This Classic Batman Begins Trailer Sounds Crazy For Using One of Rock’s Most Divisive Bands

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As a movie reviewer, I can confidently say that by the time “The Dark Knight” and particularly “The Dark Knight Rises” graced our screens, Warner Bros.’ marketing team had truly mastered the art of selling Christopher Nolan’s contemporary Batman tale. The powerful visuals in these films, complemented by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard’s musical cues, created an aura of grandeur that left audiences yearning for more. Unlike other productions, the “Dark Knight” series didn’t rely on mainstream music trends to grab attention. Instead, their unique soundscapes were more than capable of captivating the public’s imagination.

In 2005, when the idea of Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale making a Batman movie was still a gamble, Warner Bros. had to take an unusual approach to promote “Batman Begins“. Instead of sticking with innovative strategies, they opted for more conventional methods, even considering song choices that would be considered unlikely for any future Nolan film. One particular TV advertisement aimed to attract teenagers nationwide by featuring the Nickelback song “Someday”.

What Is This Batman Begins Nickelback Commercial?

This ad for the first showing of “Batman Begins” subtly highlights the bond between Bruce Wayne (played by Christian Bale) and Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes). The ad opens with a melody from “Someday” playing in the background as Rachel expresses her despair over Wayne’s long journey to train overseas. Halfway through, the powerful vocals of Chad Kroeger kick in as Bale transforms into Batman, while Rachel sits alone on a train, looking out a window sadly.

Towards the end of the advertisement, scenes from Rachel’s ride in the Batmobile (as depicted in ‘Batman Begins’) are displayed, with Batman assuring her she’s safe now. The film’s title appears as clips show Batman carrying Rachel to safety, accompanied by text announcing the movie’s release date. This commercial stands out for several reasons, one being that it seems to be a relic of old-school studio thinking, suggesting that women would only be interested in a Batman film if it focuses on romance.

Strangely out of place, the tone depicted in the advertisement for Batman Begins was not conveyed through a backdrop of Celine Dion or Natasha Bedingfield tunes. Instead, this seemingly romantic commercial is accompanied by Kroeger’s shouting about “Someday we’re gonna be alright/But not right now.” The vibe of a Dove Women’s Shampoo ad and an Axe Body Spray ad have merged, leaving Batman Begins as an unlikely victim. What makes this commercial even more surprising is that the use of Nickelback in a big comic book movie TV spot was somewhat fitting in 2005, considering their music’s association with certain films at that time.

2000s Comic Book Movies LOVED Nickelback

Way back before “Photograph” memes flooded the internet, Nickelback was everywhere in films from the 2000s. Movies such as “Clockstoppers,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” utilized their tunes, while trailers for movies like “Date Night” incorporated Nickelback tracks. In the 2000s superhero genre, it was notorious for leaning on Nickelback’s music. Within just a 14-month period spanning 2003 and 2004, both “Daredevil” and “The Punisher” incorporated songs by Nickelback in their productions.

In the meantime, Kroeger performed the classic track “Hero” specifically for the movie ‘Spider-Man’, incorporating a music video that heavily relied on footage from the Sam Raimi film. Considering how many 2000s superhero films incorporated Nickelback, we’re all lucky Warner Bros. didn’t make Christopher Nolan create a fight scene for ‘Batman Begins’ using “Rockstar” by Nickelback. By the end of the 2000s, the prevalence of Nickelback in American cinema had diminished, so neither promotional materials for ‘The Dark Knight’ nor ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ were associated with the controversial rock band’s music.

Given Nickelback’s frequently criticized standing in popular culture, it’s surprising to think about how they were momentarily connected to one of the most highly respected superhero film series – Batman Begins – in a single commercial. This odd match was almost predictable given the marketing trends of mid-2000s films and Nickelback’s prevalence in superhero movie soundtracks during that period. To fans of The Dark Knight trilogy, this collaboration might have seemed like an unexpected twist or even a “Hollywood horror,” but the Warner Bros. advertising team managed to make it work by skillfully choosing Nickelback’s music for the marketing campaigns of the Batman Begins sequels.

Batman Begins is now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-04-06 05:10