Batman has been translated into many different versions over the course of years, through films and comics. Upcoming now we will see him being played none other than Ben Affleck. With that in mind and his appearance in Batman vs Superman, a Batman film reboot is somewhere in the horizon. However this is my own fan take on how to take the character of Batman and drive him in a newer direction.
INSPIRATION TAKEN: Batman: Under The Red Hood and other comics/variations
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PLOT
As the years slowly pass in Gotham, so does Batman as Bruce Wayne comes in realization with his own identity. He grew to see the change of his former partner Dick Grayson into Nightwing. He has lived to make an enemy, The Joker. He has witnessed the death of his newest protégé years ago, Jason Todd. As he slowly contemplates the idea of a city without Batman for the better, a terror strikes from within the system. Bombings and attacks plague the city of Gotham, all connected to the notorious criminal, Black Mask. Another vigilante appears taking down crime much like Batman but in a more violent manner, donning the name The Red Hood. All the while causing as much chaos and attracting attention to the likes of the GCPD and Commissioner Gordon. Now Bruce Wayne must set all aside of his past memories and come in terms with saving the city he loves. To become the caped crusader once again.
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DIRECTOR and WRITER
Pierre Morel is an excellent action director as demonstrated with films such as Taken. His stellar work would be excellent into bringing a comic book character onto the screen such as Batman.
Guy Ritchie himself is not only a talented director but a great writer especially when it comes to action/drama within that field. Batman is a perfect match for Ritchie in terms of many elements. He could bring some light humor and all the while a tense seriousness towards the character at hand when needed.
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THE CAST
Phoenix is a brilliant actor who has played a multiple variety of roles. In my own opinion he would make an excellent Bruce Wayne/Batman. His brilliant method acting would be perfect for the character. He has yet to be in a major comic book film and with many great actors as him making the transition, Phoenix's talents would fit right in.
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Thomas Wayne is important to the initial Batman story. Even though this would be a small role, Bill Nighy would be great. It's a small role which requires an amount of believable talent.
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The role of Martha Wayne would be another small role also which I believe would require another great performer. Sigourney Weaver's talents would greatly help the character.
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Ducard is the man who trained Bruce Wayne in Paris during Wayne's own earlier years becoming Batman. The Liam Neeson Ra's al Ghul did take the name of Ducard in Batman Begins, but it would be great to see the actual character on the screen. This would be a great role for Depp, it doesn't need to be comedic or over the top and Depp can handle serious roles.
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David Giuntoli has been featured on the current television show, Grimm. He is an actor with a fun personality that I believe would fit the profile of Nightwing/Dick Grayson.
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We haven't seen the character of Jezebel Jet yet on the screen. With the character rumored to be the new love interest for the Snyder film's, it would be great to see a new variation.
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Here is a more Earth-One inspired Alfred casting with Hugh Laurie. Laurie was also featured on the hit show House. He has the perfect accent and acting for the character.
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The Red Hood is one of the most chilling characters ever created for the Batman comics. The character of Jason Todd, who became a much darker version of himself. Gosling would be great, his own expressions and characters on the screen have all been well done. Especially if you have seen films such as Drive, Gosling can reach into that much darker territory.
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Lucius Fox a character who was also prominently featured in the Nolan Batman films. I still think the character of Fox should make an appearance within the newer films as his contributions towards Batman in the comics are important. Forest Whitaker is very much a different choice, but he is an actor that can pull off any role.
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Harvey Dent is the man that eventually becomes the notorious villain, Two-Face. An example of Norton's own great work can be seen in a film such as Fight Club, where much like Two-Face (Spoiler Alert) played a multiple personality type role. Norton would be an excellent addition to the cast.
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The Joker has been seen within all previous live action interpretations of Batman (Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger), so it would make sense for The Joker to appear again and especially as in an important part within the plot I outlined. John Hawkes really has a villainous look to his own face and even his acting reminiscent of The Joker himself.
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The character of Harley Quinn has yet to be seen within live action and now would be the perfect time for the character to appear. Tilda Swinton is a great actress and she has also played many dark roles. She has also starred in a comic book film before (2005 Constantine film). Normally the character of Harley Quinn is seen to be much younger but Swinton would be too perfect for this role.
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Barbara Gordon is the daughter of Commissioner Gordon and also became Batgirl in the comics. Seyfried is very young and talented which suits the role of Barbara Gordon perfectly.
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While many others have cast Bryan Cranston as Gordon for a Batman reboot, I decided to go a different route with Michael Keaton. He has formerly played Batman before within the original Burton films and is an excellent veteran actor. I believe his own charisma and personality can bring a new light to the character of Gordon unlike anything we have seen before.
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Renee Montoya was an officer in the GCPD. Gina Carano is great when it comes to action, this is a great role she could potentially play.
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Harvey Bullock is one of the more major characters within the GCPD. Corrigan's personality would perfectly fit the description of Bullock. The actor was also featured in shows such as The Mentalist and films like The Departed.
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Morris Chestnut who was recently in the comic book film Kick-Ass 2. Another great actor who would be too perfect for the role.
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Arnold Flass is an important character within the comics who was also featured in the film Batman Begins. Hugh Grant is a great veteran actor who would be amazing in the role in my opinion.
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Black Mask is one of Batman's recurring villains. A powerful leader and one of the most powerful mob bosses in Gotham City. A brilliant genius and fighting skills on par with Batman. Idris Elba is a fantastic actor who would be great in a villainous role as this. Also featured in a few comic book films. Some of his greatest acting achievements can be seen in the show, Luther. His own voice would do justice to the character along with a performance.
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Sophie Evans is a relativity new actress who was featured in the Edgar Wright film, The World's End. I think going for a newer actress for Catwoman would be great, and there is much potential with Sophie Evans.
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John Slattery featured on the show Mad Men and also has played Howard Stark in Iron Man 2. Falcone is a powerful crime boss who came under attack of Batman many times. Slattery's strength and acting would help bring the role into a larger light.
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Ben Foster recently featured in the film Lone Survivor is my casting choice for Alberto Falcone. Foster has the type of talent to pull off a serious role as this.
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Sofia Gigante is another great character within the comics that would be perfect to bring to film.
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Colin Firth is an amazing actor who I believe would do an excellent job as Maroni. Maroni is also the character responsible for the creation of Harvey Dent into the sinister Two Face.
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Stephen Lang is a fantastic actor, he can make films look good. When it comes to characterization to his roles, he usually plays the one of the tough guy. The very gritty type character. His expression would fit perfectly for Ra's Al Ghul.
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Talia al Ghul was first seen in live action in the film The Dark Knight Rises. There is much more opportunities within the character that could be greatly expanded on and not just for one film alone(and not with a silly twist).
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OTHER VILLAINS/SEQUELS
To play one of Batman's most formidable foes and a man of riddles I chose Elijah Wood. One of the films which inspired me to make this choice was Sin City where he played a great psychotic villain. Even without dialogue in that film his own movement and acting conveyed the entire role. Wood would be totally sinister as The Riddler, no doubt about that.
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Mr.Freeze is one of Batman's more tragic villains. McConaughey has made an excellent contribution to films now starring in more dramatic and serious roles also recently winning an Academy Award for best actor. I think he would be the perfect actor to bring this cold and chilling villain to light.
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Hush also known as Thomas Elliot was a childhood friend of Bruce who turned to a much darker side. Hush being a great storyline, I hope is one day translated to the screen.
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SEQUEL IDEAS
Batman: The Dark Winter: Batman faces off against Mr.Freeze, one of his most tragic villains. There is so much potential for the character(No not like Batman & Robin). They gave him an amazing character arc in Batman TAS which transformed the character into greater lengths. I also think Killer Croc would make a great addition as a side villain to the story.
Batman Vengeance: A tragedy happens that hits Bruce really hard, and it's linked to a series of crimes involving riddles. Enter The Riddler. Two-Face would make a great addition as a villain alongside The Riddler(Yes it has been done before in Batman Forever but it can be done much differently).
The Caped Crusader aka Batman Hush: The Hush storyline is very interesting and would make for a great translation to film.
Batman Beyond: Maybe down the line as the very last film in a reboot, Beyond would be perfect. The initial story of Terry McGinnis who becomes the Batman of the future and a much older Bruce Wayne would work on the screen as a passing of the torch to another legacy.
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Thank you for reading and as always leave a comment below! This has been an exciting mini project.
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Also here a piece of music that would be the perfect theme for a Batman reboot in my opinion.
About The Author:
Just a friendly face and a good heart fellow!