In late April 2025, a fabricated tweet sparked a widespread rumor that director Matt Reeves cited The Weeknd’s song “Call Out My Name” as a major inspiration for The Batman Part II. This misinformation, originating from a parody account, was subsequently reported as fact by several reputable media outlets, illustrating how easily false information can permeate mainstream news.
The Fake Quote
“I love taking long showers and listening to music, I had Call Out My Name by The Weeknd on repeat and thought that captured how Bruce was feeling perfectly… at least for the beginning.”
The Origin: A Parody Tweet Goes Viral
On April 1, 2025, the Twitter account @CBMovieFan, known for its satirical content, posted a tweet claiming that Matt Reeves had stated, “The Weeknd’s ‘Call Out My Name’ was a big inspiration for what Bruce is dealing with when we see him again.” The tweet was intended as an April Fools’ joke, but its presentation mimicked genuine entertainment news, leading many to believe it was authentic.
The tweet didn’t gain much traction at first, but by the end of the month, the news amassed thousands of likes and retweets. Its widespread dissemination was fueled by fans eager for updates on the upcoming Batman sequel and by the plausible nature of the claim, given the song’s melancholic tone aligning with the film’s anticipated themes.
Media Outlets Report the Misinformation
Despite the tweet’s satirical origin, several reputable media outlets reported the claim as fact. For instance, Billboard published an article stating, “The Weeknd’s 2018 hit ‘Call Out My Name’ is a ‘big inspiration’ for ‘The Batman’ sequel, according to director Matt Reeves.” Similarly, IndieWire reported that Reeves revealed The Weeknd inspired the upcoming film. These reports lacked verification from official sources.
The propagation of the false claim was further amplified by social media accounts and fan communities. For example, Pop Crave tweeted, “In a recent interview with IndieWire, director Matt Reeves revealed The Weeknd inspired the upcoming ‘The Batman Part II’ film.” Such posts contributed to the rumor’s credibility and reach
The Weeknd’s Reaction
Adding to the confusion, The Weeknd himself acknowledged the claim. He responded to the reports on social media, expressing excitement about his song’s supposed influence on the film. His reaction, though genuine, has inadvertently lent further credibility to the false narrative.
So, No, The Weeknd Did Not Inspire Matt Reeves in the Shower – As Far As We Know…
This all serves as a little reminder of a growing problem – make sure to check your sources!
