The Batman's Robert Pattinson has put a lot of thought into why his version of the character won't kill and his feelings regarding the violence he exacts.
In an interview with Frech magazine Premiere, the actor spoke about the Dark Knight's methodology. "There is this rule with Batman: he must not kill," Pattinson said. "It can be interpreted in two ways. Either he only wants to inflict the appropriate punishment, or he wants to kill and his self-control prevents him from doing so. I imagined it that way from the rehearsal of the first fight, I thought it was funnier: something in him just wanted to slit the guy's throat! I told myself that if he spends his nights chasing criminals, it is impossible that he does not take pleasure in it."
Though there have been times when Batman has broken his no-kill policy, he's generally been known to follow and enforce restraint for himself and other crime-fighters who operate in Gotham City. After his parents were murdered before his young eyes, Bruce Wayne created a separation between himself and the people like the one responsible for his trauma. As Batman, he sends his rogues' gallery to Arkham Asylum where they frequently escape to cause more havoc.
While Batman has shown great self-control, he's also tempted by his inner demons. "He is in pain and it is a desire that overwhelms him," Pattinson continued. "And by dint of [fighting], his mind clears, he calms down, he reaches a state close to plenitude. I'm sure in this first fight, he manages to convince himself that every guy in front of him is the one who killed his mother. [Laughs.] And so that allows him to vent all his rage."
Some of this rage Pattinson described has already been seen in the footage that's been released thus far. In the 4K trailer shared by director Matt Reeves, Batman drives his Batmobile through a raging fire and crashes into the Penguin's automobile, sending the vehicle rolling violently down the street.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice received criticism for Batman's use of lethal force as he relied on weapons like mounted machine guns on his Batwing and Batmobile and flamethrowers. And that wasn't the first time Batman killed onscreen either. In Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns, Michael Keaton's Caped Crusader kills multiple people with less regard for life compared to other iterations.
The Batman hits theaters on March 4.
Source: Premiere