Batman on TV

[The Penguin]

All this talk about Birds of Prey and Smallville brings an interesting question to mind: Would a regular Batman series work as a one hour drama?

What do you think it would be like? Who would you call on to play the heros and villains? Would this be better than a movie every few years? Let's hear it.

[BLACKHEART]

It wouldn't work buddy.

[Mr. Obsession]

I'd rather see them focus on the one medium in which they've been able to get Batman done the right way, animation.

[CadaverousEyes]

Anything involving Batman can work, with the proper writers. Even a musical or a cartoon where he trains a young Outsiders team. I'd imagine the episodes to be very detective oriented with Xena-like action sequences.

I know next to nothing about actors, but if Mark Hamil were younger, I'd want him to be the Joker. Of course, that's a given.

[dc_gothamite]

that's a hard thing to describe since most of the characters were perfectly depicted in "The Animated Series."

still, It would be interesting... we'd have a show where the villains aren't superpowered or from other planets.

if they can focus on Batman's personality and his skills perfectly, you'd have a nice blend of something like "C.S.I." and "The Crow."

i dunno... it might work

[BLACKHEART]

I don't think it would work. Let's pretend it's going to be made. It would have to be dark and gritty like Angel, Black Scorpion, or Dark Angel. It can't be whacky dark like Buffy. That would just kill it.

I can flip a coin and do the show two ways. From the start or in progress. From the start you get the idea, in progress would be already start with a Robin and other supporting cast members.

Season one should focuss on Batman. He's been in Gotham and he's kicking crime's "tail" Several main stay villians are already in town. Explain some later. There really doesn't need to be a history lesson nor does it need to be changed. So I'd start the show in progress.

Cast/Apperance

Batman: Dark, no rubber nipples on the suit. Work on the first movie costume if we really need a rubber costume.
Robin: Keep his comic look. If anything make the red's darker and use more black.
Oracle: Just get someone hot to play her.
Alfred: He's just an old dude can't mess that up or can they?
Gordon: Forget the current commish.

Joker: Make him look like the onstar commericals and I'd be happy.
Scarecrow: Give him a look of terror and fear from a Clyde Barker movie. I think a new adventures style costume could work.
Poison Ivy: The Dodson model. Green skin or normal, no pale white or elf suit.
Penguin: He runs a nightclub and likes to be shaken for information.
Riddler: Just give him a green spandex suit and don't give him the red hair dye.

People that would come along at the end of season 1 or season 2.

Nightwing, Catwoman as a villian, Two Face, Mad Hatter, Ra's and Talia.

Bane would make a great season final for 2 or more ideal season 3.

[The Dark Knight]

It could work, but it would need a very talented group of people to put it together. I'm not sure who I would cast as each character, but I know there's only one Batman: Kevin Conroy.


Originally posted by SLIPKNOT
Riddler: Just give him a green spandex suit and don't give him the red hair dye.
Please don't ever say that again. Stick him in the B: TAS suit and never even think of that horrible green spandex again.

[The Game]

It's funny you bring this up, cuz I just wrote up a mock episode guide for a Batman Live Action series I'd want to make.

By the way- hell yeah it would work- if done by the right people.

[TheScarecrow]

First off, I have made it clear that I would rather see this then Birds Of Pray.

It would most definitely work with the right creative direction and writing staff. DO NOT over camp it like they did with Lois and Clark, and please treat the characters with the respect that they deserve.

The only person I know to cast for a role would be Tom Skerrit(sp?), the sheriff on Picket Fences, for Commissioner Gordon because he has the look, the acting skills, and even the experience in playing figure heads for Police Departments. As for everyone else, I am not sure.

Season one should start with Bruce coming back to Gotham from training for his quest, and becoming Batman in the pilot, and start from there. Villains for the first season would be...

The Joker: Make him look evil as hell and act that way as much as possible while still being funny.

Penguin: A Kingpin like villain at first, then add the legit night club owner angle later.

Catwoman More of a villain then a hero for the first season.

Riddler: No spandex, or red hair. Just the green suit deal from BTAS. Make him intelligent and obsessed with outsmarting Batman. Give him little if any campy lines.

Maroni's and and the Falcone's and other mobster types, as well as some street gangs and an occasional drug lord or two.

Include Dick Grayson, but don't make him Robin yet. Just have him stay with Bruce and train with him for a season or two before he dons the suit. And include Harvey Dent and do what they are doing with Lex on Smallville by hinting and foreshadowing his future (occasional flips of the two-headed coin, face occasionally half in shadow, etc) with his final transformation into Two-Face for the season finale.

Then just build from there, with the other villains appearing in the following seasons of the show.

[Barb Gordon]

With the right cast and right group of writers, just about anything can work, definetly Batman. But, obviously things don't go that nicely whatsoever. It could be great to see a Batman series, if it were done right and they didn't ruin it. The chances of them not screwing it up in some way or another, either in the storyline they choose, the costumes, the cast, are slim. But, nothing is ever perfect, even though we'd like it to be ;) , right? I'd still prefer they stick with the animated side of tv because they've handled it so well. But, with real live, they can go to the darker side of Batman which they can't totally achieve with the animated version.

Barb^-^

[The Game]

Here's the way I did my scripts-

Season 1: Start with Batman about a year or two into the "Batman". He's battling gangsters, etc. while being best friends with Harvey Dent, slowly gaining a relationship with Gordon etc. Show the origin of the Joker and Catwoman (and of course the Bruce/Selina relationship). They should be the only two major "rouges gallery villains" to make appearences, shrouded with gangsters like Thorne, Valestra, etc. Dick Grayson is a high school senior and training to become Robin.

Season 2: Barbara Gordon becomes a recurring character as she becomes Dick's girlfriend at college. Robin joins Batman in his crime fighting, and the caped crusaders battle other baddies. New to the show this season would be The Penguin and Harley Quinn, as well as Two-Face- building on the Bruce/Harvey relationship of season 1. I'll get to the next five sometime later....

[James]

Originally posted by SLIPKNOT
I don't think it would work. Let's pretend it's going to be made. It would have to be dark and gritty like Angel, Black Scorpion, or Dark Angel. It can't be whacky dark like Buffy. That would just kill it.


I totally disagree.

I think the idea could work providing you found a responsible concept from the start.

Firstly, what is Batman about? Consider.

It can be camp. It has been and now will always have that side, but any follow up to the camp 60's series will be laughed at (not in the intended way) - see Batman & Robin.

It can be about the weird bad guys. Joker, Penguin, Bane. I think this is something that should be given a bit of distance.

It can about the action.. battles... fights... Xena.. Buffy.. hurrah!
No. Flappy cape, silly leaps, silly escapes. Even a serious fight in a costume can look awkward on the big screen.

The one aspect that I think the show could play on - for an hour - is the dark detective.
It's an element that no network has fully attempted but is a considerable influence to the comics.
The costume could be as simple as the comic, again it's direction thats the key.
The Bat is the detective. We see just graceful and brief glimpses of him in the dark. The shape of a cowled and cloaked figure on a roof top. The shadow against the wall. The fist in the goons face.
Subtlety.
Nothing in the light and NEVER a full shot unless in the Batcave.
We put emphasis on the Wayne dilemma and expand Wayne's character and involvement. The darker element and his flip fake side as he works on cases in the day time through other means.

Bad guys... again, careful choice to make Batman remain in the sphere of reality. Bane could fit. Ventriloquist would be perfect. Ra Gaul would work.. Joker... POSSIBLY. I'd be inclined to leave him out.

Keep Robin out and give the series an arc and an ending.

I think an intelligent detective drama which deals with the dark knight in a subtle and low key manner could work - with the right backing.

A bit of tongue in cheek humour would work too. As long as it keeps the idea faithful.

Cheap is good. Detective proves good. These are elements which may bring such a concept to an approving network boss.

Not an easy task, but one that would have promise if written well.

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Originally posted by Barb Gordon
With the right cast and right group of writers, just about anything can work, definetly Batman. But, obviously things don't go that nicely whatsoever. It could be great to see a Batman series, if it were done right and they didn't ruin it. The chances of them not screwing it up in some way or another, either in the storyline they choose, the costumes, the cast, are slim. But, nothing is ever perfect, even though we'd like it to be ;) , right? I'd still prefer they stick with the animated side of tv because they've handled it so well. But, with real live, they can go to the darker side of Batman which they can't totally achieve with the animated version.

Barb^-^


I agree with Barb-even Batman Ballet could work.

[BLACKHEART]

Look at the trend that shows that follow what a Batman would be are going. Even if it did start out good, it would eventually get watered down and turned into something it's not. I don't want them to play with characters and where they came from. That's why I would start out with several main characters in place. Everyone knows who the Joker is so why explain it again?

[James]

I agree - unless they do something mighty spectacular to reinvent his origin and that DOESN't mean having him at high school with Bruce...

[The Game]

I actually disagree. I think every character's (except Batman's) origin should be told. Why? I think the 'Jack Napier' character is vital to the 'Joker' character. Seeing what he was and what he is can be very interesting, and it's something that shouldn't be cut out. Plus, it would make for a very interesting episode! ;)

[BLACKHEART]

You do realize the Joker's real name isn't known. The Jack Napier name was just something Tim Burton came up with. The basics are there. The reason the Joker was picked for the first Batman movie is because everyone knows who he is. Go on the street and conduct a poll of Batman villian's and he's going to be the first the comes to mind. He will be followed by Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, and Mr. Freeze. Those characters are a given. Bane, Black Mask, and people like that aren't as commonly known. A brief mentioning of the character like Bane, they don't have to go into it just say or have a quick flash back sequence.

As someone said above about "As long as Joker didn't go to high school with Bruce" when you know that's the kind of crap WB is going to come up with. That's why I think it's best for them to take what they have and start there.

A character like Huntress isn't known well to mainstream audiences. She should be given an origin on the show. Joker, Nightwing, Poison Ivy, Riddler are givens. There's no reason to fix or add anything to these origins.

[The Game]

You do realize the Joker's real name isn't known. The Jack Napier name was just something Tim Burton came up with.

I know- but it has kind of stuck, and most people will accept that as the Joker's original name if you mention it.

First of all, it is not given that someone will know exaclty where all these villains came from. Poison Ivy? I'll bet less than 1% of the population could explain where she came from. Heck, I'm not positive what her comic book origin is, I've just seen "Pretty Poison". Most of those who could name her origin would give you what they saw in Batman and Robin.

Even if everyone knows Joker's origin, that doesn't mean it can't be retold for effect or for a purpose- I think the Joker is a facinating character, even more interesting when you anylize his past.

This, of course, is just one man's opinion. :)

[BLACKHEART]

I think I need to make something clear that I haven't:

I'm not against telling the origin, I just wouldn't give it an entire episode. If they want to mention it in a quck flash back then go ahead. I don't see why we need to retell or change origins like the Joker's.

I did include Poison Ivy with Black Mask and Bane, but I deleted it. She is a character that not many people know of. I just didn't want to contradict myself. When we are looking at 16 1 hour episodes you have to accomplish a few things. Keep old fans and bring in new one's. You can't hurt the established fan's and you can't bore them with materal they've been getting for years.

I would almost want a new Joker origin on film after the movie, but if they make a dark/gritty show based on the comics there is no reason to mess with his origin there.

I missed this till now about the Riddler. Don't tell me you didn't like his suit on the 60's show hahaha. The WB Riddler was creepy in his tight green spandex. It was almost as scary as meeting Pin Head in a dark alley don't you think?

[The Game]

Again, I simply disagree. Not much we can do about that now is there? I just think it would make the most sense to show his origin, that's all.


The WB Riddler was creepy in his tight green spandex. It was almost as scary as meeting Pin Head in a dark alley don't you think?

lol. Scary. :)

[BLACKHEART]

That is what defines us as people that we are able to have a difference in opinion.

Beware the Riddler fore he is one pandora's box that you don't want to turn mwhahaha. I've never been a huge Riddler fan. Even when I was a little kid he was the first to be captured by Batman. Him or Penguin. The movie incarnation was horrible. Jim Carrey tried too hard and once he dyed his hair red it was all over. His orginal animated costume would look cool in the flesh. If they want to sell him as a creepy villian then it's green spandex all the way. Think aboout all the hidden things we can talk about. If the WB Riddler was brought into flesh everyone would think he was either a child molestor or a homosexual. It would give everyone something to talk about.

Since we are talking about costumes, let's move on to Penguin. I want him in a suit like the comics or new adventures. The movie/orginal animated look was horrible even for him.

All movie costumes were bad when you think about it...

[The Game]

The costumes weren't horrid, but weren't great. Let's recap-

Joker- The costume and make-up weren't the problem, I just think Jack Nicholson was too old to pull it off. His hair line was receeding, and he just didn't look "quite right".

Penguin- They made him look like a nasty grotesque bird-man- I agree, a look more like his one in TNBA would be good.

Catwoman- The latex dominatrix look was sexy, but I thought it was too weird for Batman. I liked B:TAS gray myself, but they would at least have to go with a regular looking outfit.

The Riddler- I agree- the green spandex is queer thing. I'd go with the green blazer and bowler with the question-mark tie for Riddler, TAS style.

Two-Face- I loved his outfit in Batman Forever. I thought it was one of the great make-up/costume jobs in the series. Now if only Tommy Lee Jones hadn't butchered the part so bad...

Poison Ivy- She was just sooo off. I don't know, but she seemed different than the Poison Ivy I like so much. I'd go with a look similar to the one in the comics or the animated version. (I actually do like the 'elf' look, but it would look dumb on a real person).

Mr. Freeze- I didn't hate his costume, but I would have prefered something simpler, with a glass jar type thing over his head. Like TAS version- actually I loved John Delaney's version in his latest sketch! :)

Bane- Ugh. Don't get me started. Go with the wicked leather and studs look from TNBA.

[BLACKHEART]

I was trying to block that version of Poison Ivy out of my mind. A guy I talk to on AIM loves the movie Ivy. He's got problems. I had a picture of Ivy's breast as an avatar so I guess I to have problems. I didn't hate the elf Ivy at first. I thought it was cool till I saw more of it. They never did explain why her skin color changed. I don't like the pale white. The only pale white skin I need is Joker's.

Bane that was another one I tried to block out of my mind.

Have I said block too much? Freeze block Freeze. No his real problem was the man playing him.

Two Face wasn't so bad. Joker wasn't so bad, but again the actor wasn't that great. I think over all Two Face was the closest to being his real self unless we talk about Harvey Dent in the first movie, let's not.

[BLACKHEART]

I did like the Catwoman suit, but it didn't look right. I still see that costume all around at parties I go to. Catwoman should have never been blonde.

[The Game]

That's one thing I didn't like about TNBA- the pale skin. Catwoman suffered from the same problem- pale skin. What's up with that?

[BLACKHEART]

I can get past the costume, but her skin. Wasn't that make-up on Catwoman? I am trying to remember. I thought she was normal looking without the mask.

I do like the green skin of Poison Ivy in the Harley Quinn comic. I did a 6' foot painting of her from the comic. It's awesome. I'm working on one now of her in the robe from I think HQ 14. I also am thinking about doing something with her in the short shorts from the latest issue.

[James]

Originally posted by thegame8866
Again, I simply disagree. Not much we can do about that now is there? I just think it would make the most sense to show his origin, that's all.



I agree/disagree with both of you. I'd be happy for origins, if it was handled in a way that hasn't been done before. Likewise, I wouldn't be bothered if they avoided the bizarre origins of many Batman enemies..

[The Game]

I do like the green skin of Poison Ivy in the Harley Quinn comic.

Never seen the "green-skinned" Ivy. Mind posting a picture, or at least giving me a link to a pic?

-The Game

[Frank White]

I think the series should be as scaled back as possible like the 1st season of BTAS. Just Batman, Alfred, and the cops. Robin can make occasional appearance, maybe one or two a season. Oh and no Batgirl. I know everyone loves her but I think her character can't be saved between B&R and the 60's Batman series. Oh and above all, please no rubber suits.

[baggins]

Sounds like a good possibility to me.There was a rumor that they are going to do a live action movie version of Batman Beyond , here in the U.K.

I think WB don't really know what to do with the Batman franchise. A Batman television series , sound better the more you think about it.

I agree with most of you , when you say it must be done in a dalk way.They certainly can't do it like the 60s show as good as that was for the time. Peoples televiewing tastes have been honed over the years, and thier expertations are more.

It could be a case of opening Pandoras box here. ;)

[BLACKHEART]

Yeah I've got plenty of pictures of her. Orginal artwork as well. I had her as my avatar when I used the breast pic and then a head shot for a few hours.

I'll go grab a picture of her from a website. If you got AIM or e-mail I'll send you better one's later.

[BLACKHEART]

It's a shame I don't have a scanner right now. I'd take a picture of the painting I did of her. Everyone that has seen it loves it.

Here's a pic I really liked when I saw it.

http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Feb13/covers/down/dhrly17.jpg

[BLACKHEART]

You know that's one lucky hand. :(

SSJ

That's just the problem. I don't want new origins. I don't want them to change anything about the characters. There's nothing wrong so don't fix it. I think there are so many stories to tell and there's no reason we have to live in the past.

[The Penguin]

I'm gonna weigh in with my thoughts now. I voted "You bet!"

If done the right way I think it could work. I agree that you wouldn't want to get to bogged down in origins but at the same time--Hopefully if this show were to happen it would bring in a lot of new fans and if everyone was already there, just being who they are, then many of those new fans would be lost and might give up on Batman without giving him much of a chance. Everyone knows The Joker, but does everyone know who The Mad Hatter is?

Other thoughts:
It should be dark, TV14 without a doubt.

I would hate to see Bats in some kind of a stupid-looking rubber suit. If it could work right, I would like to see him in the gray and blue/black. That's the way he should be.

The Riddler in the suit for sure. I bet an actor would rather wear a suit than spandex anyway.

I'd love to see The Penguin as the owner of the Iceberg Lounge, he'd probably get a lot more air-time that way. :)

You'd have to pretty much say good-bye to villains like Clayface because he would just get to expensive to use computers on.

That guy from Picket Fences would make a good Gordon in my view.

Could David Warner still be Ra's Al Ghul? Or John Glover be The Riddler? I think Diana Muldaur would be super if they ever use Leslie Thompkins. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. could probably still be Alfred.See what I mean here (http://us.imdb.com/Name?Zimbalist+Jr.,+Efrem) And Paul "The Penguin" Williams is a rather short guy (but if they used him I wouldn't get the call ;) )

Bullock and Montoya should be a part of the regular cast. Plus Renee gives them a minority, networks are always after that.

I agree that Harvey Dent should be the D.A. for the first season and then he becomes Two-Face in the finale, going into season two. That way you can really develop his friendship with Bruce.

I would expect Dick Grayson to be around, but not become Robin right away. At first he might not even be totally aware of Bruce's secret.

I would expect a lot the cast to unknowns or big ones who love Batman (like TAS voices that would still work live-action) so it's easier to keep then on the show. Just like the thought of "Batman: Year One" being an unknown. If you make it Batman, they will come.


In the first one I'd like to see a two hour movie where The Joker comes to Gotham (not Jack Napier, maybe his origins could be explored in flashback episode) and Bruce becomes Batman for the first time to take him down.

[The Guard]

I'm working on it. Just for fun. Have about 12 partial scripts.

Was supposed to be presented March 3.

Hmm...not gonna happen. I'm thinking May now. If it happend.

I'll say this. It's called BATMAN, and it's about Batman. You won't see any leaping off buildings and throwing a batarang, hoping it catches. You won't see villains that I can't explain. And you might not see Robin. Or Batgirl. Or Bat-Mite. Dark? Yes. As dark as I can make it with a PG-13 type show. The detective aspect is important. So is the origin. I'm taking stories from the comics, pieces of them, freshening them up for 2002, and trying to give people a decent, live-action Batman.

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

I went with yes...it'd be a lot better than this "Birds Of Prey" thing they got going on.

[G. Wen]

Everytime someone attempts to do a Batman live-action anything, it always turns out bad. The live-action Batman franchise is cursed. Stay away from live-action Batman!

[BLACKHEART]

I have a bad feeling about BOP

[Anubis C. Soundwave]

What is Birds of Prey?

[BLACKHEART]

A comic book that the main focuss is on Barbara Gordon and Black Canary, it's not very good