Batman: No Laughing Matter

Batman: No Laughing Matter is an American crime superhero film directed by Aaron Moorhead & Justin Benson from a screenplay by Jeremy Slater and produced by DC Studios. A stand-alone film in the Batman film series, the film stars Oscar Isaac as both the title character and The Batman Who Laughs, with Tom Hiddleston, Leslie Grace, Ralph Fiennes, and Andy Serkis also starring. The film follows Batman as he faces a murderous alternative version of himself.
Development on an Elseworlds Batman movie by Benson, Moorhead, abd Slater was announced in 2031. Isaac's casting was announced later that year, along with the reveal that the film would include the character of The Batman Who Laughs. Pace said she wanyed the film to be "a exploration of Batman as he goes througth an identity crises". Films featuring Hannibal Lecter and buddy films such as The Odd Couple were an influence on the film. The film made minimal use of CGI during production, only usingit whenever it was necessary. Filming took place primarly in New York City.
== Synopsis ==
In the streets of Gotham City, a new figure arises from the cosmos to strike fear into the citizens. As cackling as the Joker abd as silent as Batman, The Batman Who Laughs traveled from one Earth to another to bring chaos into this world. To stop him, Batman must do the unthinkable: Team up with the Joker himself. What results is an adventure like no other that leads to Batman discovering new things about himself.
== Cast ==
* Oscar Isaac as Bruce Wayne / Batman: A socilalite from Gotham who fights crime as the vigilante Batman. Isasc said the film "serves as an exploration of Batman's psyche from a different angle", noting it would deconstruct aspects such as hus "no-kill" rule and stories where he breaks it. Isaac also plays The Batman Who Laughs, an alternative version of Batman from another reality.
* Tom Hiddleston as The Joker: A clown-themed criminal from Gotham and Batman's nemesis.
* Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon / Batgirl: Jim Gordon's daughter, Batman's partner, and his liason with the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD).
* Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth: Batman's butler and father figure. Fiennes reprises his role from The LEGO Batman Movie.
* Andy Serkis as Jim Gordon: The GCPD's comissioner and one of Batman's closest allies.
Additionally, May Calamwy plays Harley Quinn, the Joker's girlfriend. Ron Perlman reprises his role from the DC Animated Universe as Clayface. Director Aaron Moorhead & Justin Benson said the character's appearance is meant to establish the film's universe to have a less grounded approach than previous stand-alone Batman movies. Benson & Moorhead maje cameos as the Joker's goons, Jack and Joaquin, named after previous Joker actors Javk Nicholson and Joaquin Phoenix.
== Production ==
=== Filming ===
Filming took place in New York City, which was chosen due to being an inspiration for Gotham City in the comics. The film's visual style was primaroy inspired by the Marvel Television Netflix series Luke Cage.
The film made primary use of practical effects. Benson said she took this approach because he and Moorhead felt visual effects "only made things look real", whereas practical effects "allowed things to look and feel real. Because, in a way, they are. They are physically there, so you believe it everytime you see these things onscreen". For scenes featuring both Batman and The Batman Who Laughs, stunt double Vincent Bouillon served as body double was used so that Isaac could have someone to interact with; Moorhead abd Benson wanted Bouillon to serbe as Reeves' body double in the role due to previously serving as his stunt double in John Wick: Chapter 4 and, thus, was familiar with his acting. She wanted the final fight between both Batmans to be "gritty, brutal, and real", something she could be best achived if it was filmed between a stunt artist and Reeves, who is known for doing most of his stunts. She drew inspiration on the climax of Spider-Man for the sequence.