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

[Frodo]

CLARK ( 1977)
Director : Richard Donner







Story
Before Clark Kent came to Metropolis, and before he was Superman ,
his purpose, and his Journey down the highways and open roads were side tracked by Lori ,
A single mom in Northern California,

As Clark stays in Northern California,
The 20 something Kent he falls for the charming blonde,
and adores her daughter.

As Lori's father embraces Clark , and offers him a job at the family business,
his journey takes a different path.

And for the first time, he begins to question his path, and his father's dreams .
To Lori he isn't Kal El , The last Son of Krypton , he's Clark , the guy she wants to settling
down with.

As he's torn between his destiny, and the mother and child who want him in their lives,
A radical group that threatens Northern California ,
will put in stark contrast ,
The painful choice Clark Must make between Love , and Duty.



The Cast




Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve



Lori: Lindsay Wagner



Terrorist Leader : David Warner



Lori's Father : Jack Lemon



Lori's Mother : Janet Leigh



Jor El : Marlon Brando



Lori's Daughter : Quinn Cummings




Terrorist : Andrew Robinson

Terrorist : Isabelle Adjani

Lara : Susanna York

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN REQUIEM
Director : Tim Burton



Story
Taking place after Batman Returns,
Gotham is still reeling from the deaths of The Ice Princess and Max Shrek, The Penguin's reign of terror, the chaos of Catwoman.

The media is pushes for the Mayor's ouster , with Controversial reporter Jack Ryan leading the charge.
Ryan Blames The Batman for the chaos in the city and holds him responsible for the recent events.

And when Ryan is transformed into the meta-human vigilante The Creeper,
he decides to show Batman and Gotham the true meaning of justice.

All the while , Bruce is still haunted by Selena.
When he isn't dreaming about her,
he keeps thinking about her.

He believes Selina has returned when a series of jewel robberies and vandalism occurs.

But when the culprit turns out to be a violent young punk calling herself Magpie,
The Creeper decides to use her as an example, and to eliminate the violent thief .


The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton




The Creeper /Jack Ryder : Bruce Campbell



Magpie : Patricia Arquette



Harvey Dent : Billy Dee Williams

Catwoman in flashbacks and dreams : Michelle Pfeiffer

 

[Frodo]

TRIAL OF THE JOKER : AN ELSEWORLD'S STORY ( 1990)
Director : Tim Burton





Story
In a world where the Joker's life is spared,
The Clown Prince of Crime will face justice in the trial of the Century.

While Bruce questions whether he should have sparred his life ,
Harvey Dent see's the trial as an opportunity of a lifetime.
Dent wants the trial to be broadcast live and while Joker wants a show trial.

With witnesses raging from underworld figures to Vicki Vale,
The Joker's lawyer plans to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

Joker's lawyer, Janet Van Dorn, blames The Batman for dropping Napier in acid ,
thus driving him insane.

Evaluating him is Arkham Dr. Quinzel ,
who soon begins to fall under the Joker's charm,
With deadly results.

As the trial spirals out of control ,
The Pressure is on the D.A. to produce the Batman as a witness .

Soon , Batman's choice to spare the Joker's life,
will change the destinies of everyone involved.



The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton



Joker / Jack Napier : Jack Nicholson



Janet Van Dorn : Susan Sarandon



Two Face / Harvey Dent : Billy Dee Williams



Harley Quinn / Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel : Marissa Tomei



Vicki Vale : Kim Basinger

Alexander Knox : Robert Wuhl
Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle

 

[Frodo]

MAYOR PENGUIN : AN ELSEWORLD'S STORY ( 1994)
Director : Tim Burton




Story
In a world where the Penguin wins ,and becomes Mayor of Gotham City, his power is at it's Zenith.
Boss Cobblepot is one of Gotham's most powerful citizens ,and the most popular Mayor in decades.

4 years after the events of Batman Returns,
The Penguin is on a glide path to an easy re-election.
Gordon has been fired and replaced with Commisoner Loeb, a Cobblepot stooge.

Having padded the pockets of big business,
While appealing to Gotham's working class,
he's become Gotham's favorite son.

He's crushed any competition and eliminated any rivals via dirty deals, blackmail , and murder, with Max Shreck also benefitting and preparing for a run for Congress.
His cirucs gang members where either bought off for their silence or wiped out .
Now , Oswald has the manpower and the muscle to push off any challengers.

Though Catwoman tried to kill him again , she ultimately perished, having run out her nine lives.
And with the Batman hunted by police for the Ice Princess killing ,
and lacking that key piece of evidence to bring down the Penguin,
Batman has vanished .

Only one person stands in opposition, Gotham Gazette Reporter Summer Gleason who plans one bringing down the criminal Kingpin ,
which puts a target on her back.

With the odds against her , and with a hero is exile, can this unlikely pair stop The Penguin, before he flies to higher office ?


The Cast




Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton




Mayor Cobblepot : Danny Devito




Max Shreck : Christopher Walken




Summer Gleason : Jennifer Jason Leigh




Commissioner Loeb : Jon Polito



Mrs. Penny Cobblepot : Penelope Ann Miller



Chip Shreck : Andrew Brynarski



Penguin's Bodyguard : George Steele

 

[Sawyer]

 

[Boomstick2000]

Watchmen (1999)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh



Doctor Manhattan - Daniel Day Lewis


Nite Owl - Colin Firth


Silk Spectre - Leana Headey


Rorschach - Robert Carlyle


Ozymandias - Jude Law


Comedian - Ray Winstone

 

[Jordacar]

Project History:
After the success of Superman III, the producers are eager to sign Reeve up for further adventures with the Man of Steel.
Besides negotiating a respectable bump in pay, Reeve signs on with the condition that he gets approval over the story AND a chance to direct.
In the meantime, Reeve gets behind the camera for his first feature in preparation for taking the helm on Superman as director AND star, while the producers and WB fasttrack the Supergirl sequel to maintain interest in the series.

I couldn't help but wonder what title might be a good fit as a directorial debut, and once I landed on one that made sense for Reeve's background, I just had to play the idea all the way thru. Might as well share it here since it only makes sense in context.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (1985)
Director: Christopher Reeve

Nick Bottom: Jonathan Pryce

Titania: Daryl Hannah

Oberon: Liam Neeson

Helena: Emma Thompson

Hermia: Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Demetrius: Kenneth Branagh

Lysander: Kevin Conroy

and Robin Williams as Puck

 

[Frodo]

THE CRUSADER ( 1986)
Director : Joel Schumacher




Story
Taking place a decade before the events of Batman Forever,
When a young Bruce Wayne returns from Oxford ,
To the Glitz and Glamor of Gotham,
He dances and parties the night away , with his wolf pack : Ronan , Silver, and Linda.

These trust fund babies have their whole life ahead of them ,
But Bruce has secretly been preparing for his own mission :
to avenge his parents death.

As The Batman begins his crusade ,
He'll face off against an old friend,
Be mentored by a crusading DA,

And become the champion ,
For a new generation



The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Val Kilmer




Silver St . Cloud : Daryl Hannah



Black Mask / Roman Sinus : Judd Nelson



Linda Page : Ally Sheedy



Harvey Dent : Tommy Lee Jones



Roland Dagget : William Atherton



Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough


Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN CONTINUES (2012)
Director : Sam Mendes
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker and John Logan




Story
Twenty Years after Batman Returns,
The Caped Crusader has vanished ,
Having rid Gotham of Evil,
once and for all.

However ,the past comes back to haunt Bruce Wayne ,
when a Batman fanboy ,
Unveils Bruce's secret ,
and Begins a crime spree,

Bent on bringing The Bat out of retirement,
And back a game of unlocking one of Gotham's greatest mysteries:
Who Is Batman?


With the help of the equally mysterious Batgirl ,
and a streetwise detective,
Does Bruce still have what it takes ,
For Batman to continue ?



The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton



Riddler / Edward Nashton : Edward Norton



Batgirl / Barbara Gordon : Emma Stone



Sarah Essen : Robin Wright



Crispus Allen : Michael B. Jordon



Alfred Pennyworth : Christopher Plummer

 

[Frodo]

View attachment 97873








THE CRUSADER ( 1986)
Director : Joel Schumacher
View attachment 97865View attachment 97871



Story
Taking place a decade before the events of Batman Forever,
When a young Bruce Wayne returns from Oxford ,
To the Glitz and Glamor of Gotham,
He dances and parties the night away , with his wolf pack : Ronan , Silver, and Linda.

These trust fund babies have their whole life ahead of them ,
But Bruce has secretly been preparing for his own mission :
to avenge his parents death.

As The Batman begins his crusade ,
He'll face off against an old friend,
Be mentored by a crusading DA,

And become the champion ,
For a new generation



The Cast



View attachment 97850
Batman / Bruce Wayne : Val Kilmer



View attachment 97868
Silver St . Cloud : Daryl Hannah


View attachment 97863
Black Mask / Roman Sinus : Judd Nelson


View attachment 97875
Linda Page : Ally Sheedy


View attachment 97853
Harvey Dent : Tommy Lee Jones


View attachment 97872
Roland Dagget : William Atherton


View attachment 97874
Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough


Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle

THE DETECTIVE ( 1988)
Director : Joel Schumacher





Story
A young hero will face his greatest challenge yet
, to clear the name of his mentor Harvey.

When Harvey Dent is charged with the murder of Mayor Hill,
The evidence seems irrefutable.

With Batman being the only one who believes Dent is innocent,
And with the aid of a sultry hustler ,
The young crusader will delve into Gotham's underworld,
and into the corruption of City hall , to prove Harvey's innocence.

As he enters into this shadowy labyrinth
He knows he's chasing a phantom of many faces
And the Batman will go from being the Caped Crusader,
to The World's Greatest Detective



The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Val Kilmer



Clayface / Basil Karlo : Tom Berenger



Harvey Dent : Tommy Lee Jones



Selina : Jennifer Beals



Rupert Thorne : Danny Aiello



Mayor Hamilton Hill : Paul Gleeson




Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
James Gordon : Pat Hingle

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN TRIUMPHANT (2016)
Director : Sam Mendes
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker and John Logan



Story
For the first time, Bruce finds himself conflicted with taking down an opponent
Who he identifies with.
As Mr. Freeze begins to take vengence on Bruce's rival Ferris Boyle,
Bruce see's himself in the young tortured sciencetist.

With Batman compromised between the lines of Black and White,
Batgirl must protective the indefensible businessman Ferris Boyle

And while The Batman is torn between what is just and what necessary
Boyle will dispatch his own warrior to take out the ice man ,
his polar opposite, Firefly.

As the streets are engulfed in ice and fire,
Can The Batman triumph from his own demons,
in order to stop this deadly feud?


The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton



Mr. Freeze / Victor Fries : Michael Fassbender



Batgirl / Barbara Gordon : Emma Stone




FireFly / Garfield Lynns : Bill Skarsgard

Sarah Essen : Robin Wright



Crispus Allen : Michael B Jordan




Ferris Boyle : Brett Cullen



Nora Fries : Lea Seydoux

Alfred Pennyworth : Christopher Plummer

 

[Frodo]

SUPERMAN VS SUPERGIRL (1985)
Director : Richard Donner





Story
As two long lost cousins meet for the first time,
two supervillains plot the ultimate revenge against the man and woman of steel.

When Lex Luthor and the newly imprisoned Ross Webster become cellmates ,and escape together ,
They form an alliance of mutual interest , to Destroy Superman

By utilizing the remaining red kryptonite against Supergirl ,
The Girl of Steel turns into a vain bully ,
tired of living in her cousins shadow .

The newly arrogant Supergirl now feels Earth isn't big enough for Supergirl and Superman.

As Clark is torn between fighting his last living relative , and protecting the people of Metropolis,
General Sam Lane is given the order to finally neutralize both cousins as threats to national security.

Can Superman stop his brainwashed cousin ,
Before Sam Lane unleashes his Kryptonite weapons on the last Kryptonians?




The Cast




Superman / Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve




Supergirl / Kara Danvers : Helen Slater




Lex Luthor : Gene Hackman




Ross Webster : Robert Vaughn




Lois Lane : Margot Kidder




Sam Lane : George C Scott



Hank Henshaw : Ed Harris

Jimmy Olsen : Marc Maclure
Perry White : Jackie Cooper

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN UNCHAINED ( 2019)
Director : Sam Mendes




Story
30 years after he first appeared in Gotham
The Dark Knight will have to face his greatest fears,
when he's apprehended, and imprisoned in Arkham .

As he's tortured by Arkham Doctor Jonathan Crane and his partner , Doctor Quinzel ,
The Batman must face his past,
To overcome the maze and mania of Arkham Asylum.

As Batman confronts delusions and inmates
He must make one last stand to save Gotham,
and to break free of the chains binding him to the past.



The Cast




Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton



Scarecrow / Jonathan Crane : Adam Driver



Harley Quinn : Anya Taylor Joy

Batgirl / Barbara Gordon : Emma Stone



Poison Ivy : Jessica Chastain



Bane : Dave Bautista



Mad Hatter : Rhys Ifans

Sarah Essen : Robin Wright

Crispus Allen : Michael B Jordan



Professor Pyg : David Harbor

 

[Frodo]

FORBIDDEN : AN ELSEWORLDS STORY ( 1984)
Director : Richard Donner



Story
In a world where Superman couldn't save Lois from Luthor's Earthquake ,
And where didn't turn back time due to his Jor El's lessons,
A jaded and darker Superman emerges .


Superman is pushed to the edge of his anger ,
and instead of bringing Lex to justice, he kills him.


Having vowed to never allow anyone else to parish ,
Superman becomes a dark avenger, abandoning his bright suit.

He takes Jonathan Kent's words about being here for a reason , to mean, he is here is to bring order to Earth .

In the high crime era of the 1970s and 1980s,
Superman takes a zero tolerance policy to crime ,
and meets justice out swiftly.

When the Phantom Zone criminals arrive
, They put up a good fight,
but Superman ultimately vanquishes them in, brutal fashion.

While Jor El is disturbed by his son's behavior ,
He's powerless to stop him as , Kal has begun ignoring and mocking his hologram.


With Superman now at odds with The President of The United States, deeming him a weak protector ,

Can the love of an old friend, and a cousin he never met ,
stop Superman from becoming a tyrant bent on control the fate of humanity ?



The Cast




Superman / Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve



Lana Lang : Annette O'Toole



Supergirl : Helen Slater


Jor El : Marlon Brando



President : EG Marshall



Zod : Terence Stamp



Ursa : Sarah Douglas

 

[Frodo]

From the director of Clueless,
Comes an out of this world, coming of age story




MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN ( 2001)
Director : Amy Heckerling
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Kevin Williamson





The Cast




Superman / Clark Kent : Josh Hartnett



Lois Lane : Rachael Leigh Cook



Supergirl / Kara : Kirsten Dunst



Brainiac voice : Stanley Tucci



Lex Luthor : Nick Stahl



Jimmy Olsen : Usher



Amanda Waller : Alfre Woodard



Sam Lane : Fred Ward



Vicki Vale : Courteney Cox

Slade Wilson : Skeet Ulrich
Perry White : Morgan Freeman
Jor El : Liam Neeson
Jonathan Kent : Scott Glenn
Martha Kent : Kathy Bates

 

[Frodo]

THE TRINITY ( 1979)
Director : Richard Donner
Screenplay : Tom Mankiewicz




Story
When a terrorist holds the world at Ransom ,
Three Heroes will unite to save the world from the brink of nuclear annihilation.

In an adventure too big for the small screen ,
DC comics Superman, Batman , and Wonder Woman share the screen together for the first time,
In a larger than life adventure spanning from The mystical Paradise Island, The streets of Gotham and Metropolis, and to the ruins of the ancient world.

This globe trotting adventure full of intrigue, romance, suspense, and action , is brought to by the director of Superman : The Movie ,
and starring Christopher Reeve, Lynda Carter, and Adam West, and Christopher Lee as villainous Ras Al Ghul !

It's the ultimate team up , you don't want to miss!



The Cast






Superman / Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve



Batman / Adam West : Adam West



Wonder Woman / Diana Prince : Lynda Carter



Ras Al Ghul : Christopher Lee



Lois Lane : Margot Kidder



Talia Al Ghul : Barbara Bach



Steve Trevor Jr. : Lyle Waggoner

 

[Frodo]

From the director of LA Confidential


The Crusade begins



BATMAN : CAPED CRUSADER ( 1999)
Director : Curtis Hanson




The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne :liev schreiber



Penguin / Oswalda Cobblepot : Anjelica Huston



Catwoman/ Selina Kyle : Catherine Zeta Jones



Two Face/ Harvey Dent : Billy Zane



Harley Quinn/ Harleen Quinzell : Lucy Liu



Clayface / Basil Karlo : Hugo Weaving



Barbara Gordon : Sanaa Lathan



Renee Montoya : Jennifer Lopez



Alfred Pennyworth : Richard Griffiths


Jim Gordon : Morgan Freeman
Rupert Thorne : Harvey Keitel
Harvey Bullock : Alfred Molina
Arnold Flass : Keith David

 

[Frodo]

DARK BREED ( 2008)
Director : Christopher Nolan




Story
With the Joker's Reign of terror resulting in the death of Rachel Dawes ,
And the disfigurement of a comatose Harvey Dent ,
A new breed of criminal emerges .

One of these turns out to be an anarchist ,
inspired by the Joker's crimes,
Calling herself, Harley Quinn.

Feeling a kinship to the Joker's mission,
And in hopes of getting the Joker's attention
She wages her own war on Gotham Society.

As a result, Harley becomes the ultimate Joker fangirl.

As Bruce struggles to come to terms with Rachel's Death ,
and as he struggles with his decision to spare the Joker's life,
He must now stop this copy cat, who has a target on not only James Gordon,
but The Batman as well .

Batman and Harley Quinn come to a showdown ,
Batman will have to apprehend this copy cat,
Before The Joker makes his next move.


The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Christian Bale



Harley Quinn/ Harleen Quinzel : Naomi Watts



Jim Gordon : Gary Oldman



Lucius Fox : Morgan Freeman



Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Caine

 

[Frodo]

SUPERMAN RETURNS ( 1992)
Director : Richard Donner




Story
Taking place after Superman 4 ,
After a responding to a apparent distress call outside of Earth's orbit ,
The Man Of Steel vanishes .

As Superman awakens , captured in a space ship, the hero fights through a maze of androids ,
And makes a desperate escape .

Upon returning to Earth , he discovers it's no longer the 80s , but the 90s,
And he returns to a radically different Earth.

Lois Lane , is engaged to be married ,
Lex Luthor was paroled , and eventually elected president,
And the world , moved on without Superman.

In his absence is the brutal Vigalante Ultraman ,
who meets out a much more devesting and violent brand of street justice.

As Superman struggles to remember where he's been the past several years,
And as he fights to get his life back,

He must not only prove why the world still needs Superman,
But to stop America's brutal new champion and a coming Alien invasion,
Both of which , may be connected to The Man Of Steel's disappearance.



The Cast




Superman / Clark Kent : Christopher Reeve



Lois Lane : Margot Kidder



Ultraman : Steven Bauer



Brainiac : Julian Sands



President Lex Luthor : Gene Hackman



Richard White : Mark Harmon

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN RESSURECTION ( 1999)
Director : Tim Burton
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker





Project History
After the fallout from Batman and Robin, it becomes clear that Joel Schumacher would not return .
At the same time, Warner Brothers was keen on producing another Batman film, fearful of the franchise collapsing for good.

WB execs decide that the best way forward is to bring back Keaton and Burton to the franchise, regardless of the cost .
While they weren't willing to give Burton the Carte Blanche on the next film as they would with Returns,
They still felt that he was the best person to replace Schumacher .


However, the condition for his return is that the Schumacher's films would be ignored, and his film would pick up where Batman Returns left off.
Warner Brothers , not willing to miss this opportunity to save the franchise agrees.
As Burton returns to the director's chair , he begins to become excited about finishing out his Batman trilogy.
Burton Plans on having the film be a true sequel to Batman and Batman Returns by bringing back The Joker, Penguin, and Catwoman,
With the Ghoulish Ra's Al Ghul pulling the strings with the Lazarus Pit.

Consequently, a retired Batman would suit up once again to stop these Lazarus foes, and to take on The Man , taunting him with his past.
The new script would also feature Carrie Kelly as Robin , whose inspired by the Batman to take on crime in Gotham.
The film is slated for release in June 1999, a decade after the first film flew into theaters .







The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Michael Keaton



Joker : Jack Nicholson



Penguin : Danny DeVito



Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Michelle Pffiefer



Ras Al Ghul : Christopher Lee



Talia Al Ghul : Monica Bellucci



Robin / Carrie Kelly : Christina Ricci



Solomon Grundy : Vincent D'Nofrio


Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle

 

[Frodo]

SUPERMAN REBORN ( 1987)
Director : John Hughes





Project History
After the mixed reception of Superman 3, Christopher Reeve decides to move on from the role , feeling the franchise is running out of steam.
Though the Salkind's temporarily consider recasting the role , they soon decide in an unprecedented move , that the best option is to dismiss any plans for a Superman 4,
and to instead , do , what would be known today, as a reboot .

Feeling that Reeves Superman story had run it's course, and given the strained relationships with Kidder and Hackman over Donner's firing during Superman 2,
The Salkinds decide to take the risk producing a new iteration of the Superman myths.
John Byrne's recent Man Of Steel run provides the groundwork for a new continuity and a new approach to the Superman myths.

With the producers desire to bring much younger iterations of the characters , they go to John Hughes, feeling that he has the creative talent and hit box office,
to rejuvenate the Superman franchise to make it younger and hipper for the teen and twenty something audiences of the 1980s.

At first , Hughes is resistant , not wanting to repeat what Donner did several years earlier.
However, once he discovers the Byrne run on the character ,and the radical change to the characters myths, he finds a basis to work from for his version of Superman.

Unlike The Donner film, The new movie would not be an origin story , and would instead begin with an already established , rookie Superman facing off
against Brainiac .
Lois Lane would return, once again, unaware of Superman's true identity.

Among the radical changes from the Donner film would be an established, Lex Luthor whose is the CEO of Lex Corp.
The Kents would also still be alive , providing Clark homespun words of wisdom .

The film , however, would stay away from Krypton , Jor El, and Zod, given that the characters had already been exhausted in the Donner/ Lester films.
Hughes also wanted to stay away from Kryptonite, feeling that it had become too much of a gimmick.

Hughes envisioned the film very much as a coming of age story with a Superman still rough around the edges, growing into a role and a responsibility he may not be prepared for,
Meanwhile the creature Brainiac becomes obsessed with The Man Of Steel seeing what makes him tick.

At the same time, Hughes would create a love triangle between Superman, Lois, and Lex Luthor, a dynamic absent from previous iterations.


Casting
Filling the shoes of Christopher Reeve was not an easy task, and as was the case Several years earlier, Producers have a difficult time finding the right actor.
While everyone from Matthew Modine to Rob Lowe is considered , Hughes ultimate decides to go with his Sixteen Candles lead, Michael Schoeffling.

His wholesome boy next door acting style ,and resemblance to Reeve , make him the ideal choice to play a young Superman.

For the role of Lois Lane , Phoebe Cates, Demi Moore, and Jennifer Jason Leigh are considered, but Hughe's first choice is Ally Sheedy .

For the role of Lex Luthor, The Salkinds want a bigger name much like Gene Hackman.
Hughes also believes that Lex needs to be older with gravitas in contrast to the wet behind the ears , rookie Superman .
In a surprising move, Michael Douglas agrees to take on the role as the deceptive but charming CEO.

For the role of Brainiac , Hughes goes outside the box and choses his Pretty In Pink heavy James Spader , feeling he has the right amount of intellect, arrogance, and creepiness,
to pull off the inquisitive, yet sadistic, alien .

The rest of the cast is rounded out by Hughes regulars such as Anthony Michael Hall as Jimmy Olsen, Paul Gleason as a blustering Perry White,
and Sixteen Candles Paul Dooley and Carole Cook as The Kents.

Meanwhile , character actor William Atherton is cast as Star Labs scientist and Superman friend , Emil Hamilton.


The Cast



Superman / Clark Kent : Michael Schoeffling



Lois Lane : Ally Sheedy


Brainiac : James Spader



Lex Luthor : Michael Douglas


Jimmy Olsen : Anthony Michael Hall



Perry White : Paul Gleason


Emil Hamilton : William Atherton

Johathan Kent : Paul Dooley
Martha Kent : Carole Cook

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN ( 1988)
Director : Walter Hill





Project History
With Superman being rebooted , The Batman project is moving at a snails pace , though the intention is present a much darker interpretation of the Batman myths than the 60s tv show.
After several directors pass on the project , 48 Hours and Streets Of Fire director ,Walter Hill, expresses interest on delivering a film noir version of The Batman.

The director seems like a perfect fit to present a much grittier vision of Gotham City .
The previous Tom Mankiewicz script from the beginning of the decade is tossed out with only Rupert Thorne and Silver St Cloud remaining staples for the final draft.

Instead of Joker and Penguin, Hill decides to go with lesser known Batman villain Two Face, finding him an intriguing foin and a character whom Bruce could have become.
In this version, Bruce Wayne would be the ultimate 80s yuppie , while Batman would be the young and hungry vigilante and detective.
Gordon and Alfred would also differ from their 60s show iterations ,with Gordon being a hard boiled Cop ,and Alfred, being a former Naval Commander.

Silver St. Cloud, in this version serves as Thorne's widow , and Batman's love interest.

The film would be a noir murder mystery surrounding the killing of Criminal Kingpin ,Rupert Thorne .

Everyone from Two Face, to Bruce himself, would be a suspect do to the numerous enemies Thorne made.

When all the evidence points to Gordon, Batman knows it's a frame up, and must delve into Gotham's underworld, corrupt infrastructure, and even Gotham High Society,
to determine the identity of the true killer.

The film would take the audience on a roller coaster with Two Face seeming to be the obvious killer.
However in a Noir like twist , the true killer would be revealed to Be Silver St. Cloud, who rubbed the boss out ,to get his money ,and to run off her
one true love , Harvey Dent/ Two Face.

In the end , The Batman would learn not to let his emotions blind him to the evidence , with his former friend Harvey and his recent flame Silver, serving as harsh lessons.

Ultimately , the hero emerges wiser , though albeit , more emotionally closed off, than before , on the path to becoming the world's greatest detective.

While Robin is briefly considered to appear, the character doesn't fit the more noir heavy story,
And with Batman being about 25 years old , Producers feel Bruce is too young, and inexperienced, to take on a child partner .

Casting
For The Role Of Batman , Hill casts St Elmos Fire and Breakfast Club actor Judd Nelson, feeling that he has the right level of intensity and intelligence to play Bruce Wayne and Batman.

For the role of Silver St. Cloud, Hill chooses the sultry Rebecca Demornay , for her ability to play morally complex characters , with her film Risky Business being a prime example.

Tony Goldwyn is cast as the young and dynamic DA. Harvey Dent , whose transformed into Two Face , by Thorn's thugs .

The director wants two established actors to serve as Bruce's mentors and partners so Nick Nolte and Sean Connery fill the roles, giving the project added weight.

Finally , for the role of Rupert Thorne is played by character actor Danny Aiello .


The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Judd Nelson



Jim Gordon : Nick Nolte



Alfred Pennyworth : Sean Connery



Two Face / Harvey Dent : Tony Goldwyn



Silver St. Cloud : Rebecca De Mornay



Rupert Thorne : Danny Aiello

 

[Herofan]

BATMAN RESSURECTION ( 1999)
Director : Tim Burton
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker

I don't think Burton would be really enthusiastic to do, have Carrie Kelly Robin even though she was real different from classic Robin (and WB wouldn't see much point to include a one-off version of Robin). But it would be great to see Burton going more supernatural, especially with Christopher Lee as Ra's, and Monica Bellucci as Talia with/torn between both Keaton and Lee really fitting. Thinking more of Dracula, Gary Oldman could have been good as Ra's also. I can also see Christina Ricci as a Barbara who is a Batman follower and at least starts impressing Batman/Bruce.

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN THE CRUSADER ( 1998 )
Director : Joel Schumacher
Producer : Peter MacGregor Scott
Screenplay : Lee and Janet Scott Batchler and Mark Protovich




Project History
With Batman Forever reviving The Batman Franchise , plans for a sequel are a forgone conclusion .
At first, Warner Brothers wants to fast track the film for a 1997 release , with plans on releasing the further adventures of Batman every two years.
However , Warner Brothers runs into a stumbling block with it's lead , Val Kilmer.
The actors contracted to do The Saint, means that he'll be unable to make the 1996 to 1997 shoot .

With a script already being fast tracked , and the tense relationship between Kilmer and Schumacher being an issue on Batman Forever,
The idea of recasting Batman, once again ,becomes a possibility.
However, a skittish Warner Brothers, having successfully re-casted a popular lead role, is hesitant to try again so soon.
Further , Producers feel the films script needs much more work regardless, and want the Batchler's to return to script the film.

Ultimately, the idea of filming the film in 1997 for a 1998 release , feels like a much better idea , giving Kilmer time to complete The Saint,
and for the audience to build anticipation for another event film.

So, while Schumacher didn't look forward to working with Kilmer again, the additional time took the pressure off the filmmaker and the production .
With The Bachelor's back on writing duties , with an assist from Mark Protovich, The Script for Batman 4, would go through drastic changes.

Story
While the first drafts originally featured Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy, in a much more light hearted and campy romp from even Batman Forever,
Schumacer's original choice of Scarecrow as a villain is placed in the script , tossing out Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Alfred's subplot.

Instead ,The Batchler's want to continue the seeds they planted in Batman Forever by dealing with Bruce's psyche , fears, and regrets, in The Form of The Scarecrow.
Jonathan Crane would be a Professor at the University Dick Grayson would be attending , and would be an colleague of Chase Meridian.

Crane's unrequited obsession with Chase, and his displease at her love affair with Bruce, would serve as a subplot for targeting the playboy.

Using his students a guinea pigs , and enlisting them in a wave of terror across Gotham , The Dark Knight and The Boy Wonder would have to conqueror their own fears,
with Robin haunted by images of Two Face and Bruce Haunted by his parents murder and his parents perceived disappoint in him.

Barbara Gordon would be featured as a criminology student at the university who strikes up a friendship then romance with Grayson .
When her friends begin to go missing she insists on helping the Caped Crusaders , but they refuse.
So, inspired by The Bat, she becomes Batgirl on her own , to get to the heart of why the students are vanishing.

Ultimately, The Dynamic Duo, with the help of Batgirl , would triumph over the Scarecrows fear toxin and would save the city from the mass hysteria and chaos unleashed by the Scarecrow.


Casting
With Kilmer, Kidman, and O'Donnell, all returning , with salary increases , the parts of Scarecrow and Batgirl need to be filled.

Originally Schumacher wants Face/Off actor Nicholas Cage to play the DC villain, but with the actor already attached to Burton's Superman, the possibility is out of the question.
While a range of actors tries out for the part , Jeff Goldblum, a popular fan choice, is selected for a rare villainous role.

Schumacher feels Goldblum brings the right blend of intellect yet an imposing physical presence ,
which makes him a worthy opponent physically and mentally to Kilmer's Batman.

For the role of Batgirl , Schumacher considers Alicia Silverstone and Alyssa Milano , but Warner Brothers wants someone in house , and looks to Buffy and I Know What You Did Last Summer, actress, Sarah Michelle Geller , to play the quick witted , yet tough , love interest for O'Donnell's Robin .

While Poison Ivy , and perhaps another villain are considered to join Scarecrow, the production ultimately feels that the villain works better alone.

Instead , the university would be filled with easter eggs and cameos to fans of the lore and The Animated Series , of pre- villainous Batman characters such as Professor Fries, Professor Isley, Professor Tetch , and Professor Quinzel, setting them up for sequels.

While the studio is a bit hesitant at the idea of a single villain Batman film , Batman Forever's big success makes them confident that the Batman name along will bring people to the theaters .



The Cast




Batman / Bruce Wayne : Val Kilmer



Scarecrow / Jonathan Crane : Jeff Goldblum



Chase Meridian : Nicole Kidman




Robin / Dick Grayson : Chris O'Donnell



Batgirl / Barbara Gordon : Sarah Michelle Gellar



Hallucination Two Face : Tommy Lee Jones


Alfred Pennyworth : Michael Gough
Jim Gordon : Pat Hingle
Professor Fries : Patrick Stewart
Professor Tetch : Geoffrey Rush
Professor Quinzel : Cameron Diaz
Professor Isley : Tea Leoni

 

[Herofan]

I think it's a big shame '90s Goldblum as Scarecrow wasn't done, really good mix of quirky, yes intelligent and creepy/menacing (and Crane makes a lot of sense for college-aged Robin though so does Poison Ivy). Gellar as Batgirl then would feel huge, really appeal to teenagers without feeling like talking down to or pandering them, independent/offbeat-ish enough while also blockbuster enough. Really not sure why the fourth film didn't bring back Kidman/Chase Meridian.

Geoffrey Rush as Tetch/Mad Hatter would also be really interesting further villain for that series (though maybe a little too much unrequited love obsession motivation in a row).