I have so far written five editorials detailing my opinions on the rollout for the DC Cinematic Universe—thus far covering Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. Now it’s time to move onto everybody’s favorite brooding figure in the shadow—Batman. Keep in mind that everything I discuss is with Ben Affleck’s Batman in mind. This figures to be the longest editorial I have written…by far. So without further ado…
This summer, Zack Snyder and his company at Warner Bros. dropped the bomb of all bombs at the San Diego Comic-Con: the next Superman film will see the Man of Steel opposite the Dark Knight. And if that didn’t cause enough stir, the casting sure did. At the end of the summer, Ben Affleck was officially announced as taking up the mantle of the Cape Crusader. And then the internet blew up. I for one didn’t necessarily hate Ben Affleck’s casting as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Sure, it was a total surprise to me, but my actual gripe with the casting was Warner Bros. decision to go with an older, veteran Batman. I had heard that that was the route the studio was going for but hoped that it wasn’t the case. This, coupled with my hesitation of including Batman in what I had hoped was going to be a Superman-centric sequel, left me very doubtful of the film.
I know what some of you are going to say. “It happened, deal with it” or “stop complaining.” Something along that line right? Well, rest assure, this is where my opinion has evolved. After being given a few months to digest the casting, I’ve not only made peace with Batman in a Superman film (more on this later) but also with an older Batman. I rectify this “veteran” Batman in two potential ways. The first is to imagine in my head that the events of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy happened. No, I am NOT one of those people who wish Nolan’s trilogy was in the DCCU canon. On the contrary, the Dark Knight Trilogy remains my second favorite trilogy of all time and hope it remains just that, a trilogy. It is its own separate entity. Rather, I like to think that something similar occurred in Ben Affleck’s Batman’s lifetime. He received some sort of closure and is now in semi-retirement or whatever (or not as active, patrolling Gotham in other means etc.).
The second way I made peace with an older Batman is very similar to the first. As oppose to Nolan’s trilogy standing in as young Batman’s adventure, it’s the events of the Arkham video game trilogy that stands in as such. I absolutely love the Arkham games, if not the stories, than the design of it all. Again, this is meant as a stand-in, not the exact events that perhaps transpire Batfleck’s past. I want to stress that what I just wrote above are simply ways I came to terms with an older Batman and I felt like sharing. I’m not suggesting anything here.
But here’s where I do begin suggesting ideas for this new iteration of Batman. As I mentioned, I absolutely love the design and aesthetics of pretty much everything in the Arkham games. Thus, I have concluded this new Batman franchise headline by Ben Affleck should takes its design cues from the Arkham games. They are a perfect blend of the ‘realism’ Nolan brought to the Dark Knight trilogies while also stretching it in new, exciting, and fantastical ways. It keeps the dark tonality that we’ve come to associate with both Batman films and comics. It strays away from the overused armored version of the Batsuit yet looks good and remains faithful to the comics. And let’s be serious. Ben Affleck’s chin looks similar to Batman’s chin in the Arkham games. Should there be tweaks? Absolutely. I’m not asking for exact replica, only to take cues from them. Some things will look good in a video game but not in real-life. Other things will be unrealistic to act with/in.
Not to be forgotten, I also believe the Arkham games are a good base for the tone of the new Batman franchise. I do believe the Batman films should be dark because darkness and night is what defines Batman. I agree that Man of Steel movie was a little too dark because that’s not what Superman is about. But the night and darkness is what puts Batman in juxtaposition to Superman. And if you want Superman and Batman to face off as two sides of the same coin, one should be light and the other dark. It’s what makes the duo fun to watch/read about.
I’ve been talking about this new Batman franchise in terms of films. Well, if anyone here read my first editorial, I stated that I did not want Batman to have his own solo film. My thinking has evolved here as well though not quite as much as you guys might like I’m afraid. But first, I want to say that part of my thinking for this idea is that of all the comic book characters, Batman is arguably the most overexposed. Batman has been portrayed almost non-stop in live action films since the 1989. I believe in giving characters a rest and dislike quick reboots (looking at you, Spider-Man). Optimally, I would give any comic characters a 6 to 10 years hiatus before revisiting it (clearly not an option for…anybody evidently). This justification is usually so that we don’t oversaturate the market with CBMs while allowing other slightly lesser known characters a chance to be on the big screen.
With all that being said, I did say my thinking has evolved slightly. I think to truly establish Ben Affleck as Batman, ONE solo feature film is needed. However, this will not happen until after a Justice League film. Rather, as I’ve stated in my first editorial, Batman’s feature film appearances should serve as the DC Cinematic connective tissue like Nick Fury/S.H.I.E.L.D. was for Marvel. His purpose in the films should serve only to move the collective story towards the inevitable Justice League film. What does this mean? It means he has a glorify cameo in every DC Comics film pre-Justice League (or in the case of the Flash and Green Lantern, after) to cement this idea. Of course, if he has to have a little more substance in the Man of Steel sequel to establish this version of the iconic character as something different than Nolan’s version and explain why a Justice League may be necessary, then so be it. This probably all just wishful thinking as it doesn’t appear to be the route Warner Bros. is going for. They are after the money after all.
In terms of that one feature film that stars Ben Affleck as Batman, I don’t necessarily care what they do with the character or what the plot is. My one wish, so to speak, in regards to that is to not use a villain that has been portrayed on film recently or multiple times. This means Ra’s Al Ghul, Scarecrow, Bane, Catwoman, Two-Face, and the Joker. Batman has one of the richest rogue galleries in all of comic book lore. Surely another villain can be just as tantalizing on films as those I just named above. That is why, below, I only casted villains that I felt could be used in the feature film and excluded those I named above. I left Talia Al’ Ghul in the list simply because she was…very unsatisfying in The Dark Knight Rises.
Robert Englund as Mister Freeze – I was looking an older actor to play the respectable Dr. Victor Fries and chronicle is fall from grace which is why I ended up with Robert Englund. My original choice, John Malkovich, I no longer felt right for the role since I associate him with comedy as much as drama nowadays.
David Tennant as the Riddler – For the Riddler, I was looking for someone who could bring to the role a certain kookiness while also maintaining the facet of a well-liked, mild-mannered, talented detective (in my iteration of the character, he is a GCPD detective). I personally feel like David Tennant is of the proper age and looks with the talent to bring this iconic villain to life in a very serious, creepy manner.
Philip Seymore Hoffman as the Penguin – I don’t necessarily agree with the cartoonish depiction of the Penguin. Rather, I would like to focus on the ruthless, crime boss persona of the character. The Penguin is a character that is deeply offended by the way he was treated as a kid. Always in danger of tipping over the edge of sanity, he maintains a façade of a respectable high class elitist. Philip Seymore Hoffman certainly plays a good bad guy and brings a level of respectability to the character.
Eva Green as Poison Ivy – Poison Ivy, for me, is a societal outcast. I wanted someone who could portray a dark, trouble woman who never quite fit in. Eva Green has this sultry aura and these big, piercing eyes that I felt was very fitting for the character. I think she can portray Poison Ivy as exactly what she is: deadly.
Kevin Grevioux as Killer Croc – Kevin Grevioux seems to be a very popular choice for the character of Waylon Jones aka Killer Croc. Grevioux certainly has the physique for the role and the animalistic instinct down pat. However, at 6’2” he would still need considerable digital effects to transform him into the hulking brute Killer Croc is supposed to be.
Willem Dafoe as Man-Bat – Oddly enough, Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of Norman Osborn in Spiderman convinced me that he has the ability to play the derange scientist, Dr. Langstrom. Not only dose Dafoe’s gaunt face makes him look eerily similar to the character, he is a well-established actor needed to bring credibility to an admittedly odd villain.
Jena Malone as Harley Quinn – In any other year, I probably wouldn’t have casted Malone but with a role in the new Hunger Games film, she is officially a rising star. Having seen her in Pride & Prejudice as well as Sucker Punch, I think she has the ability to play the mentally unhinged psychopath, Harley Quinn. Though I do not believe in another iteration of the Joker, Harley is one of the characters I want to see on film the most. Malone, at the age of 30, is also not too young to play psychiatrist.
Viggo Mortensen as Black Mask – I didn’t want a young guy portraying such a power crime figure especially since Batman is already in his 40s. Viggo Mortensen is a well-respected actor who I felt could bring a level of gravity to the role as the most dangerous mafia kingpin in Gotham City. Roman Sionis, in my opinion, is who I think the Batman film primary antagonist should be. More on the character later.
Michael Fassbender as Hush – Hush is a personal favorite character of mine and also someone I direly hope will grace the big screen for. As Bruce Wayne’s childhood friend, I needed someone who was of relative age. Though Fassbender is a good five years younger than Ben Affleck, the two look pretty similar in age. Beside, Fassbender is one of the most talented and in-demand actress right now, who has shown that he could play both good guy, anti-hero, and straight out, twisted bad guys. He has also shown his love for the character he plays and he has fun with them. He isn’t terribly picky with his roles.
Jared Harris/Kelsey Grammar as Hugo Strange – I don’t really mind who plays Hugo Strange as they have the ability to convey the true evil in Strange. His mind is twisted and diabolical, but he still has the ability to match wit for wit with Batman. Jared Harris and Kelsey Grammar are just two actors who are well-respected and talented enough to portray the doctor.
Olga Kurylenko as Talia Al’ Ghul – I’m sure a lot of you will give me smack for this casting but I was adamant about not having a straight-out white actress playing Talia Al’Ghul. It’s part of the reason why I supported Marion Cotillard casting as the character in The Dark Knight Rises. However, this time around, I wanted a younger actress (despite Batman’s age) who can potentially display some action. I’m not sure about the last part with Kurylenko but she’s certainly young, pretty, and looks the part.
Not only do I want to see deserving Batman villains featured in a film and featured right, but I’m also interested in exploring Batman’s supporting characters—namely the Robins. I don’t know about you guys, but I like to forget about Chris O’Donnell’s Robin or Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl. While I am mainly interested in exploring the beginning of a teenage Dick Grayson’s transformation into Robin, I acknowledge the fact that due to Batman’s current age, Dick Grayson should already be Nightwing and Tim Drake should be marching up to the mantle of Robin (or even Red Robin though I have no intention of introducing Damian Wayne in any film). I casted Jason Todd below as well but due to his complicated history, he will probably never appear in a film (especially the one film I allotted Ben Affleck’s Batman).
Richard Madden/Daniel Sharman as Nightwing – For Nightwing, I was looking for an actor who younger than Garrett Hedlund (who is my Barry Allen) yet isn’t too young considering Ben Affleck’s age. I also didn’t want a superstar playing the character because in the end, he is just a supporting character. In my mind, Nightwing is in the prime of his career. Batman is semi-retired and Nightwing has taken the helm as Gotham’s hero. Both Richard Madden and Daniel Sharman have some exposure to mainstream American audiences. At 27 years old, both stand at approximately 6’0”—the perfect height and age for Nightwing.
Aaron-Taylor Johnson as Red Hood – Aaron-Taylor Johnson is a rising star who has proven himself capable of playing morally ambiguous characters. At the perfect age of twenty-three, he is talented and versatile—the right combination needed to play the most controversial Robin. Though I don’t think the character will ever be included in a film, the Red Hood is certainly an interesting character to explore.
Logan Lerman as Robin – If you’ve been following my editorials, you’ll notice that I had casted Lerman as Wally West. I have since then recast Wally and freed Lerman so I could cast him as Tim Drake. He’s a little older than I would like but Tim Drake is far too important of a character to relegate to a no name teenage actor. Besides, I think Lerman’s deadpan personality (or at least most of his characters’ personality) is perfect in differentiating Drake from his predecessor (brash) Jason Todd and (outgoing) Dick Grayson.
Rooney Mara as Barbara Gordon – In my iteration of the character, Barbara Gordon is never Batgirl. I prefer the Oracle persona much better and was disappointed when in the comics Barbara “healed” and resumed her mantle. I think a wheelchair bound Oracle adds more diversity to the cast and serves more purpose to the Bat Family than Batgirl. Otherwise she would just be serving the same role as the Robins. Rooney Mara is an extremely talented actress who in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo proved that she will go length to get into character. There might be other actors slightly more qualify to portray a genius (essentially) but I was adamant in casting someone in relatively the same age as my Nightwings, providing a potential love interest to the character.
Below are several other members of Batman’s supporting cast that I’ve re-casted.
Mark Harmon as James Gordon – While I’m sure there are many different acceptable choices to play Commissioner James Gordon, I’ve always thought Mark Harmon would be perfect for the role. This iteration of James Gordon is already Commissioner and white hair veteran of the GCPD. All Harmon would have to do to look the part is grow a mustache.
Jeremy Iron as Alfred Pennyworth – I’m sure he is a popular choice to play Alfred. I chose him because I thought he was the perfect combination of age and fame to take over the role of Bruce’s faithful butler from Michael Caine. I would also be interested in seeing a more badass Alfred, who does more than just drive Bruce around etc.
Danny Glover as Lucius Fox – To be honest, I’m not very satisfied with this casting but Morgan Freeman was so perfect for Fox that I couldn’t think of another actor. So I just went with Danny Glover. Again, the best available combination of fame and age for the role though I don’t imagine Lucius Fox having a big role in the film.
Piper Perabo/Amber Valletta as Vicki Vale – I felt like including Vicki Vale in this casting only because, at least for me, of all the civilian love interest of Bruce Wayne, Vale is my favorite. As she would technically only have a small role, I didn’t go for the biggest name out there. I also looked for someone who wasn’t too far off age wise for Ben Affleck (I dislike when films pair two actors together as love interest but there is a clear age discrepancy between the two. Doesn’t look good…my opinion). Piper Perabo and Amber Valetta I thought were both mildly established veterans of the business who I could take seriously as a reporter (if they go that route).
Now, for those of you who despise my limitation of Batman to one feature film, fear not (or fear a lot). I would like to suggest another route in which Warner Bros. can bring Batman to life: television. Before the inception of the TV series, Smallville, Warner Bros. was actually approached to do a series focusing on a young Bruce Wayne. The idea was nix because Warner Bros. was working on what would evolve to be Batman Begins and didn’t want to compete with the television series. For as long as I’ve known about this, I thought this was the right move by Warner Bros. After all, Batman is far too important of a character to relegate to the small screen right?
But after Ben Affleck was casted as a veteran Batman, my mind began churning. No way are they going to focus on Batman’s origin again; not after Batman Begin which focused solely on the beginning of Batman’s career and what drives Bruce Wayne to don the cowl. Besides, this is a veteran Batman and the character’s origin has been tackled to certain degree in almost every Batman film to date. But then I thought back to those “origins”. They referenced the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents constantly, but I realize they never fully explored how Bruce became the detective that Batman is. Even in Batman Begins, we see Bruce leave Gotham for his journey around the world but all we see is him ending up in Asia and under Ra’s Al Ghul’s tutorship. What about the in between? Ben Affleck’s Batman has to start somewhere right?
This is what I propose: an in-canon television series tackling the journey Bruce Wayne goes through to become the Cape Crusader. Now, the premise I am about to lay out for you guys is a bit radical considering this is meant to be a mainstream television series (not on CW preferably). The following focuses primarily on what would be the first season of a planned seven or eight season run (obviously only possible if it was really popular).
Ian Harding as Bruce Wayne: Despite my preference for casting actors as close to their character’s age as possible, I simply couldn’t find a TV actor who was young enough, could carry a TV series, or looked as close to the character’s comic counterpart. I know nothing of Ian Harding, except that he looks the part. He is, however, several inches shorter than Ben Affleck, who in canon, would be playing the older incarnation of the character.
Season One of the series will take place in Gotham City—the only season to do so. Twenty-two year old Bruce Wayne has just graduated from Princeton University (I’m using this school because it was referenced in Batman Begins and I’m from Jersey; plus Harvard and Yale are too pretentious) and has moved back to Gotham to pursue his Masters in criminal justice, criminology, or criminal psychology at Gotham State University. This immediately establishes that Bruce is a brilliant mind (at least academically) and has already started down the path of intrigue towards criminals. Now, while he is studying in Gotham, the show can either set his residency in a residence hall or at the Wayne Manor. The only difference with the Wayne Manor is for an entire season, you would have to film in a legitimate manor (cost more than residence hall?) and cast Alfred. Now, because this series is meant to be in-canon, it would be optimal to have Jeremy Iron play Alfred and the manor featured to be the same as the one that will be featured in the film. These two points are highly unlikely. Nevertheless, the character would be added to the principle cast which will be discussed below.
Anyway, the first season would follow four subplots (a bit much?). The first subplot would detail Bruce Wayne’s increased involvement in Gotham’s criminal underground, ultimately culminating in his decision to leave Gotham at the end of the season to train in the various fields that will prove useful in his crime fighting career as Batman. Bruce ultimately realizes that he cannot fix Gotham by being just a billionaire playboy who, maybe, had karate training as a kid. This subplot is meant to mirror Smallville somewhat in that Bruce always ends up at the scene of the crime or help in solving the crime. Due to this very idea, Bruce comes in contact with the GCPD quite often. Now, in Bruce early-20s, James Gordon is not a GCPD officer. Instead, he had been transferred to New York City or Chicago (like his comic counterpart had at one point in his career). Gordon would return to Gotham sometime during Bruce’s absence. Instead, Bruce’s main contact in the GCPD and his first “ally” in crime fighting is a young, rookie cop name Sarah Essen (she was chosen mainly to diversify the gender of the cast. Renee Montoya I envision to be younger than Bruce so is not a cop yet).
The character of Sarah Essen will be part of the principle cast. In my search for TV stars that I felt could convey a strong yet young, rookie cop in Gotham, I ended up with…
Amanda Righetti as Sarah Essen: I chose Amanda Righetti based solely on her good looks (because of course people like watching good looking people on TV) and her role on The Mentalist. I think she has what it takes to portray a serious, career driven young cop in the GCPD. There is meant to be a big age difference between Gordon and her, so I felt it was alright if she was not too far remove from Bruce’s age.
The second subplot that Season One will tackle is the trial of Joe Chill. The character is possibly found and captured several episodes into the season and will ultimately play a big factor in not only pushing Bruce to fight crime but to also leave Gotham for further training. I’ve casted Mackenzie Crooke as Joe Chill but he will not be part of the principle cast.
The third subplot will involve the character of Thomas Elliot. As I’ve mentioned before, Hush is a personal favorite character of mine. However, I acknowledge the fact that as a lesser known villain, he is not likely to appear on film. Thus, I felt it was appropriate to bring the character to life on the small screen and explore his fall to darkness. In my envisioning of this TV series, Thomas Elliot is Bruce’s childhood friend whom he has not seen since the two separated after high school. Thomas is at Gotham State University for medical training (foreshadowing his impressive surgical skills) and reunites with Bruce when the latter transfers from Princeton. Because I envision Bruce as this mysterious, loner character (dislike by most guys for his money and looks), Elliot is one of Bruce’s only friend. His subplot will explore his fall from grace as he is embroider in Gotham’s underground and seduced by the manipulative Peyton Riley (the comic’s second ventriloquist). The season will end with Elliot’s murder of his mother and the falling out between himself and Riley.
I have casted Madison Riley to play Peyton Riley. She is not part of the principle cast and would be introduced to the show in the middle of the season. However, Elliot is part of the principle cast and the main supporting character to Bruce.
Gaspard Ulliel as Thomas Elliot: For Thomas Elliot, I was looking for an actor who could portray a “good guy” but the audience would immediately know there’s a twisted side to the character. I was also looking for someone of relative age to Ian Harding, who I chose to play Bruce. Gaspard fits both criteria. Again, I don’t know much about him but there’s something extremely dangerous about the way he looks. The only downside here is that he is French and has done almost exclusively French work.
The last subplot of Season One is rather superficially unrelated to the other three. It can be made to be but unnecessary for this editorial. This last subplot will chronicle the rise of Roman Sionis and the subsequent escalation of violence and crime in the Gotham underground. This subplot will mainly establish Roman Sionis and his persona as the Black Mask (by the end of the season) as a legitimate powerhouse in Gotham’s underground. He will be facing off mainly with the Falcone and Maroni crime family, then headed by Vincent Falcone and Luigi Maroni respectively. Young Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni will be recurring characters. At the end of the season the two will take over their respective family when Sionis kills their father.
Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni are not part of the principle cast and, in my mind, played by Jay Ferguson and Carmine Giovinazzio respectively. Roman Sionis, however, is a main cast member and is intended to be a Lex Luthor-like character for the first season of the series.
Michael Pitt as Roman Sionis: Pitt was chosen solely base on his work on Boardwalk Empire. He is a little younger than the age I was looking for in Roman Sionis but I think he has the ability to show the development of the character from rookie to crime kingpin.
The primary cast of Season One of the show is rounded out with Dawn Golden, Bruce’s love interest, and an original character. I envision this original character to be a professor of Bruce who he works closely with. Dr. Woodrue is a possibility (in that way, a reference can be made to Poison Ivy) but he will not be some alien, just a regular mad scientist of sorts.
Lyndsey Forsenca as Dawn Golden – In the context of this television series, Dawn is only meant to serve as a supporting character and love interest to Bruce. I think her character can really help cement Bruce’s status in Gotham so that when he decides to leave, there’s an emotional impact. I don’t really care for the credentials of Lyndsey Forsenca but she felt like someone who would be able to portray an innocent student. After debating with myself, I would like to keep her the sole main character that doesn’t have a dark side. I also wouldn’t mind if the character’s name was change. I simply like the childhood friend turned love interest aspect (like Rachel Dawes).
Patrick Fabian as “Original Character” – I wanted a character who was the “first” mentor to Bruce on his journey to fighting crime. And this literally would be a student-teacher relationship because this original character I envision as a professor of Bruce that he develops a friendship with. I originally entertained the idea of using an established character like Dr. Woodrue but felt a new original character was more refreshing. Like many of the other characters, I would want him to be a three-dimensional figure with a good and bad side—bad being relative.
As I’m sure many of you have noticed, many of Batman’s famous rogue galleries are not featured. This is due mainly to the fact that I believe they should be saved for future use in a feature film. However, Season One is also the chance for them to make guest appearance under their civilian identity, before turning bad. Edward Enigma as a rookie detective or fellow student at GSU? Victor Fries as respected scientist with Nora alive? Young Oswald Copplepot as an early ally of Roman Sionis? It’s possible.
Thus far, everything that I’ve laid out was about Season One. So what about the rest of the series, the other six or seven seasons to come? Here’s where I get radical.
The whole reason why I thought up this television series concept is to explore Bruce Wayne’s culmination of knowledge in his travel. Which is why I propose that every season hence forth takes place in a separate part of the world, featuring an entirely different cast (besides Bruce), and focusing on one particular skill to be acquired. One season can take place in Europe, another in Africa. Then the next season can take place in Japan, and the one after that in South America etc. Simultaneously, Bruce goes under the tutelage of various masters, picking up chemistry knowledge, detective skill, botany knowledge, or tech knowledge etc. Other non-A-list villains from the comics will make appearances including Bronze Tiger, Lady Shiva, Richard Dragon, O-Sensei, Kirigi, David Cain etc. In one season he can be working with the law and in another, he’s a villain.
I envision the series to be as long as it is so that Bruce Wayne could be missing for six or seven years. I didn’t want Bruce missing for five years since that was how long Oliver Queen was missing (at least in Arrow). As the series progress, we should see Bruce Wayne gradually become a more skill fighter, perhaps in various different methods as well. His detective skills, the ones so lacking in mainstream feature films, will ultimately be put in full display. The series ends either when Bruce Wayne arrives at the doorstep of Ra’s Al Ghul or when he returns to Gotham. I prefer the latter since I’m not too keen on having a villain as important as Ra’s Al Ghul portray on the small screen. Plus, it’s the part of the journey mainstream audiences has already seen in Batman Begins.
So that’s the end of this ridiculously long editorial. If you made it this far, I applaud you. Let me know what you guys think about my film and television ideas. Thanks and comment in the usual area.
Up Next: Justice League