For the movies, they need a Bruce who's around the age Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman were when Batman Begins kicked off. Casting an actor in their late 70s or like Clint Eastwood who is in his 80s..would be too risky. What if something happens to them when they need a sequel? Even an actor in his 60s with more makeup would be perfect. Anything younger than that is not good enough. There's a difference between Dark Knight Returns-Wayne and Beyond-Wayne.
Now dont bite my head off but here's a little idea. And yes this is plan B but i think it would still be cool and faithful to TWO different interpretations..
If i didn't want a Beyond so bad within the next 5-10 years, and WB weren't planning on doing it for a lonnnng lonnnnng time..Say in 25 years if we dont get a Beyond adaptation (would be sacrilege if they waited this long i know). Id say Bale (in his 60s with added makeup) would be really neat.
We could see how the symbol has progressed 35 years after the events of Rises. Gotham has been rebuilt & changed quite a bit and the worlds technology has progressed like you wouldnt believe. It would be set around the year 2052.
Terry McGinnis is now Batman. Bruce is in his cave with Ace by his side. Blakes Nightwing suit is in a glass next to both of Bruce's suits from his Begins and Dark Knight days. They can throw in another Robin or Batgirl suit if they want to add to the feel that many successors & sidekicks have protected Gotham through the years.
JGL could make a cameo and so could Hathaway. John Blake could be well into his 50s and Selina in her 60s. Gordon, Alfred, Fox have been dead for a while, of course.
Barbara Gordon who may have had a relationship with Blake once upon a time, is the Commissioner.
Villains? They can figure that out when the time comes. A Joker re-cast? An imposter Joker and his gang? Mr. Freeze? New villains?