Batman 3: Chris Nolan Style
So, there are a couple of unofficial leaks suggesting that we might see a third movie in the Nolan version of Batman as early as next year of 2011. While these are unsubstantiated, I am wondering who would be the best cast for the third in the trilogy.
So the question exists. What characters would serve as the antagonists, and what stories would work well within the setting based on the realism that Nolan is going for. Of the huge list of villains, I think the most iconic remains the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, possibly Killer Moth.
If I were to have any creative input to this I wouldn't want to see another actor play the Joker. I think Ledger's performance could not really be replicated. I am concerned when I see a set up for Oracle being seeded in the last movie, but without the Joker, can we do the Killing Joke that transforms Barbara into Oracle?
So my thoughts. I think that the third of this trilogy should be wrapped up with Riddler and Catwoman. How would I do it?
Well, so far the most famous portrayals of the Riddler have been the Campy Gorshin (on the 60s show) and Carrey's film version. Both of them were over the top pranksters with extreme flamboyance. This is almost the signature of the character.
After the intensely manic performance of Ledger, I believe that the Riddler should actually be played a lot more straight-edged. The Riddler's madness is one of obsession and intensity. I think it would be best to bring this forth. In fact, to portray this extreme intelligent persona, with a bit of a twist, I'd refer visually to some of the more serious portrayals of Doctor Who and those of Sherlock Holmes.
So, instead of a guy in a jumpsuit, we have a man who has not come from the same privilege as Bruce Wayne, but is instead a corporate mogul that has used his obsessive intelligence to build a corporate empire that rivals Wayne Industries. He wears a corporate suit, cut with a hint of green and a tie of purple silk. Of course, there is the bowler hat.
To this Riddler, he is still fixated with puzzles and has the same egomania that requires him to prove himself as the best. To this end, he discerns two goals - 1) to outdo Wayne Industries, 2) to figure out the identity of Batman (not immediately realising the connection - though he possibly suspects it). This sets up a very interesting conflict between the two masterminds (Bruce and Edward). I would see metaphors of a giant game of cat and mouse brought out between these two as they attempt to outthink each other (thinking something along the lines of Light and L in Death Note). - As I write this, it still doesn't feel gritty enough to warrant a Nolan treatment, but I think it could begin to explore some of the themes of the Killing Joke. Namely that the Batman is himself just another form of madness, but one that is tolerated.
Catwoman I think needs to come in because if the films are only going to be a trilogy, I could not see her excluded.
I strongly think that Catwoman would have to have her origin story as a prostitute who turned to crime. However, rather than reveal this origin story through the film imminently, it is a part of Selena's past. The incarnation that we meet in the film is a Jane Doe who has recovered from serioues head trauma to block out her former life (including abusive marriage). She has since then created for herself a life of high society, and deals with urges of kletomania and fevered dreams of her past. To try to sublimate these urges she seeks out an extreme lifestyle, pursuing high risk sports and athleticism. Eventually she succumbs to her compulsions, and starts her life as a cat burglar. The release allows her to fulfil her fantasies and enrich a life that has become tedious.
Catwoman needs to straddle the line between antiheroine and villainesse. She is an independent character who has major trust issues. These issues, as well as the romantic feelings that develop between her and Batman are the major - fear, trust and love. Into this mix, the Riddler discerns the nature of these relationships and identities. Suddenly the Catwoman becomes a pawn for his games and manipulates Catwoman into mistrusting Batman and betraying him.
Now... do I dare add Batgirl and Robin into this? No... but I do suggest that Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson should be included with a few hints towards their evolution into Batgirl and Robin - nods to the fans without making it so.
--
Life after batman? Hell Yes.
All this becomes a delicious set up for a movie spin off. Not a Batman movie per se, but a movie that is reminiscent of Batman Beyond or Battle for the Cowl.
The main story deals with the people around and after Batman. Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon undergo their respective evolutions and realise their potentiality.
As a plot for this I could see two intersecting plots. One being a kind of No Man's Land earthquake scenario, where Gotham is in chaos. In this milieu certain forces attempt to take over. Penguin and the underground, Ivy and her eco agenda - they represent conflicting ideals of civilisation and nature. However, these characters can have some interesting relationships with the fledglings. Ivy has always had something of a maternal instinct that could be explored and Penguin has his whole avian theme that can interact with the bat offpsring.
Beyond that, I'd like to see Harley Quinn to act out parts of the plot of the Killing Joke that transformed Barbara into Oracle, and drives Dick Grayson mad to recreate an aspect of the Joker.
However, these are all a bunch of misc ideas that might not work together in a single film. So I guess I'll leave it there.
-
I've probably put too much thought into this.
So the question exists. What characters would serve as the antagonists, and what stories would work well within the setting based on the realism that Nolan is going for. Of the huge list of villains, I think the most iconic remains the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, possibly Killer Moth.
If I were to have any creative input to this I wouldn't want to see another actor play the Joker. I think Ledger's performance could not really be replicated. I am concerned when I see a set up for Oracle being seeded in the last movie, but without the Joker, can we do the Killing Joke that transforms Barbara into Oracle?
So my thoughts. I think that the third of this trilogy should be wrapped up with Riddler and Catwoman. How would I do it?
Well, so far the most famous portrayals of the Riddler have been the Campy Gorshin (on the 60s show) and Carrey's film version. Both of them were over the top pranksters with extreme flamboyance. This is almost the signature of the character.
After the intensely manic performance of Ledger, I believe that the Riddler should actually be played a lot more straight-edged. The Riddler's madness is one of obsession and intensity. I think it would be best to bring this forth. In fact, to portray this extreme intelligent persona, with a bit of a twist, I'd refer visually to some of the more serious portrayals of Doctor Who and those of Sherlock Holmes.
So, instead of a guy in a jumpsuit, we have a man who has not come from the same privilege as Bruce Wayne, but is instead a corporate mogul that has used his obsessive intelligence to build a corporate empire that rivals Wayne Industries. He wears a corporate suit, cut with a hint of green and a tie of purple silk. Of course, there is the bowler hat.
To this Riddler, he is still fixated with puzzles and has the same egomania that requires him to prove himself as the best. To this end, he discerns two goals - 1) to outdo Wayne Industries, 2) to figure out the identity of Batman (not immediately realising the connection - though he possibly suspects it). This sets up a very interesting conflict between the two masterminds (Bruce and Edward). I would see metaphors of a giant game of cat and mouse brought out between these two as they attempt to outthink each other (thinking something along the lines of Light and L in Death Note). - As I write this, it still doesn't feel gritty enough to warrant a Nolan treatment, but I think it could begin to explore some of the themes of the Killing Joke. Namely that the Batman is himself just another form of madness, but one that is tolerated.
Catwoman I think needs to come in because if the films are only going to be a trilogy, I could not see her excluded.
I strongly think that Catwoman would have to have her origin story as a prostitute who turned to crime. However, rather than reveal this origin story through the film imminently, it is a part of Selena's past. The incarnation that we meet in the film is a Jane Doe who has recovered from serioues head trauma to block out her former life (including abusive marriage). She has since then created for herself a life of high society, and deals with urges of kletomania and fevered dreams of her past. To try to sublimate these urges she seeks out an extreme lifestyle, pursuing high risk sports and athleticism. Eventually she succumbs to her compulsions, and starts her life as a cat burglar. The release allows her to fulfil her fantasies and enrich a life that has become tedious.
Catwoman needs to straddle the line between antiheroine and villainesse. She is an independent character who has major trust issues. These issues, as well as the romantic feelings that develop between her and Batman are the major - fear, trust and love. Into this mix, the Riddler discerns the nature of these relationships and identities. Suddenly the Catwoman becomes a pawn for his games and manipulates Catwoman into mistrusting Batman and betraying him.
Now... do I dare add Batgirl and Robin into this? No... but I do suggest that Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson should be included with a few hints towards their evolution into Batgirl and Robin - nods to the fans without making it so.
--
Life after batman? Hell Yes.
All this becomes a delicious set up for a movie spin off. Not a Batman movie per se, but a movie that is reminiscent of Batman Beyond or Battle for the Cowl.
The main story deals with the people around and after Batman. Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon undergo their respective evolutions and realise their potentiality.
As a plot for this I could see two intersecting plots. One being a kind of No Man's Land earthquake scenario, where Gotham is in chaos. In this milieu certain forces attempt to take over. Penguin and the underground, Ivy and her eco agenda - they represent conflicting ideals of civilisation and nature. However, these characters can have some interesting relationships with the fledglings. Ivy has always had something of a maternal instinct that could be explored and Penguin has his whole avian theme that can interact with the bat offpsring.
Beyond that, I'd like to see Harley Quinn to act out parts of the plot of the Killing Joke that transformed Barbara into Oracle, and drives Dick Grayson mad to recreate an aspect of the Joker.
However, these are all a bunch of misc ideas that might not work together in a single film. So I guess I'll leave it there.
-
I've probably put too much thought into this.