How to portray Batman correctly in the Man of Steel sequel

In order to portray Batman correctly in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, director Zack Snyder needs to follow these rules

Editorial Opinion
By TheBatglare - Aug 19, 2013 11:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Man of Steel

Rule 1: The correct Suit.

In order to please Batman Fans, you first of all need to visually please them. For every Batman movie since Tim Burton's Batman, The Dark knight has always went around Gotham City in an all black Batsuit. This is fine for a couple of movies, but after a while, it starts to get repetitive and boring. Its time for Batman to don his infamous grey and Black suit.

I'm not necessarily talking about an all spandex suit, although that can work if done right. I'm talking about an armored suit that has lots of defense capabilities. since Superman's suit in Man of Steel drew influence from his new 52 suit, why not do the same for Batman? His new 52 suit will work incredibly well on screen, and it will do something very different from previous films.

Rule 2: A more detective-like, awesome Batman

The next step is how Batman acts. The Dark Knight trilogy, although was good, lacked the fact that Batman is, above all else, a detective. In the comics, Batman would figure out almost everything by himself, with little to no help from other people. Batman also needs to think several steps ahead of his opponents so he can take them down with very little effort. There is a reason that he first appeared in Detective comics, and not Action comics, like Superman did, and its down to the fact that he does mainly detective work rather than action.

You should also have Batman say some really awesome things that make him really awesome. Just little things that add to the Character's personality

Rule 3: Fighting style and tactics

One thing that really annoyed me about the Dark Knight trilogy was the way that Batman fought. it was very sluggish and brutal. Nothing like Batman from the comics. Batman from the comics learned 127 fighting styles, all ranging from brawling to jiujitsu and more. He needs to be fast, agile and precise.

He should also use various gadgets in battle, ranging from smoke bombs to Batarangs. Just make Batman's fighting varied and skillful, not the way thugs fight.

Rule 4: No forgone conclusion

It may be Superman's movie, but don't make Superman wipe the floor with Batman. You can make Superman win, but dont make it a really short fight that has Batman completely destroyed. make it so Batman lands some devastating blows on superman. Maybe have it so one of Batman's smoke bombs is actually filled with kryptonite smoke so Batman can then have the edge and almost defeat Superman.

Rule 5: Bread and Butter

This is a weird title, but just hear me out. In the comics, the great thing about Superman and Batman is when they are in comics together, they were like bread and butter, which means in this movie they need to go well together, the boyscout personality of Superman with the dark, brooding Batman just goes so well together. Yes i know, Superman's personality may have been altered, but just make Superman and Batman go well together.

Rule 6: The Anti-hero

Throughout this movie, Batman and Superman should hate each other, so it would seem wise that Batman, for most of this movie, should be portrayed as sort of an anti - hero. Superman should be going after Lex Luther, and batman should see this and go after superman and ask him why is going after Luther and then they should fight, as an example. Just make it so Batman and Superman don't have an understanding and don't trust each other.

Rule 7: the voice

Whatever you do, dont make batman have that stupid voice that he had in the dark knight trilogy. for inspiration, listen to Kevin Conroy and Michael Keaton play Batman. what they do is put on a slight gruff voice, not the all out growl that Christian Bale does. People will take Batman more seriously with a slight gruff voice than a growl.

If all this is done, the movie should portray Batman as the Batman from the comics.

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GinjaNinja
GinjaNinja - 8/19/2013, 12:12 PM
I liked the voice haha!
TheBeard
TheBeard - 8/19/2013, 12:24 PM
Black and grey suit is a must
Odin
Odin - 8/19/2013, 12:31 PM
Good points, I agree. But the name is LUTHOR; not Luther, Lex Luthor.
bazinga85
bazinga85 - 8/19/2013, 12:39 PM
I agree w/ all these points, he also needs to be young too. Having an older batman is a bad decision because he wouldn't be in too many more movies because of the actor's age, unless they fast-track 'em. Plus I want to see a new batman trilogy that completely fleshes out his mythos. He starts out young, robin can be in there, etc.
GinjaNinja
GinjaNinja - 8/19/2013, 1:03 PM
I would like if they kept his suit honestly. Maybe a little gray, but his black ones are sweet.
BANE5000
BANE5000 - 8/19/2013, 1:28 PM
Agree with just about everything u listed, More so with his fighting style.

Batman this time around should be more agile and use different fighting styles when it calls for it. TDKT Batman was more like punch, head bunt, elbow and grab and swing his opponent around, New Batman should be a more refined and experienced martial artist that knows whats gonna be his next move three moves before he does it and can adapt from fighting a regular thug to someone who's more of a threat or on his level.
megabatfan
megabatfan - 8/19/2013, 1:52 PM
Regarding point 2: That's why I disliked TDKR so much...
I didn't have a problem with his lack of detective skills in Begins because he was no starting his career as Batman, & in TDK he had to learn his lesson because he made so many assumptions about the criminal mind, only to have the Joker come and school him. A third movie would have been great to showcase how he grew as a crime-fighter from those experiences... Instead we got what we got. So we really need a detective batman on-screen now.
Regarding his age, I don't mind him being older, but not that much older. If superman is 33, Batman should be no older that 37.
Facade
Facade - 8/19/2013, 3:22 PM
Look to the Arkham games for inspiration.
GoldenMan
GoldenMan - 8/19/2013, 3:25 PM
In summary, casting call for a early 30's detective ninja with a minor throat infection and a sweet suit.
Wingding
Wingding - 8/19/2013, 3:51 PM
"You should also have Batman say some really awesome things that make him really awesome."

That statement...is full of win
BANE5000
BANE5000 - 8/19/2013, 4:51 PM
Wingding

Also have the ever classic Batman back fist to a running enemeies face...Was done in Burton's films and TAS, i love that punch :]
Lhornbk
Lhornbk - 8/19/2013, 5:26 PM
Good grief, you fanboys just never learn. The movie has to appeal to general audiences, not just Batman fans. Why do you think TDK did so well? It appealed to a larger base of filmgoers, not just comicbook fanboys. So get off this "he has to be just like the comics" nonsense. No, I don't want an exact repeat of Nolan's Batman either. But you can't just copy him straight from the comics, it won't work.

A spandex uniform would just be stupid, it has to at least be bullet-proof. As for grey, maybe a very dark grey. A lighter grey doesn't make sense, it wouldn't be as stealthy at night. Quite frankly, black armor just makes more sense, it just doesn't look as good in comics. It's fine in movies though.

Yes, make him a little more of a detective. But, if you go too far in that direction in a movie, it ends up requiring too much exposition and slows the movie down. You didn't see Banner & Stark spend a huge amount of time in the lab or talking science in the Avengers. The same should apply to Batman as a detective.

Fighting style--well, I don't think most care about specific styles. Just make sure there are good fight scenes.

Yes, you have to get the interaction between Superman & Batman correct. That's kind of a "duh." But, it has to be based on this new Superman, so it may have to work a little differently than in the comics (or animated movies for that matter.) And there is a difference between distrust and hate. I don't see Superman hating anyone. He didn't even hate Zod.

Finally, the voice. Yeah, Bale's voice was probably a little much, but for Batman to be intimidating, and for Wayne to make sure he isn't recognized, it has to be somewhat different. And no, definitely do NOT have a different actor do the voice as a nod to Batman fans. Appeal to everyone, not just dedicated Batman fans.

Finally, this statement: "You should also have Batman say some really awesome things that make him really awesome." I'm sorry, but this just ranks up there with some of the dumbest things ever written on this site. It's too dumb to even deserve any further comment.

Basically, if you want this movie to do well, you have to appeal to everyone, not just Batman fanboys who whine about his suit or voice or lack of detective skills.
Emjeed
Emjeed - 8/19/2013, 7:21 PM
My Answer to RULE #4




I agree with the rest
SnapperCarr
SnapperCarr - 8/19/2013, 10:54 PM
@Lhornbk Actually a more comic book like Batman has proven to be a hit with the general public. Look at Batman TAS.
Morbius
Morbius - 8/20/2013, 12:33 AM
Good points, I hope the fight between them is EPIC beyond EPIC and I also wouldnt mind his gray suit and stuff.
fishybashi
fishybashi - 8/20/2013, 5:30 AM
You forgot a very viable option, which is what I surmise WB is leaning towards. The verdict is out: They are looking for a late 30′s and early 40′s Batman and I believe there is some truth to WB attempting to get Bale back in on the action. The most viable option?

Resume from where TDK Rises and MOS left off. The Batman from TDKR somehow returns. Create a compelling story. What about this? Clark and Lois are sent to Italy to do an investigation on increased vigilante activity there — and somehow it leads to — stumbling upon an underground technological company that is involved in creating super engineered weapons made with Kryptonian technology! And it happens to be run by — Lexcorp! Hot on the heels of investigating this potentially scandalous situation is a man dressed in bat, and whether the mask is donned by Bale or Hamm or Hawke — this is the SAME Batman from Nolan’s trilogy. And the action develops from there…

WB cannot run the risk of alienating millions of audiences who loved the trilogy. You can still keep the trilogy untouched, but small allusions to this being possibly the same world is at least warranted. You can recast Gordon, Alfred, etc. but a story that starts in Europe and utilizing a semi-retired Batman would work and not leave the masses confused over a rebooted Batman.

If I were WB — I’d get Bale. A Bale/Cavill movie is an automatic $1 billion.

BatsFan
BatsFan - 8/20/2013, 9:54 AM
That Batman should be somewhere between year 2 and 5, operating in the shadow like in Batman 89. Only MCU, high graded cop and some criminal know he exist. The movie could start with Metropolis attack and show what Bruce was doing. He still see Superman as a menace and investigate on him.
Forthas
Forthas - 8/20/2013, 10:25 AM
@Lhornbk

I completely ... 100% agree with you! Is it a coincidence that the most successful superhero trilogy of all time was NOT a direct or perfect adaptation of Batman...NO!

The people who keep calling for Batman to be "just like the comics" are begging for this movie to fail and they do not know it. Like you pointed out, it has to be something people who generally think comics are stupid might watch and say ... "I can almost see that happening." Jean Claude van Damme made a whole career out of doing amazing flips and spectacularly choreographed karate...yet none of his movies count as blockbusters because to the general movie going audience it was ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with wanting Batman to fit your image of him but at the same time people need to understand that in order to continue to get these movies, studios MUST make a profit. Otherwise fanboys will get their hero who fits the comics and like the most recent one - Green Lantern - it will be the last one.
Forthas
Forthas - 8/20/2013, 10:29 AM
@ fishybashi

You hit it right on the nose. Bale is a PROVEN success. It makes no sense for them to reboot/recast that character unless WB wants to lose money. These dramatic changes that people are suggesting will more than likely turn people OFF to Batman and crater both the Batman and Superman franchises.
fishybashi
fishybashi - 8/20/2013, 12:37 PM
@Forthas, at minimum continue from where TDKR ended off. If they can't get Bale, find someone who will play the character derived from the trilogy. Need to prevent audience confusion here, especially when the same producers are creating the movie. Though I believe this is already the case, we the fans are not 100% certain because they are keeping it so secretive. And with products like SR and Green Lantern which were busts, I can't say for certain they are continuing the cinemaverse created by Nolan. Plus, Snyder has publicly stated that MOS would be ground zero. My only hope is that the ground zero comment is a ruse to make the link between the two movie franchises a surprise. My fear is that rebooting Batman in MOS2 will create confusion since most people at least understand that Superman and Batman are in the same universe. Most people do not read comic books and have only watched the Nolan films. When they see Batman, 90% of the population will automatically assume this is Batman from the movies of recent yesteryear. If it doesn't fit that "world" they will be confused. This is a fact.
ThunderKat
ThunderKat - 8/20/2013, 6:22 PM
Here's the problem: MoS was not good. Adding a more complex character such as Batman may either be boring or uninteresting as they rush to action.

Also, why does everyone think they will do battle?
GenerationX
GenerationX - 8/21/2013, 2:52 AM
Thank God you aren't making movies....

And ThunderKat are you insane??
DarthNihilus
DarthNihilus - 8/21/2013, 9:01 AM
The batman of the Arkham games is the best IMO and it'd be perfect for the movie and after as for sequels
ThunderKat
ThunderKat - 8/21/2013, 8:10 PM
GenX,

How am I insane?
AmazingFantasy
AmazingFantasy - 8/21/2013, 10:56 PM
i want the goddamn batman
SteveBosell
SteveBosell - 8/22/2013, 12:27 AM
I agree 100%. Bring on the grey and black suit!
CavEl
CavEl - 8/22/2013, 7:44 AM
Why do they have to fight?
CavEl
CavEl - 8/22/2013, 7:50 AM
Aso, Kryptonite is lethal to humans as well. It gave Luthor cancer, Batman throwing around Kryptonite smokebombs would be stupid.

And Batman cant deal any lethal blows to Superman, he's Superman.
NBAfanaddict
NBAfanaddict - 8/22/2013, 6:32 PM
Breaking News: Affleck is Batman.
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