My Bat-Casting of Doom
Thought it would be appropriate to post this here considering the epic discussion I had with some of the folks here plus I brought up the idea of some of the castings with people who happen to post here so I feel like I owe it to them to share this.
Also; shameless self promotion.
Original post here
----------------------------------
This is why I should be made emperor of all Bat-media.
I kid, I kid.
Mostly....
Anyway, here we have the casting I would choose for a live action Batman movie. For this one, I'm imagining a movie that's more in vein of film noir. Nothing particularly realistic, a detective/mystery movie with Bats doing actual detective work and hopefully one where a mention of Metropolis won't be a tone breaker. I imagine it's been at least 2-3 years since Batman showed up in this world. I'm thinking that the story starts in-media-res here with most of the familiar elements already established. An Anti-Nolan-verse if you will.
Most of these actors, I believe are pitch-perfect for the role but there are some characters that I couldn't think of actors for so I left it with just the name of the character without any actors included. You are all welcome to suggest your own picks for them(for ones mentioned here and otherwise). This is by no means perfect but a good start.
Now shall we begin?
Thomas Gibson as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Words aren't needed. Gibson is pitch perfect for the role. He's even got the hair. Those who have seen him on Criminal Minds will know that he can 'do' Batman. Plus even if he ages out of the role, he's still got the voice.
David MacCallum as Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth
MacCallum has got the dry sarcastic wit that makes Alfred who he is. He is also the right age to play the character; not too old and too young either. His performance as Dr. Paradox on Ben 10: Alien Force is part of what convinced me he could play the role. The other part? Playing Ducky on NCIS.
And considering that Andrea Romano was the one who voice directed the show, I think it's likely that we might see him voice Alfred on a Batman adaption.
Tamara Taylor as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
<
Tamara Taylor now is Catwoman for me. She's certainly got the acting chops and much like Thomas Gibson manages to invoke the Catwoman imagery without actually meaning to. I already brought up the idea of her playing Catwoman and many people loved it. Given the opportunity, she can encapsulate/evoke all eras of Catwoman from the Jim Balent era to the Darwyne Cooke redesign.
(I realize she could also make for a great Renee Montoya as well)
????? as Dick Grayson
Originally I had Evan Sabara in mind for the role but he's now 17. The reason I chose him was because he already played Robin in 'The Batman' and he looked the part. ::shrugs::
Anyway, I think it's important to have Robin or at least Dick Grayson here. I imagine that in this universe Bruce had adopted him but won't allow him to become Robin or join his crusade; ' till you are at least 18' he would say. I have grown to appreciate the role of Robin in Batman's life so I believe he has to be around in some way to show Bruce's humanity and allow for his character to develop.
Ted Levine as Commissioner James W. Gordon
*huge[newly joined]Monk fan here*
Ted Levine is incredibly talented actor with an incredible range from having played Captain Stottlemeyer on Monk to the Buffalo Wing Killer on Hannible Lector
There was a touch of warmth and humanity he brought to the character of Captain Sottlemeyer that I think would also work well for Gordon. Here I'm imagining a slightly less cynical Gordon; someone that remains grounded and firm and most importantly human despite all the craziness he's surrounded by.
Molly Quinn as Barbara Gordon
Molly Quinn plays the daughter of the Rick Castle on Castle named Alexis. Her character is incredibly smart, spunky, dedicated and funny on the show acting as the only sane man to her father. She's definitely got the chops to pull off the role.
Monica Raymond as Renee Montoya
Okay, weird choice here. Her acting was a bit rough during the first season of Lie to Me but I feel that she has the ability to pull off the character. Plus she's an actual Dominican.
I'm also imagining a slightly younger Renee Montoya here probably still a Detective who was recently promoted.
?????? as Harvey Bullock
I couldn't think of an actor that can play Harvey Bullock. However, I do think he's an integral part of the Bat-mythos and I love the Harv/Montoya friendship and banter.
Jennifer Beals as Sarah Essen Gordon
Okay, I only chose Jeniffer 'cause she's become a favorite of mine since seeing her on Lie to Me.
In the comics Sarah Essen is Gordon's love interest/fiance, a tough no -nonsense cop who often tries to warn Jim about relying too much on the Bat. She is also a cop that's so bad ass that she goes to solves an important case in her wedding gown (makes sense in context).
She's an important underrated part of the Bat-mythos and one of the few characters who are unsupportive of the Bat that didn't get turned into a villain or antagonist or was shown incompetent.
Tim Roth as Johnathan Crane/Scarecrow
Another, weird choice here. Tim Roth is a superb actor, has played in superhero movies before and I think he would make for a great Scarecrow (given his mannerisms he would also be a great Riddler too). If he combines creepy with his natural 'Rothiness' and his already-kind-of-scrawny figure, he would make for a great scarecrow.
John Glover as Dr. Hugo Strange
I remember hefner and henchgirl once saying that Glover would make for a great Scarecrow. While many of the actors mentioned here could very well play other characters in the Bat mythos, I have to disagree on Glover. I don't think he has the right build for the character. Crane should be someone whose thin and scrawny but slightly toned (since I think he works out but very little). However, after watching him play the Magnificent Bastard on Smallville for about 5-6 seasons, yeah he can definitely pull off playing the devious and manipulative Dr. Strange.
Well, that's all folks!
You are welcome to give your own suggestions and inputs in the comment section below. I realize that this is a very small sample of characters from the Bat-Mythos. Honestly I wanted to include more here like Harvey Dent, Dr. Leslie Tompkins and Police Chief Clany O'Hara; the most underrated character in Bat-History (!!!) but I couldn't come up with any actors and since guys like hefner has more knowledge of pop culture than I and is a big Two-Face fan to boot, I thought characters like Two-Face were better left for him since I couldn't think of any.
PS: I thought of Helen Mirren and Judie Dench for the role of Leslie Tompkins but it felt too weird to include two big name stars in something that was (imo) mainly compromised of tv actors.
Also; shameless self promotion.
Original post here
----------------------------------
This is why I should be made emperor of all Bat-media.
I kid, I kid.
Mostly....
Anyway, here we have the casting I would choose for a live action Batman movie. For this one, I'm imagining a movie that's more in vein of film noir. Nothing particularly realistic, a detective/mystery movie with Bats doing actual detective work and hopefully one where a mention of Metropolis won't be a tone breaker. I imagine it's been at least 2-3 years since Batman showed up in this world. I'm thinking that the story starts in-media-res here with most of the familiar elements already established. An Anti-Nolan-verse if you will.
Most of these actors, I believe are pitch-perfect for the role but there are some characters that I couldn't think of actors for so I left it with just the name of the character without any actors included. You are all welcome to suggest your own picks for them(for ones mentioned here and otherwise). This is by no means perfect but a good start.
Now shall we begin?
Thomas Gibson as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Words aren't needed. Gibson is pitch perfect for the role. He's even got the hair. Those who have seen him on Criminal Minds will know that he can 'do' Batman. Plus even if he ages out of the role, he's still got the voice.
David MacCallum as Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth
MacCallum has got the dry sarcastic wit that makes Alfred who he is. He is also the right age to play the character; not too old and too young either. His performance as Dr. Paradox on Ben 10: Alien Force is part of what convinced me he could play the role. The other part? Playing Ducky on NCIS.
And considering that Andrea Romano was the one who voice directed the show, I think it's likely that we might see him voice Alfred on a Batman adaption.
Tamara Taylor as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
<
Tamara Taylor now is Catwoman for me. She's certainly got the acting chops and much like Thomas Gibson manages to invoke the Catwoman imagery without actually meaning to. I already brought up the idea of her playing Catwoman and many people loved it. Given the opportunity, she can encapsulate/evoke all eras of Catwoman from the Jim Balent era to the Darwyne Cooke redesign.
(I realize she could also make for a great Renee Montoya as well)
????? as Dick Grayson
Originally I had Evan Sabara in mind for the role but he's now 17. The reason I chose him was because he already played Robin in 'The Batman' and he looked the part. ::shrugs::
Anyway, I think it's important to have Robin or at least Dick Grayson here. I imagine that in this universe Bruce had adopted him but won't allow him to become Robin or join his crusade; ' till you are at least 18' he would say. I have grown to appreciate the role of Robin in Batman's life so I believe he has to be around in some way to show Bruce's humanity and allow for his character to develop.
Ted Levine as Commissioner James W. Gordon
*huge[newly joined]Monk fan here*
Ted Levine is incredibly talented actor with an incredible range from having played Captain Stottlemeyer on Monk to the Buffalo Wing Killer on Hannible Lector
There was a touch of warmth and humanity he brought to the character of Captain Sottlemeyer that I think would also work well for Gordon. Here I'm imagining a slightly less cynical Gordon; someone that remains grounded and firm and most importantly human despite all the craziness he's surrounded by.
Molly Quinn as Barbara Gordon
Molly Quinn plays the daughter of the Rick Castle on Castle named Alexis. Her character is incredibly smart, spunky, dedicated and funny on the show acting as the only sane man to her father. She's definitely got the chops to pull off the role.
Monica Raymond as Renee Montoya
Okay, weird choice here. Her acting was a bit rough during the first season of Lie to Me but I feel that she has the ability to pull off the character. Plus she's an actual Dominican.
I'm also imagining a slightly younger Renee Montoya here probably still a Detective who was recently promoted.
?????? as Harvey Bullock
I couldn't think of an actor that can play Harvey Bullock. However, I do think he's an integral part of the Bat-mythos and I love the Harv/Montoya friendship and banter.
Jennifer Beals as Sarah Essen Gordon
Okay, I only chose Jeniffer 'cause she's become a favorite of mine since seeing her on Lie to Me.
In the comics Sarah Essen is Gordon's love interest/fiance, a tough no -nonsense cop who often tries to warn Jim about relying too much on the Bat. She is also a cop that's so bad ass that she goes to solves an important case in her wedding gown (makes sense in context).
She's an important underrated part of the Bat-mythos and one of the few characters who are unsupportive of the Bat that didn't get turned into a villain or antagonist or was shown incompetent.
Tim Roth as Johnathan Crane/Scarecrow
Another, weird choice here. Tim Roth is a superb actor, has played in superhero movies before and I think he would make for a great Scarecrow (given his mannerisms he would also be a great Riddler too). If he combines creepy with his natural 'Rothiness' and his already-kind-of-scrawny figure, he would make for a great scarecrow.
John Glover as Dr. Hugo Strange
I remember hefner and henchgirl once saying that Glover would make for a great Scarecrow. While many of the actors mentioned here could very well play other characters in the Bat mythos, I have to disagree on Glover. I don't think he has the right build for the character. Crane should be someone whose thin and scrawny but slightly toned (since I think he works out but very little). However, after watching him play the Magnificent Bastard on Smallville for about 5-6 seasons, yeah he can definitely pull off playing the devious and manipulative Dr. Strange.
Well, that's all folks!
You are welcome to give your own suggestions and inputs in the comment section below. I realize that this is a very small sample of characters from the Bat-Mythos. Honestly I wanted to include more here like Harvey Dent, Dr. Leslie Tompkins and Police Chief Clany O'Hara; the most underrated character in Bat-History (!!!) but I couldn't come up with any actors and since guys like hefner has more knowledge of pop culture than I and is a big Two-Face fan to boot, I thought characters like Two-Face were better left for him since I couldn't think of any.
PS: I thought of Helen Mirren and Judie Dench for the role of Leslie Tompkins but it felt too weird to include two big name stars in something that was (imo) mainly compromised of tv actors.