The Batman director Matt Reeves revealed in a new interview the bond between Gotham City Police Department lieutenant James Gordon and Bruce Wayne/Batman is key to the film's plot.

"I think from the beginning, the idea was that there was no question that the bond that Gordon and Batman had was central to the story in that they were the ones who were fighting against a stream of corruption," Reeves shared during a press event attended by CBR. "I think that ... look, for me, movies are really about understanding and empathy."

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The director further explained that, while the film will feature its fair share of villains, he's "not interested in villains." Reeves continued, "I'm interested in the way in which we can become villains. Meaning that our flaws are what lead us down the wrong path."

Reeves' comments about the dynamic between Gordon and Batman came about two weeks after actor Jeffrey Wright, who portrays Gordon in the film, shared his own thoughts about the relationship. "My Gordon is very much partnered with [Robert Pattinson's] Batman," Wright said at the time. "And so there is, as Gary Oldman once described it, very much a Watson to the Batman's Holmes in our storytelling. He's still Lieutenant. He's not Commissioner yet. So it gave the character the opportunity to really dip his hands into the muck, and be up to his elbows, and be very much in the thick of things."

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It was also previously confirmed that HBO Max is developing a spinoff series called Gotham PD, which will serve as a prequel to The Batman and will further explore Gordon's experience in the police department. It's also believed the Joker will play a big part in the series. While there have been rumors the Joker will be portrayed by Eternals star Barry Keoghan, a new leak from The Batman has fueled the speculation. Specifically, an official credit sheet from the film was posted online this week and credited Keoghan as an "Unseen Arkham Prisoner." It was also noted the role required prosthetics.

Keoghan's involvement in The Batman was first teased in August 2020, when Warner Bros. announced he would portray a Gotham City Police Department officer named Stanley Merkel. Fans were quick to note this was likely a reference to a bit character who worked with Lieutenant Gordon in 1987's Batman #405, an entry in Frank Miller's "Year One" storyline.

Directed by Matt Reeves, The Batman releases in theaters on March 4.

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Source: The Batman press event