Live Action Knightfall?

[NateHevens]

First, I realize that The Dark Knight Rises was inspired by this, but I'm talking about adapting the Knightfall storyline, including Az!Bat and the various crossovers, into a live-action movie series.

Do you think this could be feasible in the future (say, once the DCMU is fully established)? I know I'm a rarity amongst Bat Fans, but I actually liked the Az!Bat suit, and absolutely adored the Knightfall storyline. I think it would be fascinating to see this dealt with on the big screen.

I often try to imagine what it would look like; what I'd want from it.

I'd want it to be a faithful adaption of the storyline, but still be grounded in our reality (as the DCMU is trying to do with the current story-line). So I know that much could not be kept. It would probably have to be a trilogy; maybe 4 movies, but that might be pushing it. Which means the Az!Bat part of it couldn't be dwelled on like it is in the comics. I doubt we could get his face-off with Clayface, for example.

This would definitely be dark. If it could be made PG-13, it'd have to be on the edge of PG-13 and R. And despite keeping to realism, Bruce heals via magic, so that would have to be in it, I think.

One thing I really consider is what the costumes would look like. I'd like the main suits to be kept similar to their comic counterparts, but the Az!Bat suit is the one that would fascinate me the most.

How could that be translated to a live-action film? It would, of course, look ridiculous, because the suit itself is ridiculous, but that's the whole point.

And finally, at what point would each movie end?

 

[Decepticonus]

Yeah the AzBat suit is, very of its times. I liked it OK as a kid but today it reeks of the 90's.

 

[titansupes]

^ I think that was the point of it, though. Marvel and Image were being all "modern is extreeeemme!!1" and DC brought that suit in as a bit of a satire of it.

 

[NateHevens]

^ I think that was the point of it, though. Marvel and image were being all "modern is extreeeemme!!1" and DC brought that suit in as a bit of a satire of it.

Exactly. Which is honestly why I like it. It was never meant to be a serious suit... that was the point. I think it would be very interesting, though, to see how such a suit would be conceived in a live-action setting.

 

[Decepticonus]

Being a maxi-series as they call it, be cooler to see it like an HBO series, odd I know, but would prefer that than a movie.

 

[NateHevens]

Being a maxi-series as they call it, be cooler to see it like an HBO series, odd I know, but would prefer that than a movie.

The only reason I wouldn't support this is because I'd want it to have a Hollywood blockbuster budget. I don't think the Az!Bat suit especially could be conceived with anything smaller...?

 

[Decepticonus]

The only reason I wouldn't support this is because I'd want it to have a Hollywood blockbuster budget. I don't think the Az!Bat suit especially could be conceived with anything smaller...?

Fair point, for me I want Knightfall and not all of those stories compressed into one film or trilogy.

 

[NateHevens]

Fair point, for me I want Knightfall and not all of those stories compressed into one film or trilogy.

Oh very true. I'd want a focus on Bruce Wayne, Jean-Paul Valley, Bane, Alfred, Tim Drake, and Dr. Shondra Kinsolving, with the other characters showing up only as a supporting cast to that main story-line.

With one exception, though... Bruce still gives the mantle over to Dick Grayson for a time before coming back with the Troika Batsuit. Would you consider that worth exploring at all in a potential live-action Knightfall story-line, or no?

 

[Decepticonus]

Oh very true. I'd want a focus on Bruce Wayne, Jean-Paul Valley, Bane, Alfred, Tim Drake, and Dr. Shondra Kinsolving, with the other characters showing up only as a supporting cast to that main story-line.

With one exception, though... Bruce still gives the mantle over to Dick Grayson for a time before coming back with the Troika Batsuit. Would you consider that worth exploring at all in a potential live-action Knightfall story-line, or no?

Oh yeah I would.

 

[Herofan]

I've long thought how awesome it could be if that was where the old series went after Batman Forever rather than B&R (you'd have to not include Joker and Two-Face as they died but having the other characters seem feasible).

Then or now, it would be a challenge to have Batman picking up another apprentice aside from Robin, especially one with religious programming that could be expected to go too far. But a film having a lot of villains and the main villain using them to incrementally weaken the hero is definitely a great story.

 

[shauner111]

I dont think they can execute the back break as good as Rises. Knightfall was fine but overrated overall.

I say move on.

 

[AnneFan]

Having an animated version, using Michael Gough's voice work from the audio drama, would have me interested. But yeah, apart from that, I'd say move on.

 

[NateHevens]

I dont think they can execute the back break as good as Rises. Knightfall was fine but overrated overall.

I say move on.

I guess I feel differently because I adore Knightfall. But that's just me...

Having an animated version, using Michael Gough's voice work from the audio drama, would have me interested. But yeah, apart from that, I'd say move on.

Actually, this would be possible. And even better, they could easily be brutal, especially since WB's given the go ahead for the Killing Joke animated adaption to be R-rated.

Although, admittedly, I'd rather like it if Kevin Conroy voiced Batman/Bruce Wayne... even though I know he's retired from it.

I'd accept an animated adaption of it, though I'd prefer a live-action just to see how it would be executed if for no other reason...

 

[dude stannis]

We probably wont see Knightfall for a very long time in live action. TDKR did it and Batfleck is probably a decade removed from whatever his equivalent to that was. I say make if a full animated show. Three animated seasons would cover everything I think.

 

[NateHevens]

We probably wont see Knightfall for a very long time in live action. TDKR did it and Batfleck is probably a decade removed from whatever his equivalent to that was. I say make if a full animated show. Three animated seasons would cover everything I think.

I wonder if it will be referred to with Batfleck at all? They do appear to be referencing Death in the Family already...

Hm...

 

[dude stannis]

I can't imagine they'll go through his whole history. But Alfred could mention it. Depends whenever we see Bane in the DCEU.

 

[the5timechamp]

I love the azrael batsuit (even its various iterations)..

I would love to see the story done but only using the skeleton of the story....maybe break it into 2 separate "projects" (still not sure what medium tbh)..

There is just so much content to condense..
Vengeance of Bane
Venom
Sword of Azrael
Knightfall
Knightquest (weakest part imo)
KnightsEnd

Im still pretty annoyed I didnt get the azbats suit in Arkham Origins or Arkham Knight..

 

[NateHevens]

I can't imagine they'll go through his whole history. But Alfred could mention it. Depends whenever we see Bane in the DCEU.

A simple quip from Alfred along the lines of "you haven't been the same since Bane broke your back" or something better written than that would be perfect, IMO.