Cloaked in Secrecy: The Batman Franchise Production Names
The production of a Batman film is an exercise in guarding secrets worthy of the Dark Knight himself. To combat leaks and spoilers, studios cloak these blockbusters under bizarre and mundane codenames. From the deeply personal, like Rory's First Kiss, to the thematically appropriate, like Vengeance, these titles are the first line of defense in protecting the story of Gotham's protector.
These working titles often become a part of the film's legend, offering a glimpse into the creative process. They show how a studio balances the immense public interest in a character like Batman with the practical need to make a movie in secret, hiding in plain sight just like Bruce Wayne.
Franchise Codenames (Chronological)
The production aliases for the live-action, theatrically released films.
Batman (1966)Working Title: Batman: The Movie
Riding the massive wave of the TV show's popularity, there was no need for subterfuge. The film was an extension of the series, and its title was as direct and campy as the movie itself.
Batman (1989)Working Title: N/A
Similar to the first Superman film, Tim Burton's production was a known quantity. With its groundbreaking, dark tone, the project was simply known as "Batman," a title that carried all the weight needed.
Batman Returns (1992)Working Title: N/A
Like its predecessor, the much-anticipated sequel's production was an open secret. The focus was on continuing the unique gothic vision, making a secret codename unnecessary.
Batman Forever (1995)Working Title: N/A
Following the established pattern of the series, and with a high-profile casting change, the film's production was public knowledge. The title itself was part of the marketing for the franchise's new, more colorful direction.
Batman & Robin (1997)Working Title: N/A
With its toyetic focus and fast-tracked production, this film was developed in the public eye. There was no attempt at using a codename, as the film was part of a major, overt marketing push.
Batman Begins (2005)Working Title: The Intimidation Game
Christopher Nolan's reboot era began the modern trend of secret titles. This codename perfectly captured the film's core theme: Bruce Wayne learning to use fear as a weapon to intimidate Gotham's underworld.
The Dark Knight (2008)Working Title: Rory's First Kiss
Perhaps the most famous blockbuster codename, this whimsical title was named after director Christopher Nolan's son. Its absurdity was the perfect camouflage for what would become one of the darkest and most intense comic book films ever made.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)Working Title: Magnus Rex
Continuing the tradition, this title combined the name of another of Nolan's children (Magnus) with the Latin word for "King." It gave the production an epic, imposing name while revealing nothing about its plot.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)Working Title: Sage and Milo
This DCEU entry used a completely abstract codename for maximum secrecy. The unrelated name helped to hide the monumental clash between DC's two biggest icons during the film's global production.
Justice League (2017)Working Title: Caveman
The production used this primitive-sounding codename, possibly alluding to the ancient origins of the Mother Boxes and the villain, Steppenwolf. The project later saw a director's cut released as "Zack Snyder's Justice League" in 2021.
The Batman (2022)Working Title: Vengeance
A direct and thematic codename, "Vengeance" was used on production signs and materials. It perfectly reflected the film's central character arc, with Batman's journey beginning with a singular focus on vengeance before evolving.
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