2081 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

A few new tidbits:

-The Joker will be the central villain, though his plot isn't related to that of the other villains

-Roman Sionis/Black Mask is primarily going to be a menace to Wayne himself than Batman, causing Bruce/Batman to find both identities under assault

[Turn]

-Roman Sionis/Black Mask is primarily going to be a menace to Wayne himself than Batman, causing Bruce/Batman to find both identities under assault

I'm not familiar with that character at all. Can you give any background on him?

[Harmsway]

-Roman Sionis/Black Mask is primarily going to be a menace to Wayne himself than Batman, causing Bruce/Batman to find both identities under assault

I'm not familiar with that character at all. Can you give any background on him?

Yes. Now remember that Nolan will likely modify the character as he sees fit for this film (and the cosmetics thing probably has no part in it - the last-ditch attempt to save his company will likely be connected in some way to the arms deal he makes with Maroni).

This is taken from:
Roman Sionis Info

Roman Sionis was born into one of Gotham City

[Turn]

Thanks, Harmsway. Sounds interesting, but I'd like to see them stick with just one villain at a time for once.

[Harmsway]

Thanks, Harmsway. Sounds interesting, but I'd like to see them stick with just one villain at a time for once.

Why? The old series was so "Batman vs. villain" in its plotting that I'd like them to stay away from that format... Comic books storylines rarely fit in with that kind of structure anyway.

[Felix_Leiter]

Oh Dip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Latest rumour is that Michael Keaton is in the running to play the joker! That would be amazing!

http://www.aintitcoo...ay.cgi?id=21542

[Harmsway]

Oh Dip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Latest rumour is that Michael Keaton is in the running to play the joker! That would be amazing!

http://www.aintitcoo...ay.cgi?id=21542

And an insider promptly shot it down, in this manner. "Is he being considered? Possibly. Will he be cast? Absolutely not."

[Felix_Leiter]

Oh well, I can dream. 'Bettany' would be okay but really given the choice I'd take Glover over him for the joker role.

[K1Bond007]

Little foggy on the issue... are they still using the comic book Year One and the ?? how many other comics that came out in that line as a source (or inspiration) for this sequel or is this mostly a totally original film?

[Harmsway]

Little foggy on the issue... are they still using the comic book Year One and the ?? how many other comics that came out in that line as a source (or inspiration) for this sequel or is this mostly a totally original film?

They're taking inspiration from all over the place. Expect to see the strong influence of Batman: Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween (a sequel of sorts to Year One). Both were cited as strong influential forces on the first one (and their influence was clear), and we're going to see more of them in this (some plot ideas already borrow from these two comics).

[Max Zorin]

Little foggy on the issue... are they still using the comic book Year One and the ?? how many other comics that came out in that line as a source (or inspiration) for this sequel or is this mostly a totally original film?

They're taking inspiration from all over the place. Expect to see the strong influence of Batman: Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween (a sequel of sorts to Year One). Both were cited as strong influential forces on the first one (and their influence was clear), and we're going to see more of them in this (some plot ideas already borrow from these two comics).

Ah, but the real question is, shall we see elements of the Killing Joke make their way into the sequel? Let's hope so.

[Harmsway]

Little foggy on the issue... are they still using the comic book Year One and the ?? how many other comics that came out in that line as a source (or inspiration) for this sequel or is this mostly a totally original film?

They're taking inspiration from all over the place. Expect to see the strong influence of Batman: Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween (a sequel of sorts to Year One). Both were cited as strong influential forces on the first one (and their influence was clear), and we're going to see more of them in this (some plot ideas already borrow from these two comics).

Ah, but the real question is, shall we see elements of the Killing Joke make their way into the sequel? Let's hope so.

We'll see if anything comes over from The Killing Joke, and the truth is perhaps nothing. It's been stated that the Joker will be given no origin in Batman Continues - he'll just "exist". That's how it should be, IMO. Somehow giving him a backstory, even one as outstanding as The Killing Joke, limits the character and robs him of some of his mystery.

[Frostyak]

I don't mind the multiple villains idea...the reason why it didn't work in 'Batman Returns' and the later movies is because it became much less about Batman and much more so about the villains. I feel Nolan balanced the parts very will in 'Begins' adding them up to a coherent and better whole. I don't think there is any reason why that won't work again. So long as he keeps the main focus on the development of Batman/Bruce Wayne, it should be fine. There was absolutely zero character development in the original series.

- Chris

[Harmsway]

The big rumored title now, I just thought I'd let you guys know, is

B A T M A N
ESCALATION

[Qwerty]

Not a bad title really.

[Harmsway]

Not a bad title really.

I dig it, and it really has a lot to do with Nolan's theory of Batman's crusade on crime - the idea that things are going to get incredibly worse before they get better.

[Loomis]

Harmsway,

Do you know where Batman fandom stands on the following question:

"Is BATMAN BEGINS the fifth in a series that started in 1989 with Burton's BATMAN, or is it the start of an all-new franchise?"?

Are Batman fans pretty split on the issue? I expect there'll be a similar debate in Bond fandom as to whether CASINO ROYALE should be considered BOND 21 or the first film in a new series.

[killkenny kid]

Harmsway,

Do you know where Batman fandom stands on the following question:

"Is BATMAN BEGINS the fifth in a series that started in 1989 with Burton's BATMAN, or is it the start of an all-new franchise?"?

Are Batman fans pretty split on the issue? I expect there'll be a similar debate in Bond fandom as to whether CASINO ROYALE should be considered BOND 21 or the first film in a new series.

Everything is new. And ,no there is no split on the issue.

[Lazenby880]

Loomis, as a Batgeek and speaking for myself Batman Begins is the first of an entirely new franchise, with no connection whatsoever to the Burton/Schumacher series. From what I have picked up from the Batman fan community (which is less, admittedly, than Harmsway) the vast majority are of this opinion too; in fact I have not heard/seen anyone who is a Batfan think otherwise.

Begins was designed as such (which I do not think Casino Royale is), blissfully ignoring the previous films (two of which only purported to be about the character) and being far more faithful to its origins, such as having the Waynes killed by Chill instead of the Joker (one of the major problems with Burton's Batman).

Edited by Lazenby880, 23 October 2005 - 10:06 PM.

[tdalton]

The big rumored title now, I just thought I'd let you guys know, is

B A T M A N
ESCALATION

I like that title, and hopefully they decide to use it (definitely much better than Batman Continues)

[00-FAN008]

in' amazing.

[Harmsway]

Harmsway,

Do you know where Batman fandom stands on the following question:

"Is BATMAN BEGINS the fifth in a series that started in 1989 with Burton's BATMAN, or is it the start of an all-new franchise?"?

Are Batman fans pretty split on the issue? I expect there'll be a similar debate in Bond fandom as to whether CASINO ROYALE should be considered BOND 21 or the first film in a new series.

Everything is new. And ,no there is no split on the issue.

Indeed... there was a complete separation. It's a restart entirely, and there's no continuity between Batman '89 or Begins (they contradict eachother all over the place).

Begins is distinctly part I of a new trilogy, totally unrelated to the earlier series (thank god).

[Qwerty]

Batman Continues

Quite. I would hope and assume that would never seriously be considered.

[Harmsway]

Batman Continues

Quite. I would hope and assume that would never seriously be considered.

Nolan addressed it and said that it certainly wouldn't be called that.

I personally think Batman Escalation will be the likely title, especially with his talk of the "escalation" of crime in the sequels as its big focus.

[Qwerty]

Just got finished watching all the special features on the Begins 2-Disc set, so I'm very eagerly awaiting this now.

[K1Bond007]

The big rumored title now, I just thought I'd let you guys know, is

B A T M A N
ESCALATION

Eh. Can't say that I like it, but I don't dislike it either. I guess it would depend on how long the series goes for. I heard trilogy, which would make this title ok, but if they're gonna do 5 or so, then "Escalation" as the second title, just seems ... awkward. Maybe that's just me. Regardless, it'd be hard coming up with a sequel title to Batman Begins considering the other line of Batman films. They should just confuse everyone and call it Batman 2 (definitely do not use Batman Continues though)

[Double-Oh-Zero]

I wouldn't mind if they used the "original" title of Batman Begins, which was Batman: Intimidation (well, technically it was Intimidation Game). Escalation could work, though.

As for who should play Joker, I've always thought that Paul Bettany or Jared Leto would do nicely.

[Frostyak]

Just got finished watching all the special features on the Begins 2-Disc set, so I'm very eagerly awaiting this now.

I have finished the special features on Batman `89, and most on Batman Returns and Batman Forever. I am suprised at how self-critical the WB execs are on how dark 'Returns' was and how over the top 'Forever' was. Not your usual studio fluff. I guess Bob Kane asked the WB personally to make the third film a bit lighter. The segments on the 'Forever' DVD will go into more detail, but the main goal was to capture that feel of the late 40's/early 50's comics, on the verge of becoming campy, but still retaining some of the more mysterious elements. Knowing that now, it actually makes the film a little easier to take in.

As far as the next film in the current trilogy goes, it seems Nolan can do no wrong. He seems to have captured the perfect balance between light and dark, realism and fantasy and is blessed by both a great supporting cast and much better technology than was previously available. The only wish I have is that they shoot films 2 and 3 back to back, narrowing the time between films, and ensuring the cast does not want to move on.

- Chris

[Qwerty]

Just got finished watching all the special features on the Begins 2-Disc set, so I'm very eagerly awaiting this now.

I have finished the special features on Batman `89, and most on Batman Returns and Batman Forever.

Cannot wait to get those. Those films were way overdue for a good DVD treatment.

[Harmsway]

The big rumored title now, I just thought I'd let you guys know, is

B A T M A N
ESCALATION

Eh. Can't say that I like it, but I don't dislike it either. I guess it would depend on how long the series goes for. I heard trilogy, which would make this title ok, but if they're gonna do 5 or so, then "Escalation" as the second title, just seems ... awkward. Maybe that's just me. Regardless, it'd be hard coming up with a sequel title to Batman Begins considering the other line of Batman films. They should just confuse everyone and call it Batman 2 (definitely do not use Batman Continues though)

Nolan will only do a trilogy, and it seems that the original cast only has the intention of staying if Nolan does. So that's that.