson, best known for his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight franchise. Wright will portray police detective Commissioner James Gordon in the upcoming superhero film, becoming the first African American to play the role in a live-action project.
Set during the caped crusader's second year of fighting crime in Gotham City, The Batman explores the struggles Bruce Wayne faces as he loses his grip on Gotham after a serial killer named The Riddler shows up, targeting the city's elite. Anticipation for the movie has been high, and shows the appetite for comic book movies, and stories involving comic book characters is stronger than ever, and this is particularly noticeable in the wide range of different types of comic book films released in recent years. Perhaps inspired by Academy Award winning DC movie Joker, The Batman takes a dark and gritty tone, and operates as a character study as much as an action movie. This showcases some of the elements that have continued to make comic book characters so popular and iconic in movies.
Indeed, speaking during an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Wright weighed in on what he feels makes comic book characters so popular today, and why audiences keep revisiting their stories. The Casino Royale actor spoke about the role these characters play in people's lives, and how they give them something to believe in and something they can trust, over a long and established legacy. Read Wright's full comments on the matter below:
"...There's such a personal relationship that people have with this franchise, and these comics, and these characters. You want to do justice to the characters, but also to that passion. So that's there. There's no question about it. But I understand why that is. This 80-year-history of this franchise has allowed -- ultimately now, I can speak to now -- it allows people to trust these characters. They know them. They can place their faith in them, and particularly, at a time when you can't place your faith in everything. Maybe some people have difficulty placing their faith in anything, they know where they can find themselves within these stories. I think they're really deeply important for that reason. I think because of that, people are able to find hope within them. It's not trivial stuff. That comes with its responsibilities."
Since the turn of the Millennium, comic book movies have been on the rise, and their popularity shows no signs of waning any time soon. This is clear from the number of entries in the MCU and the DCEU that have been released so far, not to mention the number of reboots and reimaginings that have made their way onto screens. Indeed, The Batman marks a reboot (of sorts) of the character, just 10 years after the release of The Dark Knight Rises, and could even expand to a new Batman trilogy with Pattinson at the heart.
Looking at the success and longevity of the Marvel and DC movies, it is clear that there is some weight to Wright's comments, and that comic book characters often play an important role in people's lives. One of the key things that they provide for moviegoers is that comforting familiarity on-screen when they are going to watch a film. Audiences know, for the most part, what they are getting when they go to watch a Batman movie, and this can enhance the viewing experience, and, whilst comic book movies continue to be successful, their characters will continue to be popular and iconic. The Batman has been tipped to be a success, and this could bode well for the future of the Batman franchise, as well as the continued success of comic book characters on screen.
