New BATMAN Film Inspired By DARK KNIGHT RETURNS Just A KILLING JOKE?

It was only a few weeks ago we were talking about when we could be expecting a news about a solo Batman film and we've got our first hint via Forbes. The outlet is known for mostly financial and business stories has started getting into the world of comic book film reporting.

They are now stating the reason Joker is in Suicide Squad isn't just to help setup Harley Quinn's character but also lead into a new Batman film as well. Stating his escape would eventually be tied into the next solo outing which is said to be heavily influenced by The Dark Knight Returns comic by Frank Miller.

The comic is already heavily influencing Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice but likely won't have all the material gobbled-up since it needs to include Superman, Lex Luthor and Wonder Woman in major roles. This could mean a lot of the Batman centric stuff could be saved for another film.

Adding that Batman is likely to make an appearance in David Ayer's Suicide Squad to help boost that film's connection to the rest of the DC Comics slate. The assumption being that Joker will indeed be apart of the new Batman film in a bigger way than Suicide Squad.

It's been reported by Latino Review that Joker is less of a leading role and is more a Hannibal Lecter- like figure being more of a cameo than actually a lead. Those two roles are being filled by Will Smith's Deadshot and Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn.

Rick Flagg fans might be shocked to learn his role in the film is being greatly scaled back and won't be as large as fans had expected it be.

I wouldn't have given too much thought to this news but it's coming from Forbes who has been getting some pretty big scoops concerning the DC Comics film franchises.

I'd love to see these guys replace The Mutants.

What could this film look like if it's indeed inspired by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns comic?

First off, I don't think we'll be seeing the comic version of the mutants gang but I could see them being altered to become aligned with The Joker. The mutant angle was sort of used in The Dark Knight Rises with Bane's army of mercenaries and street kids.

However, I could see them changing the punk street gang to be more linked to the Joker and Harley Quinn similar to what we saw in the Arkham games. Using the street gang aspect seems something we really haven't see as a major factor in the recent Batman films. Having them rival other gangs and even put the fear of god into Gotham's crime families could be interesting to explore.

Joker's role will likely be beef-up from what is was in Returns which was just him on a murder spree after escaping at television studio. I would expect him to be a main protagonist of the film, possibly along with Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn.

They didn't hire Oscar winner Jared Leto to only appear in Suicide Squad with a small role, they obviously have bigger plans for the character. While I felt he could be apart of the Justice League films he's too damn unpredictable to work with others. Placing him in a new Batman film post-Suicide Squad honestly makes the most sense to me.

I don't expect to see an adaptation to be so slavishly connected to the source material, which was one of the biggest issues people had with Zack Snyder's Watchmen. Basically, being a shot-for-shot copy of the comic book.

Taking true inspiration and making it's own beast could be way to really make the film stand apart from the comic, but still have those connections to it.

Barbara Gordon is just as likely as Carrie Kelley.

It was confirmed that actress Jena Malone would be taking a role in Batman v Superman but it was never announced who she would be playing. Speculations and rumors have suggested she could be playing Carrie Kelley who is the female Robin in Returns.

Her new red hair seemed to be a bit of give-away, but does that mean she could only be playing Carrie in the film?

We know that Carrie isn't the only redhead in DC Comics and isn't even the most famous redhead in among the Batman characters. I'm not entirely sure it's 100% Jena is Kelley since we've seen Batgirl production art making the rounds online from concept artist Jock (Dredd), so Jena playing a version of Barbara Gordon isn't impossible either.

Why I think Batgirl could equally be an option for Malone is that she hasn't been established in ages but has a strong connection to the Joker and one of his most iconic stories.

I wouldn't be entirely shocked to see Alan Moore's (Watchmen) Joker comic The Killing Joke being used to help increase the Joker's story in the film.The Dark Knight really only focused on his escape and murder spree during a television interview.

In Killing Joke, the Joker escapes Arkham to torment Jim Gordon and paralyses his daughter Barbara. After those events she becomes The Oracle an important and horrific moment for the character's evolution.

Both Returns and Killing Joke share a similar setting of a amusement park, and could easily be combined into one single script.

It's known that Joker famously killed Jason Todd, the second Robin who eventually returns alive as the vigilante The Red Hood. Taking the name of the Joker's original name as his own. Carrie Kelley is begrudgingly given the Robin mantle by Batman who is still grieving for Jason's murder by The Joker. As it's established in Returns that Todd has been killed.

I could also see them combining Carrie Kelley and Barbara Gordon into one character, since the former isn't as well established as Gordon. Perhaps, taking up the Robin mantle only to move on to become Batgirl and go on her own taking cues from Nightwing.

There are many ways this movie could go since there are plenty of solid Joker stories to be used for the script. They might as well fire on all cylinders if this is indeed going to have the Joker as the baddie. We have enough unused Joker stories that could come together to give fans one badass and grim as hell take on the character. I wouldn't even dismiss the idea of it cutting back between present day and flashback scenes.

It's still really early at this point but if I had to take guesses at titles they could go with The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: The Killing Joke or just The Batman. Again, I still believe Warner Bros. could release the film before 2020 but it all depends on Ben Affleck.

BVS is expected to look a lot more like Watchmen visually than Man of Steel, thanks to cinematographer Larry Fong reuniting with Snyder for the film.



I know Zack Snyder is going to be a busy bee with two Justice League films about to shoot back-to-back but I'd love to see him and Larry Fong (Batman v Superman, Watchmen) take a crack at this material. Snyder has hinted for years he'd love to turn The Dark Knight Returns in a film, it could be nice to follow through with adapting the rest of the comic on screen.

I highly recommend picking up those comics along with watching the two-part animated film based on The Dark Knight Returns which is currently on Netflix.




SOURCE: FORBES

Zack Snyder And Larry Fong Teasing Joker For BATMAN VS SUPERMAN?

We've been hearing for months that Batman Vs Superman will be taking major cues from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. This was confirmed with Ben Affleck's Miller inspired Batsuit. Another tidbit is making the rounds thanks to director of photography Larry Fong, after posting this image below on Twitter. It's obviously teasing the Joker, as it stands we don't have an actor confirmed for the role.

So what kinda of actor could fill the Joker's shoes. It's extremely difficult to pin-point what direction Zack Snyder and the studio would go. However, my vote goes to veteran character actor Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs, Boardwalk Empire, Sopranos, Fargo, Con Air). He has the body of work and credibility to give us a chilling new take on the Joker.



 Only problem, Miller's version of The Joker is psychically imposing and built like a brick-house. An actor I could see in the role currently cast in the film is Australian actor Callan Mulvey (300: Rise of An Empire, Captain America: The Winter Soldier). He's huge and eerily looks like the Miller take of the villain facially as well. It's been rumored he would be taking a villain role, but what that role hasn't been confirmed. Then again, we already have Lex Luther (Jesse Eisenberg) and rumblings of other Superman villains, could they even have room for a Batman rogue?

SOURCE: LARRYFONG

SIN CITY 3 Talk Returns And Will Johnny Depp Still Play Wallace?

DenOfGeek Has caught-wind that Robert Rodriguez is talking Sin City 3 again. It's expected that the film will be based on Frank Miller's Sin City: Hell And Back graphic novel, the longest in the Sin City series. The book follows Wallace, one of the more easy to like characters, as he's flushed out in the expanded story. Miller had previously confirmed that he had started writing a third film, but it's unknown how far along the script is or when/if the film will ever get made.

A demobilized Navy SEAL who received the Medal of Honor, he lives a life of relative peace and solitude against the backdrop of crime-ridden Basin City. Having left the Navy years prior, he makes a living as an artist (usually for sleazy magazines, to his great disgust) and as a short order cook. His life changes drastically when he saves a suicidal woman named Esther from drowning. She is kidnapped and enslaved by the Colonel, one of Basin City's most powerful crime bosses, sending Wallace on a single-minded journey to rescue her and take down those responsible, no matter who gets in his way.


While it's possible Hell And Back could return to the segment format, focusing entirely on the Wallace story might be the way to go with a third (and likely final) film. Originally, Wallace was expected to be apart of A Dame To Kill For, but it seems like he will be saved for the next movie. I assume because Hell And Back is a fitting title for a final installment.

Johnny Depp was originally wanted for the role of Jackie Boy (played by Benicio Del Toro), but in 2007 Robert was quoted by MTV as saying he was eyeing him for Wallace instead (stating it was a "better role". Depp previously worked with him on Once Upon A Time In Mexico, which most consider one of his highlight performances in over a decade.

"But there is a better role for him in ['Hell and Back']. I kept going, 'Gosh, Jackie Boy is a small part, he could be really good [as Wallace].' When he wasn't available, I thought maybe it was meant to be."

"When I showed him the first sample of the work, he went, 'Man I'll do anything in that. I'll be the hunchback. You have to bring me onboard, that looks amazing,' " Rodriguez recalled. "So Frank met him that time too and he said, 'I have got to find something for that guy. I've never met him before. He's amazing.' [So we're] looking at the cast of characters and [looking] to see where he can fit."

The problem would be that Depp is a hard person to lock-in for a role, he has Black Mass, Alice In Wonderland 2, Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Edgar Wright's The Night Stalker in-development (three Disney projects). Considering how large the Wallace story is, Johnny would need to be able to commit to the entire production, rather than a just a segment (unless they scale it back). Robert is also expected to be busy with Machete In Space likely being his next film, while he's currently working on Fire And Ice.

First Trailer For SIN CITY 2: A DAME TO KILL FOR, Plus New Images And Screenshots

It's been nine years since the release of the first Sin City installment, and now we finally have trailer for it's sequel, which get's released this August. A Dame To Kill For looks the part, but will the four segments (including an original story created by Frank Miller for the film) live-up to the originals? As far we know, Quentin Tarantino isn't returning or hasn't been credited as one of the segment directors. Miller on the other hand is back, and considering his work on The Spirit, we should be a bit worried. Either way, Eva Green looks the part as Ava Lord and it's great to see Mickey Rourke back as Marv (a role that jump-started his career originally). I'm also interested in seeing what Joseph Gordon-Levitt brings to the table.

SPECULATION: Is Wonder Woman A Lead Character In BATMAN VS SUPERMAN Or Is It Someone Else?

BleedingCool is reporting that casting agencies are getting actresses prepared for a role in Batman Vs. Superman. That role, apparently according to these agencies is expected to be Wonder Woman. No names are being attached to this news but the character description sounds familiar. A while back LatinoReview reported on a bit of an obscure casting news that was toted as Batman's love interest in the film. Both parts are looking for actresses (25-33) who just happen to have a psychical presence and strength. Neither sources can confirm for sure what the role is but it sounds like there is going to be female hero or villain in the film.

While Wonder Woman sounds like a solid candidate, I have another idea. If Batman Vs Superman is going pull unused plot points from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, which is rumored. We could see Bruce take on a female protege, an important plot point of Returns. In Miller's comic Carrie Kelley becomes the new Robin with a little training from Wayne. However, if the studio is aiming to keep the "no Robin" mantra of Nolan for the new Batman. They might want to look another character instead of Robin. Since they would have to include backstories for Dick Grayson and mention the fate of Jason Todd. Who could that character be? A couple of ladies come to mind. Sasha Bordeaux who goes from Wayne's bodyguard hired by Fox. Eventually becomes his crime fighting protege and potential love interest. The other two being Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) and Katherine Kane (Batwoman) who could also take on the role of protege. Katherine has never appeared in the films even though she's been in the comics since 1956. In my opinion, both Sasha and Kane have great potential to be solid replacements for Robin, if Goyer and Snyder take that route. Of course this is just my thought on the talk of a female lead which may or may not be a DC heroine.

It's also possible it could be Supergirl since that part was sort of teased in Man of Steel with the open chamber. Hinting that another Kryptontian could be walking around on Earth. There have been storylines were Lex Luthor manipulates her for his own means. Zack Snyder even mentioned that scene could have a connection in future films to Crave. He was also coy when asked about Supergirl.

"You know what's interesting, and I don't know and I'm not going to say what it means or anything, but the one thing if you look closely when Henry's going through the Fortress of Solitude there's an empty... you know all the bodies... the pods?" Snyder asked. "There's an empty pod. I'm not going to say what, or if, it means anything but there is an empty pod there."

Lady Gaga Has A Cameo In SIN CIY: A DAME TO KILL FOR

Apparently, Machete Kills won't be Lady Gaga's only acting gig for director Robert Rodriguez. It was revealed by Joseph Gordon-Levit (via CBM), the singer shot a scene alongside Joe in Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. By the sounds of things Robert might have found his new muse and those rumors of her working with Quentin Tarantino in the future could be reality.

BATMAN VS SUPERMAN Will Shoot In Toronto And Detroit

We have our new Batman with Ben Affleck, now comes the location of the production. Forbes reports that the film will shoot scenes in Toronto, I assume using stages at Pinewood Studios. Along with Zack Snyder confirming to Empire that Detroit/Michigan (stepping in for Vancouver) would be doubling for Gotham City and Metropolis. It's an exciting development with production expected to begin next year with a July 2015 release date.

“Detroit is a great example of a quintessential American city, and I know it will make the perfect backdrop for our movie,” says Snyder. “Detroit and the entire state of Michigan have been fantastic collaborators, and we are looking forward to working together on this film.”

Ben Affleck Officially The New Bruce Wayne/Batman For SUPERMAN VS BATMAN, Will He Direct The New BATMAN Films?

WB has officially announced that Ben Affleck (The Town, Argo, Runner Runner) will be taking over the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman for Zack Snyder's Superman Vs. Batman (World's Finest?) which has the release date of July 17th 2015. The deal will likely include Ben being apart of the Justice League film and his own string of Batman films. It's currently unknown if Affleck will be writing or directing the new Batman films along with starring.

Zack Snyder Will Talk To Frank Miller About BATMAN VS SUPERMAN And Batman Role Rumored For Older Actor

One of the biggest stories coming out of Comic-Con this Summer was the announcement that Zack Snyder would be making a follow up to Man of Steel with Batman Vs. Superman. Now there's talk (via TheIndependent) that Zack will be talking with Frank Miller (Sin City, Wolverine, Daredevil 300, The Dark Knight Returns) about the film. Taking advice and possible story suggestions from the comic book legend. Miller's Dark Knight Returns focuses on a elderly Batman coming out of retirement and is forced to fight Superman. Zack talked to FirstShowing back in 2009 about making a film based on Miller's Dark Knight Returns.

“I think the thing that’s awesome about Dark Knight, like Watchmen, is that it is a complete and total experience, that was unlike anything anyone has ever seen, and still is,” Snyder said. “I think the big challenge for me would be – it’s so ‘montage-y’ and so media thick, that you just have to – that’s the techniques you’d have to develop and make work. But as far as the rest goes, the thing I’d be really interested in is that kind of Frank [Miller] narration over that cool action, that’s a thing we haven’t really seen in that context.”

BatmanOnFilm is reporting on an exciting casting rumor for Superman Vs. Batman. As they state the studio could be looking to cast an older actor (mid-40's) in the role of Batman. Likely, scrapping previous incarnations (Christian Bale and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) seen in Nolan's trilogy. This news added to the Frank Miller's involvement it's possible there could be some elements from his take on the DC Universe, such as The Dark Knight Returns. The site also mentions their own solid casting choices such as Jon Hamm (previously championed by fans for Superman), Josh Brolin, Gerard Butler (had been one of my suggestions when the film was announced) and a few others.  Hamm and Butler seem like decent choices, along with the fact they've previously worked with director Zack Snyder on previous films.

A New Poster For 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE

First Theatrical Poster For 300: RISE OF EMPIRE

First Look At Eva Green As Vilain Of 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE

FIRST LOOK: Sullivan Stapleton In 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE

Teaser Poster For 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE

Director James Mangold Tweets Behind The Scenes Images From THE WOLVERINE

New Image From THE WOLVERINE

FIRST LOOK: Josh Brolin As Dwight In SIN CITY A DAME TO KILL FOR

Eva Green Will Play Ava Lord In SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL

HeatVision reports that Eva Green (300: Rise of An Empire, Casino Royale, Kingdom of Heaven) has landed the femme fatal role of Ava Lord in Sin City: A Dame To Kille For. Lord is the character the title refers to and will see Green share scenes with Josh Brolin's Dwight. In the early days of the sequel names like Rachel Weisz and Angelina Jolie were linked for Ava.

Pete Travis Considering Another Comic Book Film And Open To STAR WARS

Speaking to MovieWeb Pete Travis (Dredd) confirms he's been sent a script for another comic book film. The unnamed project seems to have captured his interest and hopes to get it made sometime this year. However, the movie is in very early stages. He also briefly comments on his desire to make a Star Wars film. We know that the studio is looking to make spin-offs and he'd be an awesome person to tackle one of those.

"I wasn't looking for a comic book movie when I found Dredd. Like I say, it was all about the script. There is another comic book script that I have been sent, that I quite like. I hope it might get made this year. I think comic books and graphic novels are exciting. I think there are tons of ways to make them more real. It's an area I am really excited about...No, not at the moment. It is in the early stage." 

"I wouldn't count out anything in this business, really. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Who wouldn't be interested in that? I loved it as a kid. I loved it while I was growing up. So, who knows?" 

A COUPLE OF PROJECTS I THINK IT COULD BE

BLACK PANTHER: I'd love it to be Marvel's Black Panther which has a script from Mark Bailey. Pete has proven he can make a fictional place like Mega-City One believable. Travis could be able to create the fictional high-tech country Wakanda in similar way. T'Challa needs a visionary to tell his story and he seems like that person. The only problem is that I doubt this will be made until Avengers 2 wraps production. Currently, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is set to shoot in April with Guardians of The Galaxy in the Summer. While I want it to be Panther it's a long-shot.

HARD BOILED: Another possible project would be Warner Bros' Hard Boiled which is based on the Frank Miller graphic novel. Miller wrote the script for the studio with the hope of directing it back in 2008. Hard Boiled went into development-limbo when Frank's The Spirit bombed at the box office. A futuristic debt collector in a massive violent noir city figures out something important about himself while a large body count amasses around him.

RONIN: Ronin is another Frank Miller project setup at Warner Bros. that has script but is also development-limbo. That film had Sylvain White attached to direct but his other comic book film The Losers didn't do very well. After the release it was unknown if the project was going to get made. It focuses on a ronin from feudal Japan that is transported to a futuristic New York City.

LONE WOLF AND CUB: The iconic manga series Lone Wolf And Cub spawned a bunch of Japanese films and influenced Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. Kamala Films is developing an American take on the material with Justin Lin attached to direct. However, Lin has been dropping out of films in record speed with films like Terminator 5 and Highlander previously. It's possible that Justin could exit this project too. I could see this being right up Pete's ally. The film has a script in development from David and Janet Peoples (Unforgiven, Blade Runner, Blade Runner Sequel). A betrayed executioner for the Shogun and his son travel the roads of Japan while being pursued by a neverending flood of assassins. At one point Darren Aronofksy was trying to make a version himself before the rights were lost.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Joins SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR, Might Have Passed On GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Deadline reports that Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Looper) is in final negotiations for a supporting role in Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. His character Johnny was newly created for the film and would be that of a smooth gambler. According to the site it was originally developed for Johnny Depp but it sounds like he passed on it. Along with confirming the return of Clive Owen and Bruce Willis. The film is currently in production and likely wouldn't conflict with JGL making Guardians of The Galaxy or Justice League as well. However, that doesn't stop the site from stating talks with Marvel for Guardians are over and the studio is considering other candidates. It's possible like with Godzilla, he could have passed on the role of Peter Quill entirely.

The site also mentions that Josh Brolin is being linked for another role in Sin City 2. Brolin previously had a villainous part in Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror.