Dark Knight Returns film adaptation

[Chief Redcock]

At Wondercon, Frank Miller recently said he'd be game for a direct film translation of the Dark Knight Returns. So, if this happened, how would they do it. Who would direct it, who would be cast, etc?

Personally, I'd get Robert Rodriguez to direct (he could do it Sin City style), with maybe Mickey Rourke, James Coburn, or Nick Nolte in the lead. I'm not sure about the other characers though.... and some people on the Talkbacks have suggested doing the whole thing in animation (with maybe the Batman: TAS team). What are your thoughts? Should they try to do this? If so, how?

[Coldfire24]

I think that this would work against the current batman movies and that it probably would never be made unless they did some sort of direct to dvd animation type deal.

[doglips]

George Clooney to direct with Miller and star - he needs Batman Closure.

[Shane]

Rutger Hauer should Be the Batman. and |Jack Nickolson should be back for joker.

[King Psyz]

I want to see someone built like a haggard old marine in his 60's who could still mop the floor with any punk who tried something. Just a mountain of a dude, so mickey rourke ala sin city would work fine for me.

this just won't happen live action until after the new batman series of movies has run it's course. i'd say if they did a trilogy this would be a nice last title to make for a fourth film.

[minstrel]

Personally, I'd get Robert Rodriguez to direct (he could do it Sin City style), with maybe Mickey Rourke, James Coburn, or Nick Nolte in the lead.

Um, James Coburn? Really? I'm not familiar with Dark Knight Returns - would a dead actor be appropriate for the piece?

[Chief Redcock]

Personally, I'd get Robert Rodriguez to direct (he could do it Sin City style), with maybe Mickey Rourke, James Coburn, or Nick Nolte in the lead.

Um, James Coburn? Really? I'm not familiar with Dark Knight Returns - would a dead actor be appropriate for the piece?

Whoops, slight oversight there. Scratch that last one.

[DennisMM]

I want to see someone built like a haggard old marine in his 60's who could still mop the floor with any punk who tried something. Just a mountain of a dude, so mickey rourke ala sin city would work fine for me.

Mickey Rourke is pretty fucking ugly, even without his Marv prosthetics. I don't think he'd be a good visual match for Bruce, even a Bruce who gets the shit kicked out of him at one point.

[MadCapsule]

James Caan, maybe? He still looks like someone you don't wanna mess with.

[MadCapsule]

Anyone that mentions Harrison Ford is gonna get stabbed in the jaw.

[King Psyz]

I want to see someone built like a haggard old marine in his 60's who could still mop the floor with any punk who tried something. Just a mountain of a dude, so mickey rourke ala sin city would work fine for me.

Mickey Rourke is pretty fucking ugly, even without his Marv prothetics. I don't think he'd be a good visual match for Bruce, even a Bruce who gets the shit kicked out of him at one point.

Well hard to say, I mean by this time Bruce has seen better days no doubt. But there's a chance they could go with like an unknown who fits the bill. Like an old retired marine

[Dark Knight]

A bulked up Clint Eastwood could work, wasn't he rumored for it back in the 90's or was I dreaming?

[Kilgore]

By the time something like this got made, you know damn well that Bruce Willis would end up in there as Wayne...and you know what, when I think about it, I wouldn't have a problem with that. But I still want a follow-up to Unbreakable...

[Adam Balm]

If Bruce Willis was doing his Hartigan thing from Sin City, then it might work. Never happen, but it might work.

EDIT: Someone beat me to it. Doh.

[Theta]

1) You HAVE to animate it. There's really no reason to make it live action. Warners seems to be dipping their toe into animation aimed at adults ("A Scanner Darkly" for example), so why not do a release with their biggest franchise?

2) There's only one man I can imagine delivering these lines:

"Sure, you've got rights. Lots of rights. Sometimes I stay up at night counting them to drive myself crazy. But right now you've got a shard of glass in a major artery. Right now, you're bleeding to death. And right now I'm the only one who can get you to a hospital in time."

That man is Clint Eastwood.

[Chief Redcock]

I just can't see Eastwood in this part. He isn't well developed enough, for one thing. There was a rumor a while ago that he was going to direct and star in a version of this, but I honestly don't think it'd be a good match...

Eastwood can really only play Eastwood. And Batman ain't Eastwood.

[Theta]

I just can't see Eastwood in this part. He isn't well developed enough, for one thing. There was a rumor a while ago that he was going to direct and star in a version of this, but I honestly don't think it'd be a good match...

Eastwood can really only play Eastwood. And Batman ain't Eastwood.

If it were animated, though?

The thing is, I can see Eastwood doing the voice, although not the body, even though apparently he could beat the shit out of a horde of Talkbackers without breaking a sweat. If it were animated it'd have to be Eastwood. He'd love the material, if he's not familiar with it already.

[DennisMM]

In All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #2, Dick Grayson thinks that Batman is disguising his voice with some lame Clint Eastwood impersonation. The legacy of the movies continues. Do you suppose it was Michael Keaton or Tim Burton who decided to go that way?

[burlivesleftnut]

Let's all remember that even though Batman seemed old as fuck in the book, he was actually around 50.

[Tenacious N]

Eastwood is in really, really good shape for a guy his age. I think he could pull of the insane Batman we all know and love in the Dark Knight Returns.

Who would play Superman?

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

Robert Duvall, eh?

[DennisMM]

Let's all remember that even though Batman seemed old as fuck in the book, he was actually around 50.

Exactly. People seemed to think he was a senior citizen. He looked worse because of 20 years of gunshots, knife wounds and closed head injuries. These are the last panels of The Dark Knight Returns #2. Days before Batman was beaten badly. He's grizzled and rough, but not ugly. Eastwood is in good shape, but he's thin and wiry rather than big. He's also 75.

[Shane]

Rutger Hauer Damnit!!

He is Destined to play the role!!!

[DennisMM]

Hauer would be good, though he's aging as well. He just turned 62. Hauer would have ruled as John Constantine, had they made the movie even ten years ago.

[Chairman Kaga]

After the bit that Timm and Dini et al did in Legends of the Dark Knight.....I would rather see this adapted in a full length animated feature from WB animaion.


Michael Ironsides did a great voice for Bats...

[Shane]

Hauer would be good, though he's aging as well. He just turned 62.

yeah and it's about an old batman he must!!!

After the bit that Timm and Dini et al did in Legends of the Dark Knight.....I would rather see this adapted in a full length animated feature from WB animaion.


Michael Ironsides did a great voice for Bats...

That would be greatif they did it right.

[Chairman Kaga]

That sequence in that episode just wasn't long enough.

[nodforlife]

By the time this gets made, Kiefer Sutherland would be appropriately grissled.

[DennisMM]

Sutherland should have played Constantine two years ago. Would have brought some ... dignity ... to the role.

[Shane]

Sutherland should have played Constantine two years ago. Would have brought some ... dignity ... to the role.

I wanted to see Jason Flemyng play him.

[Doc Holliday]

This is great news....TDR has a special place in my heart - it was the first "comic" I read with that more natural, gritty, realistic/adult slant to it and it fanned the fires of my comic-fanboy-dom for years to follow. It is also responsible for my favourite depiction of Supes too.

I really like the idea of either Nick Nolte or James Caan as Bats.....they'd carry the right amount of menace with them...would really do the role justice. Rourke could...but he's got Marv...let him play with that instead.

I'd want Jack Nicholson in the role...but to give a really dark, sinister and at the same time compelling and human performance. You hate, fear, understand and to a degree sympathise with The Joker in the novel and Jack could do this better than most. The fact he would be deconstructing his own on-screen persona would give the film an edge as well I reckon.

But if not Jack...who would probably demand 50% of the gross take as a fee....then I think Rutger Hauer would make a better Joker than he would Batman......

I really hope they make this....

[buster00]

By the time this gets made, Kiefer Sutherland would be appropriately grissled.

JACKPOT...no pun intended. Close your eyes and listen to Bauer's voice the next time "24" is on. Picture Batman growling some o' these grim n' gritties:

"Who are you working for?"

"If you don't tell me what I want to know, then it'll just be a question of how much you want it to hurt..."

"You know what I can do to you. You've read my file."

I think a Dark Knight Returns movie that looks and feels like the Sin City movie would win interplanetary ass-kicking contests. I dunno if Keifer's bulky enough for the role, though. I'd only use him if it's animated all the way through.

[buster00]

Sutherland should have played Constantine two years ago. Would have brought some ... dignity ... to the role.

Yeah, if they absolutely, positively HAD to use an American...he would've been an ace choice for Constantine, too. Never thought of that. Was he up for the role at one point?

[Chief Redcock]

More suggestions:

(1) Kenneth Branaugh (this might be my new favorite. He can play ANYTHING, and this is basically Shakespeare with Batman, isn't it? What could be more appropriate? Put some makeup on him... there you go).

(2) Anthony Hopkins? (It's definitely a role worthy of his caliber... a stretch, but fun to think about).

(3) Brian Cox?

(4) DeNiro?

I've been thinking of these all day. I'm sure I've left off some. Of course, Cox and Hopkins probably would be too old if they decide to cool their heels on this... and on that note, an appropriately grizzled Kiefer Sutherland would be badass.

[Doc Holliday]

More suggestions:

(1) Kenneth Branaugh (this might be my new favorite. He can play ANYTHING, and this is basically Shakespeare with Batman, isn't it? What could be more appropriate? Put some makeup on him... there you go).

(2) Anthony Hopkins? (It's definitely a role worthy of his caliber... a stretch, but fun to think about).

(3) Brian Cox?

(4) DeNiro?

I've been thinking of these all day. I'm sure I've left off some. Of course, Cox and Hopkins probably would be too old if they decide to cool their heels on this... and on that note, an appropriately grizzled Kiefer Sutherland would be badass.

I'm liking Cox for the role of Harvey Dent......

[ThisIsTheGirl]

.........



......this is the movie I have been waiting for since I was an adolescent. This would rock my world. If done well, this would be my personal movie-to-end-all-movies.....

I love the suggestion of Caan. Although I think he's just a little too old now. The reason Caan sort of works for me is because he still fairly imposing physically. This is the same reason Eastwood wouldn't work - like Dennis says, he's wiry, and has far too many wrinkles. Wayne should be played by one of those old men who looks like they could still kick the crap out of you. Palance in his 50s would have been perfect, in my opinion.

Man, this has made my fucking decade. A worthy excuse to reprint this beautiful page (which I originally used to bring an end to my era of being Grando Carlissian!)







....possibly my favourite comicbook frame ever, although the one where he jumps out of the batmobile to fight the Mutant Leader is also insanely cool.

[TonyWilson]

Look, people are going to hate me, or possibly stab me in the jaw, but why not Harrison Ford? He's in need of a revival, he's the aging hero of our generation. I can't think of anyone who's the same age and has the prescence to make this work.

[ThisIsTheGirl]

He's not a bad suggestion Tony, but he's a bit past it - even doing the new Indy movie is pushing his capabilities to their limits, and to be honest he seems to go for more "serious" roles these days, I just can't see him wanting to play a superhero at this point in his life.

So far, Hauer is one of the best suggestions. What about his replacement on Smallville, Patrick Bergin? He's 5 years younger than Hauer who, at 62, may be pushing it a bit, and Ford is 64 - even older....

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

Exactly. People seemed to think he was a senior citizen. He looked worse because of 20 years of gunshots, knife wounds and closed head injuries.

You bring uppa the good point paisan... alla too often a we forget about a the violence inna'volved inna these putzes daily lives, eh? Anna the Batman, he's a just a the regular guy, no? No special healing powers or anything like a that, eh?

Say what a you will about a the Daredevil movie, but a they got a the shower scene after a the bar fight right onna the money, eh? Just a the guy inna the shower, soaking his a sore muscles anna losing a the tooth, eh?

[Doc Holliday]

hmm. I'm not sure about Ford...I think I'll say no...pretty much for what TitG says, and also because the physicality isn't there and the fear he'd try to fuck with the dialogue unnecessarily.

Its a near-miss though....it'd almost be worth it just so he could do one of his "Finger-jabbing-in-face" tirades during the confrontation with Supes.

("How dare YOU sir....")

titG - you not think Hauer make a better Joker? He does the clinical evil so well...

[ThisIsTheGirl]

True, true, Doc. He would make a badass aging joker, but I think he's getting a bit bulky in his old age, which kind of suggests Batman to me more than The Joker - but I worship Hauer, so in my book he could do whatever the hell he wants - OK, what about Robin? She's gotta be young, smart - preferably with redish hair. Anybody think of anyone suitable? To me, this would be the character which could potentially be REALLY annoying, if they get the actress or dialogue even slightly wrong.

Although, I guess with Miller onboard, this wouldn't be such a problem. And Doc reminded me of something else - who the hell do you get to play Superman? Would be quite cool if they used Routh. He isn't supposed to have aged at all, is he? Even Welling. I'd love to see somebody kick the shit out of Tom Welling. Just once.

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

You putzes are alla overlooking a the obvious choice, no?

Hulk Hogan.

"I'M A RETURNING, BROTHERRRRR!!!!'

Hehehe.... the Dino, he just a making with a the funny...

[Stinny]

The Real obvious choice.

The one who would nail this to the wall, AND bring his career back AND be a million types of awesome in a kickass sunday with extra badass.....



Burt Reynolds.

And we'd get the dramatic mustache shaving scene to boot.

[Doc Holliday]

Hmm. Ultimately, as long as Hauer is in it, then we win. Hell, HE could do Harvey Dent if he wanted....he's pretty much cool in most role. Reminds me of that guilty pleasure "Blind Fury". Woulda been third-rate pap in anyone else's hands....he raised it to second-rate...and therefore found my level.

Back on topic....

I want to resist this due to its current-fad-ability...but when you put it the way you do I am struggling to think of anyone bar Scarlett Johansen for the Robin role if its to be anything but risible...(actually, thats a bit strong...but I am struggling to think of another)

I'd love to see Nick Nolte if Caan not available...he's effing massive and can intimidate a room with a whisper....he can go to some really dark places, even as a hero....

And for Supes..nope, he hadn't aged that much had he? But he was drawn to look forty-ish so I'm not sure about Routh. You make a good point about Welling though

[Doc Holliday]

The Real obvious choice.

The one who would nail this to the wall, AND bring his career back AND be a million types of awesome in a kickass sunday with extra badass.....



Burt Reynolds.

And we'd get the dramatic mustache shaving scene to boot.

Only if Dom Deluise gets to be in it......he could be Gordon and instead of shining the BAT LIGHT, he'd simply shout "DUM DUM DUUUUUUUUUM" into a megaphone.....

[ThisIsTheGirl]

Johanssen's not a bad choice but.......and I'm gonna sound like a total paedo here........I kind of always pictured her as something like 14 or 15 years old. She's still in school isn't she? I want a young'un

I actually quite like the suggestion of Reynolds - but the dude turned 70 a couple of days ago. 70, PEOPLE!! We'll be suggesting Dino for the role next!

I think we're asking too much of these old farts, we have to keep it within the realms of possibility.

And the director has got a lot to live up to I want somebody who is capable of translating jaw-dropping images like this to the big screen:

[Doc Holliday]

The Nolte lobby continues...I'm thinking he'd be a great Gordon instead.

Shit. Can't really post too much more...still thinking on what to write for Airwolf.

You sigh a breath of relief now...but you'll miss me.

I said you'll miss me Goddammit.....

[Stinny]

Yeah but...70 to Reynolds is like 35 to normal humans so we'd actually have to wait like five years or so then make him a bit older with some digital effects. Then and Only then could Reynolds maybe sorta kinda pass for 70.

He's a golden god I tell you.

As for scarlett, she's far too.....how shall I put this....Buxom. To play Robin III.

I'd suggest in another upset that will shock the cinema world....
An olsen twin! either one. They're thin enough. And they've been speaking the postpunkduckspeak practically since birth.

Think of it people.

[ThisIsTheGirl]

One of the Olsen twins works better for me - but I want her even younger, dammit!

ETA - in my head, I imagine a similar dynamic to the one between Portman and Reno in Leon (The Professional)

[Doc Holliday]

One of the Olsen twins works better for me - but I want her even younger, dammit!

ETA - in my head, I imagine a similar dynamic to the one between Portman and Reno in Leon (The Professional)

Careful - or we'll end up with Dakota Fanning.....