JUSTICE LEAGUE MORTAL ( 2009)
Director : David Yates
Project History
In a world wear Batman Begins and Superman Returns are a box office disappointments,
Warner Brothers studio panics over the future of their two flagship franchises.
With a Justice League Mortal script already in development, Warner Brothers feels that a JLA film is the best way to revive Batman and Superman ,
while launching several other heroes .
Though George Miller is attached to direct , Warner Brothers turns to Harry Potter director David Yates instead, to helm the project.
The studio also wants bigger names attached to the project in orderto generate interest in their solo spin off films.
Production begins on the film in 2007 for a 2009 release.
Sequels to Batman Begins and Superman Returns , are both cancelled , as Warner Brothers puts all their chips on a Justice League film.
Story
With the new director comes changes to the script .
Warner Brothers wants bigger named villains than Maxwell Lord and Talia Al Ghul .
Instead Lex Luthor , Joker, and The Legion Of Doom become the films antagonists who gain control of Batman's Brother Eye technology.
The Martin Manhunter is also dropped in favor of Hawkgirl .
The Cast
Superman / Superman : Jude Law
Batman / Bruce Wayne : Colin Farrell
Wonder Woman / Diana Prince : Kate Beckinsale
Flash / Wally West Ryan Gosling
Green Lantern / John Stewart : Idris Elba
Hawkgirl / : Saffron Burrows
Aquaman / Arthur Curry : Toby Stephens
Lex Luthor : Matt Damon
Joker : Adrian Brody
Lois Lane : Minnie Driver
Cheetah : Eva Green
Sinestro : Hugo Weaving
Captain Cold : Billy Bob Thorton
Black Manta : Isaach de Bankolé
Alfred Pennyworth : Charles Dance
THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN AND ROBIN ( 1992)
Director : Steven Spielberg
Producer : Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall
Executive Producer : George Lucas
Screenplay : Lawrence Kasdan
Music : John Williams
Project History
In a world where Batman 1989 underperforms at the box office , and audiences reject the Burton helmed film , Warner Brothers is shaken.
The casting of Keaton, and Burton's Macabre direction , are blamed for the films failure.
The belief is that the film should have hued more towards, the camp and adventure of the 1960s series, in addition to including Robin .
However, despite the disappointing result of Batman 89', Warner Brothers still feels that the property could be profitable , in the right hands.
The studio decides to greenlight a new Batman film, which in essence, would be a reboot, with a new continuity, cast , and attitude.
The studio is keen on getting a reluctant Steven Spielberg, on board the project .
After a few years of negotiations , the iconic director agrees to helm the project with Lawrence Kasdan as the film's writer and Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall as Producers .
Spielberg would , in essence, put Batman in an Indiana Jones like adventure, featuring the hunt for an ancient tomb with buried treasure, classic over the top Batman villains, a double dealing love interest, and the inclusion of Robin .
Instead of a dark fairy tale, Spielberg would return the character to his pulp , movie serial roots with a high flying , family friendly adventure ,that hoped to appeal to adults, and children alike.
Story
Batman and Robin are thrown into an adventure of international intrigue ,and mystery, as they are hot on the tails of The Penguin, The Riddler and Catwoman's search for the Tomb of Ras Al Ghul.
When the supervillains unlock a unimaginable power that could lead to the end of civilization ,
Its up to the Caped Crusaders to save the world from the wrath of Ras Al Ghul, before, it's too late.
Casting
For the roles of Batman and Robin , Warner Brothers and the producers want big box office draws as opposed to lesser knowns.
Spielberg's choice is Harrison Ford , who , while approaching his 50s, was the actor Spielberg felt best fit his vision of Batman as a veteran crime fighter.
For the role of Robin, Spielberg casts fellow heavy hitter Tom Cruise . While the actor was in his late 20s, Spielberg nevertheless chooses the popular actor feeling Ford and Cruise had the perfect chemistry .
The two actors which much more traditional leading male figures with bigger names than Keaton was , and their casting was met with much more positive coverage and buzz ,than had been the case in the casting for Batman in the 80s.
The rest of the cast is filled with veteran actors such as Dustin Hoffman as The Penguin, Kathleen Turner as Catwoman, Jeff Goldblum as The Riddler, Sean Connery as Alfred, Charlton Heston as James Gordon, and Christopher Lee as Ras Al Ghul .
SUPERMAN : THE MAN OF STEEL ( 1998)
Director : Joel Schumacher
Producer : Peter MacGregor Scott
Project History
With the smash success of Batman Forever , Warner Brothers looks to Joel Schumacer to help revive their other flailing franchise, Superman.
With Superman Reborn in constant flux, Schumacher feels that the project should move in a new direction,
with the film being set in the same Universe as Batman Forever.
WB likes the idea of establishing a cinematic universe in which Batman and Superman can eventually meet , and with the references to Metropolis in Batman Forever,
the seeds have now been planted .
As Schumacher takes over Superman : The Man Of Steel , Burton and Cage are payed for their work , and the project starts over with Brainiac now replaced,
with Parasite and Livewire.
The film would not be an origin story but would instead focus on an established Superman .
Script
The Man Of Steel squares off against Bonnie and Clyde like Supervillains Parasite and Livewire ,
as there crime wave wrecks havoc on the citizens of Metropolis .
Casting
As with Batman Forever, Superman wants to cast well known names as the films protagonists and antagonists.
For the role of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, Schumacher casts Speed leads Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock as the iconic pair.
For the roles of Parasite and Livewire, Schumacher casts real life couple Bruce Willis and Demi Moore , and John Malkovich as Lex Luthor .
Rounding out the cast are Martin Sheen as Perry White and Ethan Embry as Jimmy Olsen .
WONDER WOMAN : THE MOTION PICTURE ( 1999)
Director : Martin Campbell
Producer : Joel Schumacher
Screenwriters : Michael France and David Koepp
Project History
With Superman and Batman both on track under the guidance of Joel Schumacher , Warner Brothers decides to complete the trinity by putting their long in development ,
Wonder Woman film, on the fast track.
This time, Schumacher would serve as Producer while Goldeneye and Mask Of Zorro director, Martin Campbell, helming the project .
With Campbell and Schumacher both agreeing to sign the up and coming Catherine Zeta Jones in the title role , the film would be an origin story unconnected to the 1970s tv series.
Like Batman Forever and Superman : Man Of Steel, the film would take place in the same universe and continuity with ,
eventual plans for a Justice League crossover film down the line.
Script
As Wonder Woman comes to man's world , in order to turn the tide in The Second World War , she comes face to face with The Baroness,
who has her own ties to Paradise Island .
The Cast
Wonder Woman / Diana Prince : Catherine Zeta Jones
THE FLASH ( 1999)
Director : Alex Proyas
Producer : Peter MacGregor Scott
Project History In addition to Wonder Woman getting a greenlight, the long gestating Flash project also receives the go ahead,
with Alex Proyas, helming a darker take on the Flash mythology.
Batman Forever producer Peter MacGregor Scott would produce the film which would also be apart of the Schumacher verse .
The cast would feature Ethan Hawke as The Scarlett Speedster, Winona Ryder as his love interest, and Kiefer Sutherland as his sadistic arc rival Professor Zoom.
Filling out the rest of the cast would be characters actors such as Billy Bob Thornton , Philip Seymour Hoffman , and Richard Roxburgh .
Story
Barry Allen is in the race of his life , as he retraces the day his fiancé Iris is murdered ,
in order to discover the true identity of the culprit.
But the more he continues to time travel,
the more time,
begins to unravel .
The Cast
The Flash / Barry Allen : Ethan Hawke
Iris West : Winona Ryder
Professor Zoom / Eobard Thawne : Kiefer Sutherland
Captain Cold : Billy Bob Thornton
The Turtle : Philip Seymour Hoffman Weather Wizard : Richard Roxburgh
GREEN LANTERN ( 2000)
Director : Roland Emmerich
Producer : Peter Macgregor Scott
Executive Producer : Joel Schumacher
Project History
With an unprecedented , Schumacher , Comic Book ,Cinematic universe in full swing , the next crucial step to a JLA film, Green Lantern, receives the go ahead with Roland Emmerich at the helm .
Story As an irresponsible Airforce pilot ,inherits an all powerful ring
,He must face of a fallen Lantern ,seeking revenge.
THE WORLD'S FINEST (2000)
Director : Joel Schumacher
Producer : Peter MacGregor Scott
Executive Producer : John Peters
Script : Andrew Kevin Walker
Project History On the road to a Justice League film, Warner Brothers greenlights the long awaited Batman and Superman crossover film featuring Val Kilmer and Keanu Reeves.
The ambitious project comes hot on the heels of Wonder Woman, Flash, and Green Lantern, all box office hits .
Ashley Judd is announced as taking over the role of Catwoman , Sean Bean as being cast as Metallo, and Michael Clarke Duncan , cast as Bane .
Story As President Lex Luthor enacts a secret plan to vanquish costumed heroes, he Dispatches Bane and Metallo to eliminate Batman and Superman.
Now ,The Dark Knight and The Man Of Steel, will unite for the first time,
to save their cities, and save the loved ones of Bruce Wayne, and Clark Kent.
The Cast
Batman / Bruce Wayne : Val Kilmer
Superman / Clark Kent : Keanu Reeves
Lois Lane : Sandra Bullock
Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Ashley Judd
Bane : Michael Clarke Duncan
Metallo / John Corbin : Sean Bean
President Lex Luthor : John Malkovich
Nightwing / Dick Grayson : Chris O'Donnell
Perry White : Martin Sheen
Jimmy Olsen : Ethan Embry
Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
SUPERMAN AND THE POWER OF SHAZAM! ( 1991)
Director : Ron Howard
Script : Sam Hamm
Producer : Jon Peters
Music : John Williams
Project
By the late 80s , the Superman franchise is in need of a new creative direction .
While a film script featuring Brainiac and Gerald Christopher's Superboy is briefly considered ,
WB execs feel far more confident in another Reeve led Superman film,
despite Superman 4's performance.
Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm is tasked with coming up with a script for a final Superman film .
Hamm creates a story of a Middle aged Superman( ready to retire and settle down with Lois) ,
passing the torch to a new hero
Studio execs like the idea and direct Ron Howard agrees to helm the project .
Story
As the Man Of Steel considers retiring , a hopeful new Hero beings to emerge in Metropolis.
As Superman takes the young man , under his wing ,
They'll come face to face ,
With a being more powerful than Superman and Shazam , combined.
Weaving as Sinestro would be great and Marsden as Hal could work but I think Schumacher would want much bigger name actors as them, at that point probably Ben Affleck or Matt Damon as Hal, maybe Spacey as Sinestro.
SUPERMAN ( 1991)
Director : David Lynch
Producer : Jon Peters
Executive Producer : Tim Burton
Screenplay : David Lynch and Daniel Waters
Project History
With the success of Batman , Warner Brothers Studios and Producer Jon Peters set about establishing a shared cinematic universe,
with the first Batman film as the foundation for a larger universe.
Consequently , the long in development Superman 5 is scrapped in favor of a new Superman film set in the continuity of the Burton universe.
However , with Burton directing Edward Scissor Hands and developing Batman Returns , his role would be as executive producer ,
While Jon Peters would be given the producer role.
Wanting to emulate Burton's quirky, dark, and off beat style , Peter's approaches David Lynch to helm the new film .
While Lynch is reluctant , Peters ensures him that he can bring his sensibility and style to the new Superman film ,
in hopes of rejuvenating the franchise after Superman 4 : The Quest For Peace.
Story
The Man Of Steel is trust into an adventure which will force him to confront his passions, insecurities , and fears, as the creature Brainiac plunges
Superman into a virtual reality dream world, as he examines what makes the Man Of Steel tick.
WONDER WOMAN : THE MOVIE ( 1992)
Director : Renny Harlin
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Sam Hamm Story
When Millionaire industrialist Maxwell Lord, stages an all out invasion of Paradise Island,
Diana must return to defend her homeland , with the aid of her roguish ally,
The Green Arrow.
The Cast
Wonder Woman / Diana Prince : Geena Davis Green Arrow / Oliver Queen : Kurt Russell
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.
BATMAN UNCHAINED ( 1998)
Director : Tim Burton
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker
Music : Danny Elfman
Project
With the success of Batman Unleased , Warner Brothers once again gives Burton the creative leeway to tell his own story for Batman 4.
In keeping with his new " Anthology approach" Burton wants to tell a story which takes place after the events of Batman Returns, while the previous film was, in effect, a prequel to Batman .
Wanting to finally deal with characters such as Hugo Strange, Scarecrow, and Poison Ivy, screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker , drafts a story which see's The Dark Knight trapped in Arkham,
and forced to escape , with the help of his former friend turned foe, Two Face .
While Warner Brothers once again suggests that Robin be introduced, Burton and producer Jon Peters both balk at the idea .
Burton and Peters both feel that shoving Robin into the story ,would be more about pleasing family audiences, then staying true to the more mature subject matter.
In a story about featuring a middle aged man at the mercy of a much younger temptress , in Poison Ivy , and debilitated by a much younger foe in The Scarecrow ,
The story focuses on Bruce's flaws, fears, and regrets .
All the while Hugo Strange plays the Svengali ,taking apart the Dark Knight , piece by piece.
Story
Robbed of his fortune through the seduction of Poison Ivy, and psychologically damaged by the Scarecrows toxins,
the Dark Knight imprisoned in Arkham , and at the mercy of it's head, the inquisitive Hugo Strange.
However, , it soon becomes clear that Scarecrow and Ivy are merely minions of his true foe, Hugo Strange.
As he plots his escape from Arkham , Batman must rely on Two Face , the man he put away.
Casting
Intrigued by the reflective take on his version of Batman, Keaton quickly signs onto another outing as The Dark Knight.
For the crucial role of Two Face, Burton decides against bringing back Billy Dee Williams and instead, wants the charismatic and dynamic
Denzel Washington , with Laurence Fishburne being a second option.
While several big names such as Jeff Goldblum, Jean Reno, and Johnny Depp, are thrown around to play Scarecrow,
Burton goes with the lesser known Adrian Brody .
For the role of Poison Ivy, Burton once again goes against online speculation of Julia Roberts , and instead goes for another up and coming actress,
Renee Zellweger , who had recently made a new for herself in Jerry Maguire.
Burton like the idea of her girl next door image look, being a facade for her true wickedness.
For the role of Hugo Strange, Burton once again goes outside the box and picks Gary Oldman , whose originally rumored to be up for The Scarecrow role.
Meanwhile , Michael Gough and Pat Hingle return in the roles of Alfred Pennyworth and James Gordon.
The Cast
Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton
Two Face / Harvey Dent : Denzel Washington
Scarecrow / Jonathan Crane : Adrian Brody
Poison Ivy / Pamela Isley : Renee Zellweger
Hugo Strange : Gary Oldman
Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle
BATGIRL ( 1999)
Director : Daniel Waters
Screenplay : Paul Dini and Daniel Waters
Producer : Jon Peters
Executive Producer : Tim Burton
Project History While Tim Burton rejects the idea of introducing Robin into his films, the director is much more open to a reimagining of Batgirl .
With Daniel Waters Catwoman project seemingly going nowhere , Waters turns his attention to a Batgirl film instead.
Like the abandoned Catwoman project, Batgirl would be set in the Burton-verse .
With Harley Quinn featured as the film's sole villain , Paul Dini would be brought on to craft an origin in line with the Burton-verse.
Characters such as Harvey Bullock and Renee Montoya would be featured in supporting roles,
while reporter Jack Ryder, would be featured as Batgirl and Harley's Love interest, paralleling the Batman , Vicki, and Joker triangle, of the first film.
With Winona Ryder already attached , followed by the casting of Cameron Diaz as Harley, the film begins production after Batman Unchained .
The film is set for a June 1999 release date, 10 years after the release of Batman.
Story As Barbara Gordon takes on the cape and cowl , she comes face to face with her best friend ,
The queen of crime, Harley Quinn.
Project
With the success of Batman Unleased , Warner Brothers once again gives Burton the creative leeway to tell his own story for Batman 4.
In keeping with his new " Anthology approach" Burton wants to tell a story which takes place after the events of Batman Returns, while the previous film was, in effect, a prequel to Batman .
Wanting to finally deal with characters such as Hugo Strange, Scarecrow, and Poison Ivy, screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker , drafts a story which see's The Dark Knight trapped in Arkham,
and forced to escape , with the help of his former friend turned foe, Two Face .
While Warner Brothers once again suggests that Robin be introduced, Burton and producer Jon Peters both balk at the idea .
Burton and Peters both feel that shoving Robin into the story ,would be more about pleasing family audiences, then staying true to the more mature subject matter.
In a story about featuring a middle aged man at the mercy of a much younger temptress , in Poison Ivy , and debilitated by a much younger foe in The Scarecrow ,
The story focuses on Bruce's flaws, fears, and regrets .
All the while Hugo Strange plays the Svengali ,taking apart the Dark Knight , piece by piece.
Story
Robbed of his fortune through the seduction of Poison Ivy, and psychologically damaged by the Scarecrows toxins,
the Dark Knight imprisoned in Arkham , and at the mercy of it's head, the inquisitive Hugo Strange.
However, , it soon becomes clear that Scarecrow and Ivy are merely minions of his true foe, Hugo Strange.
As he plots his escape from Arkham , Batman must rely on Two Face , the man he put away.
Casting
Intrigued by the reflective take on his version of Batman, Keaton quickly signs onto another outing as The Dark Knight.
For the crucial role of Two Face, Burton decides against bringing back Billy Dee Williams and instead, wants the charismatic and dynamic
Denzel Washington , with Laurence Fishburne being a second option.
While several big names such as Jeff Goldblum, Jean Reno, and Johnny Depp, are thrown around to play Scarecrow,
Burton goes with the lesser known Adrian Brody .
For the role of Poison Ivy, Burton once again goes against online speculation of Julia Roberts , and instead goes for another up and coming actress,
Renee Zellweger , who had recently made a new for herself in Jerry Maguire.
Burton like the idea of her girl next door image look, being a facade for her true wickedness.
For the role of Hugo Strange, Burton once again goes outside the box and picks Gary Oldman , whose originally rumored to be up for The Scarecrow role.
Meanwhile , Michael Gough and Pat Hingle return in the roles of Alfred Pennyworth and James Gordon.
BATMAN UNMASKED (2002)
Director : Tim Burton
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker and James Vanderbilt
Project History
With Batman Unchained another box office smash, Burton and Keaton agree to one last film which would serve as their swan Song. Batman Unmasked , is considered to be the third part in an unofficial trilogy of films consisting of Batman Unleashed and Batman Unchained .
Andrew Kevin Walker returns to pen the film , joined by James Vanderbilt .
The film features Bane and Ras Al Ghul as the film's antagonists with Talia Al Ghul as the film's complicated protagonist and love interest.
Burton ultimately makes the controversial creative choice of making Bane ,the illegitimate child of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul , in a twist to be revealed in the film's third act .
Consequently, Bane and Batman's dynamic becomes akin to Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader , a decision which angers most in fandom ,when the plot leaks online .
Bane and his Grandfather Ras remain bent on Batman's destruction, while Talia , Bruce's former flame, remains on his side bent on stopping her father and her child.
While Burton denies the leak is true, As usual, Burton is unfazed by fan criticisms, and keeps the plot point despite the online backlash.
With his series coming to a close, Burton decides to end it on his own terms , and Robin is once again absent from the franchise.
Story
As the Dark Knight prepares to retire , he faces his greatest challenge in the form of Bane ,
a villain with ties to an old flame, and to an organization crucial to Batman's origin .
Casting Anthony Hopkins casting as Ras Al Ghul is met with near universal praise from fandom when it is announced in 2000.
Miranda Richardson's casting as Talia, while unexpected , is also met with praise.
However, Vince Vaughn's outside the box casting as Bane leaves many fans puzzled and disappointed , mirroring the casting of Keaton as Batman.
Burton however choices Vaughn for his imposing presence and strong resemblance to Keaton, which paints him as a more ruthless younger version of Bruce .
Visually father and son are opposite sides of the same coin .
As with the casting of Keaton, Burton doesn't want to cast a muscle bound, wrestler .
He wants to cast an actor who could convey the menace and instability that Keaton had in the first Batman film.
SMALLVILLE ( 2006)
Director : J.J. Abrams
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Miles Miller and Alfred Gough , and David Koepp
Music : Michael Giacchino
Project History
When the WB Network series ,Smallville ,continues to be a hit in the early 00s, scripts for a Superman film continue to vacillate between reboots, sequels , and crossover concepts
However , Producer Jon Peters proposes that Warner Brothers make a Smallville feature film, which would feature the debut, of Superman .
With the main cast already largely in place , and a built in fanbase, The Studio warms to the idea of a Superman film set in the same universe as Smallville.
With the success of shows like Lost and Alias , in addition to his Superman Flyby script, J.J. Abrams is given the reigns to direct the new film.
Smallville scribes Miles Miller , Alfred Gough , and Spiderman scribe David Koepp , are brought on to pen the project, with most of the cast of the series , returning for the feature film.
Joining the cast are Harry Potter's Jason Isaacs, French actress Eva Green, and Heroes actor , Zachary Quinto . The plan is for the show to go on hiatus after the filming Season 4, while the movie shoots in Vancouver and Los Angeles, with plans for a Summer , 2006, release date.
Plot
Several years after leaving Smallville, A 20 something Clark Kent arrives to Metropolis to work at the Daily Planet , and becomes the Man Of Steel , Superman.
However, when General Zod and his minions are released from the fantom zone , they come to Smallville seeking out The Last Son Of Krypton.
Now , as Clark returns to Smallville , he must confront old feuds, past loves, and the secrets of Jor- El, as he seeks assistance from the Kryptonian cyborg, Brainiac,
who has an agenda all of his own .
The Cast
Superman / Clark Kent : Tom Welling
General Zod : Jason Isaacs
Faora : Eva Green
Brainiac : Zachary Quinto
Lex Luthor : Michael Rosenbaum
Lois Lane : Erica Durance
Lana Lang : Kristen Kreuk
Non : Robert Maillet
Sam Lane : Michael Ironside
Jonathan Kent : John Schneider
Martha Kent : Annette O'Toole
Perry White : Michael McKean
Jimmy Olsen : Aaron Ashmore Jor El : Terence Stamp
BATMAN LABYRINTH ( 1995)
Director : Kenneth Branagh
Script : Scott Frank
Project History
With the mixed reception of Batman Returns, Warner Brothers studio decides it's best to move on from Tim Burton and take the series into a new direction .
With the depature of Burton and Keaton , Producer Jon Peters looks outside the box for a director and approaches Kenneth Branagh to helm the next Batman film.
While the Irish director had success in Hollywood, a Batman film would be a major undertaking.
The young director agrees , but wants to tell his own, psychological , Noir , Chinatown- esque, Batman story unbound by the first two films.
Story
With Branagh on board the film would be a standalone, featuring gangsters, corrupt public servants, dirty cops , and a murder which Two Face may or may not be responsible for, With Batman as a tortured Phillip Marlowe trying to cuss out the true culprit.
The film's female lead would be Detective Sarah Essen, a good cop who hates Batman but is in love with Bruce Wayne.
While the studio originally want The Riddler and Robin to be featured, Branagh leaves them out in order to streamline the story.
Casting
Kenneth Branagh decides to move the production to Britain , and decides to utilize high profile and well respected English, Irish, and Scottish actors , almost exclusively.
The cast includes actors such as Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellan as Alfred Pennyworth and Jim Gordon respectively.
Irish actors Sean Bean, Gabriel Bryne, and Albert Finney are cast as Two Face , Sal Maroni, and Rupert Thorne, while Emma Thompson is cast as the tough as nails Sarah Essen.
While Judi Dench is cast as Batman's mentor Leslie Thompkins, Daniel Day Lewis is cast in the role of Batman and Bruce Wayne.
Bob Hoskins plays a supporting role as Harvey Bullock .
BATMAN ( 1989)
Director : Steven Spielberg
Producer : Peter Guber, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall
Screenplay : Lawrence Kasdan, Warren Skaaren and Sam Hamm
Music : John Williams
Project History
When The top brass at Warner Brothers reject Tim Burton and Jon Peters choice of Michael Keaton for Batman , the Batman project seemingly begins to unravel .
With Burton refusing to budge and in a stand off with execs , the direct is eventually pushed out as Warner Brothers is already wary of his vision for the film .
With Jon Peters and Peter Guber also disagreeing about the Keaton casting , it isn't long before Peter's is moved to other projects .
Now , the film, which had hoped to begin shooting in 1988 , seems to once again stall , as the search for a new director begins.
Against all odds, Peter Guber reaches out to Steven Spielberg, a director who was considered several years earlier , to helm the new Batman film.
While Spielberg is original interest in another Indiana Jones film, he's interested in taking over the Batman project .
The director agrees to make a Batman film which respects it's pulp and noir serial origins , yet still maintain the adventure and daring do of the comics .
With Spielberg on board , producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall soon follow,
while John Williams agrees to score the film.
Script
Lawrence Kasdan is brought in to drastically overhaul Warren Skaaren and Sam Hamm's screenplay and ideas.
The film would longer feature a rookie Batman, but instead , an established crime fighter, who has already operating secretly, in conjunction with James Gordon, and Harvey Dent .
In fact , the script features Dent, Gordon, and Pennyworth all in more active roles than earlier drafts
Vicki Vale , would be replaced with Selina Kyle, a socialite who comes to Gotham, and falls in love with Bruce Wayne, while also gaining the attention of The Joker and Penguin.
Selina's character would mirror silver screen , fast talking , femme fatale's more akin to Lauren Bacall and Barbara Stanwyck than the mere damsel in distress that Vicki Vale's character was in earlier drafts.
The Clown Prince of crime, would no longer be the killer of the Wayne's but would be a hoodlum in The Penguin's crime family, who is transformed into the Joker at Axis chemicals after being double crossed by Boss Penguin .
Consequently , the Carl Grissom character ,would be swapped out for the Penguin , who , unlike Grissom, would serve as the film's other villain , going to war with Both The Batman and The Joker.
Robin ,aka Dick Grayson ,would be featured as a young man , seeking revenge against the Penguin, for the murder of his family.
The story would end with the defeat of The Joker and Penguin , Robin established as Batman's new partner, and the door left open for Selina to become The Catwoman .
Casting
With Keaton now gone , Spielberg casts to a much higher profile actor with a box office track record,
Harrison Ford .
While Jack Nicholson is the studio's preferred choice for the Joker, with Spielberg planning for the film to be an all star affair, the cost Nicholson would entail makes it unlikely WB can have Nicholson .
As Nicholson also walks from the project , Robin Williams is cast in the Joker role, with Dustin Hoffman taking the role of The Penguin.
Kathleen Turner is cast as Selina Kyle, while Tom Cruise agrees to play Robin, after Michael J Fox turns the role down.
In another coupe , Michael Douglas agrees to play Harvey Dent , after originally being considered to play The Joker .
Rounding out the all star cast is Sean Connery as Alfred and Charlton Heston as James Gordon.
SUPERMAN : THE TELEVISION SERIES ( 1985-1989)
Producers : Steven Spielberg , Alexander and Ilya Salkind
Series History
After the success of the trilogy of Superman films , The Salkind's and Steven Spielberg, make the bold move of creating an ongoing television series based on Superman 1 ,2, and 3.
The series Warner Brothers TV series, would allow for further exploitation of the Superman library of characters , many of which , would never be adapted otherwise .
Characters such as Brainiac, The Toyman, Darkseid , and Metallo would make their live action debuts in the ambitious tv series.
The plan is for the series, in another break with modern TV series of the 1980s , to have shorter seasons, consisting of merely 10 episodes , allowing the actors to work around their film sceduales and other TV commitments.
It also meant that each episode would be an event as opposed to the mundane and routine filler episodes that were inevitable during a longer season.
The series episodes would be written by some of Hollywood's top scribes such as Tom Mankiewicz , Lawrence Kasdan, and Nicholas Meyer as well as the episodes being directed by people such as Joe Dante, Ron Howard, Rob Reiner , and even Steven Spielberg himself.
Taking a page from the Batman Series of the 1960s, the show would also feature higher profile actors in the role of the series villains .
While a daunting commitment . Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and the rest of the films casts agree to return for the reason .
Reeve in particular, is given a hefty pay raise , and allowed more creative input into the series , in addition to directing several of the hour long episodes.
The series would end up airing on CBS , much like the George Reeves series 30 years earlier .
The Cast
Superman / Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve
Lois Lane : Margot Kidder
Brainiac : John Lithgow
Toyman / Winslow Slott : Rick Moranis
Mongul : Richardo Montalban
Metallo : Martin Kove
Parasite : Patrick Kilpatrick
Mister Mxyzptlk: Dudley Moore
Darkseid : Powers Boothe
Faora : Joan Collins
Jax Ur : John Wood
Bizarro : Richard Moll
The Prankster : Brad Dourif
Ultraman : Steven Bauer
Superwoman : Brigitte Nielsen
Atomic Skull : Ron Perlman
Morgan Edge : Ron Silver
Emil Hamilton : Alan Arkin
Inspector Henderson : G.W. Bailey
Silver Banshee : Annie Potts
Supergirl : Helen Slater
Sam Lane : George C. Scott
Jor El : Marlon Brando
Lara : Susanna York
Lana Lang : Annette O'Toole
Zod : Terrence Stamp
Ursa : Sarah Douglas
Lex Luthor : Gene Hackman
LEGEND OF THE BATMAN ( 1979)
Director : Brian De Palma
Screenplay : Nicholas Meyer
Music : John Williams
Project History
With a Superman film already in development by The Salkinds , Plans to bring Batman back to the big screen , surprisingly take off , at full speed.
Though directors as varied as Lewis Gilbert ( The Spy Who Loved Me) to
John Badham ( Saturday Night Fever ) are considered to helm the film, it's Carrie Director Brian De Palma, who surprisingly agrees to adapt a noir , Hitchcock like, Batman film .
Screenwriter Nicholas Meyer ( The Seven Percent Solution) ends up penning the film, which shoots in London and Manhattan.
Story
Like Superman : The Movie, The Legend Of Batman , would be an origin story starting from the Murder Of The Waynes, through Batman's final confrontation with The film's villains.
Meyer's script reads like an epic which follows our protagonist from one challenge to the next , making up a sweeping anthology charting the rise of The Batman.
While Joker and The Penguin are originally considered for the film's villains, instead the film decides to distance itself from the fairly recent television series , and to instead focus on less color villains .
In keeping with the noir and pulp feel of the 1930s comics Hugo Strange and recent addition Ras Al Ghul , are chosen as the film's villains .
Ras Al Ghul serves as Batman's main foe with Hugo Strange as his partner .
Talia Al Ghul , is chosen as Bruce's love interest , presenting a complicated triangle Between Batman , who falls in love with Talia, and her father who becomes Batman's sworn enemy.
This Talia is a character caught and torn between two worlds and two potential futures, and as such, is not a mere pawn between her father and her lover, but struggles over which path is the correct one.
Despite early plans to include Robin, De Palma and Meyer feel it's best to leave the character out of the story, and to firmly establish Batman's origin first.
It's another break with the TV show, which further emphasizes Batman as a lone crusader , as opposed to a father figure.
Casting BATMAN/BRUCE WAYNE
For the Title role , everyone from Warren Beatty, To Robert Redford, James Brolin and even John Travolta are considered , De Palma goes with an outside the box choice with one of the 70s popular leading men in Frank Langella.
Though the thesp is not the first actor who comes to most peoples mind , to play Batman in the 70s,
At 6'4 , the actors imposing presence, and charisma, make him an ideal candidate to play a psychological complex Batman, while being able to pull off a charming, and charismatic playboy Bruce Wayne.
TALIA AL GHUL
For the role of Bruce's love interest , DePalma chooses British actress Olivia Hussey for her exotic looks combine with her strength and vulnerability.
RA'S AL GHUL
Though higher profile actors such as Richard Burton and Lawrence Olivier are approached for the part of Batman's nemesis, Christopher Lee ultimately signs opposite Langella's Batman.
HUGO STRANGE
For the role of the film's secondary villain, Halloween's Donald Pleasence , is cast to bring a creepy edge to the classic Batman Foe.
THOMAS WAYNE
Emulating the recent Superman film, DePalma wants to cast as big a name as Brando to play Batman's father.
Ultimately, Gregory Peck agrees to play the Heroic Thomas Wayne .
JAMES GORDON
For the role of Batman's silent partner , DePalma wants another actor, like peck, who can bring stature and gravitas to the role .
Charlton Heston is ultimately cast in the supporting role of James Gordon.
ALFRED PENNYWORTH
While David Niven is originally approached , he turns the role down.
John Gielgud also passes on the part .
However , hot off of the success of Star Wars , Alec Guinness agrees to play Bruce's loyal Mentor and Friend .
LESLIE THOMPKINS
For the role of Bruce Wayne's surrogate mother, Bettie Davis is originally considered , but De Palma wants the tough as nails Lauren Bacall to play the role .
LEGEND OF THE BATMAN ( 1979)
Director : Brian De Palma
Screenplay : Nicholas Meyer
Music : John Williams View attachment 130971
Project History
With a Superman film already in development by The Salkinds , Plans to bring Batman back to the big screen , surprisingly take off , at full speed.
Though directors as varied as Lewis Gilbert ( The Spy Who Loved Me) to
John Badham ( Saturday Night Fever ) are considered to helm the film, it's Carrie Director Brian De Palma, who surprisingly agrees to adapt a noir , Hitchcock like, Batman film .
Screenwriter Nicholas Meyer ( The Seven Percent Solution) ends up penning the film, which shoots in London and Manhattan.
Story
Like Superman : The Movie, The Legend Of Batman , would be an origin story starting from the Murder Of The Waynes, through Batman's final confrontation with The film's villains.
Meyer's script reads like an epic which follows our protagonist from one challenge to the next , making up a sweeping anthology charting the rise of The Batman.
While Joker and The Penguin are originally considered for the film's villains, instead the film decides to distance itself from the fairly recent television series , and to instead focus on less color villains .
In keeping with the noir and pulp feel of the 1930s comics Hugo Strange and recent addition Ras Al Ghul , are chosen as the film's villains .
Ras Al Ghul serves as Batman's main foe with Hugo Strange as his partner .
Talia Al Ghul , is chosen as Bruce's love interest , presenting a complicated triangle Between Batman , who falls in love with Talia, and her father who becomes Batman's sworn enemy.
This Talia is a character caught and torn between two worlds and two potential futures, and as such, is not a mere pawn between her father and her lover, but struggles over which path is the correct one.
Despite early plans to include Robin, De Palma and Meyer feel it's best to leave the character out of the story, and to firmly establish Batman's origin first.
It's another break with the TV show, which further emphasizes Batman as a lone crusader , as opposed to a father figure.
Casting
BATMAN/BRUCE WAYNE
For the Title role , everyone from Warren Beatty, To Robert Redford, James Brolin and even John Travolta are considered , De Palma goes with an outside the box choice with one of the 70s popular leading men in Frank Langella.
Though the thesp is not the first actor who comes to most peoples mind , to play Batman in the 70s,
At 6'4 , the actors imposing presence, and charisma, make him an ideal candidate to play a psychological complex Batman, while being able to pull off a charming, and charismatic playboy Bruce Wayne.
TALIA AL GHUL
For the role of Bruce's love interest , DePalma chooses British actress Olivia Hussey for her exotic looks combine with her strength and vulnerability.
RA'S AL GHUL
Though higher profile actors such as Richard Burton and Lawrence Olivier are approached for the part of Batman's nemesis, Christopher Lee ultimately signs opposite Langella's Batman.
HUGO STRANGE
For the role of the film's secondary villain, Halloween's Donald Pleasence , is cast to bring a creepy edge to the classic Batman Foe.
THOMAS WAYNE
Emulating the recent Superman film, DePalma wants to cast as big a name as Brando to play Batman's father.
Ultimately, Gregory Peck agrees to play the Heroic Thomas Wayne .
JAMES GORDON
For the role of Batman's silent partner , DePalma wants another actor, like peck, who can bring stature and gravitas to the role .
Charlton Heston is ultimately cast in the supporting role of James Gordon.
ALFRED PENNYWORTH
While David Niven is originally approached , he turns the role down.
John Gielgud also passes on the part .
However , hot off of the success of Star Wars , Alec Guinness agrees to play Bruce's loyal Mentor and Friend .
LESLIE THOMPKINS
For the role of Bruce Wayne's surrogate mother, Bettie Davis is originally considered , but De Palma wants the tough as nails Lauren Bacall to play the role .
CURSE OF THE BATMAN ( 1981)
Director : Brian DePalma
Screenplay : Nicholas Meyer and Lawrence Kasdan
Music : John Williams
Project History With the success of The Legend Of The Batman, it's sequel, Curse Of The Batman ,goes into production, with DePalma returning to the director's chair.
Langella agrees to return as The Caped Crusader, though this time with a pay increase.
The rest of the supporting cast would also return .
With Nicholas Meyer tied up in directing Star Trek II : The Wrath Of Khan , the writer contributes a rough outline for the COTB's story , while Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan
( Body Heat ) is brought on the flesh out the script .
The film once again shoots in London and Manhattan during the Spring and Summer of 1980 , with a Summer 1981 scheduled release date .
Story
While many fans expect for the Joker or Catwoman to be featured, De Palma , once again , utilizes two villains absent from the 60s series : Two Face and Clayface .
The film maintains the noir thriller aspect of the first film , while incorporating the dreamlike , disorientation of Hitchcock films such as Vertigo , and DePalma's own Obsession and Dressed To Kill .
The second chapter in Brian DePalma's Batman saga would focus on the costs of living a double life, on Batman and Bruce Wayne .
The Dark Knight would be at a crossroads caught on the horns of a dilemma .
Batman would be caught in an inextricable situation, in which he's forced not only to confront the sadistic serial killer Clayface, but must also confront his best friend , Harvey Dent, whom Clayface scars ,and is responsible for the creation of Two Face.
While feeling guilt over Harvey's transformation , Bruce's relationship with Silver St. Cloud , also becomes increasingly strained, as Bruce's secrets begin to tear apart any chance at a future with her.
In Bruce's desire to protect her ,and preserve his mission, the middle aged Bruce seems destined for a life of solitude.
Alfred and Leslie would encourage Bruce to give up The Batman persona before it consumes him ,
While Gordon would serve as a partner in arms , in need of his help in his crusade against crime.
In the end , Bruce would prevail over Karlo and Dent , though not without a cost .
Silver is ultimately murdered by Clayface, on the eve of her marriage to her Bruce .
The tragedy makes Dark Knight comes to the conclusion that a Gotham without The Batman, is a Gotham in which violence will stamp out the remaining goodness in the city .
So , the heroes journey must continue , and so long as the city is ravaged by crime, It's The Batman's duty, to continue to stamp out .
Thus Bruce is cursed to give up his own happiness, so that the citizens of Gotham, like Silver, can strive and survive .
Robin would once again be absent from the second film with DePalma feeling that the characters inclusion would take away from Bruce's own journey .
Casting
TWO FACE/ HARVEY DENT
As with the casting of Bruce Wayne, DePalma goes outside the box for the casting of Harvey Dent.
While the instinct would be to cast a square jawed , heroic figure like Clint Eastwood or James Brolin,
De Palma instead casts his Blow Out actor John Lithgow to play the villainous Two Face.
Though Lithgow isn't the matinee idol that the character is in the comics, DePalma believes he is more reflective of what a driven D.A. Attorney would really look and behave like .
At the same time, his equally imposing stature and his psychological complexity make it believable he could struggle with two personalities , at war with each other.
CLAYFACE/ BASIL KARLO For the role of the film's other antagonist , actors such as Malcolm McDowell and Brad Dourif are considered, but De Palma wants Anthony Perkins , feeling he is a compelling contrast to Langella as Batman and Lithgow as Two Face .
The character, like Two Face, wasn't featured in the 60s series , so the actor is free to make the character his own as the chameleon serial killer who be-devil's both Batman and Dent.
SILVER ST.CLOUD
While actresses as varied as Faye Dunaway, Lauren Hutton , Julie Christie and Nancy Allen, are all considered , De Palma chooses The Last Picture Show actress Cybill Shepherd to play the feisty and charismatic socialite .
DePalma like the contrast between Langella's outwardly foppish Bruce , and Shepherd's Silver, who sees through the act and calls Bruce out on his lies and evasiveness .
SHADOW OF THE BATMAN ( 1983)
Director : Brian De Palma
Screenplay : Lawrence Kasdan
Script For the third story in DePalma's noir like Batman Trilogy, the director wants to explore the more pulp and Supernatural elements of the Early 1939 adventures .
Having Bruce accepted his responsibility, DePalma wants to explore how Bruce Wayne begins to Disappear into his Batman persona, which , in itself, has become a mythical , wraith like , creature.
At the same time, in an era of real life Cult and Occult leaders , DePalma wants to pit The Batman against a cult who are part of the city's power structure.
The Cult , knowing Bruce Wayne and Batman are one in the same, wish to recruit the Dark Knight into their ranks.
As opposed to pitting The Bat against his usual rogues gallery of villains from The TV show, DePalma once again chooses lesser known villains, though with a supernatural and frightening edge to them.
DePalma chooses The Mad Monk and Noctunra as the two main antagonists , with Black Mask, Scarecrow, and The Gentleman Ghost, as agents of the cult .
The Black Mask would be the Bosses Of Bosses in organized crime, The Scarecrow would the head of Arkham Asylum , The Gentleman Ghost , would be a British aristocrat .
Nocturna would be adapted as a Blend of Catwoman and Poison Ivy , and would serve as both a femme fatale and temptress to Batman .
Bruce Wayne's game of cat and mouse with the captivating Nocturna , lead him deeper into a conspiracy , while at the same time , deeper into a dangerous and passionate affair.
The Cast
Batman / Bruce Wayne : Frank Langella
The Mad Monk/ Niccolai Tepes : Max Von Sydow
Nocturna/ Natalia Knight : Maud Adams
Black Mask / Roman Sionis : James Woods
Scarecrow / Jonathan Crane : Christopher Lloyd
Gentleman Ghost / James "Jim" Craddock : Tim Curry
THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN ( 1994)
Director : Chris Columbus
Producers: Ron Howard and Brian Glazer
Executive Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : David Koepp and Michael France
Music : James Horner
Project History
While there are plans for a 5th Superman film , ultimately, Reeve decides against returning to the role, and Warner Brothers wants a clean slate from the Salkind era of films.
After the studio takes legal action ,in order to get the Superboy series, off the air , the studio greenlights plans for a hard reboot of The Superman franchise .
While The Studio approaches Richard Donner to return, the director turns the job down , feeling that the series needed a fresh perspective , particularly, for a new vision of The Man Of Steel .
When Ron Howard and Brian Glazer board the film as producers, they tap Home Alone director ,
Chris Columbus, to helm the new film.
Scribes David Koepp and Michael France pen the film, while James Horner scores the project.
With the high profile cast , the film is already shaping up to be a major blockbuster event for the 90s.
The film's release is slated for the Winter of 1994, mirroring the Winter release of the Original Superman.
Story
To further distinguish the new film, from the Donner era films, The World Superman would inhabit would be a retro 1930s to 1940s, art deco , style america.
Inspired by the recent Dick Tracy and Batman film, the creative team wants the film to have a timeless yet retro look , without being bound by period accurate technology and world events.
The new film would be heavily inspired by the Max Flesicher cartoon, while at the same time, would incorpoate elements of The John Bryne reboot of Superman , with The Man Of Steel depowered, The Kents being alive, Lex Luthor a captain of Industry, and Lois , unaware that Clark Kent and Superman , are one in the same.
The film would retell the classic origin story before putting the fish out of water, Kent , into the hussle and bussell of the thriving Metropolis.
While characters such as Brainiac and Metallo are first considered, due to the popularity of Terminator 2, Ron Howard ultimately decides on using a relatively smaller scare villain, The Toyman, who would unleash his army of giant toy robots on Metropolis , in a knod to The Flesicher cartoon.
The film's secondary villain, would be The Spider Lady, the undisputed Queen Pin of Crime, who is the Toyman's boss .
The character had been previously featured in the 1940s Superman film serial , but would appear as a secondary foil to Superman and Lois Lane .
Unlike the Donner film, Superman and Lois Lane would not develop a romance until the next film, meanwhile , Clark and Lois would be rivals at the Daily Planet in a dynamic different from The Donner films.
The Cast
Superman / Clark Kent : Brendan Fraser
As with the original film, casting The Man Of Steel, is no easy feat .
Impressed by his heroic role ,in the film School Ties, Columbus ultimately chooses the 25 year old Brendan Fraser as the next Superman , feeling the young actor has the right amount of Charm, goofyness, and warmth to play the first Gen X , Superman.
Lois Lane : Demi Moore
While actresses as varied as Winona Ryder, Bridget Fonda, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, are all considered for the role of Superman's love interest, it's Demi Moore, hot off of a string of hits such as a Few Good Men and Indecent Proposal , whose cast as the tough as nails Lois Lane.
Toyman / Winslow Slott : Robin Williams
For the role of Toyman, Columbus has one name in mind, Robin Williams .
While the actor and comedy legend is reluctant to take the role (given his experience at missing the Joker part for Batman) the actor agrees once he's assured that he can make the role his own.
Not being bound to a previous interpretation, Williams is thrilled to go darker than he has in prior roles .
The Spider Lady : Sharon Stone
For the role of the Bette Davis- like Crimeboss , several actresses from Linda Hamilton, to Susan Sarandon, express interest .
However, WB wants another big name of the moment as the villainous .
Sharon Stone agrees to play the role bring charisma and menace to the long forgotten Superman character.
Lex Luthor : Anthony Hopkins
For the role of CEO Lex Luthor , Ed Harris is originally lined up, but once Anthony Hopkins expresses interest in the project , Producer's chose The Silence Of The Lambs actor, over Harris.
Jor El : Sean Connery
For the role of Jor -El, the producers want another actor comparable to Brando in the first film.
Though his cost is considerably, Sean Connery agrees to appear as Superman's alien father, in the first half of the film, then as a hologram throughout the rest of the feature.
Jonathan Kent : James Garner
Martha Kent : Ellen Burstyn
Emil Hamilton : F Murray Abraham Jimmy Olsen : Sean Astin
Lara : Juliette Binoche Perry White : John Mahoney
THE MAN OF STEEL ( 1992)
Director : John McTiernan
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza
Music : John Williams
Project History With Batman a huge box office sensation, and the rights to Superman away from The Salkinds , Warner Brothers feels confident enough to develop a 5th Superman film.
While Donner is approached to return to the franchise , the director resists given his firing, and his desire to work on other projects .
Instead , The Hunt For Red October director John McTiernan is brought on for an action packed thriller . The Man Of Steel , is set to be released the Winter of 1992, following the Summer Release of Batman Returns.
Story
While Brainiac is considered the obvious choice for the film's villain , Director John McTiernan and Producer Jon Peters , want a more grounded a gritty action thriller along the lines of Die Hard and The Hunt For Red October.
The new story pits Man Of Steel against seven of Iron Heights escaped inmates, whom are led by the sadistic ,Bruno Mannheim , and the only man who knows their devious plan, is Superman's greatest enemy, Lex Luthor.
Luthor would end up making a deal with the authorities, in exchange for aiding in the capture of the escaped convicts , and would be trusted to Superman's custody, reminiscent of films like, 48 Hours .
Lois Lane would play a much more prominent role, as The Editor In Chief of The Daily Planet , while Perry would be retired , though hating retirement in a running gag.
In another dramatic change, she would also be Clark's girlfriend and partner ,fully aware he is Superman and jettisoning the memory wipes from Superman 4.
However, in public , Clark and Lois play up their brother and sister dynamic , while secretly, the two are in a relationship , unbeknownst to everyone else in The Daily Planet.
The film's main villain, Manheim , would lead the Dirty Dozen style team of criminals who have clashing egos, short tempers, and off beat personalities .
Yet , the villains unite in a single goal which threatens Metropolis .
Casting
Once again, Reeve, Hackman, and Kidder all return to their iconic roles 4 years after Superman 4 : The Quest For Peace.
For the role of the manic and sadistic Bruno Manheim , McTiernan casts Dennis Hopper, whose career had made a comeback in recent years .
Character actor Fred Ward is cast as DC Comics fan favorite Deadshot , while the rest of the Iron Heights inmates are made up of characters actors from the 80s and 90s.
The Cast
Superman / Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve
Bruno Mannheim : Dennis Hopper
Lex Luthor : Gene Hackman
Deadshot : Fred Ward
Parasite / Rudy Jones : David Morse
Metallo / John Corbin : Patrick Kilpatrick
Silver Banshee : Polly Walker
Toyman / Winslow Slott : Fisher Stevens
Atomic Skull / Albert Michaels : Tiny Lister
Rampage : Faith Minton
Lois Lane : Margot Kidder
James Olsen : Marc McClure
Cat Grant : Christine Baranski
Ron Trope : Joe Morton
Perry White : Jackie Cooper
GOTHAM KNIGHTS ( 1989)
Director : Joel Schumacher
Producer : Jon Peters
Project History
In the aftermath of the success of St. Elmos Fire and The Lost Boys, Warner Brothers turns to director Joel Schumacher to bring Batman to the big screen.
With Schumacher on board the original scripts are tossed out in favor of a whole new story
penned by The Lost Boys scribes Janice Fischer and James Jeremias
The plan is to focus on a much younger, rookie Batman in addition to a younger rogues gallery.
Gotham Nights , shoots in Manhattan and Los Angeles in 1988 for a 1989 release date.
Story
Like St. Elmos Fire, the story centers on a group of 20 something friends, who begin to grow apart , and how their separate paths lead them to moral quandaries and to very different destiny's.
In this case , Schumacher uses youthful versions of Batman and his rogues gallery, as the subjects of these journeys.
The film takes a look at the excess and glam of the 1980s yuppie, wealthy , elites , contrasted with the dark underbelly of excess and the economic struggles of those less fortunate.
In this telling , each of Bruce's friends respond to the lives they've inherited in drastic ways.
Bruce plays the part of the yuppie to the press and the his circle of friends, but stalks the night fighting criminals , and helping the down trodden of society.
Selina plays the part of the party heiress, while at night roams the street , robbing gallery's , penthouses, and jewel stores, for the thrill of it , as The Catwoman.
Harvey is the ambitious and idealistic young Assistant District Attorney with higher politcal ambitions, however, his charm and charisma hide his darker side .
Ed is a day trader on the Gotham Stock exchange , while engaging in stakes gambling and insider trading.
Oswald is a social climber by day but is secretly becoming a crime kingpin , taking out the other mob bosses and engaging in the drug trade as The Penguin.
While The Joker, an outside unknown to Bruce's social circle , represents an agent of chaos, ready to end the big party and to end the 80s with bang as he targets Gotham's elite .
In this telling, Joker represents the forgotten citizens of Gotham who wreak the vengeance, no longer willing to be ignored .
The Cast
Batman / Bruce Wayne : Judd Nelson The Breakfast Club , St. Elmos Fire, and The Billionaire Boys Club, actor is Schumacher's only choice for the moody and dynamic Bruce Wayne .
Joker : Kiefer Sutherland
The Lost Boys actor receives the part without a screentest , though actors such as Footloose's Kevin Bacon , Amadeus's Tom Hulce, and Back To The Future's Crispin Glover, are also considered for the part.
Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Jennifer Beal
Though Demi Moore and Ally Sheedy are considered for the role, both actresses pass.
Ultimately, Flashdance phenom Jennifer Beal agrees to play the sultry heiress .
Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot : Oliver Platt
Though a lesser known actor, Schumacher goes with Platt for the role.
Ed Nashton : James Spader
The Pretty In Pink actor James Spader, agrees to play the proto- Riddler after both Andrew McCarthy and Jon Cryer pass on the role.
Harvey Dent : Tony Goldwyn
Though Rob Lowe is heavily considered, the actor ultimately declines the part wanting to avoid another " Brat Pack " venture.
Charlie Sheen also passes wanting to play Bruce Wayne as opposed to his friend.
Character actor Tony Goldwyn ultimately takes the part Harvey Dent.
Alfred Pennyworth : Peter O'Toole
The legendary actor agrees to the part of Bruce's father figure and conscience .
Other actors such as Richard Harris, Nichol Williamson , and even Malcolm McDowall are also considered for the role.
James Gordon : Robert Duvall
Duvall surprising, agrees to playing the part once he's convinced the film will not be campy like the 60s show, but instead will be more of a coming of age drama .
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