The next Batman

[johnnygobbs]

As an alternative to Zane, who I nevertheless would love to see play Luthor in an ideal world, I think Bruce Willis could possibly work as the type of charismatic, yet simultaneously intimidating and bullying, self-made businessman style version of the character and it's about time Willis played a high-profile villain role (he's one of the few aging former A-listers who hasn't) as long as he resisted any urge to camp it up.

Given how Bruce Willis is being exposed as being a prima donna nowadays, he'll be lucky that he won't be blacklisted if keeps burning bridges with everybody.

  Even as I was typing the quoted post I was thinking about whether I should add a caveat about Willis's absurd behaviour over 'The Expendables 3'.  I doubt a star of his magnitude has done any long-lasting damage to his career although it's pretty shameless considering he's meant to be friends with Stallone (plus I always thought that it was Stallone and Schwarzenegger who were the two that didn't get on).

[Paul (ral)]

I think Strong stands a better chance than Cranston for Lex.

I'm of the opinion that if your CV contains more TV and voice-over work than movies then you are unlikely to get big film roles...though you folks can correct me if I'm wrong on that.

[BatmAngelus]

If you're referring to Cranston, since 2011 alone, he's been in Lincoln Lawyer, Drive, Larry Crowne, Contagion, Red Tails, John Carter (also with Mark Strong), Rock of Ages, Total Recall, Argo, the upcoming Cold Comes the Night, and next summer's Godzilla.  I don't see how that filmography would make him less likely than Strong (or Michael Shannon did for Zod for that matter).

[johnnygobbs]

If you're referring to Cranston, since 2011 alone, he's been in Lincoln Lawyer, Drive, Larry Crowne, Contagion, Red Tails, John Carter (also with Mark Strong), Rock of Ages, Total Recall, Argo, the upcoming Cold Comes the Night, and next summer's Godzilla.  I don't see how that filmography would make him less likely than Strong (or Michael Shannon did for Zod for that matter).

Yes, Cranston seems to have been in everything lately and "Breaking Bad" has an amazing reputation amongst the critical community so it stands to reason that he would be chased for a big comic-book movie somewhere down the line.  I just would prefer to see him as an avuncular good guy type like Commissioner Gordon rather than one of the most evil villains in comic-book history.  Cranston's a superb actor but he doesn't convince so well as a baddie particularly going by the dire 'Total Recall' remake.

[BatmAngelus]

Cranston's been in so many things actually that he's had to drop out of some roles, like Gangster Squad. 

He was actually almost a comic book supervillain, as Sebastian Shaw in X-Men: First Class, but turned it down to be in Drive since he liked the part in the latter film better.
http://collider.com/bryan-cranston-x-men-first-class-home-again-rock-of-ages/

To me, it makes perfect sense why his name would be considered for the role.  But, like johnnygobbs and Silver Nemesis, I'd prefer him as Gordon over Luthor for the reasons stated.

[johnnygobbs]

Cranston's been in so many things actually that he's had to drop out of some roles, like Gangster Squad. 

He was actually almost a comic book supervillain, as Sebastian Shaw in X-Men: First Class, but turned it down to be in Drive since he liked the part in the latter film better.
http://collider.com/bryan-cranston-x-men-first-class-home-again-rock-of-ages/

To me, it makes perfect sense why his name would be considered for the role.  But, like johnnygobbs and Silver Nemesis, I'd prefer him as Gordon over Luthor for the reasons stated.

Cranston was excellent in 'Drive'.  I'm also glad he dropped out of 'X-Men: First Class' because I think Kevin Bacon was great in that part and as I've already outlined I don't automatically see Cranston as a villain.  Maybe I've still got "Malcolm in the Middle" on my mind but as wonderful an actor as Cranston he always reminds me of a likeable, warm if slightly bumbling father-type and although he's excelled in a wide range of roles since then I still see him more as a 'good guy' than a villain.

[Silver Nemesis]

Even as I was typing the quoted post I was thinking about whether I should add a caveat about Willis's absurd behaviour over 'The Expendables 3'.

Frankly I think it's obscene to pay anyone 1 million dollars for four days' work, never mind 4 million. I'm glad Sly told him to sod off. They've got Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Antonio Banderas and Wesley Snipes now anyway, and all of those guys will bring more to the table than Willis ever would. He's just sleepwalking through every role he does these days. Did you see that interview he did a few weeks ago?

There's no call to treat anyone like that. Ok, so the interviewer's questions were fairly inane. But isn't that the point of those kind of interviews? They only get a few minutes to ask some quick fire trivia questions, they don't have the time to get into meaningful exchanges. Willis should be used to it by now. I know it must be boring for him, but he's being paid millions of dollars to do it. If he can't deal with it, he should find another line of work.

Kevin Smith – who hates Willis' guts after they worked together on Cop Out (2010) – has also suggested he should play Lex. Though I think he may only be saying that because he wants to see Cavill beat him to a pulp. Smith certainly has some interesting tales to tell about Willis. Apparently the guy really hates his own fans.

Now that I think about it, Bruce would be perfect for the part of Lex. A rich, bald jerk who treats the little people like trash; he'd basically be playing himself. And Kevin Smith could play a 21st century Otis.

LEX:   Otis, drop the joint and get the hell over here! Now!

OTIS:   Uh, sure Mr. Loo-four!

Maybe I've still got "Malcolm in the Middle" on my mind but as wonderful an actor as Cranston he always reminds me of a likeable, warm if slightly bumbling father-type and although he's excelled in a wide range of roles since then I still see him more as a 'good guy' than a villain.

Agreed. Though Cranston did once play an evil Lex-like character in The Flash episode 'Be My Baby'. Check out the scene from the 10:55 mark.

But yeah, I reckon he'd be better as Gordon. I loved Gary Oldman's Gordon and I can't see another actor topping him anytime soon. Having said that, I'd like the next Gordon to be more in line with The Dark Knight Returns version: a silver-haired, Charles Bronson-esque former Green Beret with a magnum and a trench coat.

[johnnygobbs]

Another great post Silver Nemesis.  You and BatAngelus are definitely two of my favourite posters on this site (but I love you all  ).

If Kevin Smith says Willis would make a great Luthor bearing in mind how much Smith hates Willis's guts, and in this case it would appear with good reason, then I'd say that was a pretty big endorsement.  I don't always agree with Smith but no one can deny his knowledge and passion for comic-books and he clearly sees something in Willis that would make him ideal for the part.

Good point about Gordon too Silver.  Like you I loved Gary Oldman's portrayal of the character.  He was nigh-on perfect in the part and looked and acted like he had just walked out of Frank Miller's 'Batman: Year One'.  However, if there was just one aspect missing from Oldman's soft-spoken, man-of-integrity portrayal of Gordon it was the hard-ass, hard-bitten, trench-coat wearing tough-guy element.  I think Cranston could perfectly blend both the elements Oldman already successfully brought to the part with the 'Charles Bronson' characteristics that have so far been lacking from the live action Gordons.

[BatmAngelus]

However, if there was just one aspect missing from Oldman's soft-spoken, man-of-integrity portrayal of Gordon it was the hard-ass, hard-bitten, trench-coat wearing tough-guy element.  I think Cranston could perfectly blend both the elements Oldman already successfully brought to the part with the 'Charles Bronson' characteristics that have so far been lacking from the live action Gordons.

Agreed 100%.  This is exactly what I'd like to see from the next Gordon.

The latest rumor for Batman is...Orlando Bloom?!
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/421094/Henry-Cavill-Orlando-Bloom-and-Andrew-Garfield-How-Britons-are-the-new-superheroes

Henry Cavill, a box-office hit in Man Of Steel, will reprise his Superman role in at least two Justice League Of America films in a reported £6million-a-movie deal with Warner Bros.

And Lord Of The Rings and Pirates Of The Caribbean star Orlando Bloom is hot favourite to fight alongside him as the caped crusader after Welsh star Christian Bale announced earlier this month he has relinquished the role of Batman.

With Surrey-raised Andrew ­Garfield, 29, firmly ensconced in the role of Spider-Man, Britons could now command the world's top three superhero screen parts.

Before Bloom, 36, gets to drive the Batmobile, however, he faces opposition from American stars including Ryan Gosling, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and ­newcomer Armie Hammer.

But a senior source at Warner Bros studio confirmed: "Orlando looks odds-on to get the part even before our first casting call.

"He would be perfect to play off Henry and I think US audiences would be happy with two Brits as the joint male leads."

The first Justice League film is not slated for release until 2017 but ­producers are anxious to lock down the two principal parts as soon as possible.

And Bloom is expected to sign as Batman by autumn before casting begins for the other Justice League crime-fighters, including Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter.

Los Angeles-based media analyst Mike Raia said ­yesterday: "British stars are going to be the toast of Hollywood if Orlando does step up to take over the Batman role.

At this point, I think we should all just wait for WB's announcement and ignore the growing supposed actor shortlist.

[thecolorsblend]

Orlando Bloom is the latest rumor.

URL- http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/nailbiter111/news/?a=85203