Should Batman be in the JL film?

[The Batman]

Should he be apart of the team or not

 

[The Question]

Honestly? The League can happen without him. He's fairly redundant, as several other members could cover his so-called areas of expertise. He'd just seem tacked on and there because he's popular. A cameo would be cool, though.

 

[dnno1]

I can understand why contractually they couldn't have him in the film, but I think it wouldn't sell without him. Remember the 1997 made for (kids) TV movie that was pretty weak? Also the ratings for the animated series was low when the episodes did not contain any of the big 7,

 

[Justice Bringer]

Yes he needs to be, especially if they arent doing a World's Finest movie. They need to present the core duality of Batman/Superman which is at the heart of the JL (since they are DC's most central characters). Christian Bale and Brandon Routh almost personify these two characters perfectly and it would be great to watch on the silver screen.

The rumor of Batman being an old mentor to a JL young team (essentially being Martian Manhunter) is horrible and hopefully pure BS. That's totally the wrong approach and avoiding the 'World's Finest'-like relationship between the two characters would be a major misstep. It's also completely out of character for Batman (and we've seen what happens when directors try to 'change' Batman's character on the big screen).

Additionally, DC can use this film as a one-shot deal to launch other individual movie franchaises (GL, Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman) by introducing them to the audience here and building interest. You would need some familiar faces in this film and with Superman and Batman established, it'd be perfect to use them.

Stylistically, both Nolan's Batman Begins and Singer's Superman Returns have a very dark 'real-world' presentation (as WB intended it) and could easily fit together. The conspiricy storyline of a shapeshifting white martian infiltration in the US govt would be a great way to present a very sci-fi based story grounded in a 'real world' atmosphere.

This could be the greatest superhero film ever if handled right.



Bryan Singer and Chris Nolan could continue with the third installments of their repsective individual superhero flicks after the JL film as the individual films for WW, Flash, GL etc are also launched at that point.

 

[odiin]

Yes. He plays a very important role on the team, and is an irreplaceable part of the team dynamic. It just wouldn't be the same without, and to be perfectly honest if it came down to it I would rather have Batman and no Superman instead of Superman and no Batman.

 

[FaT_tONle]

No... put him in a World's Finest film and then let him realize that he isn't in it for these team ups

 

[dpm07]

I believe he, along with Superman and Wonder Woman, should be in the film.

 

[The Question]

I know you guys all want to see Batman in a traditional JLA flick. But just think from a storytelling perspective: How could they have Batman in it and not have him be highly redundant? There's nothing he can do or has that the other League members can't supply themselves. Ifg he were in a League movie, he'd seem tacked on for the sake of having a popular character. Now, if he had a cameo apearance, or had a small supporting role where he was consulted for information, that would make sense. But for him to have any major screen time would end up being kind of akward story wise.

 

[Fried Gold]

I think he should be in it and then tell them all to piss off.

 

[Justice Bringer]

The conflict in his own views VS Superman's is a fresh storytelling element for the films.

They are kinda like Ying/Yang and often have to balance each other's actions out. JL (animated series) showed this off the best.

I wouldnt mind if Batman decided to join last minute and only shows up surprisingly in the final battle, but his presense needs to be felt at some point in this flick.

 

[dnno1]

This is obviously in response to the BOF thread that they should keep Bats from the JL film. And I ask...How can you have a JL film and NOT have Batman in it?

I know Jett wants to make sure WB doesn't duplicate its mistake of turning Batman into a campy joke after having just revived it in a more respectable storytelling through Nolan. Looking at the positives, I don't think a JL film will happen anytime soon, as I think Nolan's Batman tirilogy will first materialize. I'm not sure what will happen to Singer's Superman (though I heartily feel he needs to start giving Superman himself some more dialogue than the Returns film). I believe those things will happen first. Whether or not they do solo films for WW and Flash during the next few years is also questionable. I really think it would also be a really bad move to have a JL film and cast a completely different actor to play either Batman or Superman than Bale or Routh since they just "restarted" both of those franchises anyway. I'm confident WB will work carefully to make sure that Bats (or Supes for that matter) doesn't get the jokey/camp treatment that eventually ended their 1st runs. I'm sure WB is looking at a film like Fantastic Four (or Ghost Rider for that matter) and making sure they don't suck out the respectability of the JL characters/team by filling a script with cheesy dialogue and family/kid-friendly camp. (I actually believe no one likes cheesy dialogue in any movie anyway..which makes me wonder how some of these scripts get approved). I'd use the JL cartoon as some sort of reference. Especially the 1st/2nd seasons. You get some pretty good storylines, as sci-fi as some of them can be, and there is a nice balance of seriousness, purposefulness, action, drama, and just the right *small* amount of humor (especially with Flash). It WILL be a difficult task, though. The writing/story has to be good, the dialogue CANNOT settle on wooden or melodramatic delivery (Fantastic Four, Star Wars prequels). The jokes/humor have to be minimal (it's hard enough to watch a live movie with people in costumes running around the world). Batman can exist in a JL film, they just have to deliver his character properly. The JL cartoon I think gives us a definitive and believably modern Batman that exists with a JL team of superhuman heroes.

Also, if anyone here watches the tv show Heroes, that is some good drama about people with special powers, they're not in any costumes (at least not yet) but that is some good dialogue/storytelling, etc. Yes, it is possible to write material for a show (or a movie) without camp/cheese.

I don't think that a JL film would be (or has to be) campy. Furthermore I think it would be a better sell with popular characters like Batman and Superman staring in the film, although this does not necessitate having actors like Bale or Routh reprising their roles. Keep in mind that neither of the JL cartoons nor the Smallville skein had Bale or Routh attached to it. I personally think that they should go with the "Our Worlds at War" or one of the "Crisis" story archs as a the plot basis for this film. It could show off the powers of all of the characters.

 

[dpm07]

I don't think that a JL film would be (or has to be) campy. Furthermore I think it would be a better sell with popular characters like Batman and Superman staring in the film, although this does not necessitate having actors like Bale or Routh reprising their roles. Keep in mind that neither of the JL cartoons nor the Smallville skein had Bale or Routh attached to it. I personally think that they should go with the "Our Worlds at War" or one of the "Crisis" story archs as a the plot basis for this film. It could show off the powers of all of the characters.

Good Points.

 

[GL1]

I know you guys all want to see Batman in a traditional JLA flick. But just think from a storytelling perspective: How could they have Batman in it and not have him be highly redundant? There's nothing he can do or has that the other League members can't supply themselves. Ifg he were in a League movie, he'd seem tacked on for the sake of having a popular character. Now, if he had a cameo apearance, or had a small supporting role where he was consulted for information, that would make sense. But for him to have any major screen time would end up being kind of akward story wise.

Easy, dude, the WHOLE JLA is tacked on because they're popular.. that's the point. As for Batman's contribution, the consultant IS a team position, he doesn't necessarily have to go and drop an elbow on Doomsday in order to be a contributing team member, nor does he need a lot of screen time... on the contrary, in order to maintain his Batmanness he needs to be light on screen time.

I don't see how Batman being a consultant in the beginning, figuring out the key piece of the puzzle and flying his jet into battle as a distraction (Han Solo style) at the end could compromise anything...

And you have to admit, Batman IS the best interogator...

 

[Warhammer]

Of course.
The DCAU seemed to get Batman to work with the group.
It was very oddball, but it worked. They can find a way. He doesn't have to be prominent, but he can still be there. Interrogator, consultant, detective, etc.....

 

[The Question]

Easy, dude, the WHOLE JLA is tacked on because they're popular.. that's the point.

Yeah, but for the other characters, it at least works. With Bruce, there's no reason for him to be on the team besides him being popular.

As for Batman's contribution, the consultant IS a team position, he doesn't necessarily have to go and drop an elbow on Doomsday in order to be a contributing team member, nor does he need a lot of screen time... on the contrary, in order to maintain his Batmanness he needs to be light on screen time.

That's always how I've felt with Bruce on the League. Have him be a smaller supporting character is how I think he should be handled in a Leage flick.

I don't see how Batman being a consultant in the beginning, figuring out the key piece of the puzzle and flying his jet into battle as a distraction (Han Solo style) at the end could compromise anything...

That would be alright, although the distraction bit at the end seems a tad unnecessairy, as The Flash would make an infinately better distraction (and would be less likely to get killed doing so).

And you have to admit, Batman IS the best interogator...

No, I don't. Personally, I think J'onn is the best interogator.

 

[Movies205]

I know you guys all want to see Batman in a traditional JLA flick. But just think from a storytelling perspective: How could they have Batman in it and not have him be highly redundant? There's nothing he can do or has that the other League members can't supply themselves. Ifg he were in a League movie, he'd seem tacked on for the sake of having a popular character. Now, if he had a cameo apearance, or had a small supporting role where he was consulted for information, that would make sense. But for him to have any major screen time would end up being kind of akward story wise.

Bah... Think of it from story telling perspective... You do realize that Batman relationship to the JL is the most interesting aspect of JL? As much as people love to see things go BOOM! They love drama, Batman being the only "human" on the team in the sense he has no powers, is what makes him awesome... It's all in the writing... If a writer doesnt' understand the concept then sure he'll seem tacked on but that can be said of anything,.

 

[The Question]

Bah... Think of it from story telling perspective... You do realize that Batman relationship to the JL is the most interesting aspect of JL?

Well, since I don't think that, then no.

As much as people love to see things go BOOM! They love drama, Batman being the only "human" on the team in the sense he has no powers, is what makes him awesome... It's all in the writing... If a writer doesnt' understand the concept then sure he'll seem tacked on but that can be said of anything,.

I just think he would seem kind of randomly placed as a major character and full time member of the team. If he had a small role as a consultant, I'd be fine with that.

 

[BROOD5050]

Yes I think Batman should be part of the movie but on a limited capacity only. Batman has a very different style compared to the others. I think it wouldn’t necessarily work on the live action film. Batman should be in the tower masterminding the Leagues every move.:gl:

 

[BROOD5050]

Yes I think Batman should be part of the movie but on a limited capacity only. Batman has a very different style compared to the others. I think it wouldn’t necessarily work on the live action film. Batman should be in the tower masterminding the Leagues every move.:gl:

 

[Katsuro]

It's funny how different this poll would be on the Batman forums. Look at BOFs poll of the same question.

Batman should be in the Justice League movie, there's just no good reason for him not to be. There have been countless classic stories where Batman has proven he can fit into the League, both in terms of story and visually. The guy dresses like a bat for crying out loud, he's not going to look THAT out of place next to Superman.

 

[The Batman]

It's funny how different this poll would be on the Batman forums. Look at BOFs poll of the same question.

cause most of em are up jetts ass

 

[The Batman]

I know you guys all want to see Batman in a traditional JLA flick. But just think from a storytelling perspective: How could they have Batman in it and not have him be highly redundant? There's nothing he can do or has that the other League members can't supply themselves. Ifg he were in a League movie, he'd seem tacked on for the sake of having a popular character. Now, if he had a cameo apearance, or had a small supporting role where he was consulted for information, that would make sense. But for him to have any major screen time would end up being kind of akward story wise.

you mean, the way practically all of the big 7 are redundant short of j'onn?

 

[Justice Bringer]

Batman is entertaining and the JL needs him. He does the dirty business that Superman cant do because of his morals. Bats gets the job done.

 

[Steelsheen]

This is obviously in response to the BOF thread that they should keep Bats from the JL film. And I ask...How can you have a JL film and NOT have Batman in it?

exactly my point. to think that Batman doesnt fit a JL movie is idiotic. i mean geezus who sits around coming up with this non-sense?

I believe he, along with Superman and Wonder Woman, should be in the film.

in the big screen movie version, they should be the founding fathers so to speak, most people think they are anyway.

I just think he would seem kind of randomly placed as a major character and full time member of the team. If he had a small role as a consultant, I'd be fine with that.

so who would you want to be the paranoid investigator for the team? The Question?

 

[Justice Bringer]

When they bring Batman in, they need to give some heels dammit: