With The Batman's key funeral scene having previously leaked online, director Matt Reeves has opted to simply release the scene in an official capacity -- in 4K, no less."Many of you may have seen this scene from [The Batman] floating around online, so I decided to put it on my Vimeo in 4K," Reeves tweeted. "[Advance tickets] go on sale [Feb. 10]! In the meantime, hope you enjoy this sneak peak... [The Batman] comes out [only in theaters] on March 4!" The scene has also been uploaded to Warner Bros. Pictures' official YouTube channel.
The scene itself sees Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) attending the funeral of former Gotham City Mayor Don Mitchell Jr. (Rupert Penry-Jones), when the proceedings are interrupted by the Riddler (Paul Dano). Commotion can be heard from outside the church, at which point Bruce spots a shadowy figure, seemingly the Riddler, up on the balcony.
Just then, an SUV comes crashing through the building, with GCPD lieutenant James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) demanding the driver of the vehicle exit with their hands up. The driver is none other than Gotham district attorney Gil Colson (Peter Sarsgaard), whose mouth is duct-taped shut. Additionally, Colson has a phone taped to his hand and a bomb secured to his neck. Taped to his chest is one of the Riddler's letters, made out "to the Batman," which would imply that the enigmatic serial killer knows Bruce Wayne's secret.
Taking place during Bruce Wayne's second year fighting crime as Batman, The Batman follows the Dark Knight as he pursues the Riddler, who is targeting Gotham's elite. In the process, Bruce uncovers dark secrets pertaining to the corruption in Gotham -- and the role his own family plays in it. The Reeves-directed film is slated to be the longest solo Batman movie ever made, clocking in at a two hours and 55 minutes with credits.
In addition to the likes of Pattinson, Wright, Dano and Sarsgaard, The Batman stars Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin and Barry Keoghan as police officer Stanley Merkel, among others. The film is slated to debut in theaters on March 4 before being added to HBO Max on April 19. Two spinoff series -- one about the Penguin and another about the Gotham City Police Department -- are also in the works for HBO Max.
The Batman releases in theaters on March 4.