How should Batman be handled on film after Nolan?

Love him or hate him, you can't deny that Christopher Nolan made an impact on not only Batman, but on superhero films in general with Batman Begins, and especially The Dark Knight. Before him, it was Shumaker who was giving us his "interpretation" of the Caped Crusader, and even before him, it was Tim Burton who gave the character his first time to really shine on the big screen with Batman (1989). Even still, if you'd like to count his other appearances such as Adam West's famous portrayal to the fantastic Bruce Timm series, go right ahead. Batman is without a doubt the most famous comic book character today in terms of media outside of comic books because all of these film/TV franchises have either all been successes, or they were so wrong that they are still are talked about today (i.e. Shumaker's Batman and Robin)

Now that the Nolan era is officially coming to an end with The Dark Knight Rises, it is a no-brainer that WB is going to yet again toss out another franchise for the Bat. In my opinion, the more the merrier. I'll continue to watch any comic book movie if it's interesting enough to watch, but that's just me. I know there are people who thank God every day that Nolan's going to finish, and to those people I say, good for you! You stuck through it, and your complaining can be put to rest! (although, we both know that it won't).

But I digress.

So my question is: What's next for Batman? There are decades-full of stories that have yet been told through film, and there are still dozens of characters that either haven't been done justice on film, or downright haven't been done at all. What would you personally like to see and how would you like to see it be handled?

Personally, I feel that Batman's so popular that he doesn't need another trilogy. In fact, I think they should open up a new franchise entirely, and go with a James Bond approach with it. The movies could connect, but they don't have to. Different actors and different directors could get a shot of handling Batman and his universe. Also, this would give the villains that never got a decent shot (Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Clayface, etc.) to get that screen time they deserve, as well as the supporting cast that we haven't seen in years or not at all (Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Barbra Gordon, etc.) Agree with me or not, that's just my idea.

So, what do you guys want?!

They should just skip the origin - or not even bother with a Batman movie and just jump into JLA

So, what do you guys want?!

@War Killer: O_O Dat poster....

@War Killer:

Batman Beyond with Clint Eastwood as old Bruce Wayne.

@War Killer said:

@Gambit1024 said:

So, what do you guys want?!

THIS.

@JediXMan said:

@War Killer:

Batman Beyond with Clint Eastwood as old Bruce Wayne.

These!

@War Killer:

Batman Beyond with Clint Eastwood as old Bruce Wayne.

@BlackArmor said:

@NlGHTCRAWLER almost has it right we do need something bigger and crazier, something more cartoony and unbelievable, more inhuman threats that would allow us to believe that Bats can be useful to the Justice League, maybe a Robin in their to hype the fact that it is indeed a fantasy movie, not golden age crazy but fantasy all the same. @JediXMan is also right we need to skip the origin

Agreed on all points. Batman is a comic book character that comes from the same universe filled with Atlantians, Amazons, Krpytonians, Martians, Thanagarians, clones, etc. Why can't Batman do/fight something fantastic? I'm not saying a full-on alien invasion is needed, but I want to see Clayface, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc and Poison Ivy in all their fantastical glory. And yeah, the origin isn't needed at this point. We all know who Batman is by now.

@JediXMan: Fckin smart.

@BlackArmor said:

@Gambit1024 said:

Clayface, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc and Poison Ivy in all their fantastical glory.

Throw in a Ra's that actually comes back to life and those are exactly the villains I had in mind for a rebooted movie series

And Riddler. I want the Jigsaw-like Riddler we got in Arkham City. Not the watered-down Joker or Jim Carey (even if I love him)

They should just focus on establishing the other heroes and work towards a JLA movie. At that point, get a new actor and just pretend like Nolan's movies didn't happen, since they're so grounded in realism, but keep the main themes. Don't make him super strong, don't give him any ridiculous technology or mechanical suits or anything. Make him smart and extremely determined.

@BlackArmor said:

@Gambit1024 said:

@BlackArmor said:

@Gambit1024 said:

Clayface, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc and Poison Ivy in all their fantastical glory.

Throw in a Ra's that actually comes back to life and those are exactly the villains I had in mind for a rebooted movie series

And Riddler. I want the Jigsaw-like Riddler we got in Arkham City. Not the watered-down Joker or Jim Carey (even if I love him)

Yeah that would be cool, Riddler is awesome when done well, I would say Man-Bat should be there too I was thinking maybe a 4 movie series

Movie 1: Clayface and Riddler with Riddler as the mastermind of some city sweeping plan that ends with Riddler in jail and Clayface missing

Movie 2: Man-bat and a rebooted Killer Crock with Clayface related chemicals playing a role in both of their transformations

Movie 3: A war between Poison Ivy and Mister Freeze

Movie 4: Ra's is revealed to have been pulling the strings all along and with an army of ninja Man-Bats and Killer Crocks and the Riddler as a General and strategist he wages war on Batman using the chaos Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze created in the last movie to help seize Gotham. Clayface would return as an agent of Ra's that he used to make war between Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze in the third movie.

O_O

I'm convinced that this idea, if put onto film, would be the cure for AIDS.

They should do it in Metropolis, not Gotham. Then give him super powers. And of course an origin for he super powers. Make him Alien. Then less dark would be nice. Origin for the less dark image has to be given as well. Make him a farmboy. And no more cowls. And change the logo. An "S" would be great.

Actually Batman Beyond as a live action movie could be amazing. If they followed the TV show then they wouldn't need to worry too much about D.C's cannon or retelling the origin story. The show was kind of a blank slate and another Batman movie could use that. Also Terry as Batman would be a wonderfully fresh take while still including Bruce's character and mythos into the story. Also future Gotham would be great to see on the big screen.

Batman Beyond all the way!!!!!

@csl316 said:

Ditch the hyper realism and bring it more into the fantastical realm. Screw practical tank cars, I want a true Batmobile with bat wings.

Batman's been able to convey deep, affecting stories in the comics and even the animated show without having to resort to the gritty nature of the Nolan films. Recently I talked up how good Mask of the Phantasm is, and that does great things with a Batman that has a bright yellow emblem on his chest, as well as a bright purple Joker.

I agree, grim and gritty was great for these films but another addition to the franchise could use something different. Batman Beyond could definitely be fantastical and operatic while conveying the intensity that Batman needs. Also I think audiences would be more receptive to something in the future. Suspension of disbelief is easier when you don't recognize your surroundings.

I want to see the next movies with actual super villains, and I'd love to see a serious portrayal of Dick Grayson as Robin.

Actually Batman Beyond as a live action movie could be amazing. If they followed the TV show then they wouldn't need to worry too much about D.C's cannon or retelling the origin story. The show was kind of a blank slate and another Batman movie could use that. Also Terry as Batman would be a wonderfully fresh take while still including Bruce's character and mythos into the story. Also future Gotham would be great to see on the big screen.

Batman Beyond all the way!!!!!

If we had to do another Batman film - as I would prefer to have films on other DC characters first...

- Batman should be portrayed as a detective - still hasn't really been done (except for Mask of the Phantasm)

- Needs a supporting cast other than just Alfred

@HolySerpent said:

To be honest I cannot see a JLA...

I can, but without a Joss Whedon to write/direct it, it'd be useless.

As people have already said a Batman Beyond film would be fantastic, especially if the went with JediXMan's Clint Eastwood as old Bruce idea.

Either that or a Worlds Finest film. I'd kind of prefer this option because if the film was done right, it'd most likely lead to an expanding of the DC Cinematic Universe, and hopefully lead into films for DC's other biggest stars. Namely Flash, Wonder Woman and a second or rebooted Green Lantern.

never thought of it before but totally agree on the batman beyond idea :D

@Afro_Warrior: Ooh, a World's Finest movie would be an awesome idea. Unfortunately with Man of Steel, I don't think we'll be getting it anytime soon, though. :/

@Gambit1024:

That's definitely possible, but i was thinking that with the end of current trilogy, if Man of Steel did well, i could easily see Warner Brother's delaying a second Superman film (Assuming Man of Steel does well enough to get a second obviously) in favour of a World's Finest film that would be almost guaranteed to make more money.

Maybe i'm being a bit to optimistic.

@Afro_Warrior said:

@Gambit1024:

That's definitely possible, but i was thinking that with the end of current trilogy, if Man of Steel did well, i could easily see Warner Brother's delaying a second Superman film (Assuming Man of Steel does well enough to get a second obviously) in favour of a World's Finest film that would be almost guaranteed to make more money.

Maybe i'm being a bit to optimistic.

Yeah... If WB really wanted a DC Cinematic Universe they'd have done it with Green Lantern. In the original script, both Clark Kent and Amanda Waller had cameos, and they trashed it for God knows why.

i want a batman beyond movie with bruce still around and terry mcginnis take up the mantle or a batman movie like batman arkham city. batman needs more fantasy in his next movie when chris nolan is done.

@TheWitchingHour said:

@csl316 said:

Ditch the hyper realism and bring it more into the fantastical realm. Screw practical tank cars, I want a true Batmobile with bat wings.

Batman's been able to convey deep, affecting stories in the comics and even the animated show without having to resort to the gritty nature of the Nolan films. Recently I talked up how good Mask of the Phantasm is, and that does great things with a Batman that has a bright yellow emblem on his chest, as well as a bright purple Joker.

I agree, grim and gritty was great for these films but another addition to the franchise could use something different. Batman Beyond could definitely be fantastical and operatic while conveying the intensity that Batman needs. Also I think audiences would be more receptive to something in the future. Suspension of disbelief is easier when you don't recognize your surroundings.

I hope the series will be rebooted after TDKR to something a lot closer to the comic book.

Everything in the Nolan movies is way too realistic. The design did not work and I hope the next movies will be inspired by what is being done in the comics, in the Burton movies and in the TAS. Nolan's Batman was way too human and relatable. His parents' death turned him into a stupid brat, not the spirit of vengeance. Batman should be paranoid, obsessed, suicidal, schizophrenic, self-centered, antisocial and unable to enjoy anything because he never got over the death of his parents, never having mourned them. The Joker is neither a terrorist or an anarchist, he is just a psychotic clown who finds humour in all he does.

And Batman should have a Robin but he should be around 10-12 years old. It worked fine in Kick-Ass