Now that the Dark Knight trilogy has come to an end, it’s time to look towards the future when a new man will step behind the cowl.
The first in the series establishes a new status quo, forgoing yet another origin story, and diving into a Gotham with a young Batman trying to make a difference in a city buried in corruption, the main roles being played by relative unknowns for the most part in an attempt to breathe young life into the series (which would probably be designed as a Quadrilogy, with each movie tying into the next in the series in some form). It also introduces several elements missing from the Nolan-verse series; primarily by introducing a young Richard Grayson, aka Robin (and NOT some shoe-in character named Robin), into the fold. Another thing lacking from the Nolan films was the lack of Batman ever showing any real detective skills, with Batman supposedly being one of the world’s best detectives, there needs to an enemy more on the same mental level as Bruce, an enemy that requires thought and not poorly choreographed fight scenes. One final element that seems to have rarely been addressed in recent years is Arkham Asylum (apart from Batman Begins, where it played a more important role), which would play a part in this series, housing various enemies from the bat rogues gallery, it would become vital as the series progressed, with several bit characters who could potentially play major roles in later films.
Without further ado the cast…
Bruce Wayne/Batman:
This time a younger Bruce Wayne, one who has become ingrained in the criminal element of Gotham City, using his wealth and skills learned after the death of his parents to fight a never ending war as the Batman. He has been fighting crime for only a year or so, but was fast becoming the bane of the criminal underworld’s existence. Early in the film he witnesses the death of a group of acrobats, noticing a young teenager still alive, recognizing himself in the boy he eventually decides to act as a guide, knowing what revenge can guide one to do. While not truly comfortable in the mentor role (due to not a vast age difference) we see Batman learning how to act as part of a team, and not remaining the lone protagonist.
I chose Kellan Lutz for the role, despite not having a lot of experience under his belt, he has the physique (check out his Men’s Fitness shoot to see his workout regime) and appearance (a strong jaw, something that Bale lacked) to look like a young Bruce Wayne, and is already employed by WB (due to the Twilight films where he plays Emmett Cullen).
Batsuit:
This time no real world military inspired garb, something more akin to his Arkham City appearance, something that would allow freedom of movement with some minor protection built in. Think Captain America from Avengers combined with Batman, and voila you have a real-world Batsuit that still lets its wearer move without constriction…also there’s a utility belt for
a reason…let’s see that used some. Wizard Magazine did an Ultimate Batman a long time ago, and I think it had a pretty good look about it.
Batmobile:
No tanks-esque vehicles, no whatever that thing was that flew in Dark Knight Rises…this time something more streamlined, look to Tim Burton and Batman: TaS for inspiration here. Have vehicles that are unique and evoke the image of a Bat, not something that the Army may be using in the future.
Richard Grayson/Robin:
There is plenty of room in a Batman movie for the Boy Wonder (though that title could be ignored). The problem is finding an actor who is young (not a 20/30 year old pretending to be a teenage), someone that can play a slightly emotionally disturbed teen, lost and desperate. Whereas Bruce Wayne has Alfred, Dick has no one, and that is something that Bruce Wayne would note when he saw the young Grayson mourning over his parents. He would have anger, but would have no way of channeling it without getting himself killed. Yet, we would need someone who would eventually grow to be his own hero, eventually taking the mantle of Nightwing as he aged.
The problem with casting a teenager is finding one with the resume to play such a vital role, but it also presents an opportunity for a young actor to grow into a role. Look at the cast of Harry Potter, mostly inexperienced at first, but ultimately growing in fine young actors. With that in mind I cast Alex Ferris, he had a role in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,”
as well as playing young Sam Winchester in the series “Supernatural.”
Robin Suit:
No short pants and pixie shoes here, but definitely something with the reds and greens that became synonymous with Dick as Robin. Made similarly to the Batsuit, with a slightly lighter material to allow for Dick Grayson’s agility.
Alfred Pennyworth:
The British father-figure of Bruce Wayne, loyal to a fault, a little less old man Alfred with a bit of wit, a little more former British Intelligence Agent. An Alfred, who despite his age, could still deliver a good fight if anyone was to enter into the Wayne Household uninvited, an Alfred who is integral to Batman and Robin, able to serve not only as a valet, but also as someone acting behind the scenes to insure the team’s success.
There are plenty of British actors out there who could play the role of elderly butler/father-figure, but I needed someone who could play that role and still kick a butt or two with little suspense of disbelief. For that man I chose Anthony Stewart Head, from Buffy fame, who played all those roles as Buffy’s Watcher Giles (aka Ripper). Possessing an air of seniority and wisdom, and also not afraid to get his hands dirty when he feels it is absolutely necessary.
Commissioner Gordon:
There is no denying that Gary Oldman was probably one of the best parts in the Dark Knight Trilogy, and his Gordon was phenomenal, so now comes the tricky part of casting someone else in the role. James Gordon is a good cop, surrounded by bad…willing to admit that his officers couldn’t handle Gotham City alone…willing to accept and encourage aid from a masked vigilante. An officer who willingly takes lead of the entire force and as such all the problems that come with it, despite its drain on his family. I chose not cast the entire GCPD, but that’s all for another day (and cast as a TV series).
Hugh Laurie played grizzled and cynic in “House,” take away some of the cynicism, grow a mustache, and I think he could make a good follow up to Gary Oldman. Completely level-headed and not afraid to make decisions that others wouldn’t want to make…not to mention House himself was based
on Sherlock Holmes.
Barbara Gordon:
Commissioner Gordon’s daughter, quite competent on a computer and possessing a fascination with the Batman. We see her in a smaller role here, but laying groundwork for a larger role as the series progresses, including her own makeshift Batgirl costume.
Once again casting a teenager as a teenager shows up. I wanted Barbara Gordon at best 14 or 15, and I also wanted a red head this time around (sorry Alicia Silverstone). So I cast Bella Thorne, from Disney’s “Shake It Up,” also it doesn’t hurt that she is a dancer, and well that’ll come in handy when training to eventually take up her own mantle of the bat.
Batgirl Suit:
Homemade, and not designed for real combat…but it was designed by a teenager…so that could be why.
Mayor of Gotham City/Mayor We
I just wanted to give Adam West a cameo, and well that would work. Nobody messes with Mayor We…
Next we need to dive into the enemies for the film…like I said I wanted someone who could be a real test for Batman’s detective skills, but also someone recognizable. So for the primary villain I went with…
Edward Nygma/Riddler
A genius in his own right, but not the over-the-top character from “Batman Forever,” someone with a lot of charisma, a winning wit and who could easily rock a cane and bowler hat. That’s not to say he’d be the only villain in the film, but the one pulling the strings…testing the skills of the Batman, yet someone who is so OCD he can’t help but leave clues behind, something that would play into the final bit of the film after he had unintentionally left pieces of the big riddle throughout the entire film. With the right script, the Riddler could be an excellent foil, leaving riddles to lead the Bat and Bird to various thefts and abductees, all while plotting his big move, releasing the inmates of Arkham…
Of course to play this character you need someone with the charisma to pull it off believably, someone who could take a gimmicky character who can twirl a cane and make him a threat. So I chose to cast Neil Patrick Harris, who is both likeable and can win over an audience. Doogie Howser has come a long way, and it’s time for him to take that charisma to the dark side.
Other “villains” (in quotes because they may not be playing the villainous role this time around):
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot/The Penguin:
This time around he would be a mostly legitimate businessman, with ties to the underworld through his various clubs. Used primarily as a source of information, the Penguin would have a supporting role at the minimal.
Played by Timothy Spall, who is not unfamiliar with playing less than attractive sorts (Peter Pettigrew from Harry Potter for example), just give him a tux, a nose prosthetic, monocle and umbrella (no ng Penguin Army this time around) and we can get a real feel of the Gotham I’d be trying to portray.
Selina Kyle:
Not Catwoman…at least not yet…but a young woman showing some vested interest in some of Gotham’s high end museums/jewelers/billionaires.
Rooney Mara…sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.
Hugo Strange:
He is first introduced as a psychiatrist to Bruce Wayne, when he was sent to talk to him about the new teenager that had taken up residence in Wayne Manor and transferring him to a psyche ward. Strange pulled some of the strings that caused the death of the Graysons, after his fascination with Batman led him to profile the vigilante and deduce that he was probably formed from tragedy, and as such he wanted Dick Grayson as his own experiment to make his own Batman.
This was the easiest and probably least original choice here, but Robin Williams wants a Batman film, and as he gets older fewer and fewer roles
would suit him.
Arkham Asylum will also have a larger presence than in the past, actually introducing staff of the hospital in some form, as well as having a few shots of inmates in brief, easter-egg type roles, who may or may not appear again as a means to establish and fill the world that is being created.
Dr. Jeremiah Arkham:
The head of Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, is a man who seems like he could flip at any moment after years of being immersed in the colorful characters that inhabit his hospital.
Played by Richard Belzer of “Law&Order: SVU,” another situation where a
picture comparison says it all.
Dr. Harleen Quinzel:
A seemingly level-headed doctor at the Asylum, who has not shown any real effects of working with the people she regularly works with. Then again, sometimes the most sane are just one tick away from crossing the line…
Another easy and regular casting, but I love Kristen Bell and I have since “Veronica Mars,” and I could see her playing the straight laced doctor, but also able to play the insane Harley Quinn…if she did show up…
Aaron Cash:
He is one of the guards at Arkham that has been employed there for years. The inmates seem to have no influence over Cash, and he regularly shows them that he is not, nor will ever be scared of them, though a run-in with one inmate does leave him slightly shaken after the Riddler manages to free some of the inmates.
Michael Jai White is often thrown around in many fancasts, for good reason, but I would cast him not as one of the main characters but a minor one who ends up showing that there are still people in Gotham willing to stand up to the monsters in the cities borders.
The inmates of Arkham shown will be minor characters for the most part, with allusions to eventually playing larger parts…though there is no guarantee. Despite the fact several people will be mentioned, only a fraction of the inmates will appear onscreen.
Arnold Wesker/Ventriloquist
He is a meek man, who apparently is bossed around by a wooden ventriloquist puppet that he may or may not be voicing.
Played by Colin Mochrie, probably best know from his appearances on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” He could definitely play a weak man, who is suffering from a split personality that he has no real control over.
Waylon Jones/ Killer Croc (probably as CG)
He is one of the largest and most physically dangerous inmates of Arkham, eventually crossing paths with Aaron Cash, biting the guards hand off when he manages to be one of the few inmates freed by the Riddler, a small part that would have much larger role in the second film.
He would be voiced by someone both large and menacing, and who if prosthetics were used would still be believable as a vicious killer. Ving Rhames has a large presence, and a deep menacing voice when need be and could easily pass himself off as Killer Croc.
Clayface:
He would be represented simply by a CG creation that will be milling around his cell, constantly changing his forms through various iterations.