It seems to be a widely accepted belief on this site that there is one actor who was born to play the role of an older Bruce Wayne/Batman. That man is Clint Eastwood. I agree with this belief, but unfortunately there is now a problem or two with that idea. You see, Mr Eastwood now looks like this...
Yes, Bruce has retired from his role as Batman in this story, but he comes out of retirement. The actor needs to be in reasonably fit physical shape. I don't think Clint could cope these days.
Another problem is Alfred. Yes, he is still the faithful butler and must be approximately 20 years older than Bruce at least. If Bruce looks like Mr Eastwood up there, then the only person I've found who could pull off a believable Alfred is this guy...
Yeah, I don't think we'd get much character interaction going there.
So with that out of the way, and bearing in mind that makeup can easily add or take off a few years for these characters, we are cocked, locked, and ready to rock!
Batman/Bruce Wayne - Bruce Willis
Batman - Bruce Wayne has hung up his cape due to age. He is now 55 years old (according to wikipedia). Despite turning his back on crime fighting he still feels the call to return to the shadows in order to bring justice to the corrupt streets of Gotham. Batman has been gone for ten years and is more myth than anything in the eyes of those too young to remember.
Bruce Willis - He is an action icon of yesteryear, a seasoned mans man who can still pull off the physical demands this role involves. He has a gruff voice and strong jaw. I think he is perfect for Batman.
Alfred - Peter O Toole
Alfred - Bruce Wayne's butler, physician and father figure rolled into one. I don't think Batman could exist without him. His loyalty knows no bounds and even in his 80's he stands beside Bruce and supports him at any cost.
Peter O Toole - He's a good actor, although he does like to ham things up a little (just check out Supergirl!) he's British, upper class and just the right side of being a corpse (unless I missed a headline!). He's perfect.
Harvey Dent/Two Face - Ray Liotta
Havey Dent - After several years in custody Havey Dent is given his freedom as plastic surgery has restored his face. It is believed by many that he is now "cured" but a few people maintain the belief that his scars ran deeper than mere facial disfigurement.
Ray Liotta - There are few actors with the same level of intensity that comes through so easily in every single one of Ray's performances. He has the charisma, the anger and the inner turmoil that is needed to play a great Two Face.
Robin/Carrie Kelly - Chloe Moretz
Carrie Kelly - A young 13 year old gymnast taken in by the ideal of the Batman "myth". She saved her money to buy a Robin costume with the hope of becoming Batman's latest sidekick, a fantasy that is realised with both good and bad consequences.
Chloe Moretz - Her performance in Kick-Ass is exactly what this character needs. This casting is a no-brainer.
Commissioner Jim Gordon - Ted Levine
Jim Gordon - Friend of Bruce Wayne's and ally to Batman, he now knows they are one in the same. Gordon is dedicated to cleaning the streets of Gotham, even if it means allowing a vigilante to work within the city. However, he is due to retire and the fate of the once again operative Batman hangs in the balance.
Ted Levine - He's a great actor, even with his cock tucked between his legs (Silence of the Lambs). He's in the right age frame and a few grey streaks in the hair should have him looking set to retire. If that's not enough the lip slug should seal the deal for you.
Commissioner Ellen Yindel - Charlize Theron
Ellen Yindel - Jim Gordon's successor. She is a tough woman who takes a hard stance on the Batman situation. She makes the capture of the vigilante her top priority.
Charlize Theron - In my mind she is one of if not the best actress of our generation. She has sex appeal to put others to shame but unlike most others she had the talent to back it up! She is able to light the screen with her appearance but have you remember the performance above anything. She is also willing and able to do what the role requires and not feel the need to be glamorous in every shot.
Mutant Leader - Nathan Jones
Mutant Leader - The mutants are the gang (but don't call them a gang) who are responsible for the state of Gotham's streets. They are lead by a behemoth of a man who's strength is only matched by his lack of tactical thinking. His first meeting with Batman sees him emerge the victor by a considerable margin, leaving Batman to re-evaluate his abilities and prepare for round two.
Nathan Jones - The role requires size and hand to hand fight scenes along with shouting, rather than an intelligent thought provoking performance. Sounds like a wrestler to me! Nathan's role in Troy was short but had what this part needs.
Selina Kyle - Sigourney Weaver
Selina Kyle - Gone are the days of youth. Selina now runs an escort agency and is now a far cry away from her glory days. I would change this a little and use Silk Spectre 1 from Watchmen as inspiration. Still running a seedy escort service and still with her best days behind her but while she longs for yesterday she is still able to satisfy a mans needs.
Sigourney Weaver - She is a strong woman who may be leaving her physical glory days behind (no offence meant, it's just a fact of life that we age) but she still holds herself with grace and has sex appeal. I think she is perfect for this character.
Superman - Jim Caviezel
Superman - He is asked by the President to talk some sense into Batman. His job is to persuade Bruce to turn away from crime fighting and let the authorities handle Gotham's issues. This task has to tie in with his usual daily business as a weapon of the US Government, a role Clark doesn't enjoy but one he feels is needed in order to achieve peace.
Jim Caviezel - Superman does not age at the same rate as those around him, but he does age. Jim Caviezel is widely accepted as being a great choice for a more seasoned Clark. I agree with this as he has the screen presence and confidence needed to play the man of steel.
Green Arrow/Oliver Queen - Brad Pitt
Oliver Queen - A small cameo from a now one armed Green Arrow. Despite his handicap he is still able to Shoot Superman with a kryptonite arrow to help give Batman the time he needs to see his plan to the end.
Brad Pitt - Despite what Hollywood would like you to believe, Pitt is getting old. A little makeup and an arm chopped off (or green screened if he's not willing to do what's necessary) and we have a great cameo role.
Joker - Michael Massee
Joker - With the return of Batman, the Joker finds a new energy awaken inside. He soon uses reverse psychology and good old murder on a mass scale to escape custody and establish his place in the new Gotham. Hell bent on bringing down Batman in the worst possible way: either force him to cross his "no killing" line, or make the public believe he has crossed that line.
Michael Massee - No, I didn't spell "Willem Defoe" wrong! Defoe would be fantastic as Joker but I like to throw something in from left field. You may know Michael Massee as "Fun Boy" in the fantastic movie "The Crow". He has more recently made a couple of appearances in the CW show Supernatural. It was one of these appearances that caught my eye. He gave a crooked smile and in that moment it was like the Joker from this graphic novel had jumped off the page. I think he would bring something unexpected to the Joker role, which is something that can't be said for Defoe. We all know how Defoe would play the part and we all know it will be good, but sometimes you need to dive inti the unknown. Michael Massee is my top choice for the Joker!
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