How would you reboot Batman?

[Godzilla2014]

The fact that it takes place in the future and Bats has all of these futuristic tools (flying car, invisibility costume, wings, etc) takes it out of the "realistic" category. There would have to be some stylized aspects of course, that's just the nature of that series. Still, I wouldnt want it too stylized, a la Batman Forever or Batman and Robin. I would want street thugs to still have regular old guns and for there to still be a gritty aspect to Gotham. I never did like sci fi where everything is so futuristic that a city can be ultra clean and polished.

One of the problems with reboots is over exposure. James Bond doesnt fight the same bad guys over and over (at least not the modern 007). With reboot after reboot, we keep getting the same villains over and over, albeit with a different take. Still, eventually it gets old. Batman Beyond would be similar be different. A totally new take on Batman.

That and I'm just a fan of that series.

But I think Batman Beyond wouldn't work because to most folks, Batman is Bruce Wayne, and that's who audiences want to see in the cowl. It would be like making a Spider-Man 2099 film.

 

[Lord]

I'd do a second trilogy that builds off events of the Dark Knight trilogy. Since we don't know how that trilogy ends, it could be pseudo sequels, like Superman Returns was to Superman and Superman II.

The Film would be titled Batman: The Caped Crusader, which is, as people know, another name used for Batman, but in this case, it would actually refer to Robin, not Batman, and Robin would not be seen in the marketing campaign, I'd want him to be a surprise, like Two-Face was.

The main plot of the first film would be how Batman is adjusting to a world that is changing around him. Supercrime is emerging more and more, and he is wondering if he can continue, he trained to be a soldier, but these people are unpredictable. And in the midst of a gang war between Black Mask and The Penguin, Bruce sees another young boy have the same tragedy befall him as it did to himself. The emotional crux would be that of Dick Grayson and his progression of being a happy teenager to a depressed orphan to the laughing daredevil, Robin. Much like Harvey's progression to Two-Face.

Regarding Robin, I wouldn't just have him become Robin just because it will be fun. He would take it very seriously, and it would focus on why he chooses Robin, much like how Bruce chose a bat, and parallels would be drawn between them throughout the movie. It should highlight that Bruce chose Bats through his fear and anger, his fear of bats is a never-ending reminder that he, indirectly caused his parents death, it drives him, but Robin is a reminder of Richard's parents' unending love, it should inspire him.

He would also be shown to be an adept fighter (when Black Mask extortionists come to Grayson circus and are thrown out) he would also wear a hood in homage to Robin Hood, as ASBAR, B&R and AC have shown people find Robin more mature and easily acceptable with a hood.

Batman would have a costume similar to the DCnU suit. The design of Batman Begins suit but with the materials of the Dark Knight suit.

Please, feel free to trash.

I actually like that idea and had a similar one where if TDKR has an ending then the new series would follow Batman Begins and The Dark Knight in the same style of the James Bond movies.

My idea is a trilogy from Dick's parents deaths and his adoption by Bruce Wayne, to him discovering Bruce's identity, training with him and in the end becoming Robin.

 

[Hobgoblin]

But I think Batman Beyond wouldn't work because to most folks, Batman is Bruce Wayne, and that's who audiences want to see in the cowl. It would be like making a Spider-Man 2099 film.

That may be true in some cases, but other people might like to see the character progress. An old Bruce Wayne is just as interesting a character as the young, costume wearing Wayne.

 

[Lord]

I think it could be fun to take inspiration from Grant Morrison's Batman saga and to introduce Damian and Dick Grayson as Batman

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

I think it could be fun to take inspiration from Grant Morrison's Batman saga and to introduce Damian and Dick Grayson as Batman

Nah. If anyone else should be seen wearing the cowl it's Terry. R.I.P. has some adaptability, I think the Black Glove for example would make an excellent movie premise, especially with them trying to sully the Wayne family name, but overall Morrison's Batman is far too esoteric for film.

 

[Artistsean]

I think they could do a dramatic relaunch that could include a new cartoon show.
I know they are just ending Brave and Bold and are going to start a new show soon, but I am thinking this movie relaunch could be years down the line... like 2015 or more. So who knows what the animated properties will look like.
But my idea would be to do a show similar to the Young Justice and GL CG cartoon and bring in newer characters and stories. Bring in Professor Pig, James Gordon Jr, Two-Face on Bane juice, Jason Todd and also Todd's Red Hood persona, and the idea of Batman going missing for one season or season and a half (after the first innitial season) would be interesting. The show could start with Batman and Robin like usual, and show Nightwing there, Oracle, Stephanie Brown as Batgirl (or perhaps Cassandra Cain as Batgirl). Show that Todd was thought to be dead and is now a sort of enemy. Then halfway through the 1st season introduce Damien. Then at the end of Season One or the start of season 2 Batman is missing. Nightwing returns to take up the mantel while maybe a 2 parter is about Battle for the Cowl.
Then Tim leaves as Robin to search for Batman, Dick becomes the new Batman and Damien becomes the new Robin. Then during season three Batman is finally found, maybe even bring in the idea of being lost in time for a back up story in three episodes. Like in Gargoyles in Avalon, we could see Bruce time travelling while Dick is Batman in Gotham during the start of season three. Maybe we could even see Batman travel to the future and team up with the new Batman, Terry, before going back to his regular time period.
Then for maybe another season there are two Batmen, Bruce and Dick. Tim is now Red Robin, and maybe Batman sees the potential and starts Batman Inc, then you can bring in Batwing in Africa.
During season 4, at some point, Dick goes back to being Nightwing and the audience can clearly see how Dick is more comfortable being Nightwing than Batman.

The show would still keep things uncomplicated, and maybe start getting more elaborate as the show caught on.
Season one for the most part would be Batman being Batman, along with Robin, fighting crime and protecting Gotham. Facing threats like Red Hood/Todd, Joker, Two-Face, Ras al Ghul, Catwoman, etc. Then later in season one or the start of season two Batman meets his son Damien, son of Talia who is the daughter of Ras al Ghul. Then during the end of Season two Batman goes missing so Dick become Batman and its Dick pretending to be Batman doing Batman stuff with Damien as the new Robin, so its a slightly askew Batman and Robin. They fight bad guys like Firefly, Professor Pig, Talia, Deathstroke, Joker, Two-Face (on Bane Juice maybe), Riddler, Flamingo, etc. During season three We see Batman going through time, maybe, as Dick is Batman doing Batman stuff at the same time as Tim is searching for Bruce as Red Robin. Season three, halfway through I guess, we get Bruce back and it becomes Batman (Bruce0 and Batman (Dick) and Robin (Damien) doing Batman stuff and protecting Gotham. What I am trying to get at here is that the show brings in complex ideas but should try to present them in a way that keeps the status qua of the show going, Batman and Robin (and his family) protecting Gotham.

This show would launch around the same time filming started, or is it ended, for the relaunch of the movies after Nolan is done. In the movies, as I mentioned, it would be more comic bookish with characters like Mr. Freeze and Clayface and Killer Croc existing, and character's like the Joker being created like they were in the comics but in live action movie. So we can finally bring in characters we haven't seen before and wouldn't under Nolan's films, and maybe finally do other characters right like Mr. Freeze and Nightwing.

 

[Rodrigo90]

How would I reboot it?

Not a clue!

It'll probably depend on the JL Movie. The reboot will only happen after Synder's Superman stuff is over, so a long wait.

 

[JBElliott]

Make it more like the best of the comics.

 

[Team Andino]

I'd try to make the reboot something along the lines of Arkham City and/or Arkham Asylum.

Agreed, I'd love a mix of a gritty reality with the fantasy element subtly implemented. I'd also love to see a Batman movie take place in the 40's or 50's but that's just a idea I think would be neat but know will never happen.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

A mix of BTAS storytelling and Arkham City character designs and detective activity with animated white eyes, lots of grapple gun usage, and villains like Clayface and Mr. Freeze.

The origin would be told in flashbacks showing that Bruce trained with masters all over the world in everything having to do with crime fighting since he was ten(escape artistry/detective work/espionage), not just ninjitsu.

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Batman: Michael Fassbender

 

[DarkSovereignty]

I do like the idea of him training with multiple masters and leaning towards a more detective angle. How would you do the white eyes though? like the sonar lenses only permanent?

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I wanted the eyes to be animated but it might look weird. I wish I could see some experimental screen test with white animated eyes put on a live action Batman.

The white eyes are such a powerful visual in the comics and cartoon I was hoping it could work in live action.

 

[Lord]

There could be a special glass covering his eyes, i mean, hif he covers his neck with strong steel and all in the dark knight why not cover the eyes too?
And like in TDK and the games the white in his eyes could be in a special vision he has on the suit

 

[DarkSovereignty]

I wanted the eyes to be animated but it might look weird. I wish I could see some experimental screen test with white animated eyes put on a live action Batman.

The white eyes are such a powerful visual in the comics and cartoon I was hoping it could work in live action.

how would that make sense in live action though? in animation its passable, but why would his pupils magically disappear when he puts the mask on? they even found a way to work it into Green lantern (one of the few cg touches i liked about his suit) but that made sense because it was alien technology augmenting his a body. i think they should just go with lenses, although i think they make more sense with the flash costume because of the high speeds he travels at.

 

[Godzilla2014]

There could be a special glass covering his eyes, i mean, hif he covers his neck with strong steel and all in the dark knight why not cover the eyes too?
And like in TDK and the games the white in his eyes could be in a special vision he has on the suit

The thing is that the eyes are considered valuable tools for expression and emotion. Imagine if Michael Keaton and/or Christian Bale had opaque lenses over their eyes all of the time and how their performances would be effected. I think you would end up with a Willem Defoe as Green Goblin situation.

 

[Lord]

The thing is that the eyes are considered valuable tools for expression and emotion. Imagine if Michael Keaton and/or Christian Bale had opaque lenses over their eyes all of the time and how their performances would be effected. I think you would end up with a Willem Defoe as Green Goblin situation.

It doesn't need to be white all the time, and it worked with owlman from Watchmen

 

[Godzilla2014]

It doesn't need to be white all the time, and it worked with owlman from Watchmen

Because he had separate goggles which be removed easily when needed. Batman doesn't have that.

 

[Lord]

Because he had separate goggles which be removed easily when needed. Batman doesn't have that.

So what?
He used the goggles every time he goes into action, so his eyes are allwayes covered when he uses the suit, the exact same thing that would happen with Batman.
So using separate goggles or not it allways end up serving the same purpose

 

[Victarion]

I would try to construct a plot line that delves more into the characters of Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Rather than bringing in one new female lead per movie, I would begin the first movie focusing not only on Bruce Wayne, but also the other side characters like Selena Kyle and Gordon. They, like Bruce, would be given storylines that develop from movie to movie.

I would begin the series with the "freaks" beginning to work their way into the mob. Dick Grayson would be included as well. His storyline would be given development from the get-go as well without him necessarily becoming Robin in his debut appearance.

My overall approach would look at a longer running series with a focus on developing a core set of characters--Bruce, Selena, Jim, Dick--in a Gotham City that is more a blend of Nolan's and Burtons that is able to incorporate villains such as Clayface, Freeze etc. without making their inclusion seem too awkward. Hints at the DC Universe may be included, but not in a way that they take away from the focus of each individual movie.

 

[Boy Scout]

I would try to construct a plot line that delves more into the characters of Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Rather than bringing in one new female lead per movie, I would begin the first movie focusing not only on Bruce Wayne, but also the other side characters like Selena Kyle and Gordon. They, like Bruce, would be given storylines that develop from movie to movie.

I would begin the series with the "freaks" beginning to work their way into the mob. Dick Grayson would be included as well. His storyline would be given development from the get-go as well without him necessarily becoming Robin in his debut appearance.

My overall approach would look at a longer running series with a focus on developing a core set of characters--Bruce, Selena, Jim, Dick--in a Gotham City that is more a blend of Nolan's and Burtons that is able to incorporate villains such as Clayface, Freeze etc. without making their inclusion seem too awkward. Hints at the DC Universe may be included, but not in a way that they take away from the focus of each individual movie.

I would love to see something like this one day.

 

[Wolfwood]

I would try to construct a plot line that delves more into the characters of Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Rather than bringing in one new female lead per movie, I would begin the first movie focusing not only on Bruce Wayne, but also the other side characters like Selena Kyle and Gordon. They, like Bruce, would be given storylines that develop from movie to movie.

I would begin the series with the "freaks" beginning to work their way into the mob. Dick Grayson would be included as well. His storyline would be given development from the get-go as well without him necessarily becoming Robin in his debut appearance.

My overall approach would look at a longer running series with a focus on developing a core set of characters--Bruce, Selena, Jim, Dick--in a Gotham City that is more a blend of Nolan's and Burtons that is able to incorporate villains such as Clayface, Freeze etc. without making their inclusion seem too awkward. Hints at the DC Universe may be included, but not in a way that they take away from the focus of each individual movie.

I would love for them to introduce one female love interest like Selina and build on that relationship over a series of films. I really hope that's something they do for the next interpretation.

 

[Hypestyle]

I would go straight into a new continuity with Batman and Robin already established. Dick is 13 (or so), Bruce is 30-ish. They operate out of Wayne Manor. We'd see the batmobile, batcycle, bat-jet, and bat-boat.

I'd use villains like the new ones that Grant Morrisson came up with.. Professor Pyg, Mr. Toad, etc.

 

[Boy Scout]

I would go straight into a new continuity with Batman and Robin already established. Dick is 13 (or so), Bruce is 30-ish.

Isn't that a little young? I think Robin should be fifteen, at the youngest. I'd have him adopted at twelve, discover Bruce is Bats after living with him for a couple months, and have Bruce train him for about three years.

I'd use villains like the new ones that Grant Morrisson came up with.. Professor Pyg, Mr. Toad, etc.

I dunno, man. Would the GA go for them?

 

[Lord]

Yeah, i would like to see some of Morrinson's stuff adapted or used as inspiration, Batman: Year actually did that of focusing on Gordon as a principal character, one thing that i would like to know for those that would like another origin for the character is, who would you guys use as the villain? Falcone's mafia? The Red Hood gang? Black Mask? who would be the villain for another Batman origins movie?

 

[Victarion]

Here's my idea for that Backstory on Thomas and Martha:

Spoiler

Thomas Wayne was born a destitute youth with no prospects for the future. His street savvy allowed him to work his way up in the Gotham underworld.

It brought him to the attention of a newcomer to the mob scene, Antonio Falcone. Antonio adopted Thomas and gave him funding for a college education. Thomas returned to Gotham City as a prospective businessman.

Wayne Enterprises was soon established and firmly entrenched in Gotham’s local economy. Their area of expertise was Applied Sciences with a focus on weapons both of both the local law enforcement and military.

Thomas Wayne regularly took batches of the weaponry back to Wayne Manor. There he removed all indications that they were produced by his company. Then the weapons were given to an agent in the employ of Antonio Falcone.

News would periodically surface of corruption in the GPD. However, those who reported on it never had another story published in the newspapers. Word of riots in the Narrows and impending turf wars would also appear from time to time.

Like those who reported on corruption in the GPD, these reporters turned up missing or their news agency, along with the reporter who issued it, would retract the story and cite logical reasons for the retraction.

Thomas Wayne had an idea as to why these stories were really pulled, and why some of these reporters were turning up dead. In order to assuage his guilt, Thomas attended medical school and returned to Gotham. He began doing work in the hospital, having left the running of Wayne Enterprises to a trusted member of the Sionis family.

The Falcone empire continued to get its weapons from Wayne Enterprises while Thomas Wayne set up a clinic in the Narrows. Many of his patients were victims of the Falcone-Zucco turf war. Wayne meets a former prostitute and befriends her.

She tells him she knows about his deal with Falcone. She convinces him that even if he isn’t directly tied to the weapons development in Wayne Enterprises, he’s still letting the guns flood the streets. This in turn provides him with patients in order to alleviate his guilt.

Soon the wounds of those coming into the clinic become much more severe. The war between Falcone and Zucco reaches its crescendo. Falcone himself visits Thomas and Martha at the clinic.

He’s got enough money to put Martha through a drug rehab program. Martha refuses the offer, and Thomas tells Falcone that he can finance her time in rehab. After Martha leaves, Falcone lays out an Ultimatum:

He’ll cut all ties to Wayne Enterprises in exchange for one last weapons cache and any information Wayne can get on the Sionis family. Thomas readily agrees, being blinded by the light at the end of the tunnel. Thus the information is given to Falcone and Wayne’s involvement with Antonio Falcone is at an end.

Martha begins attending drug rehab. She eventually completes it successfully. The Falcone empire manages to take out the Zucco family’s power base and gains dominance over the Narrows.

The Sionis family is ousted as having leaked chemical and biological weaponry into the Gotham Underworld (a last courtesy of Antonio Falcone to Thomas Wayne). Then the announcement of Thomas’s engagement to Martha is made public. Gotham sees it as a fairy-tale romance. In addition they view Thomas as a Hero for his work in the Narrows Free Clinic.

In Wayne Manor the rooms where Thomas Wayne did his work on the arms shipments for Falcone are decorated so that they are reminiscent of the Hells from Dante’s Inferno.