todd s

This was posted at the Toon Zone Forum. If true, it is great news....
From ChristopherNolan.Net

"Hello, I know I am not one of your main sources, but in the state of turmoil we are in regarding the Batman/Ashton Kutcher situation and the outrage of Batman fans, I felt I had to let someone know the real situation. You are one of the most viewed Nolan sites out there, so I decided to come to you.

I check your site frequently and would like to comment on the Ashton Kutcher situation. Ashton is not Batman. He is WB's #1 candidate for the picture, but not Nolan's. Nolan has several unknown/semi-stablished actors in mind and will most likely end up with one of those as a compromise to the Ashton/Guy Pearce situation. Luckily, WB are indeed letting Nolan have a little more control with this project as they are very pleased with his ideas and views for the movie. Notice how WB let Nolan hire his own writer (Goyer due to his comic experience) and have almost complete control. The good thing is, what we see on the screen will most likely be Nolan's true, full vision, without too many compromises, this includes actors.

Nobody wants another Superman situation. Batman is now on the fast track my friend, and WB wants it done right to compete with Marvel and bring DC back in a big way. The new DC comics movies are going to be darker and more loyal to the source material then before. They are looking for a mature audience believe it or not, and Batman, the darkest character, is the way to establish it right.

And what do you know, Batman-On-Film is already on the right track with their recent report (6/25) on a 2005 Summer release and the fact that there are several names in the running for Batman. We wont know for sure until screen tests are done. If Kutcher has the best test, then he'll be Batman. But right now, he has a long way to go yet. Theres a big obstacle for him to overcome, Nolan. Sure everybody gets along on the project, but that doesnt mean they cant have creative differences. WB hired Nolan for a reason.
So again, hold your horses. Kutcher is not Batman and may never be, Nolan will probably go with an unknown as a compromise , unless Kutcher blows everybody away, and while he tested well for Superman, it was just that...decent."

Bring back John Doe! Or at least resolve the cliff-hanger with a 2hr movie or as an extra on a dvd release.

chung_sotheby

If Chris Klein weren't such a pansy-ass and horrible actor, I would say that he could pull off Bruce Wayne and Batman. He has the perfect look and build (about 6'1, well-built, dark hair). But he's banging Katie Holmes, so maybe he has the same luck with the ladies as Bruce Wayne has.

As for Christian Bale, he would be pretty good as Bruce Wayne, but I think he would be perfect as Bond (can o' worms, open )

I think that I would rather sex with a female Gelgamek, the ones with the vaginas that are three feet wide and filled with razor-sharp teeth, then see Ashton Kutcher as Bruce Wayne. The guy is simply irritating. Also, he looks like a shaved poodle.

As for other suggestions, I could see maybe Thomas Jane, Brendan Fraser, or Liev Schreiber in the Bruce Wayne role. Jane may be too southern, even though he has a good amount of charisma and pain (see *61 and Boogie Nights), and I think that Fraser is very underrated as an actor because (just see Gods & Monsters again). I have always liked Liev Schreiber, and he was great as Orson Welles. Tall, dark, brooding, yet also very suave.

Dennis

Great choices chung!

I can see Brendan Fraser and Liev Schreiber in the role. I know it goes against what I said before about high-profile actors, but they are both so good I don't see them as potential distractions. Brendan has the higher profile but he's not at the Brad Pitt level which is a good thing, plus he's just as good an actor, if not better. Liev Schreiber has a much lower profile and is as versatile as Fraser so you couldn't go wrong with either.

todd s

Some more tidbits:

From BATMAN ON FILM

http://www.batman-on-film.com

An anonymous source chimes in with Chris Nolan's feelings about the Batman project.

FYI: Kutcher will NOT be Cast as Bruce Wayne. Nolan want's an unknown, He thinks Kutcher comes with too much baggage (Dude Where's My Car?, That 70's Show).

He thinks Kutchers antics as of late to try and gain publicity nods and attention (dating Demi) is uncalled for and pathetic.

Apparently Nolan told Kutchers camp that he would consider him for the part if he started acting like Mature Hollywood and less like the idiot he plays on That 70's Show. He doesn't think that Kutcher would suit the needs of the BATMAN audience, the way that Clooney/Kilmer did, and even though Nolan wants "Young Hollywood" in the next Batman flick, he said that Kutcher just doesn't fit the part, nor will he ever.

When Nolan told Ashton's camp he needed to be more mature, he didn't mean to grab an older more respected Actress in Hollywood and try to "Date" her. The Demi Moore/Ashton Kutcher "Romance" is a publicity stunt, One which will not score Kutcher the part in the new Batman Flick.

Other Batman News: Al Gough will be the only Original cast member to Return (Gough of course plays the part of Alfred Pennyworth). Christopher Lloyd has been chosen to play the part of the evil villain Dr. Jonathan Crane (AKA "The Scarecrow"). These are the only two cast members attached to the project thus far, and I can guarantee that Ashon Kutchers name will not be included in the credits when the film finally does hit theaters.

Bring back John Doe! Or at least resolve the cliff-hanger with a 2hr movie or as an extra on a dvd release.

George Monroy

That last bit sounds great to me.

Dan Rudolph

Christopher Lloyd sounds like a very good choice here.

My Collection

john doran

they should pretend like that unmitigated piece of shit "batman and robin" didn't exist, and do a good story with mr. freeze, and cast patrick stewart in the role....

i swear they had him in mind when they drew the freeze character for the animated series.

i can't imagine more ideal casting than that. really.

the only problem i can foresee is that stewart would in all likelihood totally steal the show. but then, who wouldn't want to watch a movie where that was a problem?

David Lee

If he wasn't 5'7, I would like Joaquin Phoenix. He's got the perfect jaw and lips and he could play the tortured soul part perfectly. So if size isn't a priority I would pick him, especially in a Year One movie.

Dan Rudolph

David, build scale sets and cast other short actors.

My Collection

Russell B

Jason Mewes should be Batman.

Patrick Sun

or better yet, "Bud, man"

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!"
Patcave | 2006 Films | 2007 Films | Dragon Con 2008

todd s

Here is some more info:

From BATMAN ON FILM

http://www.Batman-On-Film.com)

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 we