The Batmobile is one of Batman's signature elements. It's been adapted many times for his live-action adventures, and each new design attracts excitement and speculation from fans. The Batman is no different. Directed by Matt Reeves, the Caped Crusader's newest cinematic adventure will bring us a new version of Bruce Wayne's trusty ride, and it's poised to be one of the most unique so far.
Matt Reeves has now revealed that he found inspiration in a somewhat unexpected source: Stephen King's "Christine." Speaking to Empire Magazine (via Bloody Disgusting), the director stated that he saw the Batmobile as being similar to King's diabolical car:
"[The Batmobile] has to make an appearance out of the shadows to intimidate, so I thought of it almost like Stephen King’s 'Christine.' I liked the idea of the car itself as a horror figure, making an animalistic appearance to really scare the hell out of the people Batman’s pursuing."
For those unfamiliar with the novel, "Christine" centers around its titular car — a possessed '58 Plymouth Fury — as it goes on a killing spree after slowly taking over the body of its owner. The novel was also adapted into a feature film in 1983, directed by John Carpenter.
At the 2020 DC FanDome, Matt Reeves offered some interesting details about his take on the Dark Knight (via The A.V. Club), and explained how the Batmobile fit into the grounded reality of The Batman:
"[When] you get to dive into the idea of this car, that [feels] connected to this version of the character — a grounded version of the character — This is something that he built."
With that in mind, the comparison to "Christine" is an apt one, as there's an interesting dichotomy to the new Batmobile. Even with the car's clear grounded nature (it looks, after all, like something that was built from scraps to fit Bruce Wayne's crimefighting needs), there's something heightened about its design. It's a smart combination of realistic and almost-otherworldly elements, which make it a frightening presence in the noir environment of The Batman.
Well, now we can be excited to know that, when Bruce Wayne races after criminals in his upcoming solo adventure, he'll be doing so in a car (partly) inspired by a Stephen King creation.
The Batman arrives in theaters on March 4, 2022.