Batman: Year One (and casting ideas) - Page 4

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."

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.

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.

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.

That last bit sounds great to me.

Christopher Lloyd sounds like a very good choice here.

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?

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.

David, build scale sets and cast other short actors.

Jason Mewes should be Batman.

or better yet, "Bud, man"

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 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.

This is all I can tell you at this point. Any more will endanger our bid. I'm sure none of this is NEWS to you, but now you can see the framework of the ideas forming at Bat-camp.

I'm sorry that I can't tell you my name or our ######### name; we are in the crucial phase of negotiations for this contract.

Mask of the Phantasm excluded.

IMHO the best scene in any Batman movie was in Batman Beyond:ROTJ (Uncut version)in Arkham when Batman & Batgirl confront Joker and Harley.Just fantastic.

I just dont understand why they dont get Paul Dini to write a draft for the next Batman film.

Here's your Bruce Wayne/Batman right here...



That's right...Vince Vaughn!

This just in from BBC rgarding Batman...

"....Actors expected to screen test for the blockbuster include Donnie Darko actor Jake Gyllenhaal, American Psycho's Christian Bale, Dawson Creek's Joshua Jackson and Cillian Murphy, the star of British horror film 28 Days Later...."

Not really keeping up with this topic, but just as a note, i don't know if this would effect casting at all, but Christian Bale currently weighs about 100 pounds and looks about as feeble as a newborn kitten. I think the role he's currently playing is someone with a serious health problem. I would imagine it would take him quite a while to get back into the kind of condition required to play batman.

This info may not be completely accurate, i only know because my girlfriend is a huge Christian Bale fan and was extremely upset at how awful he looks right now, so she showed me the pics and he basically looks like someone you see in concentration camp pics.

Well, if the current rumors and supposed spy reports are true...this new Batman movie could kick everythings ass! On www.aicn.com they talk of certain sets being built, and it is looking like they are referring to Ra's being the villian. If that is true, then this movie would be like a dream come true. Just imagine...a Batman film with a villian who is both a physical but intellectual equal to batman. Just bad ass news if it is true.
THe other news on www.darkhorizons.com says that supposedly Russell Crowe is up for a villan in a Chirs Nolan movie. If this is true, and the above is, we could have some serious badassness on our hands here, as long as Batman is cast correctly. While Russell is cool, I dont see him as Ra's. I still think that David Warner back in his prime would be perfect. He voices the character ont he cartoon and is PERFECT. But he is getting up there in years now...so I dont know. I still like IGNs idea of Jason Isaacs as Ra's, which would be cool...just those evil steel blue eyes behind the immortal evil of Ra's
I am now excited just thinking about this movie. The first time in a while for a DC movie.
Hopefully in the next few days we will get some official confirmation to all these rumors.

Sean, I agree with Jason Isaacs. Compare:



Here is a pic of Ra's from Batman:Animated

Jason Isaacs could be a great Ras. Now--how 'bout we cast Talia. Anyone have any good suggestions?

Catherine Zeta Jones, perhaps? She looks the part. It depends on the age of the actor playing Batman.

I really hope this is true, I want to be excited about a Batman movie again!

How about Rachel Weisz as Talia? She's familiar with the Egypt scene.

I always like Al Pacino as Ra's, but that pic above is pretty convincing.

I'm reading this thread and finding it so odd to see people who didn't like the first Batman movie (1989). I was like 12 when that movie came out and I can personaly remember several people of all ages loving the movie, I know alot of people of all ages going to see that movie several times. I can understand the whole Michael Keaton being small thing. As a major comic fan I felt that way also until I saw the movie. Lets be real here 6ft+ or not a large bat looking thing jumps out of the shadows at you in the midle of the night your scared, the last thing going through your mind is "well that would be more imposing if it was taller. Hell most of us are bothered if they find a spider in the bathroom at night. To go a little further, while we talk about the year one thing Bruce Wayne was big before he put on the bat costume, but it wasn't intimidating enough (remember knife fight with pimp, Hookers jump in?0 Its the costume that makes him intimidating.
On to the subject at hand... I'm really looking forward to seeing another Batman movie. I think Ashton could be the right person but ny immediate prejudices say he would be a discredit to the whole thing. I think its the whole MTV punked thing.
Someone said Brad Pitt doesn't have the physique for the role...did you watch fight club? The guy can bulk up when he neads to. (not my vote though but I wouldn't be dissapointed)
I can see alot of the naems being thrown around pulling it off. I wouldn't mind Vince Vaugn but I've seen Swingers and Made waaay to many times to ever think of him as dark and brooding.
Ahh well whatever happens I'll be there, even if it is just morbid curiosity.

Shane

I'd prefer they find someone new.

> mr. freeze, and cast patrick stewart in the role

good idea

Re: Batman: Year One (and casting ideas)

heh, this is a funny thread to look at especially after 2 great Batman movies.

Re: Batman: Year One (and casting ideas)

Ashton Kutcher as Batman? We have come a LONG, LOOONG way.

Re: Batman: Year One (and casting ideas)

From "06-19-2003, 01:57 PM" , post 37 of this very thread

It was before the "Ashton" wars