The Batman gets an explosive message from The Riddler in new clip

The Batman
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

The first full scene from The Batman has been released – and it highlights not only Riddler’s reign of terror in Gotham, but also director Matt Reeves whetting our appetites with a masterclass in creating tension.

The two-minute clip was spotted by YouTube viewers during an ad roll – this is what happens if you don’t use AdBlocker – and has been (thankfully) preserved on Twitter.

In the scene, Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is seen at a funeral when he overhears Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) discussing the recent disappearance of district attorney Gil Colson (Peter Sarsgaard).

Then, things take an unsettling turn for the worse. What appears to be gunshots and explosions rattle around in the streets. Amid the chaos, the Riddler (Paul Dano) appears overlooking the church – and sets his plan in motion: a car – containing Colson – drives through and aims at a child before Bruce Wayne saves the day.

Things go from bad to worse, however, after Colson steps out of the car to reveal he has a bomb strapped to him. Gordon does his best to clear the scene of innocents – though it’s the Caped Crusader who has Riddler’s attention: a message on Colson’s chest reads "To the Batman."

This is but a small fraction of what to expect from The Batman – not least because the runtime has been confirmed at just shy of three hours, making it the longest standalone Batman movie ever.

The Batman is set for release on March 4. For more super shenanigans, check out all the new superhero movies releasing in 2022 and beyond.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Creature Commandos
Creature Commandos just gave us our first look at the DCU's Gotham City – and a glimpse of Batman
The Batman
Robert Pattinson reveals that he finally knows what The Batman 2 is about, but he's not giving anything away
The Batman
Robert Pattinson sums up all of our thoughts on The Batman 2 delay, but says it starts shooting at the end of the year
Robert Pattinson in The Batman
The Batman 2 release date, cast, plot, and everything else you need to know about the DC movie
The Batman
The Batman 2 director teases "completely different" sequel, as he promises the movie's main villain will surprise DC fans
Robert Pattinson in The Batman
Matt Reeves explains why The Batman 2 is delayed to 2027, but says they still want to film this year
Latest in DC Movies
The cast of Suicide Squad (2016)
David Ayer admits James Gunn has good reason not to release his cut of Suicide Squad, but he remains hopeful it'll happen
Ben Affleck in Zack Snyder's Justice League
Ben Affleck reflects on the "excruciating experience" playing Batman in the Zack Snyder movies: "A lot of it was misalignment of agendas, understandings, expectations"
James Gunn
James Gunn reacts to Jason Momoa almost spoiling his Lobo costume in an interview: "I just want to profoundly thank Jason’s publicist"
Jason Momoa next to Lobo
Jason Momoa has gone method taking on the role of Lobo: "I asked everybody to call me by my character's name"
Batgirl movie
Unearthed Daredevil-like fight scene from DC's canceled Batgirl movie gives us a taste of what we could have had
Jason Momoa in A Minecraft Movie
Jason Momoa says the DCU's Lobo is "exactly like" the comic book character in upcoming Supergirl movie
Latest in News
Mario faces the camera with a thumbs up pose in Super Smash Bros. Ulimate.
Nintendo Direct March 2025 live – all the Switch news, trailers, and reveals as they happen
Batman: Arkham Knight
Rocksteady's rumored single-player Batman game is in development for PC, PS5, Xbox, and "the next generation of consoles"
The Last of Us Part 1
The Last of Us director Neil Druckmann wanted to make sure the first game "was complete" because "I wasn't sure they would ever let me direct a game again"
Pillars of Eternity
10 years later, in a post-Baldur's Gate 3 and Avowed world, Obsidian is giving its own throwback CRPG Pillars of Eternity a turn-based combat mode
Destiny 2 Lightfall
When Destiny 2 "weekly active users dropped lower and faster than we'd seen since 2018," Bungie assembled an A-Team to put out some fires: "We needed to do something"
Velma, Daphne, Fred, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo looking at a giant key which is also a clue
Netflix is rebooting Scooby-Doo as a live-action series from the producer of Supergirl and The Flash centered around a "supernatural murder" at a summer camp