Summary
- Paul Dano, who plays the Riddler in The Batman, believes that superhero fatigue could lead to groundbreaking films or new narratives beyond superheroes
- Dano also discusses the issue of quantity over quality in the entertainment industry and credits Matt Reeves’ attention to detail in setting The Batman apart from generic superhero movies
- Despite recent box office bombs, Dano remains optimistic and is especially excited for The Batman: Part II
In the world of capes and cowls, Paul Dano, the enigmatic Riddler in The Batman, isn’t just stirring up trouble on the big screen; he’s also sparking a conversation about “superhero fatigue” and what it means for the future of comic book movies.
As The Flash, The Marvels, and Madame Web all recently bombed big time at the box office, Dano sees a silver lining amidst the storm clouds.
He believes that this “fatigue” could actually pave the way for something extraordinary—be it groundbreaking films or entirely new narratives beyond the realm of spandex-clad heroes (worth a mention is that fans aren’t tired of comic book movies, they’re tired of bad writing in comic book movies).
Somebody has to breathe new life into CBMs
“It’s an interesting moment where everybody has to go like, ‘OK – what now?’ Dano shared in an exclusive interview with The Independent while promoting his latest project, Spaceman, now on Netflix. “Hopefully from that, somebody either breathes new life into [comic book movies], or something else blossoms which is not superheroes. I’m sure there will still be some good ones yet to come, but I think it’s kind of a welcome moment.”
But Dano doesn’t stop there. He delves into the broader issue of quality versus quantity in the entertainment industry, lamenting the rise of “content” over craftsmanship.
“It’s a larger thing, too. As soon as the word ‘content’ came into what we do – meaning making movies or TV – it meant quantity over quality, which I think was a big misstep. And I certainly don’t need that as a viewer or as an artist,” he explained.
Hope lies in Matt Reeves and The Batman
Despite his concerns, Dano finds hope in projects like Matt Reeves’ The Batman. He credits Reeves’ vision and attention to detail for setting the film apart from the generic superhero fare.
“There are enough comic book movies where you just know what you’re gonna get,” he said. “Reading the script for The Batman, you knew it was a real film. Every sentence… that’s just [writer/director] Matt Reeves.”
With a sequel to The Batman already in the works, slated for release on October 3, 2025, and Robert Pattinson reprising the iconic role, Dano’s words offer a beacon of optimism for die-hard fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Gotham’s dark saga.
While the comic book movie industry has been taken a beating, it sounds like Matt Reeves and The Batman Part II will be the ones giving it out.
