So somewhere on this site is a fancast for the Justice League with older actors from a certain era of movies. I forgot who made the article and can't find it, but I remember it being very good and serving as an inspiration for me to create this one! So I'm taking basically the same idea and asking what if a Batman film were to be made in the 1950's? And let's just assume the campy Adam West and Burt Ward are nowhere to be found. Here's what I think some of the casting could have looked like.
Joe Chill - Humphrey Bogart
The man who started it all. If you had to make a list of the most influential men in Gotham City, Joe Chill would certainly top the list in my opinion. Not only did he take away Gotham's beloved philanthropist Thomas Wayne but he also took a small boy by the name of Bruce and set him on the path to becoming Gotham City's greatest hero... I always felt not enough story was given to Joe Chill. I imagine this character to have much more back-story. Perhaps an aging criminal in desperate need of break. Depressed, lonely, and hungry he sees a well-dressed man and his family take a turn into Crime Alley... An aged Humphrey Bogart would be perfect.
Scarecrow - James Stewart
Now this one was kind of hard to cast. My vision of Scarecrow is a little different from what has been seen in comics and movies. For a man so obsessed with fear I feel the Scarecrow is actually pretty fearless. If anything the Scarecrow should be a stuttering and bumbling fool afraid of his own shadow. I think this makes for a much more interesting mind-set and motivation for his actions. Why should he be the only person afraid of the whole world and everything in it? Everyone should be just as afraid as he is. Everyone should be afraid... And with that I cast the stuttering and gangly-looking George Bailey as the new Scarecrow.
Ra's al Ghul - Jose Ferrer
You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find non-Caucasian actors in the 1950's. With the exception of Sidney Poitier you'd be hard pressed to find someone who could look the part of the Arab Ra's al Ghul. But after some searching I found the Puerto Rican born Jose Ferrer who is actually no stranger to playing characters of Arab descent. And you have to admit...he looks like he can play one hell of a pissed-off Ra's al Ghul.
Penguin - Edward G. Robinson
Known for his iconic gangster roles this wouldn't be much of a stretch for Mr. Robinson. And...I mean this in the nicest way possible...he kind of looks like Copplebot.
Catwoman - Audrey Hepburn
Rawr! Need I say more?
The Ventriloquist - Buster Keaton
Who better to play the meek and quiet Arnold Wesker than the silent film star Buster Keaton? I feel the stone-faced and perpetually depressed looking Buster Keaton would be perfect to play the tortured and abused Ventriloquist.
Two-Face - Marlon Brando
I'm not sure why I picked Brando. He just seems like a good fit to me. An attractive man and most definitely capable of playing a role such as this...I just don't see any reason to not cast him.
Riddler - Steve McQueen
Now of everyone cast in this fan-cast, this is the one I'm most worried about. I feel McQueen can definitely look the part, just dress him in green and a domino mask, but I don't know if he'd be able to act the part. I'm not a big Steve McQueen buff but I don't ever remember him playing a villain or anything remotely similar to such a character as the Riddler. But given his acting ability I trust him enough to bring the character to life.
Riddler - Paul Newman
It was just bought to my attention that Paul Newman would make a good Riddler. And I think I might just agree. So I'm including him here on the list aside Steve McQueen. Sound off below on who you think would be better. I personally think Newman would be a great devious/sly type of Riddler.
Mr. Freeze - James Coburn
Have you ever heard this man speak??? "Revenge is a dish best served cold..." I get chills *pun!* just imagining hearing him say that.
Poison Ivy - Natalie Wood
I feel casting women in comic book movie roles is just so easy. Anyone with a pretty face will do. Fortunately Natalie Wood is more than just a pretty face. She was nominated for three Academy Acting awards before she had even turned 25!
Bane - Charlton Heston
This was another hard one to cast. Some people may object but I feel the hulking 6'3" Heston, along with a powerful voice and presence, would be perfect for the role. If the barely 5'10" Tom Hardy can play Bane...I don't think Heston will have a problem.
Harley Quinn - Marilyn Monroe
She's blonde, a Golden Globe winner, and pretty. Don't tell me you wouldn't wanna see her in that outfit...
Robin - James Dean
I never liked the idea of a happy-go-lucky Robin. "Yowzer Batman, lets go catch some criminals!" A darker version I think would be more appropriate. Tormented by the deaths of his parents this Robin seeks an outlet to vent his frustration and finds it with Batman. Who better to play the part than the American symbol of teenage angst - James Dean
Joker - Dwight Frye
If I need to explain this then you have obviously never seen his performance as Renfield in Dracula (1931).
Batman - Gregory Peck
Believe it or not there was actually a time when Gregory Peck was a very young man. A tall (roughly 6'3") well built man, (sorry Michael Keaton) Gregory Peck would be perfect for the role. Not a stranger to playing the hero Gregory Peck would in short own the role as the Dark Knight.
Thanks for getting this far! (unless you just scrolled to the end to see who was cast for Batman :/ As usual, sound off below!