Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Well, this one is already set in stone. Pattinson will be donning the mantle of the World's Greatest Detective in a story said to be based on The Long Halloween. He seems a stellar choice for a mystery movie rooted in a noir-styled lense, a take for Batman that is long overdue. He for sure has the acting chops to pull off the character, and his unique look lends a distinct and slightly "otherworldly" persona to this iteration of Bruce Wayne.
Emmy Raver-Lampman as Selina Kyla/Catwoman
Rumors have long maintained Reeves is looking for a diverse actress to play Selina. Having primarily made the rounds in major Broadway musicals before breaking out in Netflix's Umbrella Academy adaptation, Lampman is ready to step into a major leading role. She brings loads of charisma and charm to the table, all the points needed to embody the femme fatale of this film (And hopefully many more to come)
Oscar Isaac as Harvey Dent
Ellie Kemper as Gilda Dent
Isaac was a top choice for many to play Bruce himself, and it's long been my opinion that Bruce and Harvey should be drawn from the same pool of actors. After a career downturn, Isaac could stand to bounce back in a major way, checking all the boxes to become Gotham's shining beacon of hope. His second half, Gilda, is crucial to this story. Ellie Kemper would bring the perfect energy to contribute to the city's "perfect couple", even if they are both a little uncomfortable with the public attention and dangerous rigor of Harvey's job.
Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon
I hate to lose J.K. Simmons as Gordon, but it doesn't seem likely he'll be back. Wright would be the next best thing. One of the most recognized faces of prestige-television, Wright embodies an intelligent, dilligent working-man persona that is perfect for the ever-tired future commissioner.
Liam Cunningham as Alfred Pennyworth
As with Gordon, the DCEU already had a great Alfred, but as a huge fan of Liam Cunningham (Davos deserved the Iron Throne) I have no qualms gladly pushing for him to step into the butler's shoes. Sure, it's a bit of type-casting, he basically played midieval Alfred on Game of Thrones, but sometimes, if the shoe fits, just go for it.
Alexandra Shipp as Barbara Gordon
Noah Schnapp as Dick Grayson
Shipp was horribly and infamously misused by Fox in her previous superhero role, so she'd do well to jump to a much more steady ship. Her charm, sense of humor, and energy would work great for Barbara, and she'd be a stellar match for Wright's Jim. Noah Schnapp, meanwhile, has served as the strongest actor of the Stranger Things boys for 3 seasons now, but has so far missed the jump to stardom enjoyed by his co-stars. His talents would be well put to use here as the future Boy Wonder.
Cameron Britton as Oswald Cobblepot
I had always dreamed of Jack Black in this role, but the rumored casting call puts him out of the age range. Instead, I turn to rapidly rising Netflix star Cameron Britton. A massively, easily likable personality, Britton has, in his short career, already shown huge range from dim-witted but loveable lackey to chilling psychopath - a path that he could travel all the way in one character as our favorite Penguin.
Lakeith Stanfield as The Riddler
Another rapidly rising star, Stanfield is a fascinating performer who brings manic intensity and fascinating mannerisms even to the most mundane roles. Seeing him get to fully let loose as Edward Nygma and match wits with Batman himself would be a wild ride to see.
Matthew Modine as Carmine Falcone
Enrico Colantoni as Salvatore Maroni
There's always the old guard. Falcone and Maroni may be fairly basic characters, but we need a straight backdrop for the insanity of Gotham to be spray-painted over. Modine and Colantoni are veteran character actors who have made careers of playing these sorts of characters, and would make even the less flashy roles of this movie shine.
Sean Gunn as Firefly
Peter Dinklage as The Mad Hatter
Rounding out our prime suspects in the central case are two long time Bat-villains who have never made it to the big screen: Firefly and Mad Hatter. They're most likely minor parts here, so you need brilliant and memorable character actors to make these larger-than-life villains stand out. Gunn and Dinklage would perfectly fit into the parts and make them their own in a way to ensure they aren't overshadowed by the rest of the cast.
The Plot
The Batman has only been operating for perhaps a year. The coincidence of the vigilante's arrival with the return of Bruce Wayne to the circles of Gotham's high society. Having taken control of the family foundation, Bruce has promised to clean up his hometown, starting with the successful election of new District Attorney Harvey Dent. However, Harvey and his close ally, Lt. Jim Gordon, distrust Bruce because of his ties to the Falcone and Maroni families - public philanthropists, but their criminal power is an open secret in Gotham.
Unbeknowst to any but himself and Alfred, Bruce keeps these connections to investigte the crime families himself. It is at one such Falcone gala that he is reunited with old flame Selina Kyle and meets for the first time Oswald Cobblepot, Falcone's bullied assistant. He learns that the crime families are increasingly disturbed by the outbreak of "freaks" threatening their carefully crafted power structures.
Starting the night of the gala, a serious of bizarre murders begins targeting members of both families, pushing them to the brink of all-out gang war in the streets. But while both the bosses and GCPD see it as an inside job, Bruce digs deeper - Coming to three prime suspects - Firefly, Mad Hatter, and Catwoman. Gordon and Dent reluctantly reach out to Batman for help in their investigation, while Falcone hires The Riddler to solve the case and Barbara Gordon, an intern for famed reporter Vic Sage, finds herself in the line of fire on an investigation of her own.
Things continue to grow worse in Gotham as more murders breed more violence. Selina and Bruce deduce each other's identities and tentatively team up. Bruce publically adopts young Dick Grayson, whose parents are killed in a gang clash. Fearful for his life, Maroni submits to police custody to ensure his protection. However, at the trial, he instead attacks Harvey and escapes in the chaos. The city begins to burn (metaphorically and literally).
In the end, Bruce becomes convinced Selina is the killer. Batman and Catwoman come to blows, but realize the truth too late. Falcone is murdered, and the Mad Hatter is arrested as the killer. Harvey escapes the hospital and discovers the true culprits - Penguin and Riddler themselves, eliminating their superiors and creating chaos so that Penguin now rules a united Gotham underground. The horribly scarred Harvey is seemingly killed before Batman can save him, but there is no evidence to arrest the Penguin.
In a bittersweet ending, the city, at peace once more, mourns Harvey, Gordon is made Commissioner, and Bruce and Selina part ways. It is revealed in the final scenes that their was a second killer - Gilda Dent. The last we see of her, she surprises and murders Maroni before driving away into the night, with a hint that Harvey is alive and with her.
POST CREDITS TEASE: Mad Hatter is entered into Arkham Asylum, where he comes under the care of Dr. Hugo Strange. (Jemaine Clement)
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it! Share all your thoughts and your own ideas in the comments below!