EDITORIAL: 10 Must Haves For The Upcoming BATMAN Reboot

EDITORIAL: 10 Must Haves For The Upcoming BATMAN Reboot

In light of the recent box office success of Man Of Steel a Batman reboot is inevitable. Hit the jump to check out 10 must haves for the forthcoming Batman reboot. I promise, it won't disappoint!

Editorial Opinion
By Khan - Jun 25, 2013 03:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Batman



Ever since The Dark Knight Rises hit theatres last year, many have pondered if a Batman reboot will happen or if Bale will return as Batman? Well, to me it is obvious we will see a brand new Batman for the apparent Justice League film set to hit theatres sometime this century. But when making a Batman reboot, how do you do something new? How do you get people excited again? Well today, Khan will give you his ten things a Batman reboot needs, so grab a Coke (or Pepsi) and sit back and enjoy the ride!

1. The World’s Greatest Detective


One thing the Nolan series didn’t get right was Batman’s detective skills. Bruce/Batman hardly ever used his amazing detective skills in the Nolan series, which for Batman fans is a real bummer. Batman is labelled the world’s greatest detective, better than Sherlock Holmes. So why the hell haven’t we seen that? In the new reboot of the dark knight, we need Batman to be a detective, the Arkham games have shown how cool the detective side of things can actually be.

2. New Villains


Batman has one of if not the best rogue galleries in all of comics. From The Joker, to The Riddler, his villains are timeless. While it is inevitable that we will see The Joker on the big screen in the new rebooted series, hopefully we get to see some new villains. One villain I believe needs to be shown on the big screen is The Riddler. If Batman is in fact the world’s greatest detective, a movie with these two going head to head could really make for an intriguing and awesome Batman movie.

3. Gadgets


Batman is rich. In the comics and video games, we see a vast range of awesome gadgets that Batman has at his disposal and I strongly believe it is time to see those things on the big screen. If it’s his bat-claw from the Arkham games or his shark repellent, I want to see those things… Okay maybe not the shark repellent. Having Batman use these gadgets and weapons could make for some amazing action sequences and could make the sometimes-boring scenes in a film, a little more exciting.

4. Adaptions Of Classic Storylines


Now, you can say that The Dark Knight Rises was based on Knightfall but in reality it really wasn’t. So what Bane broke Batman’s back, that’s one of the few things that the comic and film have in common. Now I wanna see full on adaptions of classic storylines, Batman has had some of the best story arcs in all of comics but still we haven’t seen any of them come to life on the big screen. One of my favourite storylines is the Death In The Family storyline which has Jason Todd (the second Robin) die at the hands of The Joker, I strongly feel that storyline is a huge possibility for a future Batman movie.

5. Robin


What can I say? I’m a Robin fan. Robin is the perfect character for this new reboot of Batman. Sure we’ve seen Robin on the big screen before ( Batman Forever) but we’ve seen Batman on the big screen before and we still pay cash to see it. Robin is one of the greatest characters in comics, every single Robin is great (except Damian Wayne) but I think there is only two Robins’ worth having in these films. I strongly feel that Dick Grayson deserves another film; he is a fantastic character and would really create a relationship with Brice that changes his life forever. Another Robin I am very fond of having appear in a new Batman film is Jason Todd. Jason Todd was the second Robin, before The Joker murdered him in cold blood. Having Jason Todd die in a film could really show the audience how Batman actually loses.

6. No Batman Origin Story


We get it, your parents died then you became Batman. Everyone knows the story of Batman, which is why there is no need to have Batman become Batman again. While it is hard to believe that when the Batman reboot will hit theatres (2015) that it would’ve been 10 years since Batman Begins came out. Which if you didn’t know, is the exact same time between the first Spider-Man movie and The Amazing Spider-Man. I think a Bruce Wayne origin story will be shown to some capacity in the rebooted film, but I doubt we will actually see him become The Batman again…. Thank God.

7. Screw Realism


I honestly don’t give a shit about realism in a comic book movie. Comic book movies are meant to be fantastical and amazing, which is why throwing in a real world setting would completely negate the entire awesomeness of the series. I’ve said it for ages; I wanna see Batman fight Killer Croc. I really do, Croc is awesome and Batman is awesome, why can’t we see that? If WB/DC reboot Batman and make him realistic again, I’ll punch a wall… And then get some Band-Aids for my hand.

8. Mr Freeze


“What killed The Batman series? Mr Freeze” Mr Freeze killed The Batman series, and it wasn’t the character’s fault. Freeze is an awesome villain, his story is cunning and scary, while at the same time touching and emotional. Mr Freeze never would’ve worked in Nolan’s series, which is why now is the perfect time to have Freeze. I honestly love Mr Freeze; his story in my eyes is one of if not the best villain stories ever created. Just ask yourself this; would you not want to see an awesome throwdown between Batman and Mr Freeze?

9. The Joker


The Joker, he is Batman’s yin to his yang. The Joker is the perfect villain for Batman, the idea that Batman can’t kill anyone even Joker is daunting and makes you wonder how much can Batman take? The Joker is the most iconic comic book villain ever period. Joker has done some terrible things, and I for one would love to see those things on the big screen. I understand why Joker wasn’t used in The Dark Knight Rises but in this rebooted series, I don’t want any bullshit. I want The Joker we know and love… Can you throw Harley Quinn in there as well?

10. No Christian Bale


Sorry Nolanites, Bale is done. While I love Nolan’s Batman film series, I would not want those films cannon in the new (potential) DC cinematic universe. Christian Bale has said he would love to return to the role, and who the hell wouldn’t? All because an actor wants to return to a role doesn’t mean they will. With Man Of Steel already released (not in Australia yet… Bastards) I strongly believe it is time for a new Batman. One actor I have been lobbying to play Bruce Wayne/Batman since the dawn of time is actor Armie Hammer who recently signed on to co-star with Henry Cavill in the upcoming The Man From U.N.C.L.E.. I’ve been playing the Arkham games for a while now and my god does Hammer look like Batman.

So that’s about it. I’m sorry for the rather long article (in my terms at least) I really do hope you guys enjoyed this. If you guys found this enjoyable and awesome, hit the thumbs up button down below and get this thing on main page! If you find me so incredibly awesome you can follow me on Twitter, @RobertDOttavi. I’m Khan and I’m out for now!


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SnapperCarr
SnapperCarr - 6/25/2013, 4:08 AM
Realism- or at least hyper-realism has always been a part of Batman mythos.
r3negade
r3negade - 6/25/2013, 4:13 AM
Good Work Khan! I agree with every one of these! Thumbs up!
Forthas
Forthas - 6/25/2013, 4:36 AM
Following this kind of formula is how we wind up with films like Green Lantern.
Alphadog
Alphadog - 6/25/2013, 5:08 AM
Yeah, hum. The original poison ivy didn't have anything fantastical besides her costume. Even in Batman the animated series she didn't have powers. On second note, even if they were to return to the nolan universe, the batman would be john blake not bruce wayne. So for example, we could se him travel the world and inprove his martial artist abilities to the level of the batman from the comics.
Alphadog
Alphadog - 6/25/2013, 5:09 AM
Also, even thow it got pretty close, nolan's origin wasn't the definitive batman origin.
Forthas
Forthas - 6/25/2013, 5:22 AM
@Khan

I read the article and it is like the many other articles that want to embrace the "comic" origins which don't translate very well on film. Also, Armie Hammer is 6'5" inches tall and would tower over his co-stars which I think would visually look bad. You throw out the statement you would hate for the Nolan movies to be canon. But why does it have to be? The entire movie universe can be its own self contained world. for example, Agent Coulson in the Marvel Universe is not cannon, but in the film, he is one of the central reasons that the team gets together.

The "realistic" approach has been the most financially successful outside of two exceptions, the Avengers and Iron Man 3 and their success had more to do with the charm of Robert Downey Jr. than with it being closer to it's comic roots.
IamKAZAAM
IamKAZAAM - 6/25/2013, 5:57 AM
i agree with this 100%.. all the same stuff I've been saying since the reboot was anounced
EdgyOutsider
EdgyOutsider - 6/25/2013, 6:04 AM
The reboot should have Black Mask, Deathstroke and Calendar Man as the villains. Deathstroke is the physical challenge, Calendar Man brings out the World's Greatest Detective and Black Mask is the mastermind. The sequel should have Mr. Freeze and end the trilogy with The Joker as the villain. Then if they go beyond a trilogy, I would like to see Jason become the Red Hood. No origin and have Batman be at most, a year into his career in the reboot. He should also be the last movie leading into a Justice League movie. Cause the way they should go and how often they release their DC movies, it would be perfect timing to bring back Batman.

Man of Steel

Wonder Woman or The Flash

The Flash or Wonder Woman

Aquaman

Superman

Green Lantern

Batman
EdgyOutsider
EdgyOutsider - 6/25/2013, 6:12 AM
Also, I would have to say no to Killer Croc. I love a lot of Batman's villains but, Croc just isn't an interesting character for a movie. That's my same beef with Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Odin
Odin - 6/25/2013, 6:29 AM
I agree, we saw Nolan's realism, now it's time to go Arkham type fantasy.
BatsFan
BatsFan - 6/25/2013, 6:37 AM
It can still be set in a real world but have Sci-fi/ Fanatical element. Like MOS.
FirstAvenger
FirstAvenger - 6/25/2013, 6:46 AM
I can get with this.
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/25/2013, 6:57 AM
Yea. Wait till you see what I have.
Spideyguy94
Spideyguy94 - 6/25/2013, 7:08 AM
I agree. The best way to go with the batman reboot is use the arkham games as a stepping stone in terms of look and feel, where the tone is very dark and serious but it's also not afraid to go more fantastical and comic booky.
SnapperCarr
SnapperCarr - 6/25/2013, 7:14 AM
@Khan Yeah but Batman and Gotham compared to others in the genre have a more grounded feel if you get what I'm saying.
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 6/25/2013, 7:56 AM
Awesome list.
Lhornbk
Lhornbk - 6/25/2013, 9:12 AM
I would agree with most of these, except the "adapt classic storylines" idea. If this is done, it should just be very loosely. I want new stories, not a story taken directly from the comics & used almost exactly the same way in the movie. No Joker killing the 2nd Robin either. Most non-comic fans only know about Dick Grayson. Having him be Robin, then become Nightwing & then having a new Robin would just confuse them, & take too long to set up. If you're gonna do Robin, do Grayson the whole time & then if it looks like the character has box office draw, when this Batman series ends maybe do a separate Nightwing movie (I don't see that happening, but that's the only way you should get Nightwing.)
BlackIceJoe
BlackIceJoe - 6/25/2013, 9:12 AM
I know I will get hate for this but the next Batman film needs to be more of Robin's story.

I would start the film opening with a car chase between Batman & Joker. The scene would change between that scene and one at Haley's Circus. I would even show a scene with Dick Grayson giving an autograph or taking a picture with Tim Drake. So all of that is going on when Batman is getting Joker. I would have Joker only be in the film for that little scene when Batman gets him & puts him in prison.

I would have Joker come back for a later film. The movie would deal with Tony Zucco & Mad Hatter as the bad guys. I would also show a scene at the Iceberg Lounge with maybe Rupert Thorne, Black Mask & Penguin. Batman & Robin would never know about that. So it would be just for the audience to know that they have something planned for future films. I also would have Easter eggs in the film that would show that the Riddler will also be in future films.

The great thing is if you make the film deal a lot with Robin is this way just like Batman will be apart of Justice League Robin will be with Teen Titans. So you can use this Batman film to help set up that Robin will be the leader of TT.
ForeverPowerful
ForeverPowerful - 6/25/2013, 9:29 AM
I agree with some of the stuff on here, especially Joker. I don't think we should just abandon using his most iconic villain like a lot of people say.

And I've got to say it, like I've said a million times on this site, I am tired of people defaulting to the Arkham games for guidance. I love the games, they're in my top 5 game series of all time, but just because they are successful doesn't mean that they are the only thing that could work.

I hope whoever they get to make this reboot, he creates his own version of the world that is true to the character. I usually get a little meaner at people who just revert to the Arkham games and the animated series, but its usually hard to find a well thought out and well formatted article these days, so thank you for that.

And if they do Robin, I hope its Jason Todd.
BatsFan
BatsFan - 6/25/2013, 10:18 AM
Use the Joker has a Hannibal like character with Riddler has the villain.
TheInsider
TheInsider - 6/25/2013, 10:57 AM
Totally agree with the gadgets. Batman is supposed to be one of the most brilliant minds with the deepest pockets on earth. I think we need to see him using, possibly, some advanced and even futuristic technology. Nolan had some of those elements but i think they could be expanded.
Morbius
Morbius - 6/25/2013, 12:31 PM
I agree with your points and I think Mr Freeze should be like he is in the Arkham game and Joker should appear, Also Armie hammer is the PERFECT actor for Bruce Wayne/Batman.
oghalfrican232
oghalfrican232 - 6/25/2013, 1:39 PM
Great read, Khan! I actually do think Armie could do great in this role! I don't understand the hate. He's handsome, he has charm, he's got that deep voice, and he can definitely play dark.

And the whole thing with him being 6'5. They can make him look like he's the same height as Cavill. It's called "movie magic".
Deathstroke4567
Deathstroke4567 - 6/25/2013, 1:45 PM
This article is right on the money! Hopefully someone at Warner reads this and takes it into consideration.
HouseSnow
HouseSnow - 6/25/2013, 6:32 PM
Wow

[frick] Mr Freeze
[frick] Armie Hammer
[frick] someone else playing The Joker
and [frick] Robin

Im opened to bringing Bale back, but if they have to change the better not make it some b-list nobody like Sam Witwer (god that would suck), or an overrated piece of shit like Armie Hammer. He has to be a good looking dude with big screen presence. I dont know who that is right now. Maybe Joel Edgerton, Liam Hemsworth or Bradley Cooper, but probably not.

You have to have somewhat of an origin story, Batman's past makes him who he is, you cant just throw a guy in a suit with no explanation, that just makes him a sociopath with no motives or morals. [frick] that.

the ONLY thing I agree with in this article is new villains, but make all of the villians ones we havent seen on screen before. i.e. Deathstroke, Deadshot, Black Mask, Killer Croc, The Red Hood, and Hugo Strange. If you absolutely have to use the joker, you better do it right, otherwise it will be a disaster and your franchise will be ruined. There is no one out there right now except maybe Michael Fassbender who could play The Joker.
HouseSnow
HouseSnow - 6/25/2013, 6:54 PM
you also labelled the bullet point "No Origin Batman Origin story". Batman and Bruce Wayne are synonymous with each other. you cant do one origin story with out the other. So his parents die and then all the sudden hes in a suit? makes sense. no explanation needed there right? wrong. It doesnt have to be like exactly Batman Begins, but you've got to have origins for both.
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 6/25/2013, 6:59 PM
I agree with all of your points. I want to see a fantastical Batman where he fights Croc, Man-Bat, Clayface, and Solomon Grundy. I also want gadgets but not the silly ones like in some Batman stories but more like the ones in the Arkham Games. Mr. Freeze has always been one of my all time favorite villains in comics if not my favorite and I would definitely want to see him done right in a movie and preferably played by Ralph Fienes because he would own that role.
HouseSnow
HouseSnow - 6/25/2013, 7:07 PM
Those of your examples of why it works? A cartoon, a video game, an old TV show, a comic book, and ONE movie, that was made pedestrian by Batman Begins? haha ok you got me bro i give up.
Mendenhall12
Mendenhall12 - 6/25/2013, 7:12 PM
It's going to be pretty hard for someone to play the Joker.
lucio7lopez
lucio7lopez - 6/25/2013, 7:55 PM
Very good points. I love the Dark Knight trilogy, but we need a new Batman and please: NO ORIGIN STORY!
THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 6/25/2013, 8:01 PM
I doubt it will be an origin story again. That is why Batman Begins exits.
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 6/25/2013, 8:02 PM
I'm not a fan of Robin so i wouldnt want him in the films, but i agree with all those point's especially the 'realism' factor.
The Arkham games ignore realism and yet arkham city was the game of the year. I'd also want a proper interpretation of Mr Freeze. I'd like to see 'Man Bat' and possibly 'Deathstroke'.
DAGuess
DAGuess - 6/25/2013, 8:40 PM
I'd love a movie based on The Long Halloween.
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