While the superhero cinematic universes from all the different studios nowadays might be on a course to be viewed as just some visual spectacles, Matt Reeves’ The Batman was the difference that brought the essence of the old-time cinematography back into the films of today. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and unique films starring the bat vigilante of Gotham City, the movie delivered something unexpected that the audience didn’t know they needed.
Robert Pattinson in and as The Batman
And with all of those praises and a box office collection of more than $700 Million, it became a widely accepted possibility that the industry finally had a candidate that would put superhero films in the elite genres of filmmaking and cinematography. But with the list of nominees out now, it seems that this is not the case. Recently, legendary cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins has come out to reveal the reason why the movie hasn’t received the recognition that it deserves.
Why The Academy Will Not Acknowledge The Batman For The Oscars?
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne in The Batman
When the announcement of Robert Pattinson taking over the role of Bruce Wayne in The Batman was heard by the public, people thought this was Warner Bros. trying to grasp at straws to keep the DCEU afloat. But when the film hit the cinemas, the audience was blown away by just how much the film was a unique work of art by director Matt Reeves and cinematographer Greig Fraiser. Recreating the caped crusader in a dark and gritty setting with such accuracy and substance was nothing short of exemplary.
And thus, the roar from the fans about giving the film an Oscar Award nomination was heard far and wide. But it seems like those cries fell on deaf ears as this year’s Oscar nomination reveals no mention of The Batman in any category, let alone a nomination for cinematography. Thus, British cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins raised his voice on the matter, calling out the Academy for its nature to disregard big cinematic universes despite some films that deserve praise and recognition. Deakins said:
“It’s The 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,”
This snobbish attitude from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the reason why many pictures that deserved recognition in the past failed to be awarded, which makes it all the more necessary for a change in their outlook.
What’s Next For The Batman?
Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz in a still from The Batman
While the film might’ve been left out from the list of nominations for the Oscars, it was still regarded as a modern-day masterpiece, which was also acknowledged by new CEOs of DC Films James Gunn and Peter Safran. Thus, they decided to keep Pattinson’s version in the new DCU along with Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker as part of DC’s Elseworlds series of films, which will explore more of the grounded and darker side of the DC Universe.
