‘The Batman’ May Draw Inspiration From ‘Batman: Year One’ And ‘The Long Halloween’, Could Introduce The Flying Graysons [Updated]
Update: Set photos have been posted online that appear to depict jack-o-lanterns on the set ofThe Batman, which lends credence to the long-held speculation that Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s beloved comic graphic novelBatman: The Long Halloweenmay serve as an inspiration for Reeves' movie. We won’t link to those photos, but they’re out there if you want to track them down. In any case, the apparent Halloween setting may mark the first time a live-action Batman movie has taken place during that holiday sincea brief scenein 1995’sBatman Forever. Our original article follows.
SinceRobert Pattinsonstepped into the cape and cowl, it was clear thatMatt Reeves’The Batmanwould follow a younger Caped Crusader. But just how early? We still know very few details about the plot ofThe Batman, but previous reports suggested that the film would show the early days of Batman’s career, barring the origin story that we’ve already seen dozens of times before. Now a new tweet from Reeves hints thatThe Batmanwill draw inspiration from one of the most iconic depictions of Batman’s early career: Frank Miller’s acclaimed comic bookBatman: Year One.
The Hollywood Reporter published areport last yeardescribingThe Batman’s story as “neither another rehashing of his origin nor the tale of a seasoned crimefighter ruling Gotham City. He is Bruce Wayne still trying to find his footing on his way to becoming the genius detective.”
The plot sounds similar to that of Miller’sBatman: Year Onecomic book, published in 1987. The comic follows Batman early in his crimefighting career as he strikes up a wary partnership with recently transferred officer James Gordon. Christopher Nolan’sBatman Beginsalso mined the comic for inspiration.
With a new tweet, Reeves hinted thatBatman: Year Onewill play a major inspiration on his film.
Happy Birthday, Brucepic.twitter.com/zJ4q9kXcIn
— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA)August 21, 2025
Reeves posted a panel from Miller’sBatman: Year One, showing Bruce returned to Gotham and ruminating on the best way to fight crime in his city, with only the caption “Happy Birthday, Bruce.” While this doesn’t confirm thatThe Batmanwill doing a straight adaptation ofYear One, it does corroborate reports that the film will draw inspiration from Miller’s comic book.
However, a new casting report also hints that Reeves won’t just be looking to the past, but to the future. Reports of a casting call put out by Warner Bros. for extras and actors with circus skills (viaComicBookMovie.com) suggests thatThe Batmanwill give us a glimpse of the Flying Graysons, the ultimately doomed circus couple whose son Richard Grayson becomes Batman’s iconic sidekick Robin. This is in line withForbes' report that Reeves has plansto introduce characters like Robin and Batgirl.
