Batman: The Arkham Conspiracy (2021 Film)

Batman: The Arkham Conspiracy is an upcoming American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Produced by DC Films and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a reboot of the Batman film franchise and a follow-up to Son of Krypton. The second film in the DCMU, it is directed by Matt Reeves, and written by WallyGoat7. It stars Richard Madden as Batman/Bruce Wayne, along with Nick Robinson, Ian McKellen, JK Simmons, Sadie Sink, Zoe Kravitz and Bryan Cranston. The film is set to introduce the Big Screen debut of Hugo Strange, posing as the main antagonist for the film. The Arkham Conspiracy depicts a younger Batman and Robin, with some experience under their belt. As the protectors of Gotham, the two must find a way to defeat Hugo Strange's destructive plot to turn Gotham into his playground. Looking to reboot the previous franchise, many recasts were made. However, JK Simmons and Jeffrey Dean Morgan returned to reprise their role from the DCEU, and Zoe Kravitz also signs on to reprise her role from the scrapped Batman movie The Batman. Development began in 2018, along with Son of Krypton, after the blockbuster film Justice League (2018) was panned by critics and fans alike. Batman: The Arkham Conspiracy was released on October 29, 2021 in 2D, 3D and IMAX, while also being made available for HBO Max subscribers for one month.

Act I
Batman (suit is on the cover poster) and Robin (suit is in the gallery) patrol the city during the night. The two have been working together for 2 years, after Dick Grayson’s parents were killed in a mob hit. The Batman has been active for 4, having lost his parents to the same Gothamite violence 13 years before that. Receiving a tip of a weapons deal going down, the duo head over to the top of a building and fight the criminals. They knock nearly all of the criminals out pretty quickly, and a mysterious woman comes from out of the building in a catsuit.

“Batman. Batkid.”

The duo prepare to subdue her, she chuckles.

“Not tonight I’m afraid.” She simply leaps off the building, and the duo peer over the rooftop to see that she’s gone.

“Who was that?” Robin asks, confused

Batman simply walks over to a whip-like object left by her, “I think we’ll find out soon enough.”

* The Title Card plays- Batman: The Arkham Conspiracy*

In the Batcave, Batman runs the fingerprints and DNA on the whip. He finds out her name, Selina Kyle. She’s been stringed to a number of break-ins.

“All of these had something to do with money. Jewelry, banks.”

“But never weapons.” Batman finishes Robin’s thought. “What’s her angle here?”

“Sir,” Alfred chimes in, “You’re receiving a call from Lucius Fox.”

“Put him on the computer.”

“Bruce, somebody’s hit WayneTech.”

“What do you mean, hit?” Batman responds, concerned

“I mean, dozens in inventory gone. Bat related gadgets, gone.”

“Hang tight, Mr. Fox, we’re on our way.” Robin ends the conversation.

“Sir, must I remind you of the gala you’re hosting tonight? You’re already considerably late.”

Bruce contemplates this for a second.

“Robin, head over to Fox, gather any leads you can. I’ll head over to the gala.”

“Solo?” Robin knows Bruce doesn’t usually approve of his solo missions

“You’ve earned it,” Bruce confirms, “And I meant to tell you, good job taking down those criminals. Record timing from you.”

Robin smiles, “I learned from the best.” He takes his motorcycle and heads out.

Robin’s in the WayneTech R&D lab, where Lucius Fox works tirelessly to build the best bat-gear.

“Look here, more batarangs gone too!” Lucius explains the situation.

“Batarangs, grappling hooks, tear gas, Kevlar and smoke grenades? Jesus.”

“Robin,” Lucius looks at the boy, “Proceed with caution. Whoever stole these supplies,”

“I know. This is one of the most well guarded companies in Gotham. You’d have to be a genius to bypass security. Not to mention whoever knows what’s being built down here knows about..”

They give each other a look of understanding.

“I’m on it, Lucius. Has the thief hit anywhere else in Gotham?”

“Not that I know of. You should check with Gordon and the GCPD just in case.”

“You got it. Thanks.”

We cut to Bruce Wayne at the gala, endorsing both the newly created (Wayne funded) Arkham Asylum, and his good friend Harvey Dent’s bid for mayor.

“Mr. Wayne! Vicki Vale from GC Central news, are you endorsing Harvey Dent for mayor because of your long standing public friendship?” Vale asks him.

“God no! I wouldn’t be endorsing Dent if he weren’t the right man for the job. He’s single handedly cleaned up the city as District Attorney, crime rates have been plummeting since then!”

“They’re still up 43% compared to Metropolis, we’re barely below Bludhaven!”

“Yeah, well no man can do it alone. Isn’t that right, Brucie?” Harvey Dent chimes in.

“Absolutely. Which is why I’ve made a considerable donation to both the GCPD and the newly created Arkham Asylum.” Bruce continues.

“And you think this is the answer for the raging crime problem in our city?”

“Vicki, is it? Rehabilitation is the key. Anyways, that’s all the questions I’m taking. Have a good night!”

Bruce and Harvey walk off.

“They’re like sharks.” Harvey talks about the reporters

“You’re telling me. Almost repulsive.”

Dent laughs, “God I’ve missed you man. Where have you been?”

“Oh you know me, always working.” Bruce dismisses even the slightest hint towards the Batman.

“Yeah, well. This asylum idea? Good call. Way too many loonies running around these days. I’ve been hearing good things about this Hugo Strange character in charge too.”

“His credentials are excellent. Double majoring at Harvard in both Psychology and Genetics? Seriously, top notch stuff. Actually, I see him now. I should introduce him to the crowd.”

“Yeah, I see some potential voters anyways. Duty calls.”

“Duty calls, my friend.”

Bruce heads over to the staircase, and rings a wine glass to get the crowd’s attention.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, as you all know I am a big believer in second chances. Rehabilitation. What better way to rehabilitate then behind the smartest man I know? Give it up for the new Warden of Arkham Asylum, Hugo Strange!”

The crowd cheers, and Strange waves shyly. Wayne beckons him towards the staircase to make a speech, and he reluctantly goes. Bruce merges in the crowd, getting a tap on his shoulder from Talia al Ghul, a woman he hasn’t seen in years.

“Beloved, we should talk.” The two head out to the balcony. Meanwhile, Hugo Strange gives his speech.

Robin arrives on top of the GCPD building, finding Gordon.

“Are you always up here?”

“Relieves stress.” Gordon responds to the Boy Wonder

“I’d put that down if I were you.” Robin points to the cigarette in Gordon’s hand.

“Like I said, relieves stress. Where’s the Bat?”

“Doing Bat things. Listen, somebody hit WayneTech and stole dozens of experimental technology. Are you aware of anything else like this?”

“Yeah. We’ve just been hit last night, not a trace left. Just radios and handcuffs, figured it was a stolen paperclip type of deal. But we’ve gotten calls from Palmer Tech too.”

“So our thief hits the GCPD and two of the three biggest tech R&D’s in Gotham?” Robin starts to deduce. “I think I know where he’s headed next.”

We return to the gala. “Thank you, thank you all, truly. I simply want better for Gotham. I was raised and born in this city, and much like Bruce Wayne, I lost the closest to me from violence. The only way to clean this city is to make man better, not brutalize them, not kill them. Arkham is the solution, my friends. I’m glad to work with you all.”

Hugo Strange raises his glass, and the crowd cheers.

Outside, Bruce and Talia talk.

“It’s been years, my love.” Talia hugs Bruce

“Yes, it has been.”

“Those days sneaking out during training, hiking the mountains of Hindu Kush.”

“What do you want from me, Talia?” Bruce is skeptical

“Must I always want something?”

Bruce gives her a look of silence.

“Fine. The league is in turmoil, a rebel named Lady Shiva has created a war neither of us can win. Lives will be senselessly lost, we need your help Bruce.”

“You know how I feel about,”

“I know Bruce. After how things went down with my father and Slade…, you are my last resort Bruce.”

“I’m sorry Talia. I belong in Gotham.”

The two lock eyes.

Back to Robin, he arrives at CyberTech, a company made by genius and Gold medalist Michael Holt. Robin looks for an opening in the lab.

“Bingo.” He grapples through an open vent. Sneaking around and looking for clues, he hears metal clash in a room next to him, Robin barges through the door. He sees Catwoman and a girl in an all black suit fight. The girl has a spray painted yellow Bat symbol on her chest, with a black and yellow makeshift cape.

“That’s enough!” Robin throws a batarang at Catwoman, and she easily dodges it.

“Gotta be quicker than that.” Robin rushes towards Catwoman, flinging more batarangs, and she flips over Dick and makes her escape.

“I had her handled.” The girl is mad.

“And who are you?” Robin readies a defensive stance.

“Don’t get in my way next time.” She drops a smoke bomb and throws a metal stick at Robin’s head, when he looks back up she’s escaped. Robin sees her foot exiting through a window, and throws a tracker at it. He leaves through the same window, and sees her make an escape on a bike. He smiles, knowing he has a lead.

Cut to a dream sequence. Bullets slowly move through the air, as an adult Bruce looks. He tries to stop them, even stepping in front of them, and still they march on. He looks at the direction of the bullets, and they pierce through his two parents. The scene cuts to pearls hitting the floor. Bruce tries to scream, but no sound comes out. He wakes up, naked in a ruffled bed. He looks at a note next to him, “Until next time, beloved.”

Robin is in the Batcave, tracking the mysterious girl to an apartment complex.

“Master Grayson,” Alfred approaches Robin, “May I ask you a rather personal question”

“Jeez, Alfred, if it’s about what I think it is-”

“Are you happy, Master Dick?” Alfred asks anyways

“Happy?” Robin is confused, “Yeah of course I am. Why?”

“I just fear..” Alfred takes a pause. “I just fear I am reliving another young boy’s life stolen by this crusade. Master Dick, just know that you need not fight this war, especially not alone.”

“Yeah well,” Robin sort of shrugs it off, “Somebody’s gotta help him.” he points towards Bruce.

“Alfred is right, Dick.” Bruce walks down into the cave. “It was foolish of me to send you alone.”

‘Why? I got a lead.” Dick shows Bruce the tracker at Gotham Heights. “It’s dead, but it was last seen at this apartment complex, Gotham Heights.”

“Is this your Kyle?” Alfred asks Robin

“No, but I saw her fighting who I think the thief is last night.”

“What leads you to say no, then?” Bruce asks Dick

“She left all the black market tech alone. Experimental shrink rays, floating robots that can answer any question you ask it, hell she even left an experimental Batmobile.” Robin deduces, “No. I think our thief is waging a war on crime, just like us. She spray painted a bat symbol on her chest, Bruce.”

“Then let’s not waste time. Do your school work and training now, because tonight we head for Gotham Heights.”

We cut to the duo on top of a building during the night. A bat symbol appears in the sky.

“Gordon needs us, let’s go.”

“Wait, but what about my lead?” Robin asks

“That light only shines during absolute emergencies. We’re needed.”

“Okay wait,” Robin attempts to reason, “Let me track the lead down, and you’ll go to Gordon.”

“Robin, we-”

“I know you don’t really approve of me flying solo, but I’ve proved myself. I’ve shown you I can do this.”

Bruce contemplates, then looks at Robin.

“Update me through the radio hourly, unless I tell you otherwise. And be careful.” Batman heads off towards the signal, while an excited Robin heads for Gotham Heights.

Act 2
Batman heads over to the GCPD rooftop to meet with Gordon.

“Where’s the kid?” Gordon asks Batman

“Flying solo.”

“And you’re sure that’s a good idea? I mean bringing a boy into this- shitstorm is one thing. But leaving him alone?”

Batman stays silent.

“What do you have for me, Jim?”

Gordon hands Batman a bag of hair. Batman reaches in and feels it.

“Human hair.” Gordon tells Batman

“It’s at least 3-4x thicker than normal. How?”

“Well,” Gordon takes a sigh. “We found this at a crime scene over by crime alley. Worst mutilated body I’ve ever seen. Grotesque, inhumane. Not like it ever is. Still active if you wanna ‘investigate’”

Gordon pulls out a cigarette

“And your kid asked me why I smoke.”

Batman heads over to the ledge to disappear to the scene.

“Wait!” Gordon calls for Batman, “Listen, I get it. Kids jump headfirst thinking they’re prepared for whatever this monstrosity throws at em. I’ve got 2 of my own, and one… well lets just say he got sucked into what came at him. My point is, don’t let your boy run into something he’s not ready for.”

Batman pauses.

“He was right.” Batman says, “you really should put those down.” Batman grapples off towards the crime scene.

Robin successfully enters the apartment through an opened window. Seems like a normal apartment, Robin sees a picture of the commissioner, his daughter and son. Why is his thief at the Commissioner's house? He wonders to himself. He enters the daughter’s room, testing his suspicion. He sees a calendar on the wall with the date marked, “Judo Test today!”

“Judo huh?” He notices a reflection off the window glass, and turns towards the desk drawer. He opens it to find nothing, but sees a flat metal type object under the wood of the desk. He lifts this, and finds batarangs. His suspicions are confirmed: Commissioner Gordon’s daughter Barbara is his thief.

“I should contact Batman.” his finger approaches his earpiece, “Or, I could prove that I can fly solo by solving the case for him.” His finger leaves from around his earpiece. He continues to investigate. He finds a locked box, and cracks it open with a batarang.

“Cheap ass lock.” Chuckling to himself, he finds a notepad in the box.

“Tonight, Gotham Botanical Gardens. My war ends.” Dick reads. “And so does mine.” Dick heads for the Gardens, set to end the makeshift crusade.

Batman arrives at the scene of the crime, he exits his batmobile and simply walks towards the evidence. The police are all too scared/sane to even contest it. Bruce Walks up to one of the forensic scientists on the scene, he has his back turned to Batman.

“You.” Batman calls the scientist. A clueless Barry Allen turns around.

“Oh God! You’re the Batman!” Barry is shocked, “Wow! I didn’t think you really even existed!”

“What do you make of this? Anything I can use.”

“Well, I have a vial of blood from the scene here. Ran it in a makeshift lab over there, this DNA is- mutated.”

Batman takes the vial and inspects it.

“I also have a piece of cloth here.” Barry hands it to him.

“It looks like it came off a patient. Do you have an ID on the victim?”

“You’re joking?” Barry asks the Batman, met with silence. “There’s nothing to ID, look here.” Barry unveils a tarp to show a terribly mutilated and disfigured body. “Nastiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Hm.” Batman grunts. “You’re Barry Allen, aren’t you?”

“Wow! Yeah accounted for.” Barry is shocked that he knows who he is.

“Isn’t Central City your beat?” Batman asks

“Couldn’t pass up on this. You don’t see this kinda thing in Central.”

“Hm. Central City is pretty far out from Gotham.”

“Oh yeah, I was vacationing out here anyways.”

“In Gotham?” Bruce continues to interrogate.

“I know, not exactly a tourist trap. I’m visiting family out here.”

“I see. If you have anything else, contact Gordon. Or tell one of the officers here to.” Batman leaves and hops back in his Batmobile, and speeds off.

Robin is on top of the apartment building, and sees a figure on top of another one. He takes out his binoculars, and sees Barbara atop a rooftop. Robin grapples over there, and cuts her line, while grappling her feet and tying it to a gargoyle ledge statue. Barbara looks up,

“You again.” says Barbara, frustrated.

“You bet.” Robin smiles at her.

“God, get me down from here.”

The scene cuts to the two on top of the roof.

“So what are you doing stealing all this tech?”

Barbara pauses.

“I needed it. I’ve been tracking down a burglar who calls herself the Catwoman for weeks now. That tech makes the fight that much easier to win.”

“And I assume you’ve tracked her to the gardens. What’s with the bat costume?” In the light it’s revealed that Barbara is wearing a Halloween Batman mask, along with a black cape with yellow on the inside, and a yellow spray painted logo over a black kevlar shirt. She also has a yellow utility belt.

“It’s ironic.”

“As in your dad can’t stand having to rely on vigilantes ironic, right?” Dick continues.

“How do you know about my dad? In fact, how did you know about the gardens?”

“I’m the world’s greatest detective! Well, second anyways.”

“Did you break into my house?”

“Close your windows. And you’re a thief!”

“And you opened my box?”

“Get a better lock! Also you’re a thief!”

“God,” Barbara is disgusted, “Just stay out of my way.”

“Wait, hold on,” Dick hands Barbara one of his grappling hooks. “The hook you stole? A prototype. You probably would’ve killed yourself had I not cut the line.”

“Thanks but,” Barbara equips the hook to her belt, “why give me this?”

“Well if you are gonna rush in headfirst, might as well be prepared right?” Dick gives off a childish smile.

“Gross.” Barbara says

The scene cuts to Batman in the Batmobile. “Alfred,” he’s calling through a headset. “I’ve found a lead. Ripped piece of a patient’s gown. I need you to run a forensic analysis when I get to the cave.”

“Absolutely, sir.”

Batman hangs up, when suddenly a car is thrown at the Batmobile. Batman swerves off into the side of a building before jumping out. He looks up, and finds an 8 foot tall and muscular mutant. The monster charges him, and Batman is able to vault over him using his shoulders. He throws a batarang with a rope at the back of his leg, running around until the monster’s legs are tied. As the monster falls, Batman elbow drops the monster to render him unconscious.

“Alfred,” Batman calls in to the Batcave, “I’m gonna need a ride home.”

Meanwhile, Robin and Barbara are at the botany.

“Why are you still following me?” Barbara asks as the two sneak through the gardens.

“Like I said, gotta make sure you don’t kill yourself. Also this is my lead too.”

The two are silent for a minute as they sneak further in the gardens.

“What’s your deal with Kyle, anyways?”

Barbara pauses.

“About 2 months ago, my brother Jimmy went missing. My dad figured he was just doing his own thing, but he never leaves without telling me. I gathered some leads, and Jimmy was last seen with this woman.”

“So it’s personal for you.”

“Please. And it’s not for you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Getting past Wayne Security was the hard part. What wasn’t hard is finding out who you two were once I was in. Two orphans fighting to clean up Gotham, prevent what happened from happening again.”

“So you’ve found out who we are.” Robin interjects, “and that gives you the right to make yourself some sorta Batgirl?”

“Yeah? And what gives you two the right?” Barbara asks. “No superpowers, just relying on technology and your mind. The way I see it, we’re exactly the same.”

“Except we don’t steal to fight crime.”

“You know what? I’ve-” Barbara is interrupted.

“Children please.” A shadowy voice interjects, as Catwoman appears from the shadows of a plant.

“Your arguing is giving me a headache.” Catwoman appears to be wearing a gas mask as her lighting is adjusted. She presses a button, and gas emerges from the ground, knocking the duo out. They wake up in a dark lab.

“Oh yes,” a mysterious voice in the dark. Robin’s eyes begin to adjust, and he looks straight at Hugo Strange.

“These two will do quite nicely, Selina.” Hugo smiles, knowing he has bait sized for a bat.

Meanwhile, Batman is in the Batcave.

“Sir,” Alfred approaches Batman, “the blood comes from an Arkham orderly, named Michael Rocksteed. It’s been mutated, as you said, heavily.”

“Thanks Alfred,” Batman takes a moment's rest. “I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

“Which beckons the question, Master Bruce, where is Robin?”

“I let him fly solo, as he’d say. Figured he’d take the lead towards Kyle.”

“And you don’t question whether it’s wise as to let him track down such a dangerous criminal? Have you heard from Master Grayson since you two separated?”

Batman sits in silence, realizing Alfred’s right. He turns on his comm.

“Robin come in, status update.” No response. “I repeat, Robin come in.”

“Ooh, is this the Batman?” Batman hears Catwoman’s voice. “Arkham Asylum. Come get your little birdies.”

Batman runs straight for the prototype Batmobile he’s brought to the cave, and races towards Arkham.

Cast

 * Richard Madden as Batman/Bruce Wayne

A billionaire industrialist who fights crime as Batman, Gotham City's vigilante protector. Robert Pattinson, who was going to play the role in "The Batman", was originally intended to return, but was recast after executive decision making.


 * Nick Robinson as Robin/Dick Grayson

The crime-fighting partner to Batman and legal ward to Bruce Wayne. Enthusiastic to fight crime, he often rushes head-on.


 * Charles Dance as Alfred

The trusted butler for Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. He's been loyal to the Wayne family for over 40 years.


 * JK Simmons as Commissioner Gordon

The police commissioner of Gotham City. He is close to Batman and informs him of numerous crimes.


 * Sadie Sink as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon

Being raised by Commissioner Jim Gordon, Barbara has been stealing both GCPD and Wayne Industries tech to fight crime.


 * Bryan Cranston as Hugo Strange

A criminal scientist and one of the smartest men on the planet, the deranged head of Arkham Asylum uses his psychotic patients for his own sadistic gain.


 * Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman

A cat burglar hired by Strange to distract Batman. Kravitz, who previously voiced the character in The Lego Batman Movie (2017), drew inspiration from Michelle Pfeiffer, who portrayed the character in Batman Returns (1992), and read the "Year One" (1987) Batman story arc in preparation.


 * Denzel Washington as Lucius Fox
 * Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Thomas Wayne
 * Amanda Peet as Martha Wayne
 * Lakeith Stanfield as Harvey Dent
 * Nadine Nassib Njeim as Talia Al Ghul
 * Ghassan Massoud as Ra's Al Ghul
 * Jake Gyllenhaal as Jackie Kane (post credits)