Fresh Question #41 - Your Movie Direction

[James Harvey]

Hey all,
just a reminder that our newspage (http://www.searth.net/wfnews/)will be undergoing a revamp and will get a new URL soon! Anyways, back to our question:

Say you've been given the chance to direct/produce/write/whatever Batman 5. What would you do?

[Calhoun07]

I am not sure where I would go with the plot and story, but for the character of Batman, I would make him much more like the character we saw in the first animated series. Bruce Wayne would be the mask Batman would wear, not the other way around. And I believe that is the way Batman is in the comics and in the animated series. That Batman is far more fascinating of a character than the one we have seen in the movies.

[BrianUK]

Batman would have these huge pointy Madonna style nipples and drive around in a mini-cab. Kidding ...

Batman Year One

Batman played by someone like David Boreanaz. Lots of low camera angles as we see Batman run and jump from rooftop to rooftop. He would come from the air and the shadows with a huge cape grabbing criminals like victims pulling them into the shadows and beating the life out of them. Shots of his glowing white eyes.

Dark black and blue lighting, purple skies and smoggy infected Gotham. More like a music video and less like Joels [movies].

Much like the animated series but more heavy rock, futuristic and maybe a wee bit violent. A 15 or R rating for sure.

-Brian

Post edited by DickGrayson

[Joker85]

I would not have a year 1, but a Batman 5. It would involve the Scarecrow and only the Scarecrow as a villian. The movie would be much darker than any of the previous ones(except maybe for Batman Returns). there would be no Robin, Batgirl, or Nightwing - Just Batman. I also would consider doing a DKR adaptation.

[Huntress]

DKR would make for an amazing Batman 5 if it was handled correctly - ie: sticking true to the story.

Seeing as Brian mentioned Madonna ... anyone remember that rumour from a while back about Madge playing Harley in a live action movie?? Gad, what a thought ..... eeesh (Batman & Robin was what was churned out instead ... it's good in comparison to that potential nightmare).

Whatever happens, the next movie should get back to the darker, grittier style that Burton created ... his vision of Gotham was just wonderful ... and, as Brian said, lots of moving in shadows, low angles, mystery and an adult rating

[BrianUK]

Hey Bud 'n Lou ....

Hey man. I'm sorry that you were offended by my description of Joel Schumachers Batman movies on Monday.

It is a well know fact that Joel included homosexual references in the direction of the movie and if me pointing this out has caused offence to you I apologise.

Hey after all, I'm just a cheeky brit

Take it easy

-Brian

[Domino]

In the opening scene, I would have a montage from the other live-action Batman movies, including the 1966 version. As the camera pulls back, you would see that the montage is being viewed on video monitors and as it pulls back further, you see a set of pointy ears sticking up over a high-backed chair.

"Quite imaginative, wouldn't you say, Alfred?" inquires the as-yet unseen Batman, played by Ben Affleck.

"Quite, sir," replies Alfred, played by Robert Duval, as he enters from stage right with a fresh pair of scalloped gloves. "Perhaps if you didn't maintain an air of mystery, the public wouldn't be prone to such wild speculation.

"Perhaps," answers the Batman, as his chair whirls and we see him for the first time, and Alfred takes a step back, momentarily startled, "but then my disguise would hardly be as effective, would it?"

That's how I'd start the film, anyway.

[Bird Boy]

Well. It'd go like this (and I've always wanted to direct my own batman movie):
Heros:
Batman- Keaton
Nightwing-Chris O'Donnel
Batgirl- Maybe Rachel Leigh Cook (I can't really think of anybody else)
Robin/TimDrake- Me! hahahah. Seriously, here's a pic of me:

www.thejawa.com/newsimages/Joseph.jpg

See? Wouldn't I make a great Tim Drake?

Villians:

Harley Quinn- Honestly, I don't know
Joker (he'd come back. he's too good to die): Jack Nicholson (wasn't he the best?)

Story:
It'd follow the comic line. Tim would come from where he was supposed to. Nightwing and Barbra would be dating (I think they dated in the comics.). Barbra/Batgirl wouldn't be crippled in the beginning, but she would be near the end (because of the Joker)in this movie. Quinn would just throw her usual gags and such in.
Superman (played by Dean Cain) might make a couple appearances.

The Suits:

No Nipples

White lenses-Nightwing, Robin, and Batman. Batgirl wouldn't have any, because she doesn't in the comics.

Suits-More basic. Blue and Grey for Batman. Black and blue for Nightwing, the usual for Robin, and the usual for Batgirl.

Capes- Big cape on batman. and a cape would reach to robin's ankles. Batgirl would have a smaller one, and nightwing wouldn't have one (he'd have wings like he did in the TNBA).

That's all I can think of!

-Bird_Boy

[DR.MID-NITE]

I like year one. But, prefer Batman 5, with the following:

-Remove all neon lights from Batmobile and the Batcave.
-Joel Schumacher is not allowed within 100 miles of production.
-Don't make it campy. Bring back Batman (1989) style and look.

Cast:
Batman: Russell Crowe
Nightwing: Chris O'Donnell (optional)
Robin: Haley Joel Osmont (optional)
Scarecrow: Jeff Goldblum
Mad Hatter: ??

[DisneyBoy]

Well, first I would redo Batman 3 and 4 to star Micheal Keaton as the Bats. I would keep Two-Face in the film, just not that rediculous Tommy Lee Jones version. Robin might also be in the film, possibly still Chris O'Donnell, but Riddler probably wouldn't stay as shouldn't take the focus away from two most important characters. Chase Meridian wouldn't be there (too slutty) and the film would probably be called "Batman and Robin" (which would cause mass confusion, wouldn't it?). The film would focus on Batman/Bruce's desire to save others and make up for his failures (to save Harvey and the Graysons).
The fifth film (now called god know what!) would focus on Mr. Freeze, played by Patric Stewart, and Poison Ivy, possibly played by Julia Roberts. Barbara Gordon would developp into Batgirl after her father was poisonned by Ivy and she would aid Robin in taking her down. No Bane! Ivy would match Batman and Robin against one another (like in the original) and while Batgirl saved Robin's butt from being Ivy's slave, Batman would confront Freeze. In the end, Freeze would end up the one frozen, and his wife the one cured, and Batgirl and Batman would never have met, but Robin and she would definately have some chemistry going on!
For the fifth film, I would most likely do a Scarecrow and Harley film. Harley would probably be played by the lady who did Alicia in the first film, or someone like Portia de la Rossi (from Ally McBeal). Scarecrow, I don't know. Harley would be back to punish Bats for killin her puddin (four films ago!) meanwhile Bruce would be plauged with nightmares of Joker, Penguin and Freeze. Dick and Babs would have Prof. Crane as a teacher at University. They would annoy one another as their day personalities (contrasting their budding love in costume). Scarecrow would eventually spread fear in all of the city, and Harler would kidnap Batman (like in Mad Love). She would still be playful, but scary and nuts. Robin would order Batgirl to never wear her costume again, because she isn't trained for city-wide chaos and to convince her, he would kiss her When Harls, is about to kill Bats, Joker would enter and blow up at her, tossing her out the window (a hallucination shared with Bats brought on by the fear gas everywhere). Freed from Harley's revenge Batman would go after Crane who would kill himself in an effort to haunt his dreams forever. This would indeed have a lasting effect on Batman as would be explored in later films.
After that, an action packed, exotic, James Bond/TombRaider/Indiana Jones Batman film with Talia and Ra's Al Ghul. And the final film would star Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Harley, who with Ivy's help would resurrect the Joker (via Lazurus pit)! The film would also focus on Catwoman's return, since she didn't die! Surprise Brucie!

[Vin]

I know people want Batman: Year One as the next Bat-flick, but I totally disagree. Ok, I've never read the comics, but I think it would be too confusing for non-comic fans if they saw the film and were thinking it was in the Batman 1989 continuity and not a total relaunch of the franchise. Of course, there would have to be some <b>HUGE</b> changes to make Batman 5 work.

It has to be dark and not campy. Of course, this is obvious. Joel Schumacher can say far, far, away from this film. Warner Brothers would be smart if they hired some of the B:TAS writers to work on the movie. They know exactly how to handle Batman. It would be nice how the B:TAS writers could fix up this franchise, but without changing much of the continuity of the past movies.

I know many might not agree, but I'd think it be alot smarter to go with a bunch of unknowns for the film. I'm sorry, but I don't think Russel Crowe is Batman, nor is George Clooney and despite how well Batman The Movie was, Michael Keaton is too old to play Batman and he doesn't have that playboy-millionare look. If they wanted to go with a big star, they at least should go with Val Kilmer. So, Batman Forever wasn't great. I thought Kilmer was a pretty good Batman and forfilled the playboy-millionare Bruce Wayne. If not, unknowns would be best. Get someone who looks like Bruce and who can act! The Batman-Robin relationship, I think, was portrayed well in the 2 films. Batman and Robin was a horrible movie, and Batman and Robin were so out of character. Yeesh, you're going to me that Batman and Robin both were somehow attracted to an Uma Thurman Poison Ivy. Sorry if I offended anyone, but couldn't they find anyone who at least looked her. I personally don't find her attractive at all.

I'd also like the Batman-Com. Gordon relationship explored more in the next film. The film should really show Batman's detective skills. I'd like it more if Batman had to solve some murder mystery and take down some crime bosses than him and Robin fight over Poison Ivy (Batman and Robin). I don't want to have some villian like Scarecrow, just to have him. I mean, it doesn't have to <i>have</i> crime bosses or whatever, I just mean, it would be a change from the last movies and would really show that Batman isn't just some costumed freak. Hopefully, it could be tied to his past somehow. Then again, maybe a Scarecrow as a villian would be could. We could get inside Batman's mind. Then we could see more of Bruce Wayne and what makes Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne. Whatever villian(s) they get, regardless, they have to be developed. Hopefully, characters like Bullock and Montoya could be interested too to help the detective story.

Hopefully, we have a dark Gotham, but it doesn't neccessarily have to be Burton's Gotham.

One big thing I didn't like about Batman and Robin was the fact that Batgirl was Alfred's niece. I haven't read the comics, as I mentioned earlier, but I'm sure Barabra isn't Alfred's niece in the comics. It seems she was just thrown in the movie to sell toys and appeal to girls who might look up to her (is that even possible in Batman and Robin?). That just really pissed me off. They have to fix her up or don't use her in the next film.

Robin should be portrayed by a younger actor in the next film, who looks like he is a teenager, or he should be portrayed as Nightwing. I'd rather the former than the latter. That way, Robin can be developed more and show how the build-up of how he eventually becomes Nightwing for a possibly sequel (wow, I'm talking more sequels now?). Now, I'm talking about someone who is roughly the age of Dick Grayson in The Adventures of Batman and Robin.

If Dick does become Nightwing, he doesn't even have to be used in the film. Bruce could make refence that he and Dick had a falling out (Old Wounds) and Dick is off fighting crime in his new town, while Batman has gone solo.

The suits hopefully would redesigned and be designed after TNBA.

Basically, that is what I'd do. What do you guys think?

[Trent Lane]

okay, here's my idea. this is what the cast should be:
Batman: Keaton
Nightwing: Keanu Reeves (trust me, he's better than O'Donnell was)
Robin: Frankie Muniz (Malcolm)
Batgirl (the new one): Rachel Leogh Cook
Oracle/Barbara: not sure, possibly Sandra Bullock
Alfred, Comm. Gordon: the same guys as before
The villians:
Matt Hagen/Clayface: Ben Afleck/ CGI
Roland Dagget: Peter Boyle
Killer Croc: Paul White/ any huge wrestler will due, actually

this is just a dream, that's the reason for so many big name stars. this would be a dark movie, showing how clayface came to be, and how killer croc went from wrestler to major bad guy. the CGI effects for clayface would be awesome, and a younger Robin would make the story cooler, possibly the first occasions where he fights by batman's side. add the new batgirl who kicks butt, and i think you got something worth watching, at least it can't be any worse than schumacher's killing of batman by campiness....

[Batgirl]

If I were to direct a Bat movie it would definately be better then the fourth installment. I hated what they did to it. I could write a plotline 100 times better then that! Any one could! I'd mix Selina in with Barbara (totally rewrite BG's entrance) and Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Ivy (redo her entrance) and Harley would be in it. Selina, as usual, would help out Bats, then double cross him. She'd probably help out BG with Ivy and Harley while Bats and the new Robin took out Scarecrow. Nightwing would take out Hatter, in a coming of age type of thing. Of course, the baddies would try to take over the city (Crow and Hatter) while Ivy and Harley tried to loot the riches (as usual) and chaos reigns. You know, just the usual for Gotham. Some action between Bats and Cats, definately some action between BG and NW (but not too much, I hate bed scenes). Good triumphs over evil, yadayadayada... you get the picture. Since this is spur of the moment I have no idea for the plot. Or maybe... Ras Al Ghul. That would make an interesting movie. Ras wouldn't be so bad a villian, if he was done right. I'd love to see BG or Selina (or better yet, both) face off Talia. NW could take Ube. Robin... he could sit back and take a few ninja's. Any way... My casting choice-

Batman/Bruce Wanye: Micheal Keaton
Nightwing/Dick Grayson: Keanu Reeves or Chris O'Donnell
Batgirl/Barbara Gordon: Rachel Leigh Cook
Robin/Tim Drake: Aaron Carter (just dye his hair, he'd be perfect)
Catwoman/Selina Kyle: Sandra Bullock
Harley: Brittany Spears (not kidding, she'd fit the part well)
Ivy: Michelle Pfeiffer
Talia: Angelina Jolie
Ras: Sean Connery
Ube: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Hatter: Andy Dick
Crow: Jeff Goldblum
Commissioner Gordon: Harrison Ford

[Inque]

i'd make clayface the main villian somehow.

[joker]

id like to disregard the last two movies some how, but i cant, darn. id stay away from year one also. i would keep it to a two villian minimum. and instead of a team i would have them working against each other. i would also just keep it down to one side kick. you rember, to many chacters leaves little room for chacter development. so heres my cast.

batman:michiel keaton
nightwing:chris odonald
gordon: harrison ford(nice pic batgirl, never would of thought of that)
alfred:smame guy
oracle:lois from lois and clark, give her red hair shed be perfect

for villians... i dunno

id keep it real dark. for a plot id have robin and batman views clash leading to robin becoming nightwing and batman gets all pissed when he finds out that ***** out on his own being a vigilantie and theyd be argueing for most of the movie. and im not good at this so you can fill in the rest of the blanks....blah blah blah

[Joker21]

Batman- Michael Keaton

Nightwing- Keanu Reeves

Alfred- Michael Gough

Gordon- Dabney Coleman

Ra's Al Ghul- David Warner
[IMG]
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest...age/ras_01.jpg[/IMG]
I'd take it on like an adaption of The Deamon's Quest Episode.
With Paul Dini and Dennis O'Neil writing the script

[James]

Thanks for the oversized pictures Joker21 they helped clarify your complicated storyline

Hmm, interesting Keaton is still so popular despite being a few years older now (like 10!).

I'd avoid Year one - and possibly the Dark Knight Returns.

In fact, I think I'd pull it out away from the previous films and do a story which holds no background to the others.

Possible along the lines of Death In The Family. Kill Robin (a younger Robin) off and even include the Joker once more. I'd have no qualms about using the Joker again...

Keep the Superman bit out, and keep it to one villian.
Perhaps I should go away and think about this further.

People are used to the relationship of B & R, if nothing else from the previous movies. While this Movie will have no baring on the others, it would mean that you could do a new seperate movie without worrying too much about character introduction. I'd keep it all in Gotham too.

Current tragedy is something Bruce has never had to deal with in the movie, having isolated himself from everyone but the love interest (and I don't think the pitiful Alfred storline in B&R counts!) so the death of Robin may take the film in an unexplored direction...

IMO

Or perhaps just go and make another hot cup of tea and read a book.....

[watsonlives]

What if you took the storyline from year one, but added the Joker origin from The Killing Joke? I would have david Bourenaz as batman and Eric Mabius (Crow Salvation) as Joker.

[Clayface]

Originally posted by Inque
i'd make clayface the main villian somehow.

Yep, definitely Clayface as the main villian. Something that was a true origin story for the character, rather than just all flash and action. Something along the lines of "Feet of Clay". I'd let Bryan Singer direct, since he's already proven himself to be able to handle a superhero movie in a darker, more adult oriented way with X-Men. I'd like to see something with a bit of a twist in the ending, much like what was done in The Usual Suspects, and I think using Clayface as the villian would certainly give the opportunity.