Perfect actor to play Bruce in BB live action movie

[RAMPAGE]

Kevin Conroy! :cool:

Really. Kevin Conroy looks like an old Bruce. Plus wouldn't it be cool to see Batman's voice embodied by Kevin? Hmmmm? And Mark Hamill as the Joker.

[Kylewayne]

I love the idea of Kevin Conroy as old Bruce Wayne!!!
How about Clint Eastwood, he would make a grumpy old Bruce!
:p

[hap]

they need someone older and distinguished. Clint Eastwood would be good...he's got the raspy, older "I've been through hell and back" type of voice, another choice would be Charlton Heston.

[Spike]

:) Kevin Would Be Great! Can He Act?

[Fish]

I think he has been in some plays, I don't know which ones. But I think most voice actors are actors too. They certainly know how to put emotions in animated characters and that is certainly a good quality! I don't think there are many voiceactors who only act voices.. but I might be wrong *s*

<>< F I S H ><>

[Failure]

Originally posted by hap
they need someone older and distinguished. Clint Eastwood would be good...he's got the raspy, older "I've been through hell and back" type of voice, another choice would be Charlton Heston.

Ugh, no Charlton Heston please! I don't know if he'd be a good fit for it, but I dont wanna see Charlton Heston in my mind, when I think of Batman.

I defintely agree with the Kevin Conroy as Batman though. That would be cool. And Mark Hamill as the Joker? I'd say you have a bona fide hit on your hands.

[Huntress]

Clint Eastwood!!!! Definitely!!!!:D

[Peace Keeper]

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. BRIAN DENNEHY is perfect for the part of OLD BRUCE WAYNE. Both have extremely broad sholders DENNEHY just needs to lose some weight. BRUCE was huge.

[Peace Keeper]

Kevin Conroy and Clint Eastwood are too scrawny. Bruce was huge.

[hap]

Originally posted by Peace Keeper
If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. BRIAN DENNEHY is perfect for the part of OLD BRUCE WAYNE. Both have extremely broad sholders DENNEHY just needs to lose some weight. BRUCE was huge.

EXCELLENT CHOICE. He's also got a kind of "mysterious" attitude about him.

[The Old Maid]

Jack Palance is the man for the job.

He's the only one old enough ; also the only one huge enough. Hire anyone else and you'd need a pipsqueak to play Terry. The fact that Terry is so much smaller than Bruce is a major factor in the way Terry developed, and the way other characters treat him.

Also, as others have mentioned, Eastwood, Heston, Dennehy, Newman, etc. are too famous in themselves. The fans would see Eastwood-playing-Batman instead of seeing Batman. Most people have no preconceived notions about Palance or his style. I've never heard anyone say he's NOT the one -- the only actor about whom that hasn't been said.

[James]

The actor doesn't have to be EXCACTLY like Conroy's performance. Neither should he have to be big and bulky for that matter. As long as the essence is there. Plus whoever it is must have a good dynamic with whoever played Terry (I immediately vote for a slim-fast planned Will. He has THE eyebrows....)

My Wayne suggestions are:
Michael Keaton. Not going to be popular - but it would give BB some continuity to the only decent Bats film. Keaton got a dark edge. I'd be interested to see how he interpreted an aged Mr Wayne.

Christopher Walken. There is no one more qualified to play a dark, slightly tainted character than the man who has never been offered any other type of role.
But could he pull off the cool after the slick Fat Boy Slim video?
Of course he could!

[hap]

Originally posted by SJJ
Christopher Walken. There is no one more qualified to play a dark, slightly tainted character than the man who has never been offered any other type of role.
But could he pull off the cool after the slick Fat Boy Slim video?
Of course he could!

Hmmm...this is interesting. Walken is really a strange guy, yet still has enough years for a couple sequels. That is my worry with someone like Palance, who has really aged since his first Batman appearance and since his "city slicker" days. One important note to mention: The makers of this film have to look at things from a live action perspective, which is different than animation. They should take the flavor of BB as far as they can insert it, but they can't make it exactly the same. If they tried, it would be campy and not look right. Let's hope they can insert the best parts of the characters, and give us a "wow" factor leaving the theaters. I truly hope I leave drooling for a sequel, and feeling sorry that it is over!

[Clayface]

:eek:
Christopher Walken????? You gotta be kidding me. That guy can't act his way out of a paper bag - every single line he's ever delivered has been in the same mono-tone voice.

And I love Kevin Conroy's performance on the animated show, but he's not right for the old Bruce - he's way too young! Yeah, you could age him with make-up, but why bother when you could find someone that's naturally older that's just as good?

[ShadowsofBlack]

In my humble opinion, my perfect Bruce, or any other character from an animated series going to live action would have to be a reputable actor who's prestige is not so pronounced that you view it as "Great actor plays Batman" That takes away from the underlying character interaction that is intrical to the Batman universe.

[James]

Christopher Walken????? You gotta be kidding me. .<snip>...every single line he's ever delivered has been in the same mono-tone voice.

Right.... not at all like Batman then....... :rolleyes:

[Peace Keeper]

Are you sure you know who Christopher Walken is, SJJ? He plays the same strange character no matter what film he is in. Besides, he was already in BATMAN RETURNS. No offense, but he has to be by far the worst Bruce suggestion I have ever heard. I hope they either go with Brian Dennehy, or an unknown actor. Personally, I don't think Dennehy is that famous. I think he is more popular with old people b/c of DEATH OF A SALESMAN and that show from the 70s. He played ARCHIE BUNKER, right?

[James]

Are you sure you know who Christopher Walken is, SJJ? He plays the same strange character no matter what film he is in. Besides, he was already in BATMAN RETURNS. No offense, but he has to be by far the worst Bruce suggestion I have ever heard.

Yes, I know who he is, yes I am aware he was in Batman Returns (in possibly one of his worst roles may I add) but I don't think he's that far out of the boundaries of playing an old Bruce.
I think Mr Walken could play quite an interesting Batman. Not my first choice, but it beats churning out the same old suggestions of Clint Eastwood and the like..... it would make a very boring thread if we all agreed on the same guy!

Besides, everyone hated the idea of Keaton (once again famous for his scary strange character typecast) until he played the role... I think he is considered to be the best Batman so far.....

[Clayface]

Originally posted by SJJ

Yes, I know who he is, yes I am aware he was in Batman Returns (in possibly one of his worst roles may I add) but I don't think he's that far out of the boundaries of playing an old Bruce.
I think Mr Walken could play quite an interesting Batman. Not my first choice, but it beats churning out the same old suggestions of Clint Eastwood and the like..... it would make a very boring thread if we all agreed on the same guy!

But at least Clint Eastwood can act! Walken can't. He's a terrible, terrible choice.



Besides, everyone hated the idea of Keaton (once again famous for his scary strange character typecast) until he played the role... I think he is considered to be the best Batman so far.....

Yes, But he was hated because he didn't have the physical charcateristics that people expected Batman to have. Not because he couldn't act. We hate the Walken idea because the man can't act!

[James]

But at least Clint Eastwood can act! Walken can't. He's a terrible, terrible choice.

Walken can act. He's considered quite an accomplished actor and I have found him quite believable in his freaky roles (Dead Zone, Prophecy, Pulp Fiction, Suicide Kings as a few good examples). I think he is a more interesting choice. While I think Clint would be excellent as Miller's Dark Knight, I think he lacks a certain humanity that the BB Bruce requires. In my opinion! :rolleyes:

[Clayface]

Originally posted by SJJ

Walken can act. He's considered quite an accomplished actor



By who??? LOL!




and I have found him quite believable in his freaky roles (Dead Zone, Prophecy, Pulp Fiction, Suicide Kings as a few good examples).



Right, all freaky roles in which he could get away with a constanly confused look on his face, and a monotone delivery of lines. He's got no real human qualities to him - he always comes off as a detached, emotionless, zombie, which is not at all how I see Bruce.




I think he is a more interesting choice. While I think Clint would be excellent as Miller's Dark Knight, I think he lacks a certain humanity that the BB Bruce requires. In my opinion! :rolleyes:


Personally, I can't see Clint as Miller's Dark Knight at all! I think he'd be great for the old Bruce in BB though. Just check out his roles in films like The Unforgiven or In the Line Of Fire - he plays older, haunted characters perfectly!

To each his own I guess.

[James]

Right, all freaky roles in which he could get away with a constanly confused look on his face, and a monotone delivery of lines. He's got no real human qualities to him - he always comes off as a detached, emotionless, zombie, which is not at all how I see Bruce.

I've seen enough of his work to believe he could pull it off. Just because he is generally given typecast roles doesn't mean he can do nothing else - or vary on a theme. Clint has proved that to a lesser degree. If we work from the Bruce in BB, he is rather emotionless (not totally mind you - his dry wit still prevails!), he certainly is detached. Zombie like... I don't think Walken is zombie like, IMO of course.

My other fear of getting such an established actor as Clint comes from his aura as 'Clint Eastwood' eclipsing the character. People seeing him as Clint rather than Bruce.

In all honesty, I'd prefer an unknown actor to take the part - that way we all can watch the portayal without being affected by our judgement of the actor's previous performances.

As long as there is good chemistry between actor playing Bruce and actor playing Terry I'll be quite happy. :D

[hap]

Originally posted by Clayface


1. But at least Clint Eastwood can act! Walken can't. He's a terrible, terrible choice.

2. Yes, But he was hated because he didn't have the physical charcateristics that people expected Batman to have. Not because he couldn't act. We hate the Walken idea because the man can't act!

1. ***In some people's opinion, but that's what this thread is for. Not to bash who someone else suggests, but to make your own suggestion. It would be nice to hear a new suggestion without totally slamming someone else's choice. There are alot of people who think Clint Eastwood has always played basically the same "rebel" role, and almost always sounds exactly the same. (Ok, let's leave Bridges of Madison County out of it!!)

2. ***Hmmm...people who "can't act" don't get film roles, because they don't make $$$ for the studios. Walken is not a Tom Cruise, but he is perfect in the roles he's played, and by the very fact that he has been in tons of movies from "The Deer Hunter" to "Suicide Kings," I would say there is some acting that is good somewhere in there. You may not like him personally, but there is no factual evidence he cannot act, rather the opposite. The man has been in over 70 films, won an Oscar and several other awards...quite a number for someone who can't act.

Here's one that no one has thought of: Gene Hackman. Can't see him playing the role at all, but at least he can't get the argument that he can't act. :D

[James]

Perhaps it's time for Adam West to come out of retirement and bring levity to Batman Beyond.

"Terrance old chum, school nights are for homework, you'll find even crimefighters have to sleep...."

What's scary is that You KNOW he would do it too....

[hap]

Originally posted by SJJ
Perhaps it's time for Adam West to come out of retirement and bring levity to Batman Beyond.

"Terrance old chum, school nights are for homework, you'll find even crimefighters have to sleep...."

What's scary is that You KNOW he would do it too....

LOL hilarious. Good thought.

[Clayface]

Originally posted by hap

1. ***In some people's opinion, but that's what this thread is for. Not to bash who someone else suggests, but to make your own suggestion. It would be nice to hear a new suggestion without totally slamming someone else's choice.



I'm just debating the choices, and giving my reasons why I think he's a terrible choice - if you'd like to consider that "slamming" you're welcome to your opinion, but as has been pointed out, this thread is both to make suggestions and to debate/discuss those suggestions. I don't think SJJ has any problem with me stating my opinions, and I certainly don't have a problem with SJJ's statements.




There are alot of people who think Clint Eastwood has always played basically the same "rebel" role, and almost always sounds exactly the same. (Ok, let's leave Bridges of Madison County out of it!!)



Maybe, but I've already suggested a couple of movies that show that's not true. Of al the Christopher Walken movies I've seen, I haven't seen any change in inflection in his voice or delivery. Eastwood is typecast. Walken is typecast and a bad actor. There's a difference.




2. ***Hmmm...people who "can't act" don't get film roles, because they don't make $$$ for the studios.



I would totally disagree with that statement. I can name you hundred actors that can't act that get regular roles. You don't have to be a good actor to get a role in hollywood - most of the time its about your look, your already established name, or the pay you'll take. As another example, if you want to watch bad actors that get roles all the time, watch just about any daytime soap. And those actors get awards too. Makes my head hurt just thinking about it!




You may not like him personally, but there is no factual evidence he cannot act, rather the opposite.



Well, there you are just making a false assumption. Contrary to what you may think, I do indeed like Walken - I loved him in Pulp Fiction, and several other movies I've seen him in. But, I thought his "performance" in films like Dead Zone and A View to A Kill were terrible. He can be great if he's put in the right role, and I don't think that old Bruce is a "right role" for him at all.




The man has been in over 70 films, won an Oscar and several other awards...quite a number for someone who can't act.



As I said, there are many, many actors that win awards, even though their acting sucks. I'm not one to buy into awards shows, and I don't buy "he's got an award" as proof that he can act.




Here's one that no one has thought of: Gene Hackman. Can't see him playing the role at all, but at least he can't get the argument that he can't act. :D


Hackman's all right, but I can't really see him as Bruce - I'd keep thinking of him as Lex!

After rewatching some Athony Hopkins movies recently, I'm starting to be convinced he could pull the role off, but, as SJJ has said, I too would prefer to have an unknown actor, as long as he's good and can pull off the role.

[ShadowsofBlack]

In my opinion, Mr. West is the best looking octagenarian I've ever seen. That don't make me gay does it?

[Peace Keeper]

Well JNN, It looks like your luv-a, Christopher Walken, will be hosting SNL next weekend. We'll see how "perfect" he is for the part of Bruce after watching that performance. :p

[hap]

Originally posted by Clayface



I'm just debating the choices, and giving my reasons why I think he's a terrible choice - if you'd like to consider that "slamming" you're welcome to your opinion, but as has been pointed out, this thread is both to make suggestions and to debate/discuss those suggestions. I don't think SJJ has any problem with me stating my opinions, and I certainly don't have a problem with SJJ's statements.


[B]


Maybe, but I've already suggested a couple of movies that show that's not true. Of al the Christopher Walken movies I've seen, I haven't seen any change in inflection in his voice or delivery. Eastwood is typecast. Walken is typecast and a bad actor. There's a difference.


[/color]

Well let me just say again that SEVENTY movies, most larger budget for their time, is alot for someone who "can't act." Not SEVEN, or SEVENTEEN, but seventy. I've seen plenty of actors and actresses who win awards who I thought were terrible, but very few who can sustain a career with large numbers of films if they really can't act. I may be focusing on a minor detail, but I guess we can just agree to disagree!:) Doesn't matter, really...something tells me it won't be him and we all will be surprised by the choice when it finally comes.

[James]

I'm going to be pain and make another highly popular suggestion - Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner).

Since he has only really done TV movies since, I'm sure he'd like a big role to prove himself...... and who knows, with his help the film might be straight to video before you know it!
:D

[Peace Keeper]

heh heh....This post was ment for you, SJJ. I don't know why I called you JNN, but I think I've done it before.


Originally posted by Peace Keeper
Well JNN, It looks like your luv-a, Christopher Walken, will be hosting SNL next weekend. We'll see how "perfect" he is for the part of Bruce after watching that performance. :p

[James]

That's alright PK. I knew who you were refering to. I'll keep JNN as a backup for when SJJ wears out.

;)

[Clayface]

Originally posted by ShadowsofBlack
In my opinion, Mr. West is the best looking octagenarian I've ever seen. That don't make me gay does it?

ROFLMAO!!! Yes, I'm afraid it does, Shadows!

[Clayface]

Originally posted by hap

Well let me just say again that SEVENTY movies, most larger budget for their time, is alot for someone who "can't act." Not SEVEN, or SEVENTEEN, but seventy. I've seen plenty of actors and actresses who win awards who I thought were terrible, but very few who can sustain a career with large numbers of films if they really can't act.



Then you definitely haven't been looking hard enough. 70 movies really isn't all that much - you'll find that just about any actor out there that's been around long enough has a list of credits that long or longer. Again, just because they've been around for a while doesn't mean they're any good (we did have Clinton in office for 8 years too, you know!). :eek:




I may be focusing on a minor detail, but I guess we can just agree to disagree!:) Doesn't matter, really...something tells me it won't be him and we all will be surprised by the choice when it finally comes.


Yep agreeing to disagree sounds good to me. But wouldn't we all be surprised if he did get picked for it!!



Originally posted by SJJ
I'm going to be pain and make another highly popular suggestion - Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner).


I recognize the name, but I can't place a face with it.....

[DR. BELCH]

Walken is a fair enough actor (he positively creeped the frig out of me in The Dead Zone)...but isn't he a bit rawboned for the part of Bruce? Even in his later years you can see the old man was once pretty muscular. Walken might have to pump a bit of iron if he wants to play the former Dark Knight.
I can see it now--"Hello...Terry. The time has come for you to...crisply train for an hour...then a rigorous...and crisp...nightly patrol." [crazed chuckle]
Terry asks, "Mr. Wayne, are you...feeling okay?"
"Why, yes I am," replies Walken Bruce. "I've never felt so...crisp in my life." Then he stands up, puts his hands under his armpits like chicken wings, and makes clucking noises. Terry grins uneasily and backs away sloooooooooowly. :D

[Clayface]

Originally posted by DR. BELCH
Walken is a fair enough actor (he positively creeped the frig out of me in The Dead Zone)


Yeah, but the thing is, he wasn't supposed to be creepy. When reading the book, you're
very sympathetic to his character, and he is not in the least little bit creepy. I read the book first, and then when I saw Walken's performance, it just emphasized his bad acting, IMO.




I can see it now--"Hello...Terry. The time has come for you to...crisply train for an hour...then a rigorous...and crisp...nightly patrol." [crazed chuckle]
Terry asks, "Mr. Wayne, are you...feeling okay?"
"Why, yes I am," replies Walken Bruce. "I've never felt so...crisp in my life." Then he stands up, puts his hands under his armpits like chicken wings, and makes clucking noises. Terry grins uneasily and backs away sloooooooooowly. :D


HEHEHEHEHEHEHEH!!!!

[DR. BELCH]

Clayface:
...[John Smith, in The Dead Zone] wasn't supposed to be creepy. [The reader should be] very sympathetic to his character, and he is not in the least little bit creepy.

In the beginning of the book, Smith is an normal guy. Although he's given an inkling of his talents after a childhood ice-skating mishap, they are truly and frighteningly brought out when he recieves a head injury in a taxicab crash.
Allow me to interject here that the producer frigged up in having him crash into a tanker in his own car...plus they foolishly cut out the excellent foreshadowing in the Two-Face-ish monster mask from the book (referencing both Smith's dichotomy after the accident and his mother's face after her stroke, which profoundly colors his life).
I don't agree fully with the statement that Smith isn't creepy, although Walken could have emoted more as Johnny pre-crash to achieve more of a contrast. Smith's talent certainly scares people, especially himself, and his appearance is likened to Frankenstein's because of the scars on his ankles, wrist, and neck. But he's more than scary; he's pitiable; because he's forced to lose everything he cares about over one stupid mistake, and he never asked to be Nostradamus.
When he obsessively fiills notebooks about Greg Stillson after seeing a vision of him bringing about the apocolypse, that was frightening...but because I saw a little of myself in this (I've been known to compile "hit lists" and keep close tabs on my enemies--:rolleyes: ).
Stephen King, in interviews, has stated that this book is an allegory to how one's talent can turn on him and become self-destructive...and his own wife got a chill from reading the manuscript, because she saw so much of Steve in Johnny. As a writer myself, I can relate to the cannabalistic nature of genius.

[James]

Walken is a fair enough actor (he positively creeped the frig out of me in The Dead Zone)...but isn't he a bit rawboned for the part of Bruce?

'Rawboned'. How delicately put :D As I said earlier, I'm not that fussed how physically accurate they are (although the more the better) as long as the dynamic between Bruce and Terry is there. IMO, that's what carries BB (and why half of series 2 is crap - no Bruce - excess Max). So his 'rawboned' complexion is of no concern to me.


--"Hello...Terry. The time has come for you to...crisply train for an hour...then a rigorous...and crisp...nightly patrol." [crazed chuckle]

Heh heh. Back off Terry. I mean it. Just back off. Turn and walk in the other direction.

I would be upset if they got Walken to do is run-of-the-mill 'strange and quirky'.

We need slightly strange (Bruce wore grey tights for 20 years for gawd sake! He then hung them up in a glass case where only HE could admire them - now that, in my book is strange!), bad tempered and dry witted. That's what we are looking for here.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mr Walken himself must be a wee bit fed up doing the same role again and again. :cool:

[hap]

Originally posted by DR. BELCH


In the beginning of the book, Smith is an normal guy. Although he's given an inkling of his talents after a childhood ice-skating mishap, they are truly and frighteningly brought out when he recieves a head injury in a taxicab crash.
Allow me to interject here that the producer frigged up in having him crash into a tanker in his own car...plus they foolishly cut out the excellent foreshadowing in the Two-Face-ish monster mask from the book (referencing both Smith's dichotomy after the accident and his mother's face after her stroke, which profoundly colors his life).
I don't agree fully with the statement that Smith isn't creepy, although Walken could have emoted more as Johnny pre-crash to achieve more of a contrast. Smith's talent certainly scares people, especially himself, and his appearance is likened to Frankenstein's because of the scars on his ankles, wrist, and neck. But he's more than scary; he's pitiable; because he's forced to lose everything he cares about over one stupid mistake, and he never asked to be Nostradamus.
When he obsessively fiills notebooks about Greg Stillson after seeing a vision of him bringing about the apocolypse, that was frightening...but because I saw a little of myself in this (I've been known to compile "hit lists" and keep close tabs on my enemies--:rolleyes: ).
Stephen King, in interviews, has stated that this book is an allegory to how one's talent can turn on him and become self-destructive...and his own wife got a chill from reading the manuscript, because she saw so much of Steve in Johnny. As a writer myself, I can relate to the cannabalistic nature of genius.

GOOD point. Its also important to note the 99% of movies are made without the author of the books they were based on as producers or directors, so often the directors take a "dramatic license" and screw up how the characters were in the book. (Meaning that Walken may not have been directed to make a drastic change from pre to post crash-- its really hard to say.)

[Maxie Zeus]

No one's going to settle the question of whether Christopher Walken is a "good actor" or not until it is made reasonably clear what is meant by "good acting." This is not to say I've got the answer right here. But this has been a provocative and stimulating thread, and I don't want to see it peter out without that central issue addressed.

Many many years ago, while talking about an Alec Guiness performance, Gene Siskel marvelled: "Every moment he was on the screen, I was aware of what a great performance he was giving." To which Roger Ebert quizzically asked, "If it was such a good performance, why were you constantly aware of the fact that it WAS a performance?" Is "good acting" supposed to be visibly that, or does the art of good acting lie in making the viewer forget that he is even watching a performance?

Most of us, I think, implicitly side with Siskel: To be good at acting is to be good at pretending to be something you're not, and so a good performance will be recognizable as such only if we are aware that it is a departure or difficulty for the person giving it. So "acting" is equated with doing stuff, and good acting is doing the kind of stuff that you're not naturally comfortable with. And something like this seems to be behind Clayface's complaint that Walken plays the same character over and over, and is always immobile and monotone. "Fer gawdsake, if he's ACTING why doesn't he DO something?!"

Well, because there's another way of looking at acting: As Ebert implied, the idea is to put across a performance, to convincingly portray another person, whether that person is very much like you or not. On this ideal, that performance is best which looks like it was lifted from real life, and in which the performer doesn't seem to be working at creating an illusion. The curious result of this line is that acting becomes a self-abnegating art: The more "real" it is the better the illusion, and the best act is one that is not an act at all.

The paradox is complicated by the nature of screen acting. It's hard to lie to the camera, to pretend to be radically other than you are. Those actors that persist in trying -- Jack Lemmon, say -- wind up looking fussy and shallow. Of necessity, then, most screen actors fall into a groove, playing (if not themselves) then the same basic character over and over again. Is Tom Hanks ever anyone but a nice guy? Is Tom Cruise ever anything but a cocky frat-boy? Is Robert DeNiro ever less than an utter bastard? When a well-known actor gets recognized, it's almost always for doing something strenuous on-screen (usually suffering a fatal disease or talking in a funny accent), or for playing radically against his recognized type.

This is not to say that because Christopher Walken is always playing a loony that it must be he is a loony in real life. It's just that, like Peter Lorre, his particular physical presence and mannerisms suggest menace and madness. Of course,
Walken's is a cold and inhuman menace -- the crack of ice in the dead of winter -- where Lorre was a shy, giggling hysteric. Such a character doesn't have to do much to seem threatening, and when asked to play this kind of character, Walken wisely doesn't do much at all.

This does leave him seeming passive and inactive -- not acting at all. But I think this leaves the "acting" issue between Clayface and SJJ as a red herring. I suspect Clayface's real problem is with a screen character who is mostly passive and emotionally alienating, while SJJ is drawn to a screen character in whom lucidity and insanity are strangely and provocatively mixed. And so this has really just been a disagreement about whether this kind of "screen image" is appropriate for the elderly Bruce Wayne.

[James]

Originally posted by Maxie Zeus
This does leave him seeming passive and inactive -- not acting at all. But I think this leaves the "acting" issue between Clayface and SJJ as a red herring. I suspect Clayface's real problem is with a screen character who is mostly passive and emotionally alienating, while SJJ is drawn to a screen character in whom lucidity and insanity are strangely and provocatively mixed. And so this has really just been a disagreement about whether this kind of "screen image" is appropriate for the elderly Bruce Wayne.

Nice post there - are you available for more analysis? I have some father-son issues that desperately need to be resolved! Actually, for my part, I think that was quite accurate!

On the Walken issue, my only further point I will raise on the issue of acting is one of commerce.

For most films, I imagine Walken will be cast because of his ... shall we say, 'familiar' on screen performance. Typecasting is a nasty reality. Some actors embrace it in the need for work - as Mr Walken might - and some fight against it, risking the chance of new thespian heights for the ever so humbling space on the dole queue.

[hap]

Originally posted by Maxie Zeus
No one's going to settle the question of whether Christopher Walken is a "good actor" or not until it is made reasonably clear what is meant by "good acting." This is not to say I've got the answer right here. But this has been a provocative and stimulating thread, and I don't want to see it peter out without that central issue addressed.

........ And so this has really just been a disagreement about whether this kind of "screen image" is appropriate for the elderly Bruce Wayne.

Good point on all issues, and good analysis of "both sides" of the debate regarding Walken. We've all seen actors who seem destined to play a certain type of character, and do it very well, and we've all seen those same actors play a role or two (like trying out comedy versus their normal dramatic roles) where it just doesn't quite work.

Hey, what about James Gandolfini? (spelling?)

TERRY: So what really happened between you and Joker, Bruce?

Soprano Bruce: I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He's sleeping with the fishes. His feet are buried in cement. He's...

TERRY: I thhiinnkkk I get the idea. Why don't I go visit the JLU for awhile....

[wolverine]

what about donald thrump he'd make a good bruce.

[Firefly]

I think the magazine "Toons" had a fake casting call on a Batman Beyond movie and here's what I remember they casted Charelten Hesten as Bruce Wane, Katie Holmes as Inque, John O'Hurley(Mr. Peterman from Seinfeld) as Dereck Powers/Blight and thats all I can remember.

[Sable Phoenix]

Just to inject something new here... what about Terrance Stamp for elderly Bruce? Eh? Eh?

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Sable Phoenix
what about Terrance Stamp for elderly Bruce? Eh? Eh?


That's not a bad idea. Certainly one of the better suggestions for Bruce.

I have an easier time seeing Stamp as Powers-Blight, but that role is probably easier to cast for.

[DarkAngel]

I can see Dylan McDerrmott as Wayne/Batman in Batman 5, so with a little makeup, he could certainly play an older Bruce in Batman Beyond. I realize that would only work if he did appear in Batman 5, but it's still a thought.

Or what about Harvey Keitel? Is that too off base? I just saw Cop Land recently which is why his name occured to me. I haven't seen him in anything else, so I could be way off in suggesting him.

Another name that just occurred to me is Anthony Hopkins because of his role in Mask of Zorro. A lot of people have pointed out the similarity between that movie and Batman/Batman Beyond. Hopkins played an older De la Vega quite well, so I'd imagine he could do a similar job with Bruce Wayne.

[Peace Keeper]

http://members.spree.com/sci-fi/NEOHIGHLANDER/brian.jpg

[Peace Keeper]

JUST LOOK at that picture and tell me he isn't perfect

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Peace Keeper
JUST LOOK at that picture and tell me he isn't perfect

That's very nicely done, and almost persuasive. But it just emphasizes how much WEIGHT Dennehy would have to lose.

Actually, he looks a lot like Jon Voight in that picture. Has Voight been suggested yet?

[Frozen]

Brian Dennehy is a great choice, I think. I have to agree with Peace Keeper also in that I don't feel he's too famous - when was the last big budget film anybody saw him in? Romeo and Juliet? I worked in a comic shop for over two years before my current job, and eight out of ten customers there, who I'd say are going to make up a fair percentage of the audience for a BB film, have NO IDEA who Dennehy is! Besides which, he's a damn good actor (anybody seen his performance in 'River Rat' - he really can do the whole 'menacing' thing!), he has a HUGE physical presence, and he's the right age, and he's not about to croak anytime soon - which has to work against Palance (another actor I love, but I think his style of 'menace' is a bit too 'in your face' for the more subtle older Bruce). As for Walken, I think he's great too - granted he has been a little type-cast as the psycho in the past, but that's because he does it so well! Probably not a good choice for Bruce though - as somebody else said, you really need somebody huge for this role!

It'd be good to see Keaton though - a cool way to sorta say "Hey Michael, you were the best Batman..."http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/cwm/cwm/evil3.gif