It's 2022, and the latest iteration of Batman has been released after a short hiatus due to COVID-19. This edition of Batman couldn't get any better. Bruce has arrived in Gotham City to avenge and erase the existence of criminals to transform this city into the place he has always desired. Bruce suits up as the Caped Crusader to start the cleaning process, and boom! The action starts, and it is all we were missing at the time of the pandemic.
However, there's a twist. Unlike the previous Batmans, this one is more of an introvert and short-tempered. And unlike the previous editions, the new Batman is a man who believes in building his Batmobile himself instead of relying on Wayne Industries' funds to create insane rides. What is built is what Americans love. A mad-max-type and Frankenstein-ish Batmobile, and it is built from the ground up. He bashes obstacles, surpasses what comes his way, and does what he likes the most—avenge evil.
Bruce Wayne Enters Gotham City With A New Batmobile
Just like every other Batman movie in the past, Matt Reeves' "The Batman" brings a new Batmobile this year. Robert Pattinson, the ninth actor to play the protagonist Bruce Wayne, added his flavor to the film. However, Matt Reeves had unique plans for Robert Pattinson as the 2022 iteration of Batman. To ensure "The Batman" stays distinctive in the film industry, Matt gave Robert a new type of Batmobile to illustrate Bruce Wayne’s DIY nature.
Robert Pattinson revealed the new personality of Bruce Wayne in an interview with GQ, saying, "He’s just not the society playboy that he normally is." "He's a bit of a mess when we start this story," He also states, "He’s out of control; he doesn’t know what he’s doing as Batman." "And he doesn’t know what he’s doing as Bruce."
The production designer tells GQ, "Bruce has turned his back on Wayne Industries, and so the car isn’t something that was provided for him; it’s a car he’s built himself." "It's similar to the design of the character he’s creating in Batman."
Turning Bruce Wayne’s DIY-Natured Batmobile Into Reality
So, how was the present Batmobile developed, and why is it so unique compared to the previous iterations? Well, the Batmobile that was featured this year is based on a car with a legendary career in reality. And unlike the previous Batman movies, this Batmobile is unique, unlike the previous ones where directors handed fans a concept car with lofty, unrealistic styling that was too cool for fans to handle.
Matt Reeves and James Chinlund went to their longtime friend Ash Thorp, a famous graphics designer known for his flawless design work in X-Men: First Class and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, to design the next Batmobile. Consequently, Dom Tuohy, an English special effects artist, and his team worked to transform the 1969 Dodge Charger into a Batmobile, giving the project the push it needed. They proposed a set of four Batmobiles, each with its significance.
Tuohy and his team fully dismantled the Chargers and designed them based on the design given by Thorp. The chassis of every charger was strengthened with roll cages for extra protection during stunts. The overall design is thoughtful, with a meaty bumper in the lower fascia and unique 15-inch rims with Mickey Thompson Sportsman SR tires. Furthermore, key details like the rear-mounted engine and widebody exterior style further lend a monstrous character to this car.
An Electric Batmobile? LOL!
We also know there were three ICE-powered models and a Tesla-sourced electric charger. The electric charger was meant for shooting at night and indoors, as it enabled directors to get noise-free footage of the scenes. Witty!
The second model was used by stunt drivers for rallying scenes and other stunts. This model had the most modifications underneath, consisting of a stronger chassis coupled to suspensions with more travel and other hand-crafted components to improve dynamics during stunt scenes.
The third model was designed with a "Bat Cave," which enabled filmmakers to take footage of Robert Pattinson inside the Batmobile. However, this model was a total gimmick, as Robert wasn’t given any controls and the car was being remotely controlled. The fourth was also a gimmick for the actor, as it had a rig on the roof with a driver controlling the car. This car was also outfitted with cameras mounted on the exterior to record the scene and was equipped with a water spray to mimic a rainy scene.
One model ran on a Tesla-sourced motor, while the others ran on a Chevy-sourced V8 engine. The Chevrolet V8 engine was mounted transversely at the back so that the intakes stayed at the front to show off the specially designed exhausts at the back. The Chevrolet-sourced V8 engine is designed with 3,000 custom-built parts and can produce 700 horsepower. Power is sent to all wheels via an AWD system, and the engine comes with stock ignition coils and aftermarket hold-down clamps.
The electric batmobile cleverly makes use of the space. The larger battery, electrical parts, wiring, and other components are packed in a compact package on the front passenger side. The rear also features a faux V8 engine that blows fire to deliver a menacing effect. However, the electric Batmobile is heavy and needs robust braking power. Thus, it features a pair of Wilwood dual brake pedals with a truss-frame pedal design mated to a pair of master cylinders.
The interior design of the Batmobiles is thoughtful while also appearing menacing. There is a Corbeau-sourced seat at the front, equipped with a 4- or 6-point harness from Luke Racing and a circular gear shifter. All four models also featured an orthodox Speed Hub-sourced analog cluster, making this edition of the Batmobile nothing but intimidating yet functional.
Source: YouTube, Warner Bros, Alt Creative.