So far, we've seen how it ends and where it all began. We will next witness the journey in the middle. TDKD '95 Batman is now 30 years old and 4 years into his tenure as the mysterious vigilante. We will witness how tight the partnership between Batman and Gordon has become and the distancing that DA Dent has built between himself and the aformentioned pair. Flass is dead. This movie highlights a few things: The birth of Robin, with an emphasis on Robin Hood. Meaning, Batman is seen as an enemy of the decrepit underbelly; a product of fear. Robin, on the other hand, is seen as a hero to the meek and the innocent; the bright light in the dark shadows. The fall of Dent and the birth of 2-Face at the hands of Sal Maroni, who is subsequently killed by 2-Face. The fall of the Cosa Nostra. The Roman and Maroni are clawing for the top spot, however the presence of Batman leaves little to be desired. Catwoman hangs in the shadows to cause as much trouble as she prevents. At one point, she has a turf war with Joker, though it is broken up when Wildcat, an aging, semi-retired moral enforcer drops in. A history with Catwoman as an apprentice of Wildcat is alluded to. As well, the relationship between she and Batman evolves.
The presentation of the "freaks" a term that won't be used as, to my knowledge, it wasn't used heavily enough until the following year in The Long Halloween. Many, like the Joker and Catwoman, will be locked away in Arkham. Although Dent won't serve as a physical enemy to Batman, his fall from grace will serve as a psychological obstacle. Zucco, will serve as Robin's obstacle. The real challenge will be that of Drs Hugo Strange, Kirk Langstrom and Jonathan Crane. The 3 men have paid a gracious amount of money to Dr Jeremiah Arkham, head of the asylum. The money is exchanged for the secret use of the inmates. The 3 combine their intelligence and potent chemicals to create lethal monsters. During a moment of weakness Langstrom speaks to the hearts of his partners; on deaf ears, the 2 respond in making Langstrom their first victim. The other 2 are also familiar; Killer Croc and Solomon Grundy.
Batman seeks the demonologist, Jason Blood, for guidance only to learn they are creations rather than demon-born. This is not an over-saturation of villains or stories. Robins origins unfold in the background as a subplot to Strange and his experiments. Dent is filtered, sparingly, throughout. Robin does not wear a costume in the movie. He is not trained to become Robin. Instead, he wears a hooded sweater and such. He works out his aggression in Wayne state of the art gym, exploring his natural abilities and working with a staff, one of the many weapons in the dojo that are at his disposal. In the end, after Batman stops him from killing Zucco, it is Alfred that pushes him to take to the streets, unbeknownst to Batman. Alfred believes he can save Batman from engulfing himself with the vigilante role. Robin, in turn, literally and symbolically, saves Batman from the behemoth trio created by Strange and Crane. Lucius Fox is explored when a small part or 2 of the movie references Wayne Enterprises. Gordon and Barbara's marriage doesn't last the movie. Essen is there for the Chicago native. Barbara leaves home to Chicago with young Jimmy. Dent also kills Loeb, exposing his mob ties in the process. In the end, Batman shows Grayson the Batcave, 2-Face remains at large. Strange, Crane and Arkham, along with the monsters they created, are locked away in the asylum. Gordon is promoted and continues his relationship with Essen and partnership with Batman. The Cast Thomas Gibson as Batman He has the good looks (Soap opera star) and the steely eyed stare of a hardened bad ass (Criminal Intent) to play Batman perfectly. His age will favor him as the years pass by in movie town but he only ages a few years i.e. in 1993 his true age is 31 and he plays a 26 year old and in 1995 he plays a 28 year old at the true age of 33. In 1997, at 35, he plays 35. In the 1999 finale, at 37, he will play 40.
Tom Berenger as Gordon Before Berenger mutilated his face via plastic surgery he was a solid, tough-as-nails, every-man. I take you no further than The Substitute. Berenger was 45 and a great precursor to the Mitchum-Gordon seen on my '89 fancast and first chapter of this story.
Lance Henriksen as Alfred You're just going to hate me for not picking a Brit for this and 3 things are worth considering: 1is that it ain't the first time. 2 is that if we are ok with a Brit playing an American than this had better be accepted as well. 3 is that I am happy enough with picking a favorite of mine that I don't care too much ;). Henriksen is 55 and lines up nicely as the younger version of my TDKR Alfred.
Kevin Zegers as Dick Grayson Zegers (11 years old) popped up in a few movies before starring in Air Bud. As this is before he headlined the children's movie, I base this casting on his charisma, ability and looks, taking a gamble that he will serve the movie well.
Robert Patrick as Harvey Dent Even though he may not look exactly like a younger version of my TDKR Two-Face, I have 3 valid arguments. The Miller drawn Dent looks nothing like any other version. Future Dent got plastic surgery. It's Robert freakin Patrick. Hot off of T2, Patrick went down, in my eyes, as one of the best villains ever. Side note: he'd make a great (non-comedic) JJJ in the new Spider-man series.
John Lithgow as Dr Hugo Strange After tossing around a few ideas, Lithgow popped in my head. As he is merely a scientist and not a formidable opponent for the Bat, it was Lithgow unmatched credibility that made this one of my more proud choices.
John Turturro as Dr Jonathan Crane I began searching for an Ichabod Crane-esque actor who was still scary, yet awkwardly off a bit. Turturro is a favorite side kick of mine. Never an a-list headliner, but always the show stealing co-star, he would make a remarkable pre-Scarecrow Crane.
Alyssa Milano as Catwoman The sultry 23 year old has the look down pat and it was around this time that she was succeeding in expand her resume by redefining herself as a serious actress and a sultry adult.
Michael Madsen as Tony Zucco Zucco is a character that can be, and has been, depicted multiple ways ranging from petty mob soldier to a top boss in the underworld. I'm choosing to leave it ambiguous, however, by casting Madsen, a full-fledged bad ass, I'm definitely not making him a classless joke, no matter his level within the mafia.
Chazz Palminteri as Sal Maroni A few different actors were running through my brain. It was all a matter of the level at which he should be billed and how tough of an adversary to both Dent and Falcone do I make him. As I fleshed things out I decided to go the immensely intimidating Palminteri, who should be at the DeNiro level of acting but, sadly, and absurdly, is not. This makes him high profile but not too expensive, akin to Eric Roberts, the actor who portrayed Maroni in Nolan's TDK.
James Rebhorn as Dr Arkham Reborn is a villainous character actor who's face you've seen 1000 times and who's name you may not remember. He brings the right amount of seediness and questionability to the role.
Danny Aeillo as Falcone Aeillo is one of the most iconic Italian actors around. If anyone, Italian or otherwise, audience member or actor, were to compile a list of the best Italian-American actors I'd be surprised if he wasn't in the top 5 and call the lister an incompetent doll if he wasn't in the top 10.
Vincent D'Onfrio as Vitti The selection of large, Italian character actors is scarce. However, if there were a hundred to choose from, D'Onfrio would still be the best.
William H Macy as Dr Kurt Langstrom Langstrom is, and Macey will play him as the old Univeral Studios, Lon Cheney inspired, werewolf who's a victim in many ways. Of course he starts out helping carry out the treacherous plans but it backfires when his conscience surfaces. Macey's quirky mannerisms will serve the character well until he becomes the CGI winged beast.
Burt Young as Loeb Young is a Rocky alumni and, because of that, holds a special place in my heart :). Young could be an excellent, slightly offbeat, foil, along with Flass, to Beringer's hard-boiled Gordon in the first of his appearances and, in this, crack us up as the begging-for-his-life coward facing down the barrel of 2-Face's gun.
Eric Stoltz as Joker This may seem a bit odd but as Stoltz has own awards and turned head for many a performance, I felt the mysterious nature of the actor, or specifically, his identity, was key. Under the make-up and immersed within the role, who Stolz is would be perplexing. He would be known as Joker not, say, jack Nicholson. I hate hearing how Jack was a great Joker. It was Jack playing Jack. I hate hearing how great Depp was in... It was Depp acting Depp. Eastwood as Eastwood and so on. I love all 3 of them (and I'm very surprised, by the way, that Depp was not our '89 Batman) but Stolz would become the Joker. Ledger did become Joker, but we all knew him whereas Stoltz would BE the Joker, not play him or own him. Joker would own Stoltz.
Frances McDormand as Sarah Essen One of my best casting in this series. She optimizes Essen as physically as she does her ability to perform the hardened cop. It's hard not to hate her
Mary McDonnell as Barbara Gordon Guilty of only knowing her from Independence Day and Donnie Darko, the 43 year old actress who showed me how strong willed and hot tempered she can be. Those reasons are good enough for me.
Hellen Mirren as Leslie Thompkins Mirren returns and her role as a motherly-type to Bruce is highlighted, although her role is still bit.
Nick Nolte as Wildcat At 55, Nolte defines gritty. As Wildcat he reflects an age of what Batman may become. The idea that he trains Catwoman is vital to the stories ahead.
Paul Winfield as Lucius Fox I almost chose John Amos but I wanted a lesser dominant actor who was also, still highly skilled and commanding, if that makes sense. He has a log line if well respected roles and, at ace rain point ventured towards sci fi. He actually starred alongside Henriksen I'm terminator.
Solomon Grundy, Killer Croc and Man-Bat CGI