The Bat-Rumor Mill is in high gear

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

From Batman-On-Film.com:

 

More "fuel" for the Bat-fire!

 

Tuesday, July 8, 2003 (second update): So much for being on "standby," huh? This excellent bit of news really sheds some light on what direction Nolan's Bat-film is taking and what it could look like. Now for the disclaimer: This guy can not give away his ID, nor the ID of the company at which he works. This company is in the running (among others) to do some work on the Nolan Bat-film. I know, but I won't say for the sake of protecting the ID of this source. And this is a new source, so BOF does not vouch for the 100% validity of this info. However, I have done this long enough to weed out most of the BS that comes along (daily, trust me on that). And he sent me something that tells me he does what he says he does. And with that said, here's the latest....

 

ANYWAY, this is some of the info gleaned from our many meetings--

 

Ashton Kutcher- definite interest, but those pushing for him quickly lost ground. Nolan has a vision & tone for the film. Not so much "Dark," as the character is obviously that, but SERIOUS; Nolan wants to do a comic adventure w/ real world feel. Kutcher won't get past Nolan, & WB won't mess up their relationship w/ Nolan. Read: KUTCHER'S OUT.

 

Costume-Look for the new bat-rig to be more faithful to the comics, as in not all black. Also, look for the sculpted "rubber" look to go away, a la Spiderman.

 

Batmobile- smaller, sleeker; think dodge viper crossed with a small dragster.

 

Villain-Scarecrow is the front-runner; he may not be the one, or the only one. There is talk of introducing a NEW villain via the movie!

 

Casting-Open field, but Nolan DOES have prospects in mind. It won't be hard to cast this film. There was discussion about Christian Bale, unofficially, because Matthew McCoughnahey is a name being pushed for Superman. Both were teamed in Reign Of Fire. WB wants to coordinate the casting of their premiere properties, as they want to re-launch both for a trilogy-plus run, with an eventual cross-over/team-up. Bale would be a solid Bruce Wayne, having the look, build, & height, as well as the talent for the role.

 

Whoever gets the nod for both roles is hoped for a 3 picture deal. This will mean a 25-30 something star for each film. THIS ALSO means younger versions of Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, & Harvey Dent, than in the previous films. Alfred will be in his fifties; Commissioner Gordon will be in his forties, & more along the lines of Miller's "YEAR ONE" Gordon. A teen-age Barbara Gordon, Gordon's niece, may make a non-Batgirl cameo. (not Alicia Silverstone's Barbara PENNYWORTH from Batman & Robin).

 

Logic would dictate that the same treatment would be given to the Flying Grayson's Although all involved say Robin WILL NOT be part of the plot. Harvey Dent WILL NOT be Two-face, solidifying the thought that this is a restart to the franchise. This is significant, as this opens the door for an appearance by The Joker, either in this or future films. Dent will be a contemporary of Wayne's; look for him to be in his mid thirties. Names for the part include Noah Wiley from ER, David Duchovney, & Dougray Scott (also mentioned for Bruce Wayne)! Gordon has no names attached, but agents for Dennis Quaid, Sam Neil, Patrick Swayze (?!) & Dylan McDermott(?!) have all been contacted. WB/Nolan want Gordon to be a significant role in the upcoming franchise. Look for him to be a grizzled, hard as nails cop that begrudgingly befriends Batman.

[Guest Retro Rob]

Going by that it sounds like the movie has to the potential to include a lot of big names.

[Guest DawnBTVS]

I'm really liking the sense Nolan's going for...hopefully the script comes off great too cause the cast could be a very solid one

[Guest Youth N Asia]

I like the idea of making it a darker and more grown up movie then the last couple. They'll need something good to revive the franchise

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

1: Good. Ashton has never shown any talent whatsoever when it comes to serious acting, and the fact that the people at WB have recognized this is a positive. Let him make his comedies. They can be fun occaisionally, and they make back their budget.

 

2. This is intriuging. Could we see the Blue and Grey? Or will it be Year One style Black and Grey?

 

3.The Batmobile will not make or break this movie.

 

4. If this is a reboot do a gangster villain who will reoccur throughout the series (Rupert Thorne or Carmine Falcone) and a psycho rogue. I like the idea of a new villain though.

[Guest El Satanico]

This is all very promising news.

 

However, I actually liked the "rubber" bat suit look...well minus nipples and cod piece.

[Guest JMA]

I'm really glad that the sculpted rubber look is gone. I really hope they use a Y1 style costume. I'm also glad Kutcher is out. Plus, we're rid of the awful continuity. This movie could be great.

[Guest starvenger]

This is all very promising news.

 

However, I actually liked the "rubber" bat suit look...well minus nipples and cod piece.

I liked the "Batman" rubber suit. They just started getting ridiculous by Batman Forever. I think that that was a marketing decision though for the constant costume changes, so it's not all Schumacher's fault there.

 

Other than that... well, call me skeptical, but actually thinking ahead for TWO major franchises with an eye for a teamup? At Warner? Geez, did they actually get a DC guy to knock some sense into the suits? Or is this just a lot of hyperbole so that we "see" that Warner is doing more than Sweet Fuck All with The Bat and The Man of Steel?

[Guest Choken One]

I would LOVE Bale as Batman...I'm still convince Christopher Lloyd is the PERFECT scarecrow...

 

Dent can be anyone...Let's go with Duchovey cause I think he could play that kind of role...

[Guest El Satanico]

Christopher Walken as the all new villian.

 

Bruce Campbell as Harvey Dent.

 

 

 

This has been a message from the resident mark for Christopher Walken and Bruce Campbell

[Guest Choken One]

Fuck is with this stupid Bruce Cambell shit...

 

 

WB wants a HIT...A moneymaker!

[Guest Nightscrawler]

With Kucther out, I might look forward to watching this movie.

[Guest Choken One]

I could see Kutcher pulling one out of his as Scarecrow but I don't want to risk it on the off chance Kutcher goes "Marlon Waynes/Will Smith" on us...

[Guest Lethargic]

It all sounds good except for the new villain thing. If they do like a normal gangster type villain or something like that, fine. But if they try to come up with some kind of new super-villain with name, costume and all that, I don't see how that wouldn't end up gay. Every time a a villain has been created for a non-comic superhero show or movie, it has been stupid. Why come up with a new villain when you have 60 years worth of villains to choose from?

 

Of course I do question the accuracy of all this. This past weekend Goyer did an interview and announced that the script was finished. If it's finished, how would they not know who the villain is going to be like this article claims?

 

As far as the costume, have you guys seen the Year One costume designs on Superhero Hype? They looked really cool. Some of them looked very home made which would've been perfect for Year One. They're here....

 

http://superherohype.com/cgi-bin/imageFoli...ear_One/Designs

 

I would hope that the suit looks something like that in this one too. I also hope whatever Batmobile they have that they put the batface on the front of it. I've always loved those versions.

[Guest Shanghai Kid]

I still think Guy Pierce would be a perfect Batman...but ya Bale would work..as long as he doesn't go American Pysco on us.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Five bucks says someone will post something like this 2 years from know.

[Guest Lethargic]

My dream is still Bale as Batman and Pearce as the Joker.

[Guest Choken One]

Hell...That would make the movie even better if he can do that Superficial Act he did with all those Body Treatments scene...

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Is any of the info actually from a 1st hand source?

[Guest El Satanico]

The character of Harvey Dent isn't going to make the movie it's money...so bah.

 

 

I'm sure the new villian would something normal like a gangster or something. It doesn't sound like Nolan is the type that would want some new super villian with some sort of bizarre gimmick or super power.

[Guest Choken One]

shh...

 

We don't want to think about that shit....

 

We've been told Kutcher is not Batty...We be happy bitches.

[Guest Tony149]

Is any of the info actually from a 1st hand source?

There's more to the rumors at Batman-on-film; they're pretty good with their news. What Zsasz posted was from July 8th so you might want to check out the rest.

 

And WB is FINALLY going the way of Marvel by looking for somebody to run the DC characters like Avi Arad does for Marvel.

[Guest Urine Sane]

They should make Jason Statham Batman.

 

Fuck is with this stupid Bruce Cambell shit...

 

Bruce Campbell is greatness.

[Guest SupaTaft]

As an actor myself, I hate the general view that a comedic actor cant do a serious role. If they're never given a chance, they cant prove themselves.

 

But yeah, Kutcher couldn't do Batman. Hell, he barely even acts as it is.

 

I always thought that The Scarecrow could be a great on screen villain if they presented him right. But for the way that they're to be portraying Batman in this new film, a sort of starting over, I think just a regular gangster type villain with hitmen galore could be the perfect opponent for Batman as a fresher hero (not super-hero, you need special powers to be a super-hero).

 

Christopher Walken was already in Batman Returns. They wouldn't cast him in another Batman movie, as grrovy as it would be.

 

And Bruce Campbell rules in every way ever. If they are actually considerring him (which I don't believe they are) he would make a great filler actor. Throwing him in there as a character with a name and just a couple of lines would give the movie a nice supporting cast with just one semi-recognizable, yet under rated by Hollywood, character actor.

 

-Taft

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

It all sounds good except for the new villain thing. If they do like a normal gangster type villain or something like that, fine. But if they try to come up with some kind of new super-villain with name, costume and all that, I don't see how that wouldn't end up gay. Every time a a villain has been created for a non-comic superhero show or movie, it has been stupid. Why come up with a new villain when you have 60 years worth of villains to choose from?

That's just not true Lethargic. Batman:The Animated Series came up with SEVERAL great villains:

 

1. Harley Quinn

 

2. Baby Doll

 

3. Lock-Up

 

4. Farmer Brown

 

5. Red Claw

 

 

Of course that show was god-like and this movie could go either way so I'm not saying that they could do it too. But to say that good villains can only be created in the comics is just wrong.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

Batman-On-Film posted this follow up:

 

Wow.....it seems like you are George Dubbiya on Iraq; you seem to be catching heat for our report. I'm sorry for your having to defend the posting; I appreciate that you do, however. I thought I was clear on the circumstances, that is, everything is "in the works," & thus subject to change. YOU seemed to have no trouble understanding; yet, as I re-read the post, I can see where some people might go w/ this. I will try to clarify our circumstances for YOUR benefit; you can post/ not post what you wish.

 

As I stated before, we are a small XXXXX & XXXXX design firm. We are chasing leads into the movie industry with a small but talented crew. Our meetings w/ WB have been low level. What that means is we have been meeting w/ low to mid level executives & assistants, NOT Nolan himself. They have notes (I referred to them as memos) from THEIR meetings with Nolan or his assistants. These memos are guides for need-to-know info for vendors & designers. So, if you were to apply for a job at Microsoft, Bill Gates would not interview you, Human Resources would do it. Same deal here.

 

The CONTENT of the meetings? The design elements mentioned I believe will come to pass. Again, even if we get the contract, the costumer, Miniature builder, set builder, CGI studio will all most likely be submitting their own stuff....The info we got from WB was feedback to help w/[the work we want to do on the film.

 

Design: this movie is particularly challenging as Batman has a solid "look" in place for both the films AND comics. The challenge here is to make Batman look fresh & different, yet remain faithful to the look of the character. So, to wit, the comments on the costume, Batmobile, etc., are the strongest elements that come to pass, either from us or another designer, will most likely happen.

 

Casting: as in any conversation, talk will drift to all parts of a subject. The names we got were from WB employees. Any "Fanboy Wishing" is coming from them. As you know, a casting agency will handle the bulk of the casting beyond the leads; to my knowledge there is not one yet in place, and if there is we don't know who it is. It's because of that that suggestions are springing up. It's an open field, & WB staff are as hopeful as anyone to see this movie get made. The names mentioned were mentioned, and that is all. I'm not privy to how these people are signed up.

 

Ashton Kutcher: our impression was, at first they loved him, now they want him gone. I'm sure you have noticed how much he has been in the news of late.

 

Superman/Batman: since WB is trying to get both franchises up & running, efforts are being made to have the franchises work with each other. For example, if Batman comes out in '05, the best idea would be to have Superman come out in '06, or stagger summer/holiday releases, that sort of thing. It's hoped that the abandoned BATMAN vs. SUPERMAN can get made; it makes more sense to establish the actors first. That's why there is hope to have them be near each other in age, (& young to get more mileage out of the actors), to establish cameos/crossovers, etc.

 

The McCoughnehay/Bale thing was mentioned, again, as a possible example of this; hence the unofficial title. I know nothing of any actual attempt to contact these actors. Of the possible supporting roles, the impression WAS given that some of these actors would be contacted. But, It also could have just been a list as to who would fit where.

 

Our biggest impression is that a lot of behind the scenes stuff is going on; meaning, they are evaluating the script. After that, If Nolan is happy, & stays w/ the project, the film will get made

 

I hope this clarifies things. Perhaps you can shoot down any crap you get over the last post. Good luck, great site. Thanks for sticking up for our post.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

On another note: You could easily mention people like Lyle Bolton (Lock Up) as head of Arkham's security, or Edward Nygma as a police psychologist, or Selina Kyle as a dominatrix, or a headline about the Red Hood or Rupert Thorne. Hell, you could mention guys like Kirk Langstrom (Man-Bat) as a pioneer in genetics or Roman Sionis' (Black Mask) company being bought out by Wayne Enterprises. Stuff like that gives the characters history for when they make their appearances as the main villains, and makes Gotham seem more real for fans.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Harley Quinn came from the cartoon? I'll be damned.

 

That show just ruled on so many levels.

[Guest DawnBTVS]

Get Paul Dini & Bruce Timm on this STAT~! *Ahem*...sorry, just want ta see Harlz in this

[Guest Lethargic]

That's just not true Lethargic. Batman:The Animated Series came up with SEVERAL great villains:

 

1. Harley Quinn

 

2. Baby Doll

 

3. Lock-Up

 

4. Farmer Brown

 

5. Red Claw

1. It's a lot easier to come up with a wacky villain and make it work in a cartoon world.

 

2. Harley is the only one I'd call "great". I mean, really, if they came up with a villain like those, do you think it'd be the way to go? Could they really sell a movie where the lead villain is "Farmer Brown"? It just doesn't make sense to me to create something new when one of the biggest selling points of the Batman franchise is it's villains.