Ironically, I couldn´t think of an actor for Batman I´m a hundred percent happy with, altough I think that Josh Brolin, as suggested elsewhere, might just work.
As for the Joker, I can only dream. In a perfect world he would have Doug Jones´ body, the face of Willem Dafoe and Sharlto Copley´s potential for insanity, although I would cast each of them in their own right with full confidence of them doing an awesome job.
Giancarlo Esposito as Lucius Fox.
To me, there would be no doubt that, unlike in the comic, Fox would know that Bruce wayne is batman. a bit like the morgan Freeman portrayal, educated, discreet and professional.
Danny Woodburn as Oswald Cobblepot/penguin
Cobblepot is described as freakishly small, with a waddling gait and as being heavily bullied as a child because of his appearance, with his only friends at that time being birds.
So screw it, why not make the Penguin a dwarf ? Slap a Tim Burton/Batman returns- style nose on the man and there you have it. And if you have seen Watchmen you will surely agree that Woodburn certainly knows how to gangster.
Fun fact: He is pretty much exactly the size of your run-of-the-mill emperor penguin.
Michael Gambon/Donald Sumpter as Alfred Pennyworth
While I see Michael Gambon as closer to the discreet, polite Alfred of the comics, Donald Sumpter would at least to me be a more “rogue” Alfred, bringing forth criticism where it is due and speaking his mind in a “you´ll get yourself killed” kind of way.
Charles dance as Hugo strange
Where Batman finds his physical match in Bane, Hugo Strange is batman´s undoing on an intellectual level, outwitting him. he is dangerously intelligent and his mind is his biggest weapon.
Charles Dance would convey just that in his gentlemanly, stoic way that made twin Lannister so great.
Ghassan Massoud as Ra´s al Ghul
Some might say that Ra´s al Ghul shouldn´t be featured in any Batman movie, I happen to disagree, especially if you bring a little social criticism a la Nolan into the film, his enviromental and depopulation agenda is more fitting to our times than ever.
With him nearing 60, he sure as hell is not going to do the whole martial arts thing, I chose him more for the composed, wise and prudent demeanor al Ghul needs in my opinion. He played Saladin in Kingdom of Heaven, where he displays the same deep respect for his adversaries as Ra´s has for Batman.
Bryan Cranston as James Gordon
I know, this has been suggested already, but for a good reason I think. I can certainly see him as a very level-headed James Gordon.
Alternatively, what do you think of Tim Roth ?
Daniel Day-Lewis as Harvey Dent/Twoface
I´m pretty sure he wouldn´t agree to this, but if anyone would be able to portray the split personality of Twoface, it certainly is the king of mehtod acting.
I rest my case.
Jackie earle Haley as Victor Zsasz.
he´s pretty much the go to person when you need a really destroyed psyche (Rorschach, Freddy Kruger…), he´s got the looks too.
Alternatively I can imagine Michael K Williams really well for the role, not just because of his scar.
Rami Malek as Dick Grayson/ Robin
young, but not too boyish.
Javier Bardem as Bane
Personally I would like to have a little bit of the Latin american storyline brought back after Tom hardy´s version strayed so far from the original. Bardem would combine the accent with the physical attributes and a menacing presence that surely no one would deny since “no country for old men”
Mark Strong as Roman Sionis /Black mask
Perfect as a self-absorbed, arrogant sociopath if you ask me.
Chevy Chase as the Ventriloquist
It certainly wouldn´t be his first heavily confused character. Plus, with him getting older and putting on the pounds he resembles the character more with every day. In a realistic, Nolanesque movie he would have to voice the puppet too, but such a film would not feature the Ventriloquist anyway, so my voice of choice for scarface is officially Joe Pesci.
Vincent Cassel as the Riddler
Maybe a controversial choice to some, but I stand by it, he´s perfect for just the right combination of narcissim and a subtle, playful madness.
Viggo Mortensen as Mr. Freeeze
Have you seen "the Road" ? Viggo mortensen is awesome at conveying the silent, inner torment of a harrowed man, which is just what you would need with Mr. Freeze and his struggle to save his wife.
Mads Mikkelsen as Jonathan Crane /Scarecrow
He is no stranger to insane psychologists since playing Hannibal Lecter in the series.
To me, Mads Mikkelsen´s roles often feel like even in his calmest and most composed moments he could do something absolutely horrifying at any moment, I think Scarecrow needs that kind of suspense.
Steve Buscemi/Paul Giamatti as Harvey Bullock
Both would in my opinion be very believable as an opportunistic, morally ambiguous cop who bends the rules wherever he needs to.
Julianne Moore/Rose Leslie as Poison Ivy
Sure, some might consider Julianne Moore too old, but she would make for an intelligent, strong Ivy and could still pull off the seductive nature that is so associated with the character.
Lori Petty as Harley Quinn
At least since tank girl we know that she´s one of the craziest hollywood has to offer.
Besides, have you seen her in Gotham ? Come on, that´s just a ridiculously on-the-nose choice at this point.
Stephen Lang as Deathstroke
First, he basically looks like the character was modelled after him. Second, he´s one of hollywoods biggest badasses at the moment.
not my original choices but highly agreed with:
Gemma Arterton as Selina Kyle/catwoman
Ron Perlman as Solomon Grundy
Kevin Grevioux as Killer Croc
Let me know what you think