Warner Bros. “The Bat and the Cat” trailer for The Batman reveals plot details which may be familiar to Batman fans who have played the video game Batman: The Telltale Series. The new trailer showcases Batman’s relationship with Catwoman and features audiences’ best look yet at Paul Dano’s Riddler. In fact, it provides additional information on the scope of Riddler’s plans for Batman. These details provide a coherent picture of how Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne will be forced to confront the dark secrets lurking in his family’s past in a Gotham City he thought he had all figured out.
The official synopsis for The Batman stated the film would explore a disillusioned Batman hunting down a deranged serial killer terrorizing Gotham City. The detailed synopsis also detailed Bruce’s realization that his violent tendencies make him no better than the killer he’s tracking across the city. Moreover, everything about this film implies a very dark story which will challenge Bruce in extremely specific and personal ways. This becomes even more evident in the new trailer after it’s made clear the Riddler knows exactly who’s hiding behind the cowl.
Despite The Batman still a few months away, quite a bit is already known about the film. Audiences know Batman and Catwoman will share a special relationship which tows the line between friend and foe, the Wayne family has a dark history Alfred’s tried to keep in the past, and Batman’s struggle with violence will decide how he’s viewed in Gotham City. If this all seems familiar, it’s because The Batman’s plot shares a number of similarities with Batman: The Telltale Series. In fact, the two share characters, scenes and the core theme of Bruce uncovering the truth about the Wayne family.
For those less familiar with Batman: The Telltale Series, a major element of the five-part series is Bruce’s ongoing relationship with Catwoman and his attempts to reform the cat burglar. Over the course of the game, Selina discovers Bruce’s identity and falls for the brooding bat becoming an unlikely ally. This would appear to be the same type of relationship that is being teased in The Batman’s various trailers. While this is a well-known relationship trait for the complicated couple, this comparison is made relevant when taken into account with The Batman’s other similarities to The Telltale Series.
Another interesting sign The Batman may copy Batman: The Telltale Series is the film’s inclusion of Penguin and Carmine Falcone. In the game, Falcone has a short but significant role attempting to strongarm Bruce and informing him of the partnership he shared with the Waynes. John Turturro will portray Falcone in The Batman though has not been featured in a trailer. It’s possible Falcone could play part in Bruce’s investigation into his family’s past. Conversely, Penguin is unlikely to copy many characteristics with his game counterpart. However, Colin Farrell’s Penguin could be utilized for information about the Waynes’ past as a member of a prominent Gotham family.
This comparison between The Batman and The Telltale Series is represented best by Bruce’s confrontation with Alfred in the new trailer over his secrets and lies. This exact scene takes place in the game after Lady Arkham, the series’ antagonist, begins to shine a light on the Waynes’ history of corruption in retaliation for being wronged by the Waynes as a child. Consequently, if The Batman reveals Riddler’s anger is rooted in a past trauma caused by the Waynes like Lady Arkham’s was, this will further prove the film copied significant plot elements from The Telltale Series. Regardless, the similarities between The Batman and Batman: The Telltale Series is hard to overlook.
