Great discussion guys. I wrote this short story idea right just before The Dark Knight was released. Replace Kate with Anne and I think you have a solid movie.
Roman Sionis - Black Mask
In the comics, Roman Sionis was born into one of Gothams wealthiest families, the owners of Janus Cosmetics. After the death of his parents, Sionis inherited his familys business and then proceeded to run it into the ground. He was eventually bailed out when Bruce Wayne bought his company, but feeling disgraced, Sionis became Black Mask and attempted to murder several Wayne Enterprises employees.
Combining a mob boss and a "freak" would create the escalation we need for the third chapter in Chris Nolan's crime epic storyline.
After the "accidental" death of his parents, Roman Sionis inherits everything and decides to use his resources to take control of the two things he desires most, Wayne Enterprises and Gotham City. Set one year after the events in The Dark Knight, Sionis would serve as the film's central villain. Using a dual identity much the way Bruce Wayne does, Sionis appears to be the squeaky clean industrialist who rivals Lucius Fox for Wayne Enterprises, only secretly to be known as Black Mask, a murdering sadist who controls the largest gang of organized crime in the history of Gotham.
In our opinion, Matthew Goode (The Lookout) is the one and only choice here. Goode was recently cast as Adrian Veidt in the upcoming film "Watchmen". Anyone who's read the graphic novel knows Goode must be handsome and charismatic on the surface, while secretly counseling his true nature.
Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow
Cillian Murphy made the Scarecrow terrifying on screen and if given a purpose he could definitely do it again.
Since Black Mask needs total obedience from his society of goons employing Crane makes sense. However, they would never be full partners, Black Mask would undoubtedly view someone like Crane as a subordinate.
Jonathan Crane has made some new "friends" since the last time we saw him. With Sionis funding his every experiment, Crane has plenty of time to develop and perfect his "fear" toxin. Adding various chemicals and mind altering drugs, Crane creates something truly terrifying: the ability to control his victims.
Selina Kyle - Catwoman
After success as Catwoman made her wealthy, Selina Kyle entered Gotham's social elite. Dining and dancing with the same people from whom she was stealing, Selina also managed to date billionaire Bruce Wayne.
Since the third film desperately needs a fresh female lead and a rogue element, Catwoman would fit in perfectly.
Being Selina Kyle means living a double life as well. She's a member of high society by day and a professional thief by night. Knowing that Black Mask is really Roman Sionis, Catwoman seeks vengeance for the violent murder of her sister by striking at Sionis from a distance and in public, which makes her an outlaw the same as Batman.
Our choice is British actress Kate Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor, The Aviator). With a wide variety of assets, Beckinsale is perfect to play the sexy and seductive Selina.
Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin
Due to his appearance and a fascination with birds, Oswald Cobblepot has been called "Penguin" all his life. But what began as a malicious nickname has become one of the most feared names in the criminal underworld.
Even though The Penguin made a name for himself in the comics, he's always been a very obscure character. In order to adapt him to a serious crime story most all of his campy behavior needs to be omitted.
To the public, Oswald wouldn't be much more than a flashy nightclub owner, but to other "powers" in Gotham, he would serve as a weapons dealer and information broker. Supplying guns and ammunition to The False Face Society, while selling details about their leader to Catwoman and the Gotham police, Cobblepot plans to play all sides against each other to gain control of the criminal underworld.
Once again Our choice is Philip Seymour Hoffman (Red Dragon, Almost Famous). Hoffman had an Oscar win for his performance in "Capote". He also starred as Owen Davian, a merciless arms dealer, in "Mission: Impossible 3".
Sandra Wu-San - Lady Shiva
Traveling the globe, Lady Shiva has devoted her life to the perfection in the martial arts. She's also a gun-for-hire, who specializes in bare-handed kills.
According to several writers, Lady Shiva would win eight out of ten fights against Batman, and introducing a character like her would give a much greater challenge to our hero.
When The League of Shadows failed in Gotham, Sandra Wu-San found a new way to bring justice to the world, she becomes Lady Shiva. As a high priced assassin for criminal targets, Shiva is hired in secret by an unknown party to travel west and eliminate the murdering vigilante known as The Batman.
Our casting choice is Hawaiian-born actress Maggie Q (MI: 3). Q's performance in "Live Free or Die Hard" proved that she can be cold and emotionless while still remaining stunning beautiful. She also has the martial arts background needed for the part.
The Conclusion
The False Face Society now out numbers the police and the National Guard. Black Mask has abducted several key figures in the community including the mayor, the new district attorney, Commissioner Jim Gordon and Wayne Enterprises executive Lucius Fox.
With little time remaining and an assassin waiting for him to make a mistake, Batman must free Catwoman from police custody and use the information she has to find Black Mask. But will there be enough time to find an antidote to the new fear toxin and save all the hostages before The False Face Society takes over the entire city?
