Preceding Shadow '97 is the first of the chronicles, The Dark Knight Returns Part 1('89) and Part 2('90), an adaption of the graphic novel, detailed his un-retirement. The second movie, simply, The Dark Knight ('93), was an adaption of Year One, describes his origins. The immediate predecessor of this movie was Prey ('95), in which he must deduce the identity of the man that killed a famous circus couple, stop a team of evil scientists, face his imperfections and accept the idea that he may need an active partner. In Shadow, Batman has been active for 9 years. His partner, Robin, has been active for 7.
The movie opens as Batman and Robin rush into the streets as news breaks that a massive breakout at Arkham has occurred and mayhem is a certainty. The duo face off with Gotham's deadliest. In a battle with (pick your villain), Robin is almost killed. This causes Batman to fire Robin who, instead of quitting, takes on the Nightwing alias. He does his best to end the chaos as well.
Catwoman, not an inmate at the time of the escape, fights for justice, and captures some of the criminals as well. As her methods are fatal, Batman tasks Wildcat to interject and stop her while he battles others. His newest trainee, Black Canary, summons her lover, Star City's dashing, beloved hero, Green Arrow, to help stave off the madness.
A young Jason Todd, amiss the confusion, discovers the Batcave. Although Jason has no intentions of becoming the next Robin, he blackmails Wayne into giving him shelter and the spoils that come along with living with a billionaire. 2-Face uses this chaos as an opportunity to kill the few remaining mafioso.
The rogues gallery, thought to be led by an urban legend, known only as Bane, was actually being manipulated by none other than The Riddler, who, discovering Batman's identity, pulls a Keiser Sosay-like (Usual Suspects) scam. Jason was a mole sent by Riddler and killed by (pick your villain) as he was nothing more than a foot soldier, not belonging with the elite.
Joker was the only villain not part of the ambush as he is too insane and cannot be trusted or relayed upon. Within the movie, not taking part of the melee, his lines are uncomfortably funny and have nothing to do with the greater plot.
The cast Returning...
Eric Stoltz as Joker
This may seem a bit odd but as Stoltz has own awards and turned head for many a performance, I felt the mysterious nature of the actor, or specifically, his identity, was key. Under the make-up and immersed within the role, who Stolz is would be perplexing. He would be known as Joker not, say, jack Nicholson. I hate hearing how Jack was a great Joker. It was Jack playing Jack. I hate hearing how great Depp was in... It was Depp acting Depp. Eastwood as Eastwood and so on. I love all 3 of them (and I'm very surprised, by the way, that Depp was not our '89 Batman) but Stolz would become the Joker. Ledger did become Joker, but we all knew him whereas Stoltz would BE the Joker, not play him or own him. Joker would own Stoltz.
Robert Patrick as Harvey Dent
Even though he may not look exactly like a younger version of my TDKR Two-Face, I have 3 valid arguments. The Miller drawn Dent looks nothing like any other version. Future Dent got plastic surgery. It's Robert freakin Patrick. Hot off of T2, Patrick went down, in my eyes, as one of the best villains ever. Side note: he'd make a great (non-comedic) JJJ in the new Spider-man series.
John Lithgow as Hugo Strange
I'd have Batman find Strange in a mock Batman costume, standing over a badly beaten up victim "Once I kill you, I will become you." Batman kicks his arse all over the place.
John Turturro (in full costume) as Scarecrow
Turturro returns as the perfect incarnation of the Scarecrow. I began searching for an Ichabod Crane-esque actor who was still scary, yet awkwardly off a bit. Turturro is a favorite side kick of mine. Never an a-list headliner, but always the show stealing co-star, he would make a remarkable pre-Scarecrow Crane.
Solomon Grundy & Killer Croc
CGI
Paul Winfield as Lucius Fox
Taking a step back with even less screen time, Winfield still proves himself a great member of the Batfamily as Fox.
Nick Nolte as Wildcat
Nolte defines gritty. As Wildcat he reflects an age of what Batman may become. The idea that he trains Catwoman is vital to the stories ahead. He is now firmly a part of the Batfamily.
Alyssa Milano as Catwoman
The sultry 25 year old (may I remind you, she is now playing 29-30) has the look down pat and with the Amy Fisher movie, Poison Ivy and Melrose Place under her wing, she succeeded in expanding her resume by redefining herself as a serious actress and a sultry adult.
Tom Berringer as Commissioner James Gordon
The 47(playing 52) year old would nail the grim and gritty take if Gordon that kicks asses and takes names.
Frances McDormand as Sarah Essen
One of my best casting in this series. She optimizes Essen as physically as she does her ability to perform the hardened cop. It's hard not to hate her
Helen Mirren as Leslie Thompkins
Now, and for a long time, Thompkins, played very maternally by Mirren, is a vital part of the Batman Family.
Lance Henriksen as Alfred
You're just going to hate me for not picking a Brit for this and 3 things are worth considering: 1is that it ain't the first time. 2 is that if we are ok with a Brit playing an American than this had better be accepted as well. 3 is that I am happy enough with picking a favorite of mine that I don't care too much ;). Henriksen is 57 (playing 60) and lines up nicely as the younger version of my TDKR Alfred.
Thomas Gibson as Batman
He has the good looks (Soap opera star) and the steely eyed stare of a hardened bad ass (Criminal Intent) to play Batman perfectly. His age will favor him as the years pass by in movie town but he only ages a few years i.e. in 1993 his true age is 31 and he plays a 26 year old and in 1995 he plays a 28 year old at the true age of 33. In 1997, at 35, he plays 35. In the 1999 finale, at 37, he will play 40.
And introducing...
Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Nightwing
At 19, Myers was nominated for best newcomer in his starring role in The Disappearance of Finbar. At 20, playing 18, Myers is, by far, the best actor to breathe life into the boy wonder turned young man. This a huge role and Myers can bring it. He even looks (a bit) like a young Zegers. The title reflects Nightwing, among others.
Edward Furlong as Jason Todd
Furlong is red hot. He is teen angst personified. Watch American History X and T2 for the best examples. Furlong, like every other teen in movies, isn't the 15 year old they'd have us believe he is, in fact, he is 20.
James Woods as The Riddler
The air of intelligence is exactly what is needed to completely erase the fantastically charismatic Frank Gorshin from our memory. Originally considered for Joker in Burton's Batman, Woods would transform The Riddler into the terrifying opponent that stands atop a lonely hill as the only intellectual equal to the Batman this movieverse will know.
Brad Pitt as Green Arrow
I'd like to point out that Pitt is an extremely talented actor from Interview to Kalifornia to Fight Club and that it was a bit complicated finding a a good looking blonde that would be believable as the older, drunker, darker Reed. In Pitt I found the perfect actor to compliment every bit needed. When he and Canary cross paths with Batman, Batman doesn't accept his offer until he sees in him a kindred spirit.
Christina Applegate as Black Canary
This may be an odd choice if your not familiar with her outside of her shtick, but I assure you the 26 year old charismatic actress is the dark horse cast in this series. When she and Arrow cross paths with Nightwing, the young stud and the vixen, much to the dismay of the green one, have instant, undeniable chemistry.
With...
James Cromwell as Mr Freeze (The Green Mile)
Heather Graham as Poison Ivy (From Hell)
Brad Dourif as Victor Zsasz (Chucky)
(At this point, you've surely noticed that the Batfamily has grown and now that you've discovered that Jason Todd's death was not as meaningful as it was in the comics since he was a traitor and never was he (a) Robin, you may find yourself wondering who's death Bruce Wayne and Alfred were alluding to 8 years ago in the years to come. Tune in next fancast, Ace of Knaves, 10 years after the first installment, but timeline-wise 15 years prior to the events of TDKReturns.