The Dark Knight Who Would You Have Cast As Rachel?

[Cunning Stunts]

Katie bombed her performance in Batman Begins, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was a pretty good replacement in The Dark Knight... But let's pretend Katie was never cast in the first place, thus likely barring the need for a re-cast, who would you have put in Katie Holmes's place?

I'm curious to hear new names, to let's avoid the "I'd keep Katie" or "I'd have cast Maggie in BB" answers.

 

[Fenrir]

There isn't much to the role to think of alternative casting suggestions. Any decent actress could've handled it effortlessly.

 

[Franklin Richards]

How bout Evangeline Lilly?


Just off the top of my head.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

There isn't much to the role to think of alternative casting suggestions. Any decent actress could've handled it effortlessly.

I definitely agree, given the way it was written. I mean this in the context of a more well thought-out, less plot-device ridden Rachel.

 

[Crook]

Amy Adams.

 

[animexcel]

Jennifer Aniston.

 

[SuperFerret]

Jennifer Aniston.

I thought the '90's were over.

 

[michephantom]

...me

 

[Paradoxium]

Rachel was suppose to be older than Bruce (cited in the script IIRC). Holmes did not have that air of maturity (lack of better words) to pull it off.

I've always maintained that someone like Jennifer Connolly would be a more convincing casting choice. And this was before Holmes was cast. At least that was the voice I got when reading the script.

 

[nathaniel]

How bout Evangeline Lilly?


Just off the top of my head.

Thats actually a good choice not to model like pretty but good looking enough and a good actress Maggie G is a great actress but just didnt seem like someone bruce would give it all up for in TDK she looked and acted more best freind material.

 

[Deaths Head II]

No one. I would not have made up a love interest for Batman. I do not feel it is needed, especially seeing as Rachel was the weakest link in both films.

If there was no way to avoid Rachel, I would pick Jennifer Connolly. I didn't actually think of her until Parodoxium mentioned her. Some nice casting there. Even if I don't like Rachel, I wouldn't say no to seeing Connolly on screen.

 

[nathaniel]

No one. I would not have made up a love interest for Batman. I do not feel it is needed, especially seeing as Rachel was the weakest link in both films.

If there was no way to avoid Rachel, I would pick Jennifer Connolly. I didn't actually think of her until Parodoxium mentioned her. Some nice casting there. Even if I don't like Rachel, I wouldn't say no to seeing Connolly on screen.

Its the way of most media to create love interests even in superhero flicks sometimes its perfectly natural and canon such as Cyclops and Jean Grey or Reed and Sue richards so its understanderble but i agree i dont really want it in a batfilm except maybe the teasing relationship with Catwoman which was done perfectly in Batman Returns.

 

[maveholic31]

Rachel was suppose to be older than Bruce (cited in the script IIRC). Holmes did not have that air of maturity (lack of better words) to pull it off.

I've always maintained that someone like Jennifer Connolly would be a more convincing casting choice. And this was before Holmes was cast. At least that was the voice I got when reading the script.

i totally agree with you, when the begins script was leaked I immediately imagined Connelly as Rachel, although that character wouldve been weak with anyone.

 

[Jonathan Crane]

Rachel McAdams. She's very good actress and would be very good Rachel.

 

[Doctor Jones]

McAdams could really play alot of comic book ladies. Rachel, Lois Lane, Mary Jane, either one of those I would of been happy with.

 

[Silverglade]

I really like how Maggie did Rachel. I could give many instances as examples, but her work while trapped in the warehouse tied to the bombs was perfection. She also looked amazing at the dinner scene with Bruce, Harvey, and Natasha. She brought such maturity to the role. Makes Katie in BB look horribly miscast. Maggie delivered the goods and I am proud of her and like seeing her in TDK as I watch it repeatedly.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

Honestly, I think Rachel was created with her death in Nolan's mind. I think characters would have been more angry to see such a legendary and historical love interest get blown away, so Rachel was created, expanded on, and when we started to really feel close to her, killed.

Overall, I think it was perfect manipulation by Nolan.

 

[Crook]

Too bad the audience never really connected with her.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

I began to like her a lot more in TDK. In BB, I didn't care for her much at all.

 

[Crook]

That's the problem, since much of Rachel's core is present in BB. TDK was more of a continuation, very little was actually explored.

To be frank, I didn't really like Katie nor Maggie.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

That's the problem, since much of Rachel's core is present in BB. TDK was more of a continuation, very little was actually explored.

To be frank, I didn't really like Katie nor Maggie.

All in all, yes, I'm glad the character is gone, as I think her impact is felt much more as the "lost love" than the object of affection Batman is trying to give his job up for.

 

[BestGirl]

Honestly, I think Rachel was created with her death in Nolan's mind. I think characters would have been more angry to see such a legendary and historical love interest get blown away, so Rachel was created, expanded on, and when we started to really feel close to her, killed.

I think you're right about Rachel being a disposable love interest in a way that a more established character wouldn't be. Anna Ramirez was created under similar circumstances because Renee Montoya couldn't be a corrupt cop.

I began to like her a lot more in TDK. In BB, I didn't care for her much at all.

Same here, hence my username. t:

 

[p4poetic]

Apparently she's based off of Rachel Caspian from Batman: Year Two.

Just any actress who looks older, the appropriate age. I have to believe she looks like she grew up with Bruce since childhood. In the flashback scenes somehow Bale managed to look younger. Holmes looked way too young. Maggie looked too much like Kirsten Dunst, therefore too much like Mary Jane Watson with a different hair color.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

I think you're right about Rachel being a disposable love interest in a way that a more established character wouldn't be. Anna Ramirez was created under similar circumstances because Renee Montoya couldn't be a corrupt cop.



Same here, hence my username. t:

I generally hate disposable characters, but I think Nolan did it quite masterfully. I think these characters were placed in quite well (Ramirez, Wuertz, Dawes, etc.).

 

[drunkhomer]

Rachel McAdams