The Batmanwas almost even more long-winded.The new comic book adaptation debuts in theaters this week, withRobert Pattinsonin the titular role and Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman. It was previously revealed thatThe Batmanclocks in at 2 hours and 55 minutes including the credits — making it thelongest Batman film to date.DirectorMatt Reeves, in an interview withThe New York Times, addressed the three-hour runtime, saying, “Once you see the movie, I think that ceases to be an issue. It’s immersive, it takes you along and it keeps you engrossed.““By the way, it was once longer,” Reeves, 55, added of a previous cut of the movie.For more onThe Batman, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.Speaking about a potential sequel, he told the outlet, “The events of the film would create the first glimmer of hope that the city has had in 20 years, but also smash the power vacuum apart. Where the story goes, for sure, I’ve had a lot of thoughts about that. But as I said, I need a nap.“Reeves' previous movies include 2008’sCloverfield, 2010’sLet Me In, 2014’sDawn of the Planet of the Apesand 2017’sWar for the Planet of the Apes.Matt Reeves at screening ofThe Batmanon Feb. 23 in London.Mike Marsland/WireImageNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The filmmaker recentlytold Colliderabout screening the movie for test audiences before locking in the final version.“They would come to a screening and then suddenly they realized they were seeing aBatmanmovie, and it showed how much love there is forBatman, which was so exciting for me,” Reeves recalled. “Because of course, I’ve loved this since I was a kid and to be in an audience and have that big-screen experience after we’ve all been away from it for so long and to see people cheer and to see people get excited and then to see them get wrapped up.““I mean, there’d be moments where there was just utter silence and you were like, ‘Okay, people loveBatmanand they’re into this,’ and that was exciting. That to me was the best part of the testing,” he added.The Batmanis in theaters Friday.
The Batmanwas almost even more long-winded.
The new comic book adaptation debuts in theaters this week, withRobert Pattinsonin the titular role and Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman. It was previously revealed thatThe Batmanclocks in at 2 hours and 55 minutes including the credits — making it thelongest Batman film to date.
DirectorMatt Reeves, in an interview withThe New York Times, addressed the three-hour runtime, saying, “Once you see the movie, I think that ceases to be an issue. It’s immersive, it takes you along and it keeps you engrossed.”
“By the way, it was once longer,” Reeves, 55, added of a previous cut of the movie.
For more onThe Batman, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.
Speaking about a potential sequel, he told the outlet, “The events of the film would create the first glimmer of hope that the city has had in 20 years, but also smash the power vacuum apart. Where the story goes, for sure, I’ve had a lot of thoughts about that. But as I said, I need a nap.”
Reeves' previous movies include 2008’sCloverfield, 2010’sLet Me In, 2014’sDawn of the Planet of the Apesand 2017’sWar for the Planet of the Apes.
Matt Reeves at screening ofThe Batmanon Feb. 23 in London.Mike Marsland/WireImage

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The filmmaker recentlytold Colliderabout screening the movie for test audiences before locking in the final version.
“They would come to a screening and then suddenly they realized they were seeing aBatmanmovie, and it showed how much love there is forBatman, which was so exciting for me,” Reeves recalled. “Because of course, I’ve loved this since I was a kid and to be in an audience and have that big-screen experience after we’ve all been away from it for so long and to see people cheer and to see people get excited and then to see them get wrapped up.”
“I mean, there’d be moments where there was just utter silence and you were like, ‘Okay, people loveBatmanand they’re into this,’ and that was exciting. That to me was the best part of the testing,” he added.
The Batmanis in theaters Friday.
source: people.com