During San Diego Comic Con this past July it was confirmed that Ben Affleck is going to direct a stand alone Batman film. Not too long ago it was confirmed that Joe Manganiello will be playing Deathstroke as the antagonist. This is all pretty exciting stuff!
Squeal!
As a lifelong Batman fan, it's always thrilling to see serious directors and great actors come together for a new film. I was so excited for what Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale were going to do with Batman Begins. I was definitely not disappointed. Now, seeing Ben Affleck come take the reins of the Bat-franchise is definitely worth getting excited about all over again. One thing that Affleck is great at is casting his films. As an actor, he knows that a quality actor will take the words off the page and give them life. Manganiello is definitely a great choice for Deathstroke. One can't help but wonder who else might show up in the film? Since it's been well documented that Geoff Johns will help write the film, I'm sure we'll get something interesting and different.
Personally, I'd love to see Batman: Hush adapted as a feature length film. A few of those characters have already been cast such as the Joker (Jared Leto), Harley Quinn (Margot Robie), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Commissioner Gordon (JK Simmons), and of course Alfred (Jeremy Irons). It wouldn't take much to rearrange the story to have Deathstroke fit in as an adversary, but I'd love to see other Bat-rogues take the spotlight. Some we've seen, some we haven't seen in a long time, and maybe one or two that have never been in a Bat-film before. Here's who I would cast:
ADAM DRIVER AS JASON TODD / THE RED HOOD
If you have seen Star Wars: the Force Awakens, and most likely you have if you're reading a nerd's blog, then you know this is a good choice. While Red Hood was played by Jensen Ackles in the great Under the Red Hood animated film, and he'd probably be a good choice for a live action film, I think Driver has what it takes. In Force Awakens, he showed us that he can play a conflicted villain. He made Kylo Ren unlikable yet sympathetic all in the same scene. Todd needs a quality actor that will one moment make us root for him and then the next moment despise his actions. Arguably, this could typecast Driver, but I think, unlike Kylo Ren, there can be a redemption story for Jason Todd. He might start off as the antagonist but eventually he'll want to rejoin Batman and fight the criminals in Gotham rather than joining their ranks.
JENNIFER CARPENTER AS SELINA KYLE / CATWOMAN
We've seen a lot of Selina Kyle in recent years. Yes there was Michelle Pfieffer's brilliant performance back in 1992 with Batman Returns. There's also Anne Hathaway's memorable take during The Dark Knight Rises and of course Camren Bicondova's Kyle running around Gotham. After watching Dexter, it became clear to me that Carpenter would make a fantastic Catwoman. During that show she progressed from shy, awkward police officer to confident, headstrong detective. She infused Debra Morgan with a lot of complex, troubling emotions and was able to pull it off. We may not have always agreed with her choices but we could understand her. That's the type of actress that is needed to bring Catwoman to life. Catwoman is arguably not even much of a villain anymore. She sort of "plays by her own rules." Plus, it helps that Carpenter is old enough that it would be believable that she has had fights and flirtations with Batman in the past. Plus, does anyone else want to see that purple costume? I do. I think it looks cool and it's something we haven't seen in a Bat-film yet!
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS AS EDWARD NYGMA / THE RIDDLER
Hey, I did say that I was going to come back to this didn't I ;) ? I truly do think that Harris would make a fantastic Riddler. Odds are Affleck and company will want to stay away from a campier performance like Jim Carrey gave in Batman Forever (although Harris could do it) so they'll want a more serious actor. Harris has proven time and again that he can play any type of character. Whether it's womanizing showboat in How I Met Your Mother or creepy loner in Gone Girl, Harris has the range to give us a charming, yet deadly Riddler. While I think that Cory Michael Smith is absolutely killing it (literally) on Gotham, there is definitely room for another actor with a different take. Plus it would be pretty awesome to see Harris, who's not much of a physical threat, stand up to Affleck's 6'4 Batman with no fear. Oh yeah . . . this needs to happen!
PIERCE BROSNAN AS RA'S AL GHUL
Oh come on! Just picture Brosnan saying, "Detective!" I'm sold! At 63 years old, Brosnan is still kicking ass. He was the James Bond that I grew up with. He was handsome, suave, and could kick anyone's ass in the room. And who is Ra's? He's suave, an expert martial artist, and looks to be in his early 60's despite actually being several hundred years old. Sounds like Brosnan to me! When Ra's enters a room, everyone takes notice of him. He is in control of everything around him. It's why he's so frustrated with Batman. Batman is the one thing he can't control. I think Brosnan could easily pull off the charming, yet menacing demeanor that Ra's shows the world. Also, he's a very tall man at 6'2. Granted, Affleck is a bit taller, but that's nothing that a few camera tricks and heels can't fix. I have no doubt in my mind that Brosnan would make a great Ra's Al Ghul.
MATT DAMON AS TOMMY ELLIOTT / HUSH
Ok . . . ok! I admit it! This one is probably on everyone's wish list. And truth be told, there are countless memes about Damon being in a Batman film in some capacity.
I mean . . . he could do it!
While I appreciate the jokes and I can laugh at that image all day, I must say that it would make sense for Damon to be in Affleck's Bat-film. Probably not as Robin, but he would make an amazing Hush. Damon has never ceased to impress me as an actor. From Good Will Hunting to the Bourne films and even his comedic bits on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Damon has always impressed me. Hush is a more recent addition to the Bat rogues but he's also a great villain. He's someone with a personal history/vendetta against Bruce Wayne, stalked Batman to learn his weaknesses, and even reconstructed his face to try and take Bruce Wayne's place. That's some dedication! I think Damon is the kind of actor that could bring Hush to life and really make us hate him. I would love to see him in the next Batman film. The hero always need a great villain and Hush, played by Damon, would be something special indeed.
While there are quite a few characters I'm missing, after all Batman has a HUGE selection of rogues and allies to choose from, these are the ones I would love to see in a new film. It's been a while since we've seen the Riddler or Ra's in a film, Red Hood hasn't had a feature film debut yet, Catwoman is always welcome in a Batman film, and of course Hush would be perfect to bring them all together. I have no doubt that Ben Affleck and Geoff Johns will give us a truly incredible Batman film. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT!!!!
Till Next Time!
JJ - the Comic Junkie!
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