I think few here will argue that Christopher Nolan's Batman films so far have been great. Easily the best film interpretation of the character ever made. It's highly unlikely that Warner will let a cash cow such as Batman disappear for too long, though. What is it you guys would like to see happen with the franchise after Nolan departs? Personally, while I love the hyper-realistic take on Batman, in the next film after TDKR, I'd like to a see a more comic book Batman. I want a see a universe where Batman can face off with enemies like Clayface, Solomon Grundy, or Killer Crock. A universe where Batman could conceivable team up with Superman on occasion. Bring in Robin. Make him a teenager, not practically the same age as Bruce. The circus outfit isn't necessary. Something more along the lines of Tim Drake's Robin outfit, perhaps. Obviously, care needs to be taken to prevent another "Batman and Robin," but it can certainly be done and done well.
Tone is the tough thing to crack with doing a more fantastical style of movie, otherwise it could become a Schumacher-fest. I do agree though, I'd like to see a Batman that could field Clayface, the immortal Ra's, and some of other more fantastical parts of the Batman legend. I'd like to see someone like Guillermo Del Toro handle it. I feel like he could do fantastical dark stuff without it seeming campy (see Pan's Labyrinth or Hellboy).
Agreed, except for the Robin thing. The character might work in the comics and cartoons, but in live-action it just strains credibility that Batman would have some kid tagging along with him everywhere, fighting a bunch of huge, armed, and very dangerous criminals.
^How so? If it can work in other mediums, why not live action? It all depends on how it's written. They tried Robin before and it didn't work because Dick was already an adult. There was no room for a father/son dynamic. Using Robin is a chance for Bruce to dial back the neurosis a bit, and explore new elements of his character. If we're going for a more fantastical universe, then why can't Robin be used?
I have an idea: how about Robin being a cyber-companion, a personal Bat-assistant accessed via Bat-technology? Kind of like Selma from Time Trax. R.O.B.I.N.: Remote Operated Bat Information Network
I think now would be the time to do a Batman and Superman flick. If they can do an Avengers flick, why can't they do B/S?
I'd like something like a "Gotham Knights" film. Not only Batman and Robin, but also with Nightwing and Oracle (show their stories in flashbacks, although Oracle's would probably be changed), maybe even one of the new Batgirls. Yeah, it will never happen, but it would be quite different from the other films. But they way film studios work, they will probably do something very close to Nolan's version, because that one made money.
Personally, nothing will get me to pay for a non-Nolan Batman film in the future. Begins and TDK were those rare events where they did exactly what I always hoped for. Same reason I won't watch a new take on Lord of the Rings or Star Wars.
Realesticaly you want to have some sort of gap between a new interpurtation of Batman. I would say at least 5-10 years. So maybe sometime around 2018. It might be hard to top the Nolan Bat flicks, by allowing time to passs they fade somewhat from the general public consious and it allows anticpation to build for a new film.
I disagree. I think Robin largely worked because they reworked the relationship into a brotherly one (particularly in B&R). For all the faults of the Schumacher films, I don't feel their take on Robin was one of them.
Because even in the fantastical BTAS I had trouble buying that Bruce would ever put kids like Barbara or Tim Drake in constant, real danger like that. No matter how well-trained they are, these are still some serious (and often supernaturally strong) bad guys they're going up against, and who knows what random, unexpected thing could happen in a fight. And even in BTAS it often seemed like a stretch that these kids were as effective in battle as they were. I can only imagine how much MORE unlikely that would appear in live-action. Unless you first dumb these villains down to cartoonish levels to make it seem like a fair fight, and then you're right back to Schumacher territory.
I kinda agree with you.. I never warmed up to Burton's modern/retro take on the Bataverse. I wanted something with a more realistic feeling to it. Nolan's vision has spoiled me. For another take on Bats to work for me, it's going to have to be something futuristic like Batman Beyond or (even better) Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. I will also agree with Brocoli that Chris O'Donnell's Robin wasn't what was wrong with Schumacher's movies... The way they worked his character in was just fine with me.
A hyper stylized Robert Rodriquez Batman film that combines elements of "Sin City" with tarantino's Crazy 88 sequence from kill Bill..with a twangy surf rock soundtrack. But no camp.
I've said it before and I'll keep saying it until it happens...Robin can be done right if you take the right source material and apply it. The greatest Robin origin story I've ever read is Dark Victory. This is my favourite piece of work from Jeph Loeb. Tell me this story handled right wouldn't work in a live action piece. Broccoli hit it on the nail why "Batman Forever" and "Batman and Robin" didn't work. They changed Bruce and Dick's entire dynamic and aged Dick. While "Kick-Ass" was over the top and meant to be so...treated with that level of maturity and sophistication, there is absolutely no reason why Robin can't work in a live action Batman movie. I'm sorry for ranting about this all the time but it is a particular subject I'm really passionate about. As Tim Drake so rightly concluded so many years ago Batman will always need a Robin!