Batman/Bruce Wayne Casting Thread - Part 1

[Gamma Goliath]

I remember at the time Hamm said he wasn't interested in being a superhero because he was getting too old.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Hamm should only play an Adam West version of Batman.

 

[Bruce Malone]

I remember at the time Hamm said he wasn't interested in being a superhero because he was getting too old.

There was an article that came out about how Hamm's film career hasn't taken off like some expected post Mad-Men.

Career wise he'd probably be more willing to take on a franchise role than a few years back when he was hot off of Mad Men.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Because not every character has to be explored linearly. Most especially with one whose earlier years have already been covered. A middle-aged Bruce still has plenty in the tank of stories to rummage through (as evidenced from the 2000s and on). And having a Batman with a storied career opens up new avenues of lore and storytelling which isn’t really possible without a lengthy run from a young actor.

Regardless of how bad this all turned out, doesn’t mean the concept wasn’t sound. Hell, if they still go along this path (with a fresh team) I’d still be on board.

We were shown Superman's early years in the Donner series. Should MOS have started with a middle aged Superman, or a Superman who is very far in his career?

And if you are using what was covered as a reason, you forgot that Nolan's Batman pretty much skipped all of Batman's career. We still haven't got a steady flow of good Batman movies in his prime other than Batman Returns and TDK. We still haven't seen much of his rogues gallery or supporting cast explored.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

RDJ was around the same age when he was cast as Tony Stark and went on the appear in like 15 MCU films since then.

Playing Batman requires much more physically.
RDJ doesn’t have to put on a bunch of muscle or even wear an actual costume.
He doesn’t really need to be part of heavy action sequences.

Iron Man is a pretty chill part to play

 

[MbJ]

Playing Batman requires much more physically.
RDJ doesn’t have to put on a bunch of muscle or even wear an actual costume.
He doesn’t really need to be part of heavy action sequences.

Iron Man is a pretty chill part to play

And even then it was a big deal when RDJ injured himself during Iron Man 3, which prompted him to say in interviews that he was beginning to worry that he was getting too old to be playing a superhero. It's not a coincidence that post-Iron Man 3, the movies really heavily cut down on action scenes that don't require Tony to be in the armor (meaning it can be done by any random stuntperson in a mo-cap suit). I think the most we've had since then is the very brief scene in Civil War where he tries to fight Bucky hand-to-hand and promptly gets his butt handed to him. And even the in-suit stuff, which RDJ used to do, is mostly handled by the aforementioned mocap stuntmen these days.

With Batman you can still get away with stuntmen doing the action scenes, but it's going to be harder for a man pushing 50 to be that consistently muscular and beefy. Especially when it's someone like Affleck, who is not primarily doing action films.

 

[Jekecy]

We were shown Superman's early years in the Donner series. Should MOS have started with a middle aged Superman, or a Superman who is very far in his career?

If a director really had a strong vision for that path, who am I to voice displeasure in it? It wouldn’t be my decision, and that’s largely informed by how underrepresented Supes’ career has been in live-action. He has my favorite origin and early years (equal to Spidey), so I’m always going to lean towards that with any new iteration.

And if you are using what was covered as a reason, you forgot that Nolan's Batman pretty much skipped all of Batman's career. We still haven't got a steady flow of good Batman movies in his prime other than Batman Returns and TDK.

Oh, I haven’t forgotten. I thought TDKR’s decision to stop his career at TDK was a huge mistake and disappointment. I don’t really consider Balebats to have had much of a career at all, but that’s a different topic.

The point is as a batfan I’ve been spoiled with Batman’s early years, or even prime years. I don’t mind when they go over it again, but I appreciated walking in new territory.

It’s one of the things which highly elevated my enjoyment of the Arkham games; the iconic history is already there as a backdrop. For fans, it’s refreshing to already be inside a fully fleshed out world. Conceptually, anyway.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

The point is as a batfan I’ve been spoiled with Batman’s early years, or even prime years. I don’t mind when they go over it again, but I appreciated walking in new territory.

On film? Really? I could see a trilogy of him just in his prime.

It’s one of the things which highly elevated my enjoyment of the Arkham games; the iconic history is already there as a backdrop. For fans, it’s refreshing to already be inside a fully fleshed out world. Conceptually, anyway.

Arkham Batman was a Batman who has been around the block, but still hasn't exited his prime yet. It's not the same context as Batfleck.

 

[Jekecy]

On film? Really? I could see a trilogy of him just in his prime.

I could too. But I’ve rewatched B89/BR and BB/TDK recently, and my appetite is well fed for that period.

I’m itching more for an established bat-universe. Ideally I’d like to see that built up from scratch similar to how the MCU has done it, but with this studio I can also understand it might not be a viable path. I’ll take a trilogy or tetralogy if I can.

Arkham Batman was a Batman who has been around the block, but still hasn't exited his prime yet. It's not the same context as Batfleck.

JL is where they drove the point home of being too old. I didn’t see that conveyed with BvS or just by looking at Ben.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

20 years in Gotham. They mentioned it a couple of times. And Ben had grey in his temples.

 

[KevTravels]

Okay but if Gyllenhaal is not interested who does that leave

In that case, they should go with an unknown. Gyllenhaal is among the youngest potentials. Maybe Hammer is younger but he won't be getting the role.

 

[Bruce Malone]

Playing Batman requires much more physically.
RDJ doesn’t have to put on a bunch of muscle or even wear an actual costume.
He doesn’t really need to be part of heavy action sequences.

Iron Man is a pretty chill part to play

Whether that's true or not Downey still got into pretty much some of the best shape of his career for the role:

Plenty of plus 40 actors in shape nowadays.

It's just Ben aside from his personal issues probably lost motivation after he was no longer attached to write or direct.

 

[Jekecy]

20 years in Gotham. They mentioned it a couple of times. And Ben had grey in his temples.

Didn’t hinder his performance and capabilities is my point. He’s “older” than Keaton and Bale were, yet far more powerful and agile.

It’s moot now that they went where they did in JL, but all the same BvS proves an aged Batman doesn’t mean a weak and over-the-hill Bruce.

 

[ArmsHeldOut]

Hamm's still in fairly good shape (aside from the greying hair, he doesn't look much older than he did during his previous stint on Mad Men). As such, I'd suggest having him dye his hair black/dark brown. This way, he could still pass for a Batman/Bruce in his prime—thus accommodating Reeve's needs, and at the same time not look too young to be a suitable replacement for Affleck's Batman. Going with Hamm could also serve a secondary purpose, as it would eliminate the need for Affleck's participation in another DC film, not to mention whatever hoaky deus ex machina that may or may not be in the works to address the potential switch to a much younger Batman.

Having said that, M1 raised a good point a page or two back. As much as I like Batfleck, I agree that it'd be nice to have a Batman actor even more capable of giving an emotionally conflicted performance the likes of which we've never seen. Even Bale, whose performances in Equilibrium and especially American Psycho spoke to his high proficiency in this regard, didn't quite bring said quality to his performance in a way that was really notable.

So, my question is this. Can Hamm really take it there? Perhaps the answer is yes, but, as of now, I just don't know.

 

[Rorschach2012]

Okay but if Gyllenhaal is not interested who does that leave

An inferior choice

Jake or bust baby

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Didn’t hinder his performance and capabilities is my point. He’s “older” than Keaton and Bale were, yet far more powerful and agile.

It’s moot now that they went where they did in JL, but all the same BvS proves an aged Batman doesn’t mean a weak and over-the-hill Bruce.

I was talking about an over the bill Batman in terms of story possibilities in a newly built universe. Not physical prowess.

 

[ArmsHeldOut]

Plenty of plus 40 actors in shape nowadays.

It's just Ben aside from his personal issues probably lost motivation after he was no longer attached to write or direct.

Indeed. Josh Brolin's turning 50 in a couple of months; J. K. Simmons is almost 63.

 

[Sawyer]

Hamm's a weird one for me. In my mind, he's simultaneously picture perfect and also kind of a dull choice. He's basically Affleck Prime. He has that visual of a potentially perfect, comic-accurate Bruce, but with real range.

Me and my usual ways, I was kind of hoping for someone you mofos would complain more about. I want Oscar Isaac, goddammit.

 

[KevTravels]

Hamm might have worked really well for Batman v Superman or even Justice League, but not going forward. Good actor but he ain't "leading man in big films"

 

[Abudefduf]

John Hamm? Well, so much for soft-rebooting the series with a younger actor. Can't say I'm too fond of the idea... he's kind of a boring choice, in my opinion.

 

[shauner111]

Some bogus site mentions Hamm and everyone takes it seriously. Gyllenhaal will be Batman.

 

[Jekecy]

My only hesitation with Jake accepting is how he'll acquiesce with the long-term contract. Unless he somehow makes a deal he'll only partake in Reeves' trilogy with the "option" for crossovers, Batman would take up a huge heft of his time. Time away from the incredible trajectory he's been building over the years with tremendous parts.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

My only hesitation with Jake accepting is how he'll acquiesce with the long-term contract. Unless he somehow makes a deal he'll only partake in Reeves' trilogy with the "option" for crossovers, Batman would take up a huge heft of his time. Time away from the incredible trajectory he's been building over the years with tremendous parts.

They need to forget crossovers for awhile anyway.

 

[MbJ]

My only hesitation with Jake accepting is how he'll acquiesce with the long-term contract. Unless he somehow makes a deal he'll only partake in Reeves' trilogy with the "option" for crossovers, Batman would take up a huge heft of his time. Time away from the incredible trajectory he's been building over the years with tremendous parts.

Methinks they're gonna ease up on the crossovers for the time being. If we get another Justice League movie it's not gonna be anytime soon.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

Methinks they're gonna ease up on the crossovers for the time being. If we get another Justice League movie it's not gonna be anytime soon.

GOOD


If/when it happens
I want something good and I want some proper build up to it.