The Batman: Prologue. Starring, Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, with Robert Pattinson as adult Bruce Wayne, and Andy Serkis as Alfred.
BLACK SCREEN.
We hear the sounds of bats flittering, screeching, and loud flaps of wings as if
thousands of the creatures are swarming. The frenetic bat sounds fades to a dull volume.
FADE IN:
INT. CAVE - DAY
We see young BRUCE WAYNE lying on the ground in darkness with beams of light lining the cave
in certain areas. Bats are intermittently flying around, and some are on Bruce
crawling on his still body. ARTHUR walks up to the boy, and brushes off the bats, and notices
blood on the boy's neck. Arthur cackles in laughter, and it echoes within the cave. Suddenly
thousands of bats escape from the ceiling of the cave, and the swarm overcomes them.
Bruce awakens, and screams in terror as he sees Arthur staring, standing over him with bats
flying all around. Arthur bends down, and scoops Bruce into his arms, the bats calm down, and
return to the ceiling of the cave. The daylight leaking into the cave begins to fade turning a
gentle yellowish orange. Arthur laughs.
ARTHUR
Bruce Wayne. Why did you run in here? This dark, and horrible
place. I won't hurt you, I'm a friend. I'm here to save you.
It's not your fault. None of the evil in the world is your fault,
there's still hope for you not to be like them.
Arthur walks toward the opening of the cave with Bruce in his arms.
BRUCE
(Weak voice.)
Like who?
ARTHUR
Rich unethical grownups who think that the end justifies the means.
Arthur laughs uncontrollably.
BRUCE
(Crying.)
I remember you at my gate. Let me down, I need to go home.
Arthur stops laughing. Bruce passes out while in his arms.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD NEAR CAVE OPENING - CONTINUOUS
ARTHUR
I'm taking you to the hospital Bruce.
The light of the setting sun glows on the horizon while Arthur puts Bruce down gently into his
car. They drive off just as the sun sets completely, and darkness engulfs the city of GOTHAM.
FADE OUT:
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THREE DAYS LATER
FADE IN:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
PAN to the hospital bed where Bruce is recovering. ALFRED is sitting nearby. Bruce awakes.
ALFRED
Master Bruce.
BRUCE
Alfred.
ALFRED
Easy, you've been out for three days, you lost a lot of blood.
They gave you a rabies shot too considering what the man who found
you, and brought you in said.
BRUCE
What did he say?
ALFRED
Bats. Bats all around in the cave where I forbade you to go.
Those creatures were licking your wounds. Bruce how did you get
hurt? Did that man who found you hurt you? Did Arthur do this?
BRUCE
Arthur? Is that his name? How do you know his name?
ALFRED
His statement to police. The day of the funeral he said he saw you
open the gate and run down the street after he passed by. He claims
he yelled out to you, noticed you were crying as you turned the corner,
he followed you out of concern, but I don't think it was concern.
BRUCE
Why do you say that?
ALFRED
I looked in to him. He has a mental illness, he's prone to violence.
You're very fortunate he was not at his worst the day he followed you.
I wish I had found you first, but by the time I got to the cave you were
gone, and of course I started calling every hospital, but the police called me
before I got that far thank goodness.
Beat. Alfred reaches out to Bruce to hold his hand. They both cry.
ALFRED
You're safe now Master Bruce. You're safe now.
BRUCE
What's the man's name again?
ALFRED
Arthur, Arthur Fleck.
BRUCE
He laughed at me while I was hurt.
ALFRED
He can't help that; he has a condition too.
The DOCTOR walks in the room.
DOCTOR
Well young man, that nasty bump on your head is healing quickly.
(Looks at Alfred)
He'll need to change the dressing once a day, and the stiches are
self-dissolving, I'll see how he's doing in a week. Take care Bruce,
and watch out in that slippery cave next time you go climbing, and
exploring.
BRUCE
Yes sir.
CROSSFADE:
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YEAR ONE
INT. CAVE - NIGHT
We see adult Bruce Wayne at high tech computer monitors scrolling local news reading about
various acts of violence plaguing Gotham City. An unfinished hot rod muscle car with custom
rear fins, engine parts strewn about sits parked on a raised concrete platform above the mucky
cave floor. Alfred walks up behind Bruce.
ALFRED
Tea?
BRUCE
I need body armor.
ALFRED
What for?
BRUCE
Someone calling himself Joker is killing random people
indiscriminately.
ALFRED
No, Bruce. Don't even think about it.
BRUCE
This person is an Arthur Fleck disciple.
ALFRED
No!
Bruce looks up at Alfred still holding the tea. He gets up suddenly and storms off.
FADE TO BLACK.
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END PROLOGUE.
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