DC ELSEWORLDS: Reimagining Keaton Sequels & DC Films that Never Were

[Frodo]

BATMAN AND THE DEMON'S QUEST ( 1988)
Director : Steven Spielberg
Producers : Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy
Screenplay : Lawrence Kasdan
Music : John Williams



Project History
The smash success of The World's Finest film , paves the way for the long in development, Batman film .
Steven Spielberg returns to direct the stand alone , pulp like- adventure , which would feature Catwoman , The Penguin, and Ras Al Ghul all in search of a powerful ancient artifact.

It falls upon the Cape Crusaders to stop the trio of villains ,
in a globe trotting adventure mixed with the intrigue of a James Bond film and the daring do of the old film serials of the 1940s.

Having already introduced Alfred and Gordon, the film would showcase a college aged Robin , already fully established as Batman's sidekick and Bruce's Wayne adoptive son.
Playing the role of Robin, To Ford's Batman is Tom Cruise , who'd already proven himself to be a star in his own right.

Dustin Hoffman is cast in scenery chewing the role of The Penguin, while 80s bombshell Kathleen Turner would join the cast as The Catwoman .
The Part of Ras Al Ghul goes to veteran actor Christopher Lee .

The film would feature a secret cameo appearance of Sigourney Weaver as Wonder Woman , who Batman and Robin would give the artifact to in the films finale.
Christopher Reeve is also slated to make a cameo as Superman, thus setting the stage for a potential Justice League film .

Lawrence Kasdan once again returns to script the film.


The Cast



Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Harrison Ford


Robin / Dick Grayson : Tom Cruise


Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Kathleen Turner


Penguin : Dustin Hoffman


Ras Al Ghul : Christopher Lee


Wonder Woman : Sigourney Weaver


Superman / Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve

Jim Gordon : Paul Newman

 

[Frodo]

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN ( 1989)
Director : Cameron Crowe
Screenplay : Cameron Crowe
Producers: Alexander and Ilya Salkind
Music : Jerry Goldsmith





Project History
Following the mixed but successful Superman 3, Christopher Reeve and the rest of the Donner era Superman cast decide to call it a day and bow out of the series.
Reeves departure from the role sends shock waves through Hollywood and leaves Warner Brothers and The Salkinds in a bind .
While the 3rd film isn't as successful or well received as the first two , the series is still a potential money maker.

Without their lead and without Kidder and Hackman unwilling to return, the series is in trouble.

While several plans for a proposed Superman 4 are considered, it's ultimately decided, that the best course of action, is to reboot the series
with a new cast , and a new attitude.

Taking inspiration from the recent John Bryne run, Superman would be in his twenties, The Kents would be alive , and Lois wouldn't know his true identity.
Lex Luthor, Zod, and Jor El would be absent from the film , as not to draw comparisons between the first two films.

Instead , the film would be about a rookie Superman taking on Brainiac, who gains control of the great powers nuclear codes , and bring the world to the brink of nuclear war.
The film would also introduce General Sam Lane as an advisor to the President Of The United States.

With The Salkinds and WB execs wanting to appeal to the hipper, MTV Generation , they look to filmmakers such as John Hughes, David Lynch, and Joel Schumacher,
to direct a new fresh take on the Man Of Steel.

Ultimately, writer and director Cameron Crowe takes on the directing and screenplay duties .
Crowe brings a humor and emotional grounding to the characters , with Lois Lane, and Clark Kent, at the center of the otherwise, grand scale story.


The Cast



Superman / Clark Kent : Billy Campbell


Lois Lane : Phoebe Cates


Brainiac : Jeremy Irons


Jimmy Olsen : Corey Haim


General Sam Lane : Brian Dennehy


Jonathan Kent : James Garner


Martha Kent : Ellen Burstyn


Perry White : Paul Gleason

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN CONTIUES ( 1995)
Director : Wolfgang Peterson
Screenplay : Steven de. Souza and Jeff Maguire
Producer : Jon Peters
Music : Danny Elfman




Project History
With Burton no longer on the Batman 3 project , filmmakers like Sam Raimi, John McTiernan, and Joel Schumacer are considered to helm the film.
While Schumacher is a frontrunner , ideas for a film featuring Riddler, Two Face , and Robin are tossed around.

However, a dark horse candidate, Wolfgang Peterson, director of the hit film In The Line Of Fire gains traction , and lands the directors slot.
With Peterson on board , he meets with Keaton and both feel that the direction of the series should change.

Peterson wants Batman 3 to be a psychological thriller, and not a campy , family friendly film that WB execs want .

Keaton likes what he hears and agrees to return to the title role despite Burton leaving the directors spot.

Mel Gibson is cast as Harvey Dent aka Two Face, Willem Dafoe is cast as The Riddler, and Sharon Stone is cast as Chase Meridian .

With The Robin character cut from the story all together, and previous drafts tossed out , a whole new story is created , with the only remaining thread being Bruce's existential crisis.


Story
The Dark Knight questions his usefulness , after his best friend Harvey Dent is wounded in a bomb blast, by the sadistic criminal,
known as The Riddler .

As Two Face wages a campaign of revenge against The Riddler , and gains public support for his brutal methods,
and Batman is seen, as ineffective.

Harvey Dent's fiancée, while Chase Meridian , blames the Bat for the chaos in Gotham,
while she leans on Bruce for support , which begins to awaken feelings, they both try fight.

But with war between Two Face and The Riddler escalating to a deadly level , Chase and Bruce are both considered fair game.

With a war between supervillains reaching a fever pitch, the public turning against him, and his forbidden affair with Chase ,
Can Batman ,and Bruce Wayne, continue to coexist?



The Cast




Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton



Two Face / Harvey Dent : Mel Gibson



Riddler / Edward Nygma : Willem Dafoe



Chase Meridian : Sharon Stone

Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle

 

[Frodo]

View attachment 119293






BATMAN AND THE DEMON'S QUEST ( 1988)
Director : Steven Spielberg
Producers : Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy
Screenplay : Lawrence Kasdan
Music : John Williams
View attachment 119224View attachment 119292


Project History
The smash success of The World's Finest film , paves the way for the long in development, Batman film .
Steven Spielberg returns to direct the stand alone , pulp like- adventure , which would feature Catwoman , The Penguin, and Ras Al Ghul all in search of a powerful ancient artifact.

It falls upon the Cape Crusaders to stop the trio of villains ,
in a globe trotting adventure mixed with the intrigue of a James Bond film and the daring do of the old film serials of the 1940s.

Having already introduced Alfred and Gordon, the film would showcase a college aged Robin , already fully established as Batman's sidekick and Bruce's Wayne adoptive son.
Playing the role of Robin, To Ford's Batman is Tom Cruise , who'd already proven himself to be a star in his own right.

Dustin Hoffman is cast in scenery chewing the role of The Penguin, while 80s bombshell Kathleen Turner would join the cast as The Catwoman .
The Part of Ras Al Ghul goes to veteran actor Christopher Lee .

The film would feature a secret cameo appearance of Sigourney Weaver as Wonder Woman , who Batman and Robin would give the artifact to in the films finale.
Christopher Reeve is also slated to make a cameo as Superman, thus setting the stage for a potential Justice League film .

Lawrence Kasdan once again returns to script the film.


The Cast


View attachment 119281
Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Harrison Ford

View attachment 119282
Robin / Dick Grayson : Tom Cruise

View attachment 119284
Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Kathleen Turner

View attachment 119286
Penguin : Dustin Hoffman

View attachment 119285
Ras Al Ghul : Christopher Lee

View attachment 119288
Wonder Woman : Sigourney Weaver

View attachment 119289
Superman / Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve

Jim Gordon : Paul Newman

WONDER WOMAN : WRATH OF THE GODS ( 1989)
Director : Tony Scott
Producer : Ilya and Alexander Salkind


Project History
Following the success of Superman Legacy, The World's Finest, and Batman : The Demon's Quest , the brick in the road to Justice League is a Wonder Woman solo film.
With Aliens and Ghostbusters star Sigourney Weaver returning to the title role , director Tony Scott signs on to helm the project.

Wonder Woman mainstays like Steve Trevor would appear in the film in addition to recent characters to the comics canon Julia and Vanessa Kapatelis, in supporting roles .

With the new film pitting Wonder Woman against difficult odds, Aquaman would be featured as a cocky but powerful ally, while Superman would once again make a brief appearance further reiterating a shared universe.

Story
Wonder Woman faces her greatest challenge as her Brother Ares and her former pupil Artemis bring an army of rogue amazons ,
To rule The Earth .

With the forces too overwhelming to face on her own,
She must turn to her longtime rival, The Prince Of Atlantis ,
to save the world, from the Wrath Of The Gods.


The Cast

Wonder Woman : Sigourney Weaver



Steve Trevor : Jeff Bridges



Ares : Clancy Brown



Artemis : Brigitte Nielsen



Dr. Julia Kapatelis : Olympia Dukakis



Vanessa Kapatelis : Sarah Jessica Parker

[td][/td]

Aquaman : Dolph Lundgren



Superman : Christopher Reeve

 

[Frodo]

THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (1990)
Director : Robert Zemeckis
Producer : Steven Spielberg
Executive Producer : Ilya and Alexander Salkind
Script : Lawrence Kasdan and Bob Gale
Music : John Williams





Project History
With a DC Connected universe firmly established, the massive undertaking for a JLA film begins , and Back To The Future and Who Framed Roger Rabbit director Robert Zemeckis answers the call .

Steven Spielberg stays on as Producer with Bob Gale and Lawrence Kasdan penning the script .
The film is envisioned as a two and a half hour epic featuring an all star cast .

With Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman already established , the film would feature The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and The Martian Manhunter as heroes recruited by Superman to answer the call.

With Darkseid and the his family as the films Antagonist , the heroes would have to save Earth from Darkseid's rule.

The film is modeled after the all star disaster epics of the 1970s but with Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman leading the film.

Filling out the rest of the League is Matthew Modine as The Flash, Dennis Quaid as The Green Lantern, Geena Davis as Hawkgirl, and Louis Gossett Jr as The Martian Manhunter.

Acclaimed actor Powers Boothe is cast in the role of Darkseid while David Warner is cast as his uncle Steppenwolf.


The Cast

Superman : Christopher Reeve

Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Harrison Ford


Wonder Woman : Sigourney Weaver


Flash : Matthew Modine


Hawkgirl : Geena Davis


Martian Manhunter : Louis Gossett Jr.



Green Lantern : Dennis Quaid

Aquaman : Dolph Lundgren



Darkseid : Powers Boothe


Steppenwolf : David Warner
Kalibak : Vincent D'ONofrio
Granny Goodness : Anne Bancroft
Big Barda : Joanne Whalley
Desaad : Anthony Heald

 

[Frodo]

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN ( 1989)
Director : Cameron Crowe
Screenplay : Cameron Crowe
Producers: Alexander and Ilya Salkind
Music : Jerry Goldsmith
View attachment 119438View attachment 119446




Project History
Following the mixed but successful Superman 3, Christopher Reeve and the rest of the Donner era Superman cast decide to call it a day and bow out of the series.
Reeves departure from the role sends shock waves through Hollywood and leaves Warner Brothers and The Salkinds in a bind .
While the 3rd film isn't as successful or well received as the first two , the series is still a potential money maker.

Without their lead and without Kidder and Hackman unwilling to return, the series is in trouble.

While several plans for a proposed Superman 4 are considered, it's ultimately decided, that the best course of action, is to reboot the series
with a new cast , and a new attitude.

Taking inspiration from the recent John Bryne run, Superman would be in his twenties, The Kents would be alive , and Lois wouldn't know his true identity.
Lex Luthor, Zod, and Jor El would be absent from the film , as not to draw comparisons between the first two films.

Instead , the film would be about a rookie Superman taking on Brainiac, who gains control of the great powers nuclear codes , and bring the world to the brink of nuclear war.
The film would also introduce General Sam Lane as an advisor to the President Of The United States.

With The Salkinds and WB execs wanting to appeal to the hipper, MTV Generation , they look to filmmakers such as John Hughes, David Lynch, and Joel Schumacher,
to direct a new fresh take on the Man Of Steel.

Ultimately, writer and director Cameron Crowe takes on the directing and screenplay duties .
Crowe brings a humor and emotional grounding to the characters , with Lois Lane, and Clark Kent, at the center of the otherwise, grand scale story.


The Cast


View attachment 119431
Superman / Clark Kent : Billy Campbell

View attachment 119433
Lois Lane : Phoebe Cates

View attachment 119472
Brainiac : Jeremy Irons

View attachment 119435
Jimmy Olsen : Corey Haim

View attachment 119437
General Sam Lane : Brian Dennehy

View attachment 119443
Jonathan Kent : James Garner

View attachment 119444
Martha Kent : Ellen Burstyn

View attachment 119436
Perry White : Paul Gleason

SUPERMAN : THE MAN OF STEEL ( 1992)
Director : Cameron Crowe
Screenplay : Cameron Crowe
Producers: Alexander and Ilya Salkind
Music : Jerry Goldsmith





Project History
With the sleeper hit The New Adventures Of Superman, Warner Brothers and The Salkinds decide to move forward with a second film .
Cameron Crowe returns to write and direct a personal sequel which will challenge both The Man Of Steel and Clark Kent.

Crowe wants to tell a story about living up to expectations , the costs of leading of double life , and how Clark's lacks balance in both lives.


Story
As The Rookie Superman finds his footing as Metropolis's protector he must face not only professional but personal challenges.
As a young man tries to balance both his life as Superman and A Clark Kent ,
He must contend with the wrath of Intergang's powerful enforcers , Silver Banshee, Parasite , and The Atomic Skull .

At the same time, Superman's relationship with Lois is threatened by the dashing and charismatic Billionaire , Lex Luthor ,
whom she shares a romantic past, and potential future with .

As every challenge is thrown at both Clark Kent and Superman ,
The young hero will face a gauntlet ,that will test his will and his spirit

And he will learn what it takes,
To be The Man Of Steel.


The Cast



Superman/ Clark Kent : Billy Campbell



Lois Lane : Phoebe Cates



Morgan Edge : Dennis Hopper



Lex Luthor : Billy Zane



Silver Banshee : Alice Krige


Parasite : Patrick Kilpatrick



Atomic Skull : David Morse



Jimmy Olsen : Corey Haim
Perry White : Paul Gleason
Jonathan Kent : James Garner
Martha Kent : Ellen Burstyn

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN REBORN( 1999)
Director : Sam Raimi
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker
Producer : Jon Peters
Executive Producer : Peter MacGregor Scott
Music : Danny Elfman



Project History
In the Aftermath of Batman And Robin, it becomes clear that the series needs a major boost, and that Joel Schumacher and his team weren't the ones to bring it.
The series needed to go back to it's roots , and that meant bringing back it's best villain : The Joker .

WB execs didn't care how the care was brought back, they wanted Nicholson and Keaton to return .
At the same time, they knew it would cost them a fortune to get both actors back, but the potential millions they could make with a Keaton / Nicholson reunion was too good to pass up.

When Sam Raimi signs on to helm Batman 5, the director assures the actors that the film will not be a redux of Batman and Robin , but will be closer to the macabre and dark tones of the first two films.

After Keaton and Nicholson agree to return, (with a hefty pay raise ), Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman ,and Chris O'Donnell as Nightwing, sign on to the film .
Rounding out the cast is Cameron Diaz as the psychotic sidekick and Joker fangirl , Harley Quinn.

Story
The past comes back to haunt the Bat , When Joker Returns to Gotham and seeks revenge on the Bruce Wayne, now retired from being Batman.
When Nightwing is severely injured by The Joker and Harley , and The Joker targets The Catwoman,
Batman must rise again , to settle old scores , and stop the Clown Prince Of Crime, once and for all.


The Cast



Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton



Joker : Jack Nicholson



Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Michelle Pfeiffer



Nightwing / Dick Grayson : Chris O'Donnell



Harley Quinn / Harleen Quinzel : Cameron Diaz


Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle
Harvey Bullock : Michael Madsen
Renee Montoya : Rachel Ticton
Jack Ryder : Bruce Campbell

 

[Frodo]

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN ( 1989)
Director : Cameron Crowe
Screenplay : Cameron Crowe
Producers: Alexander and Ilya Salkind
Music : Jerry Goldsmith
View attachment 119438View attachment 119446




Project History
Following the mixed but successful Superman 3, Christopher Reeve and the rest of the Donner era Superman cast decide to call it a day and bow out of the series.
Reeves departure from the role sends shock waves through Hollywood and leaves Warner Brothers and The Salkinds in a bind .
While the 3rd film isn't as successful or well received as the first two , the series is still a potential money maker.

Without their lead and without Kidder and Hackman unwilling to return, the series is in trouble.

While several plans for a proposed Superman 4 are considered, it's ultimately decided, that the best course of action, is to reboot the series
with a new cast , and a new attitude.

Taking inspiration from the recent John Bryne run, Superman would be in his twenties, The Kents would be alive , and Lois wouldn't know his true identity.
Lex Luthor, Zod, and Jor El would be absent from the film , as not to draw comparisons between the first two films.

Instead , the film would be about a rookie Superman taking on Brainiac, who gains control of the great powers nuclear codes , and bring the world to the brink of nuclear war.
The film would also introduce General Sam Lane as an advisor to the President Of The United States.

With The Salkinds and WB execs wanting to appeal to the hipper, MTV Generation , they look to filmmakers such as John Hughes, David Lynch, and Joel Schumacher,
to direct a new fresh take on the Man Of Steel.

Ultimately, writer and director Cameron Crowe takes on the directing and screenplay duties .
Crowe brings a humor and emotional grounding to the characters , with Lois Lane, and Clark Kent, at the center of the otherwise, grand scale story.


The Cast


View attachment 119431
Superman / Clark Kent : Billy Campbell

View attachment 119433
Lois Lane : Phoebe Cates

View attachment 119472
Brainiac : Jeremy Irons

View attachment 119435
Jimmy Olsen : Corey Haim

View attachment 119437
General Sam Lane : Brian Dennehy

View attachment 119443
Jonathan Kent : James Garner

View attachment 119444
Martha Kent : Ellen Burstyn

View attachment 119436
Perry White : Paul Gleason

SUPERMAN : THE MAN OF STEEL ( 1992)
Director : Cameron Crowe
Screenplay : Cameron Crowe
Producers: Alexander and Ilya Salkind
Music : Jerry Goldsmith
View attachment 119719View attachment 119720




Project History
With the sleeper hit The New Adventures Of Superman, Warner Brothers and The Salkinds decide to move forward with a second film .
Cameron Crowe returns to write and direct a personal sequel which will challenge both The Man Of Steel and Clark Kent.

Crowe wants to tell a story about living up to expectations , the costs of leading of double life , and how Clark's lacks balance in both lives.


Story
As The Rookie Superman finds his footing as Metropolis's protector he must face not only professional but personal challenges.
As a young man tries to balance both his life as Superman and A Clark Kent ,
He must contend with the wrath of Intergang's powerful enforcers , Silver Banshee, Parasite , and The Atomic Skull .

At the same time, Superman's relationship with Lois is threatened by the dashing and charismatic Billionaire , Lex Luthor ,
whom she shares a romantic past, and potential future with .

As every challenge is thrown at both Clark Kent and Superman ,
The young hero will face a gauntlet ,that will test his will and his spirit

And he will learn what it takes,
To be The Man Of Steel.


The Cast


View attachment 119704
Superman/ Clark Kent : Billy Campbell


View attachment 119705
Lois Lane : Phoebe Cates


View attachment 119716
Morgan Edge : Dennis Hopper


View attachment 119717
Lex Luthor : Billy Zane


View attachment 119713
Silver Banshee : Alice Krige

View attachment 119714
Parasite : Patrick Kilpatrick


View attachment 119715
Atomic Skull : David Morse



Jimmy Olsen : Corey Haim
Perry White : Paul Gleason
Jonathan Kent : James Garner
Martha Kent : Ellen Burstyn

SUPERMAN REVELATIONS ( 1995)
Director : Cameron Crowe




Story
As Superman Life grows more complicated with Lois Lane's engagement to Lex, and the return of an old flame ,
Clark must face to old enemies who know his secret and who now have the ability to due what others can't : kill Superman.

Resenting The Man Of Steel's success , they want to blow the lid on Clark's secret, and take Kent down .

Empowered by the sadistic criminal known as the Toyman , Metallo and Conduit are no longer just Clark's old bullies , they've become existential threats to the Man Of Steel.
At the same time, his kryptonite powered foes hold the key to who he is , and where he came from.


The Cast



Superman / Clark Kent : Billy Campbell



Lois Lane : Phoebe Cates



Metallo / John Corbin : Sean Bean



Conduit / Kenny Braveman : Michael Wincott



The Toyman / Winslow Schott : Henry Czerny

Lex Luthor : Billy Zane


Lana Lang : Lauren Holly


Emil Hamilton : F Murray Abraham

Mercy Graves : Famke Janssen
Jimmy Olsen : Corey Haim
Perry White : Paul Gleason
Jonathan Kent : James Garner
Martha Kent : Ellen Burstyn

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN THE CRUSADER (1999)
Director : Joel Schumacher
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker and Mark Protosevich
Executive Producer : Peter MacGregor Scott
Music : Elliot Goldenthal



Project History
With Val Kilmer walking away from The Batman role after the success of Batman Forever, WB decides to let a fourth Batman film gestate instead of rushing out a sequel.
With the third film being a hit , the studio gives Schumacher more leeway to tell the story he wants to tell.

Schumacher for his part, proposes a prequel to the first three films, focusing on a young Bruce Wayne's struggles, and sacrifices ,to becoming the Dark Knight.
With Schumacher seeing Batman Forever as " the end of the story" , he wants to delve into how Batman began .

The film would feature Scarecrow and Poison Ivy as the films villains , Silver St. Cloud as Bruce's love interest, and younger versions of Max Shreck and Harvey Dent in supporting roles.

With the desire to make a much darker, and more grounded film than Forever, the studio is apprehensive, at first .
However , a successful pitch and Kilmer's absence makes the idea of a prequel more feasible.

Additionally, the cast would be made up of upcoming stars as opposed to the huge names of the previous films.
This also meant the costs would go down significantly and there would be no salary disputes.

With Schumacher at the helm and Mark Protosevich and Andrew Kevin Walker penning the film , the film would go into production in 1998 for a 1999 release date, to celebrate Batman's 60th Anniversary.

Story
Set a decade before the events of Batman 1989 , Bruce Wayne must face his demons, and make sacrifices which will change his life forever.

As the young avenger is torn between his quest for revenge, and his feelings for socialite Silver St. Cloud ,
he must face his fears, and his passions, in the form of The Scarecrow and Poison Ivy .

But as his two lives begin to collide can Bruce find the balance to become , The Dark Knight?



The Cast



Batman / Bruce Wayne : Joaquin Phoenix



Scarecrow / Jonathan Crane : Adrian Brody


Poison Ivy / Pamela Isley : Angelina Jolie


Silver St. Cloud : Gwyneth Paltrow



Jim Gordon : Nick Nolte


Alfred Pennyworth : John Neville


Max Shreck : Jude Law


Harvey Dent : Terrance Howard

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN BEYOND ( 2001)
Director : Boaz Yakin
Producer : Jon Peters



Project History
WB at a crossroads with how to proceed with the Batman Franchise , they decide that the next film should be an adaptation of the popular Batman Beyond series .
The film would serve as a loose sequel to the Burton and Schumacher films with some references to the prior films, but would be a new standalone story as opposed to continuing the adventures of Batman , Robin and Batgirl.

Producer Jon Peters wants to go towards a cyber punk , darker vibe like the recent hit The Matrix , while also taking inspiration of the mentor and pupil dynamic from The Mask Of Zorro .
Helming the film would be Boaz Yakin, with Clint Eastwood attached to star as the aging Bruce Wayne .

Newcomer Josh Hartnett would be cast as Terry McGinnis with Jason Isaac as the films sole villain blight.
Gabrielle Union would be cast as McGinnis foil , slash love interest, fellow student Maxine Gibson.

Rounding out the cast would be Ellen Burstyn as Barbara Gordon , with Kurt Russell and Annette Bening as Terry's parents .

The film would shoot in 2000 for a Summer 2001 release date

Story
Much like the pilot episodes , the story would follow teenager Terry McGinnis's quest for revenge against Blight, for his father's murder.

The grizzled and cynical Bruce Wayne would seek to tame the boy, and transform him into a true hero for good.

However the return of The Batman isn't considered welcome news by all in Gotham , as Blight's corrupt allies in law enforcement , seek to apprehend The New Knight.




The Cast



Batman / Terry McGuinis : Josh Hartnett


Batman / Bruce Wayne : Clint Eastwood


Commissioner Barbara Gordon : Ellen Burstyn



Warren McGinnis : Kurt Russell


Terry McGinnis : Annette Bening


Blight / Derek Powers : Jason Isaacs


Maxine Gibson : Gabrielle Union

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN UNLEASHED ( 1995)
Director : Tim Burton
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker
Music : Danny Elfman


Project History
In the aftermath of Batman Returns, Michael Keaton proposes telling a story which focuses on Batman's origins and the events which lead Bruce Wayne to donning the cape and cowl.

Above all, Keaton insisted that the story revolve around Batman / Bruce Wayne, and not several villains , set pieces , and gadgets.

Tim Burton is intrigued with the idea of once again redefining what it means to be Batman , and telling a prequel story without the baggage of the first two films, sparks Burton's interest.

With Batman 3 being reframed as the first adventure, as opposed to following from Returns, a precedent is set to make these films non linear and more like an anthology, as opposed
to linear, ongoing, story .

As such , the film's villain , The Riddler, would technically be the first supervillain Batman would encounter ,in his first year as a crime fighter, with Silver St. Cloud serving as a love interest proceeding Vicki Vale and Catwoman.

With the idea of casting a younger actor off the table , Keaton would return as Bruce Wayne , while Robin Williams would sign on to play The Riddler.
Sharon Stone would join the cast as Bruce's fiancé Silver St. Cloud , while Michael Gambon and Maggie Smith would play gangster Rupert Thorne and Family friend Leslie Thompkins, respectively.


Story
Set as a prequel to Batman 89 and Batman Returns , Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham to reclaim his family name and inheritance, he finds a city twisted and corrupt , in need of order.
Still tortured by his parents murder , he's resolved to put his demons to rest and settle down to a normal life.

But As crime reaches an all time high, and his fiancé is murdered by an obsessed mad man known as The Riddler ,
Bruce succumbs to the darkness, and becomes a vigilante without remorse and without rules.



The Cast



Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton



Riddler / Edward Nygma : Robin Williams



Silver St. Cloud : Sharon Stone

Rupert Thorne : Michael Gambon


Leslie Thompkins : Maggie Smith


Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
Jim Gordon : Michael Gough

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN : PART II ( 1991)
Director : Joe Dante
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Sam Hamm
Music : Danny Elfman



Project History
With the success of Batman , Warner Brothers is eager to capitalize on Batmania and quickly greenlights Batman Part II .
While The studio is keen on Burton returning, the director is ambivalent , as it soon becomes clear, Producer Jon Peters ,and WB ,have very different visions for the sequel.

While Burton wants a much different and smaller story , Peters and WB envision a big screen extravaganza, which features the debut of Catwoman, Penguin, and Robin , in addition to the return of Vicki Vale as Batman's love interest.

The clash in visions and the quick turn around time ultimately lead to Burton's exit . Warner Brothers , unfazed feel as if the series can go on without Burton at the helm.
Consequently, Gremlins director Joe Dante is chosen for his equally quirky sensibilities , with the mandate of bringing about a true sequel to the 89 .



Story
Sam Hamm stays on to pen the script which would feature Catwoman as physical lethal threat , equal to Batman , and a much more sinister take, on The Penguin .
Robin, unlike the 60s show would be modeled after Jason Todd while being Dick Grayson.

Taking place two years after the first film , Gotham is plunged into chaos with the rise of " The Supervillains " , in the form of Catwoman and The Penguin .

As a the media turns on the Caped Crusader , Batman's one time ally Harvey Dent, becomes his enemy with a campaign bring The Bat down.

But as Harvey's ambition gets the better of him , Batman finds a new ally in the form of a street kid inspired by Batman's heroism.

All the while ,Bruce and Vicki take things to the next level , while Alexander Knox , with the help of the ambitious D.A. , grows closer to discovering Batman's true identity.


The Cast



Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton


Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Sigourney Weaver



Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot : Bob Hoskins



Robin / Dick Grayson : Christian Slater



Harvey Dent : Billy Dee Williams


Vicki Vale : Kim Basinger
Alexander Knox : Robert Wuhl
Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
James Gordon : Pat Hingle

 

[Jordacar]

BATMAN : PART II ( 1991)
Director : Joe Dante
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Sam Hamm
Music : Danny Elfman
View attachment 123285View attachment 123284
View attachment 123283View attachment 123282

Project History
With the success of Batman , Warner Brothers is eager to capitalize on Batmania and quickly greenlights Batman Part II .
While The studio is keen on Burton returning, the director is ambivalent , as it soon becomes clear Producer Jon Peters and WB have very different visions for the sequel.

While Burton wants a much different and smaller story , Peters and WB envision a big screen extravaganza, which features the debut of Catwoman, Penguin, and Robin , in addition to the return of Vicki Vale as Batman's love interest.

The clash in visions and the quick turn around time ultimately lead to Burton's exit . Warner Brothers , unfazed feel as if the series can go on without Burton at the helm.
Consequently, Gremlins director Joe Dante is chosen for his equally quirky sensibilities , with the mandate of bringing about a true sequel to the 89 .



Story
Sam Hamm stays on to pen the script which would feature Catwoman as physical lethal threat , equal to Batman , and a much more sinister take, on The Penguin .
Robin, unlike the 60s show would be modeled after Jason Todd while being Dick Grayson.

Taking place two years after the first film , Gotham is plunged into chaos with the rise of " The Supervillains " , in the form of Catwoman and The Penguin .

As a the media turns on the Caped Crusader , Batman's one time ally Harvey Dent, becomes his enemy with a campaign bring The Bat down.

But as Harvey's ambition gets the better of him , Batman finds a new ally in the form of a street kid inspired by Batman's heroism.

All the while ,Bruce and Vicki take things to the next level , while Alexander Knox , with the help of the ambitious D.A. , grows closer to discovering Batman's true identity.


The Cast


View attachment 123273
Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton

View attachment 123274
Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Sigourney Weaver


View attachment 123279
Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot : Bob Hoskins


View attachment 123277
Robin / Dick Grayson : Christian Slater


View attachment 123280
Harvey Dent : Billy Dee Williams


Vicki Vale : Kim Basinger
Alexander Knox : Robert Wuhl
Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
James Gordon : Pat Hingle

Nice! I'm working on my own version, including a Part II with this same trifecta of new characters, so don't be surprised when I copy your notes a bit.

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN AND ROBIN ( 1998)
Director : Joel Schumacher
Screenplay : Lee and Janet Scott Batchelor


Project History
With Batman Forever a surprise success, Warner Brothers Studio is reassured that the franchise can move beyond the Burton years .
As a result , plans for the fourth film, are a forgone conclusion .

While the tensions between Schumacher and Kilmer reached a boiling point during the shooting of Batman Forever, Producers and the studio are unwilling to recast the role again.
Whether Schumacher liked it or not , Kilmer was to remain Batman for the time being .

However, the director is given free reign to tell a much darker story and to go for A list actors for the film .

While Mr. Freeze is briefly considered to play the films villain , Schumacher instead goes with Scarecrow and Poison Ivy with Gotham University being a major backdrop featuring Dick Grayson as a student there.

The film would also feature the inclusion of Batgirl , Barbara Gordon, who in this version works for the GCPD.

After Kilmer finishes shooting The Saint, production kicks into high gear in New York, Los Angeles, and London while screenwriting couple Lee and Janet Scott Batchler, return to pen
Batman And Robin.


Story
The Dynamic Duo face their greatest challenge in the form of fear, and passion ,
as they take on two Gotham University Professors using Students as their genie pigs.

As the boy wonder struggles with the effects of The Scarecrow's fear toxins,
The Caped Crusader is blinded and under the spell of the lucius Poison Ivy.
However, as the two heroes stagger against their opponents
,they receive help from the mysterious Batgirl, who also happens to be Bruce Wayne's new love interest Barbara Gordon.
Casting

With Kilmer and O'Donnell signed to return, Schumacher courts some of Hollywood's biggest names to fill out the roles of the villains and Batgirl.

For the role of Scarecrow, Schumacher chooses Face /Off and Con Air lead Nicholas Cage .

For the role of Poison Ivy , Schumacher chooses his St. Elmo's Fire lead, Demi Moore ,while Julia Roberts, hot off of the smash hit , My Best Friend's Wedding is cast as Batgirl , in the hope of her own spin off film series .

The rest of the cast is made up of character actors such as Michael Madsen as Harvey Bullock , Joe Morton as Lucius Fox, and Rachel Ticotin as Renee Montoya .

Meanwhile , franchise stalwarts Michael Gough and Pat Hingle return as Alfred Pennyworth and James Gordon .


The Cast



Batman / Bruce Wayne : Val Kilmer


Batgirl/ Barbara Gordon : Julia Roberts


Poison Ivy / Pamela Isley : Demi Moore


Scarecrow / Johnathan Crane : Nicholas Cage


Robin / Dick Grayson : Chris O'Donnell

Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle
Harvey Bullock : Michael Madsen
Lucius Fox : Joe Morton
Two Face cameo : Tommy Lee Jones

 

[Frodo]

SUPERMAN FLYBY ( 2006)
Director : Peter Jackson
Producer : Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh
Executive Producer : Jon Peters
Script : JJ Abrams and Philippa Boyens
Music : James Horner



Project History
With the Superman reboot picking up steam in the early 00s , the search for a director begins .
While writer JJ Abrams lobbies for the part , the studio is wary and skeptical of giving such a novice the directing duties of such a big franchise.

With the trilogy in mind , Warner Brothers goes Academy Award Winning director Peter Jackson to helm the project.
The director agrees, with the cavet that his wife Fran Walsh and collaborating partner Philippa Boyens have creative control over the project.

As a result, Jon Peters's role is diminished in the project to executive producer , as Boyens restructures Abrams script to give it the feeling of a first chapter as opposed to a one off that could lead to sequels .

With Jackson at the helm , the project is able to attract some of Hollywood's biggest names, such as Anthony Hopkins as Jor El , Harrison Ford as Jonathan Kent, Sally Field as Martha Kent, Ralph Fiennes as Lex Luthor, Tommy Lee Jones as Perry White , and Jeremy Irons, as Kata Zor .

Meanwhile , longtime contender Josh Hartnett is cast as The Man Of Steel, actress Evangeline Lilly is cast as Lois Lane, and Paul Bettany is cast as the film's main villain Ty Zor.

Filming begins in New Zealand in 2005 , for a 2006 release date.


The Cast



Superman / Clark Kent : Josh Hartnett


Lois Lane : Evangeline Lilly


Lex Luthor : Ralph Fiennes


Ty Zor : Paul Bettany


Jor El : Anthony Hopkins


Jonathan Kent : Harrison Ford


Martha Kent : Sally Field


Lara : Juliette Binoche


Kata Zor : Jeremy Irons

Perry White : Tommy Lee Jones
Jimmy Olsen : Adam Brody

K voice : Andy Serkis

 

[Sawyer]

Watching the first episode of Paradise the other day, and seeing Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden together really does feel like they would’ve been a killer John/Hal in a Green Lantern project circa 2010-2015, if it hasn’t been for the Reynolds movie and the DCEU going the way they did.

 

[Frodo]

SUPERMAN PART III ( 1984)
Director : Richard Lester
Producer : Ilya and Alexander Salkind,
Script : David and Leslie Newman
Story by :Ilya and Alexander Salkind




Project History
After the success of Superman 2, Richard Lester and the Salkinds take three years to plot and plan the most outlandish ,and ambitious ,Superman film yet that would pit Superman against Brainiac, Bizarro ,and Mr. Mitzelplik , all the while saving his newly found Cousin Supergirl and his old flame, Lana Lang.

The Salkinds move on from Lois Lane due to conflicts with Margot Kidder over Richard Donner's firing .
The film is meant to take the franchise into the more sci fi and fantasy elements of the comics, leaving behind the verisimilitude of the first two films.

While the film's lead finds the script to be bizarre and campy , to say the least, he finds a silver lining in Superman playing a mentor to Supergirl, Clark having a new love interest,
and being able to play and brutish anti Superman in Bizarro.

The project eventually gets actor Dudley Moore to play Mr. Mitzelplik , while John Lithgow signs on to play Brainiac , the villains central villain.

Actress Annette O'Toole is cast as Lana Lang, while 19 year old newcomer Helen Slater is cast as Supergirl.

Story
The Man Of Steel is plunged into his most daring and bizarre adventures spanning the cosmos , other dimensions, and other universes,
As he saves his cousin from the clutches of the being known as Brainiac.

Standing is Superman's way is Brainiac's right hand , Is Bizarro , and the impish yet malevolent creature know as Mr. Mitzelplik,
who seems to be the mastermind behind all of the chaos.

But as Superman chases Brainiac through time and space ,can he prevent the fabric of all reality from ripping ?


The Cast



Superman / Clark Kent / Bizarro : Christopher Reeve


Brainiac : John Lithgow


Mr. Mitzelplik : Dudley Moore


Supergirl / Kara Danvers : Helen Slater


Lana Lang : Annette O'Toole

 

[Frodo]

THE BATMAN ( 1986)
Director : Walter Hill
Screenplay : Tom Mankiewicz and Walter Hill



Project History
After several years in development , and after bouncing from studio to studio, Warner Brothers finally decides to produce a serious Batman Feature Film,
based on the story by Tom Mankiewicz.

While Directors like Brian De Palma pass on the project , Walter Hill, director of 48 Hours , The Warriors , and Streets Of Fire, takes interest in the project .

With his love for pulp works and comic books , and his ability to tell both stylized and gritty stories, Hill lobbies for the director's chair, and is eventually signed to the project.

Hill envisions the project with hard edge and lower budget grittiness of The Warriors, Yet with the stylized timeless quality of Streets Of Fire.

The director agrees with playing the film straight as opposed to being a campy revival of the 60s show .

Casting

For the lead role of the Caped Crusader , Hill is impressed by character actor Michael Biehn's performance in the controversial thriller The Terminator.
Hill likes Biehn's edge combined with an intensity reminiscent of Clint Eastwood .
Hill also likes the fact that the actor isn't a house hold name and could easily slip into the cape and cowl without question.

For The Role of Robin , Hill casts talented newcomer River Phoenix, who had done a variety of tv and film roles, being among the better child actors.
Phoenix's nature charm and talent ,made him an interesting contrast to Biehn.
Hill felt the two could believably work together as a darker Batman and Robin.

While Actors like Jack Nicholson and Robin Williams pass on the Joker Role,
Hill instead chooses James Woods to play a much more menacing and sadistic version of the Joker.

For the role of the Penguin, Hill goes for an outside the box choice in Raging Bull's Joe Pesci , making the Penguin much closer to a low level hood, than an aristocratic criminal.

Daryl Hannah would be cast in the lead role of Mob moll ,turned Batman's love interest, Silver St. Cloud , while Brian Dennehy is cast in the role of Rupert Thorne,
the criminal behind the Wayne Murders.

For the roles of Jim Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth, Hill wants to get two actors who project strength and gravitas, as opposed to the befuddled Commissioner, and the courtly Butler ,of the TV Series.

Ultimately Nick Nolte signs on to play the tough as nails Gordon , while Sean Connery plays a much more hands on Alfred Pennyworth.


Story
Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham to reclaim his heritage, and to take on Rupert Thorne , the man who ordered the hit on his parents .
As The Batman begins his war on the Thorne organization , The Gangster hires The Joker and The Penguin to eliminate the Caped Crusader.

All the while, Joker and the Penguin work from the inside, to betray Throne and divi up his territory.

As Batman takes on Gotham's underworld, he's Joined by the last honest cop Jim Gordon, and a mysterious Kid whose path parallels Batman's .
All the while , Bruce Wayne's affair with the captivating Silver St. Cloud, puts him in Rupert Thornes crosshairs .


The Cast



Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Biehn



Robin / Dick Grayson : River Phoenix


Joker : James Woods


Penguin : Joe Pesci


Silver St. Cloud : Daryl Hannah


Rupert Thorne : Brian Dennehy
James Gordon : Nick Nolte
Alfred Pennyworth : Sean Connery
Joe Chill : James Remar

 

[Herofan]

Watching the first episode of Paradise the other day, and seeing Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden together really does feel like they would’ve been a killer John/Hal in a Green Lantern project circa 2010-2015, if it hasn’t been for the Reynolds movie and the DCEU going the way they did.

And Marsden already having been wasted in a good Marvel duology and OK in a bad DC movie ...

 

[donuts]

When has The Terminator ever been a "controversial thriller"?

 

[Frodo]

When has The Terminator ever been a "controversial thriller"?

It was considered a controversial film when it was released in 1984, for it's violence .

It's not controversial 40 years later, but it was upon it's release.

 

[donuts]

It was considered a controversial film when it was released in 1984, for it's violence .

It's not controversial 40 years later, but it was upon it's release.

How so? I don't believe it was.

 

[Frodo]

How so? I don't believe it was.

Scroll down to the contemporary critical response section.

The Terminator - Wikipedia

 

[donuts]

Doesn't make it controversial.

 

[Frodo]

SUPERMAN RETURNS ( 2007)
Director : Wolfgang Peterson
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker


Project History
As The Superman Returns project is close to fruition, with a cast and script in mind, the film loses it's director as Bryan Singer decides to direct X3 , after all.
Consequently , Warner Brothers begins it's search for a new director, with the current story ideas in hand .

Director Wolfgang Peterson, who had previously been attached to Batman Vs Superman, expresses interest in the project .
Though he likes the idea of starting off with an established Superman, he feels tying the film to the Donner era, would be a creative mistake .

Instead , he feels the best way forward , is an entirely new Superman with a new continuity unburdened , by the 20 year old Donner films .

Peterson brings on Andrew Kevin Walker to rework the ideas of the prior script.

With Peterson now onboard , and a new script , the project gets delayed , as Peterson envisions a much older actors than the ones the production looked at , to play a 30 something , Superman and Lois .

Peterson also begins the process of casting new actors to play the The Syndicate, who , in this version, are from the same Earth as Superman and are violent anti heroes.

Peterson also searches for an actor to play Brainiac .

Filming begins in Australia and New Zealand 2006, for a 2007 release date .

Story

Superman vanishes from the face of the Earth after being captured by a creature known as Brainiac,
A creature with ties to Krypton's past.

Thus Superman ,is kept away from Earth , as opposed to leaving voluntarily .

Once he escapes , he returns to a very different Earth than he left.

With Six Years having passed , the corrupt CEO Lex Luthor, has been elected President,
Earth is now protected by a group of vile anti heroes known as the Syndicate,
And Lois Lane has moved on.

As Clark and Superman struggle to find their place in this new reality,
And as he confronts the corrupt, but popular , Syndicate ,and an even more corrupt President,
Clark wonders, if the World still needs Superman ?

That question will be answered as Brainiac begins his quest towards earth ,
to reclaim the last son of Krypton.

Characters such as Jason and Richard White are jettisoned from the story all together given the radical changes to the story .

The Cast



Superman / Clark Kent : Eric Bana


Lois Lane : Rachel Weisz


Ultraman : Clive Owen


Lex Luthor :John Malkovich


Brainiac : Jason Isaacs


Superwoman : Peta Wilson


Owlman : Timothy Olyphant



Johnny Quick : Stuart Townsend