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The DCEU’s reboot of Batman is finally beginning to take shape, as Variety reports that Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street) and Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) are in talks to star in The Batman alongside Robert Pattinson.
Hill, a two-time Academy Award nominee, is reportedly in talks to play a villain. As for the Emmy Award-winning Wright, he is in talks to play iconic Gotham City Police Commissioner Jim Gordon (who may not be Commissioner in this film, given that it’s supposed to take place early in Batman’s career).
Wright and Hill are the first major casting announcements since Pattinson was cast as Bruce Wayne back in late May.
Sources tell Variety that Jonah Hill is in talks to join Pattinson in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” Insiders also say Jeffrey Wright is in talks to play Commissioner Gordon.
According to sources, producers had long wanted Hill for the project, but casting decisions were put on hold until the role of Batman was filled. The deal hasn’t closed and sources say it could still fall apart, but both sides are engaging on Hill joining. As for who Hill is playing, that’s still being worked out as well, but sources say he’s being eyed for a villain role.
Given that Penguin has long been rumored to appear in The Batman, Hill seems like a natural fit for the role of Oswald Cobblepot. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Hill could also be playing Riddler.
In addition to Penguin and Riddley, legendary Batman rogues such as Catwoman and Firefly have been rumored to appear. Furthermore, director and comic book industry insider Kevin Smith has said that the film will be based on the acclaimed Batman graphic novel The Long Halloween.
The Batman — which will be directed by Matt Reeves (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) — is set to be released in theaters on Friday, June 25, 2021.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Contact him on Twitter @eric_ital or via email eric@brobible.com