Batman: Warner Bros. is testing two versions of the new movie

While Spider-Man may occupy the comic book spotlight for now, many viewers are eagerly awaiting Matt Reeves' next Batman film.

Robert Pattinson will be the next actor to don the cape and cowl, with the film capturing the Dark Knight in his early days as the hero.

With just three months left until release, multiple sources are reporting that Warner Bros. is testing two versions of Batman, with one featuring an as-yet-unrevealed lead actor.

Needless to say, this needs to be taken with a big, big grain of salt. Testing cuts with studios is nothing new, nor something to be concerned about. Several beloved films, from Jaws to Toy Story, were heavily edited and reworked after studio test sessions.

However, with Batman it seems the main difference seems to be the inclusion of a certain actor. Whoever that actor is, and whatever character he/she is playing, the mystery is up in the air.

Most minds would consider this character a villain, though Batman certainly won't miss it. with appearances by Riddler (Paul Dano), Selina Kyle / Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz) and Penguin (Colin Farrell).

As The Hollywood Reporter noted, there's no evidence supporting Keoghan as the Joker, although the internet has run amok with these rumours. All that is known right now is that he is playing Gotham City Police Department officer Stanley Merkel.

The movies have certainly taken some liberties in the past, though there's no evidence from DC Comics that Merkel became the Joker, or any other Batman villain.

Batman will also star Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone and Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson. Reeves also wrote the film alongside Peter Craig (Top Gun: Maverick, The Town). The film hits theaters in March 2022.