I’m from Britain and I’m disappointed by our lack of comic book characters and movies. Our comic book culture has been limited to the Beano and the Dandy (please don’t make fun of us). There’s been V for Vendetta and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen although the latter was pretty terrible. So I decided to steal an American one and reimagine it if it were in Britain with an all British cast. This idea has been done before but I wanted to do a British Batman my own way.
This would be done as a tv series as this is where I believe this is where Britain excels. Also it allows more stories to be told and many narratives benefit from a longer story being told. That said it should not be a long running series, whilst not being as short as Sherlock. The ideal format would be: each series shows 6 episodes each an hour long (that’s a full hour not including adverts). Only 3 or 4 series should be done though to keep it special and it would be best made by the BBC or possibly ITV. This should in no way be linked to the Batman in films of the Gotham tv show, it will be like an Elseworlds story in the comics.
Many factors would be different so here are some:
Gotham is large city such as Manchester and should not at all be like London. It will be an island (even though there is only one island city: Portsmouth) and will be an old industrial ship building town, with a port. It will have high unemployment and crime.
Upper class people are obviously different and will be more posh and old fashioned. Bruce Wayne is looked down upon by many other richer families for his playboy behaviour.
Emphasis is put on Batman’s detective abilities. Almost like Sherlock but he also breaks peoples’ arms, dresses up like a bat and throws batarangs around.
Batman/Bruce Wayne – Richard Madden
This casting is based on his performance in Game of Thrones in which, I believe that he showed that he could be authoritative, badass and act like a hero. I wanted a young Batman/Bruce because this will start when Batman first appears. The only problem with him is that he is a little short, but I think that with the right shoes and camera angles that with today’s cinematography that it isn’t an issue, just think of Bane in TDKR. Obviously he’s going to have to bulk up but that’s achievable. This selection is more based on acting chops than appearance as that’s what will be more important in this alternate take, although he has the right face.
Alfred – Hugh Bonneville
When I first though of this one I was very pleased with myself. I haven’t seen this anywhere else, but think that he is perfect. In Downtown Abbey he has shown that he can act very well with caring and kindness. He also spends lots of time portraying a posh character and has a great demeanour for a butler. He does humour in many roles which is something that Alfred should always offer.
Hush/Tommy Elliot - Tom Felton
Known to most of us as Malfoy this performance is mostly what I have made this selection based on. He roughly the same age as Richard and has been in many other projects where he has been good. We’ve seen him be the posh and evil one before both of which are essential for the role. I want the decent into evil arc of the character but for some good to remain, which I think he will handle well.
The Penguin – Timothy Spall
He is a very talented actor with a long career and many notable performances. He has frequently played villains and it would be great for him to turn his talents to this role. He certainly fits the bill physically, this will be a more classic take on the Penguin and not like the weird Batman Returns portrayal.
Thomas Wayne– Hugh Laurie
This man can do just about anything when it comes to acting. I’ve seen him before in upper class roles (mostly comedy but I think it’s still relevant). He can definitely pull of the kind and caring father of Bruce as he nailed it in Stuart Little (I’m joking (or am I?)) Maybe not an obvious choice as he is a bit too old but my choice is more based on something that will happen later.
Martha Wayne
To be honest this role is not too important as it’s mostly about getting shot
Jim Gordon – Iain Glen
I want a Jim Gordon who can be ex-special forces and hold his own without Batman. He will join the corrupt force and be the good guy that turns it all around. Obviously, he will still have to be authoritive but caring. Ian Glen has been in so many good tv shows I don’t know where to start (actually I do: Game of Thrones). Plus he could totally pull off a mustache.
Scarecrow/Jonathon Crane – Matt Smith
Will be able to portray the intelligence of Jonathon Crane and later the insanity of Scarecrow you may know him as the Doctor. He has also been in an American Psycho musical which is appropriate.
I don't know of many child actors and they usually get cast unknown from an audition, so I have left them out.
Series 1 Episode 1 – Tommy tells the story of him and Bruce: Bruce and Tommy were best friends when they were young and are both from rich families, but he is beaten and treated by dad (mum is dead) and is jealous of Bruce. Their parents are friends so he spends all of his time at Wayne Manor until Bruce’s parents are killed. Bruce becomes reclusive and distant leaving Tommy feeling very alone. We see Bruce’s nightmares of bats and his parent’s death.
Tommy’s dog bites his dad one day and he becomes very angry, killing the dog and beating Tommy. Tommy goes to his dad’s car and loosens one of the wheels creating a car accident that kills his father. Now both orphaned Bruce finds comfort in Tommy. But Bruce has been changed. He is learning martial arts and doing fitness regimes so he can protect himself and others in future. Tommy decides to join him in his training.
A crime wave brought on by crime boss the Penguin makes things in Gotham worse than ever, there is a montage of various crimes the Penguin’s gang are committing. One day Bruce and Tommy see 5 men drag a shopkeeper outside and beat him up. Bruce persuades Tommy to intervene. They jump the men but Tommy is hit round the head with a crowbar and then stabbed. The men run off and the shop keeper calls an ambulance. As Tommy lies there he shouts “F**k you Bruce, we never should have got involved!” before passing out.
Bruce decides to take revenge, using his detective skills he tracks down the men that hurt Tommy. Alfred asks Bruce “Don’t do anything that you’ll regret” to which he replies “I’m just going to scare them”. He suits up in a costume that resembles the Batsuit but isn’t a proper one. He then beats up and terrifies the men that hurt Tommy. End shot is Bruce looking out over Gotham with his cape flapping in the wind.
More episodes will follow.