BATMAN 3 musings

[thehefner]

I hope they have the Penguin in BATMAN 3, simply because I want Morgan Freeman to narrate the fight:

"And now the Penguin marches down fifth avenue, brandishing an umbrella, when in fact--much to the surprise of others--it is actually a gun of some sort. Such behavior is typical of the noble Penguin, who must be ever watchful of the Batman, lest he swoop down and deliver a righteous beatdown against the waddling freak-man. Whoop, and there he goes, and thus the circle of life is complete again..."

Hrm. maybe the joke works better when told in person, with full Morgan Freeman impersonaton.



Seriously, while talking with Bloo about what (if anything) they're going to do with the Joker in BATMAN 3, I half-ironically suggested that they do what they're doing with Heath Ledger's actual, final, unfinished film, THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS, and get Jude Law, Collin Farrell, and Johnny Depp to all play the Joker at different points.

Either that, or get Daniel Day-Lewis. It'd be a totally different take, but people would be too slack-jawed to complain.

In all seriousness, while my immediate instinct is to not want anyone to try and carry on the character in this series, Nolan and company haven't gotten this far by not taking risks. And while I'm fairly certain they're not going to have Joker in Part 3 at all, let's face it, they've painted themselves into a bit of a corner for a number of reasons.

Well, and then there's that bit of ambiguity. Both pairs of fingers crossed on that point.

Comments

[tompurdue.livejournal.com]

There's no reason not to save the Joker for a future film. The more time goes on, the easier it will be to justify having a different actor play the part.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I could certainly see that happening. It will just be interesting how that will play against the already-growing mythological status Legder's performance is achieving. Will people continue to see it as untouchable and holy? It'll be interesting finding out.

No matter who they would react will be met with harsh scrutiny (well, except Day-Lewis, for slack-jawed reasons), just as Heath himself was met with harsh scrutiny by mostly everyone--including myself--when he was first cast as the Joker.

[tommx.livejournal.com]

Daniel Day-Lewis would make an awesome Joker, but he'd also be noticeably older I think. Not that I really care...I'd love it.

If he were younger, I wouldn't mind seeing Brad Dourif take on the role, but again, age.

I think there's talk of the Wayne employee who sussed out his identity becoming the Riddler, but I am dubious.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Like I said in another post, I think Brad Dourif would be perfect as the older version of Heath's Joker in THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (if you're unfamiliar, the story takes place in the future).

Yeah, I'd heard people say that Mister Reese is a play off "Mysteries," but really, that's just them reading too much into things.

[tommx.livejournal.com]

Oy, you were the one who suggested Brad Dourif to me. Shoulda guessed. Yes, he'd be perfect for that role. We can then put Daniel Day Lewis into the role of the older Bruce Wayne. :-)

I just don't want to see the Riddler. I don't see the character fitting into Nolan's vision of the Batman universe. Then again, I'm sure he'd find a way.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Wow, Day-Lewis as Batman. What a thought! He could actually do the snarling growl voice and not sound silly! Just imagine:

"MY PARENTS ARE DEAD! THEY ABANDONED THEIR BOY! THEY ABANDONED THEIR BOYYY! THEY ABANDONED THEIR CHIIIILD!!!"

The Riddler's a tricky character, but there are a number of ways they could make him work. Currently, he's "reformed" and is Gotham's celebrity private eye, and they're doing stellar work with that. Part of the reason why there are so few great Riddler stories is because he's a nightmare for writers: you need to have someone capable of mental games that frustrate fucking BATMAN.

Unlike characters like Reed Richards and Lex Luthor who can get away with being "geniuses" with science fiction inventions and whatnot that don't need to be explained in any real-world way ("Without going into specifics because it, uh, it would be too hard to explain to a layman, let's just say it bends space-time and leave it at that," "Wowzers, you sure are smart!") the Riddler actually requires a writer to create and solve his complex and brilliant puzzles and riddles.

He's a character ripe with untapped potential, but most writers lack the skill and vision to pull him off well. And when they try to make him "relevant" and "gritty," they usually fail spectacularly in their ass-backward way.

The answer is obvious!

[american-arcane.livejournal.com]

The next villain will be EGGHEAD!

And they can have Bill Hader play him.

While doing a Vincent Price impersonation.

Yeah...

:)

Seriously, though, even though I haven't seen the film yet, it sounds like it's going to be difficult to follow up. One of the female villains could be interesting. I mean, we're overdue for another good Catwoman.

Or someone like Clay Face... though that may push believability a bit, depending on how they do it.

As long as they don't do King Tut or The Minstrel, we should be OK. :)

Re: The answer is obvious!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Stop... with the Adam West villains. For the love of god.

Yeah, I think Catwoman is essential at this point. Selina for sexual tension with Bruce, Catwoman for Batman, and all with a real actual villain in the background. But just like I'd not want Clayface, same goes for how they do Selina: let's keep outright mysticism and fantasy out of this series. I'm glad they hinted at Ra's immortality, but I'm glad they didn't explain it outright either.

But more than anything else, I want Harvey back. Not just for myself, but the series needs it, I think. Giving Two-Face room to breathe and explore could only improve THE DARK KNIGHT in the bigger picture.

Re: The answer is obvious!

[american-arcane.livejournal.com]

Hey! At least I didn't suggest Bookworm or Ma Barker. Or... Mr. Freeze. ;)

I'm all for the idea of Catwoman... with more Two-Face, of course, to let them grow the character and to serve as another thread to tie the second and third movies together.

Perhaps someone like The Riddler could be back in the shadows playing everyone like chess pieces? Or would that be too subtle for him? (Also to serve as a hook to a fourth film.)

Or maybe have Ra's resurface...

The great thing is, I'm pretty sure we can all speculate 'till we're blue in the face and still not come up with whatever concoction the third film will be. And, if we're really lucky and the talent of the filmmakers holds out, we'll be pleasantly surprised. :)

Re: The answer is obvious!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Now Mr. Freeze, on the other hand... I mean, you have seen BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, right? They reinvented the character, and no one's seen him as a joke since.

A behind-the-scenes puppet-master Riddler would totally work, just so long as one doesn't forget that, in the end, he prefers to do things himself rather than operate through others (since everyone is an idiot). Not counting his badass lesbian sidekicks, of course.

[heykidzcomix.livejournal.com]

They ought to bring in Catwoman and Poison Ivy (and maybe I guess Harley? I don't know if she made it into this one, but I doubt it). Not that I care or will ever see it, but it would be neat to have some chicks in there that apparently did not die pointlessly.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Well, if the Joker's in Arkham, then Dr. Harleen Quinzel could be his way of reaching out and hitting the city from behind bars (or glass panels or whatever).

Because yeah, time to bring the the pretty goils.

*cough* And more Harvey.

[heykidzcomix.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think the villain for #3 should be the Ventriloquist. Because it would be HILARIOUS.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

God, it wound. Well, actually, considering some of the rather creepy takes we've seen of the character in recent years, his inclusion would push thing a bit, but I wouldn't rule out what Nolan could do with the character.

[heykidzcomix.livejournal.com]

You know what else would be hilarious? Jack Black as the Penguin. I would actually think about seeing it then. (I won't see these, on account of they are not about Iron Man.)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Why must you make baby Jesus cry?

And besides, it's Phillip Seymour Hoffman all the way! :)

Oh come now, really, what can be IRON MAN? I mean, besides, potentially, IRON MAN 2: HUNT FOR THE BLOOD ORCHID?

[heykidzcomix.livejournal.com]

Well, after seeing how well Iron Man turned out, I've become more open to the idea of a really good Captain America film. So that could be something.

[nymphgalatea.livejournal.com]

I want Damian Al Ghul in the next movie.

I want Batman 3 to open with a shot of the doorbell of Wayne Manor being rung forcefully. Alfred opens the door to find a small boy of about eight on the doorstep, glowering at him and demanding to see his Father.

(To explain this, it turns out there was a missing scene in Batman Begins that involved the introduction of Talia Al Ghul and gratuitous Bat-nudity. LOTS of gratuitous Bat-nudity.)

I would cheerfully kill for Damian Al Ghul in movie continuity, purely to make the internets explode in rage. It would be the most hilarious goddam thing I ever saw.

Or, if we're being serious, Catwoman would be a highly appropriate choice for the next movie.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Only if SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL features Superboy Prime.

Then will you be satisfied?! WILL you?!

Fandom would erupt in flames, with Dan DiDio playing the fiddle the whole time, and in the ensuing silence, all that will be heard amid the smoldering rubble would be a solitary Scottish lady giggle.

[nymphgalatea.livejournal.com]

I do love that horrid brat and they way he makes all the fans shriek in indignation. But I'm sure there wouldn't just be *me* giggling. I'm sure Morrison and Johns would be sitting sniggering and plotting fiendish things in a corner somewhere.

Sometimes I worry about the fact that I adore Supermanboy Prime, the grown-up Damian of Batman 666, Black Adam, and Brainiac 5.
I have not yet fallen for any psychotic genocidal overpowered genius ninja types in real life, however, this could be due to the fact that they are quite rare in the UK. If I ever come across one I feel sure I am doomed.

(Also, I'm going to see Batman on Saturday! Yaaaaay!)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yaaaaaaay indeed! When you do, you're gonna backtrack through my LJ and read all three of my entries on the subject and comment, right? :)

[swimpenguin.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of Daniel Day Lewis as an older Joker-and he gave a wonderful dedication to Ledger at..I think it was the SGA awards, saying he always wanted to work with him. So continue on his role! Bill and Joker both liked knives...
Actually though, I'm all for Catwoman (as much as I loved Michelle Pfieffer) and Harley Quinn.
I've been thinking of ways they would Nolanize the rest of the Batman villains, I might post it in a day or two.