Inspiration can come from anywhere for creatives. In this case, Michael Giacchino wrote the score to The Batman from being inspired by Beethoven. The soundscape he thought of was to be a “modern” version of what the legendary composer would deliver in the 2020s.
The insight came from a conversation between him and director Matt Reeves on Deadline’s The Process. The two have worked together across their careers, from Cloverfield to the first film with Robert Pattinson donning the cowl and cape of the iconic superhero. Early on when working, Reeves recalled Giacchino telling him this inspiration for the score to The Batman. The composer broke it down from an idea that stemmed from posing the question, “What if Beethoven scored a Batman movie?”
“What would that sound like? Like a modern Beethoven score for Batman? And I didn’t ever think I could reach the heights of what Beethoven could do, of course. But it was more of a concept, more of an idea, of an approach.”
Beethoven inspired The Batman score, confirmed the film’s composer
This iteration of the character was quite different than others seen on the big screen. Pattinson’s hero was in his second year and was still tackling the identity of who he wanted to be as the Caped Crusader. While solving a mystery of a serial killer murdering powerful people in Gotham, he has to come to terms with who he must be for the city he wants to save.
The film was not only different for being a murder mystery in the likes of Seven or Zodiac, but it was tonally darker and a visual feast that had an aesthetic that we have not seen before for the character. Giacchino and Reeves wanted something to fit the tone and “weight” of the character and story. For the composer, The Batman score was crafted with the leading character in mind at all times. It must have worked, as Pattinson even listened to it to help him in his process.
The film was quite the critical and commercial success as it grossed $770 million worldwide, making it Reeves’ highest-grossing film. He is currently working on a sequel, spinoff series, and more to flesh out this world. It is unclear what that will look like since James Gunn took over DC films, who will unleash a part of his plans sometime at the beginning of this year.