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

WATCHMEN And 300 Cinematographer Larry Fong Will Shoot SUPERMAN VS BATMAN

One of my main issues with Man of Steel was that it didn't look like a Zack Snyder film. Lacking in the overwhelming visual style we're all used to from the director. The reason, Larry Fong (Super 8, Lost) who has shot a majority of Snyder's films (including 300, Watchmen and Sucker Punch) didn't end up working on the film. Well that can't be said for the sequel Superman Vs. Batman as Fong has joined the production (according to SHH) as it's cinematographer/director of photography. At least we know the visuals/action sequences will knock our socks off. Let's just hope the story, acting and villains fall inline as well.

Danny Woodburn Cast As Master Splinter In TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, Does This Mean Splinter Will Be A New Yorker Not Japanese?

Deadline reports that actor Danny Woodburn (Watchmen, Seinfeld) has been cast as Master Splinter in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle reboot. I'm curious if this means that Splinter's Japanese origin will be changed to a gruff New Yorker. Yet another possible element of the mythology being systematically changed for zero reason.

RUMOR: Did Drew Krapyshyn Write A Script For A KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC Film?

AICN has posted an interesting new Star Wars rumor that could get a lot of fans backing this next possible film. The site first mentions that many ideas and possible films are being thrown around at the offices of LucasFilm. Likely, pertaining to recent comments that while spin-offs such as Boba Fett, Yoda and Han Solo are still on the table they haven't been moved any further than just talk. However, this new rumor could be a little more tangible if true.

The rumor is that Drew Karpyshyn might be or has penned a Knights of The Old Republic script for LucasFilm. He's best known for helping develop video games such as Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Knights of The Old Republic and The Old Republic. Not to mention writing expanded universe novels for both Mass Effect and Star Wars. Drew recently left game developer BioWare last year to focus on screenwriting. Apparently, the rumor circling the BioWare office is that Drew is working on script for The Old Republic. Nothing confirmed, but fans expecting something new and not connected to the original trilogy will be happy if this happens.

If a script does in fact exist there is a chance that this could be the project Zack Snyder was pitching to LucasFilm. This is my speculation but if true this could allow Snyder his own Star Wars trilogy focusing on The Old Republic era. Giving both LucasFilm and Snyder the freedom to create a whole new Star Wars franchise. While also continuing the Skywalker adventures with J.J. Abrams handling Episodes VII, VIII, IX and beyond.



Above is the Galactic Timeline Records from the Old Republic game just so you have an idea of how in-depth the mythology is.

Jude Law Laments Missing Out On WATCHMEN And Interested In DC/Marvel Role

During an interview with Collider actor Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes, Contagion, Bitter Pill, Enemy At The Gates) was asked if he would be interested in a comic book movie role. He went on to explain a missed opurtinity to have a role in Zack Snyder's Watchmen. However, still seems open to the idea of being apart of the Marvel or DC (Justice League) film universes. Jude doesn't confirm there are currently talks but he might have some spare time until Sherlock Holmes 3 is put into production. I'm also sure his relationship with Robert Downey Jr. and Warner Bros. wouldn't hurt his chances either.

"I’m a massive comic book fan. I was buying weekly installments of “The Watchmen”, and “From Hell”, and “Parallax” and “Johnny Nemo”. I was a huge comic book fan as a kid and I still am, I still am to a degree. Me and my youngest son are both comic book nerds together; make models and stuff. My oldest son thinks I’m a terrible geek. But I don’t care, my youngest son gets me, he always does. Yeah, it’s definitely something I would like to get involved in if, again if the director’s right and the piece is right and the part is right. I was sad not to be a part of Watchmen when they made the movie, but I was busy doing something else." 

"That’s a good idea. I mean, I’m quite interested at the moment, nothing's lined up, but I’m quite interested at the moment to do something a little more action-y, I’ve done quite a few quite cerebral, period movies and I’d quite like to do something like that."

A couple of characters come to mind when thinking of who Jude Law could play in either cinematic worlds. I think he could make a decent Hank Pym/Scott Lang (Ant-Man), Joey Chapman (Union Jack), Balder The Brave, Baron Stucker or Ulysses Klaw. When it comes to DC the roles are a bit limited but I'd say he could do well as The Flash or villains such as Lex Luthor or Brainiac.

Zack Snyder Directing Stand-Alone STAR WARS Film Based On SEVEN SAMURAI

Zack Snyder recently stated he had zero desire to make Star Wars Episode VII. Well that seems to have been a misdirection of sorts. As Vulture reports the director of 300, Watchmen and the upcoming Man of Steel is developing a non-trilogy Star Wars film with LucasFilm. This new stand-alone feature is loosely based on the iconic Akira Kurosawa film The Seven Samurai. Which would see a group of seven jedi coming to together for a rather large mission. Fans of the franchise should not see this as too surprising as Akira's The Hidden Fortress was a major inspiration for A New Hope. The original film tells the tale of a small agrarian town in seventeenth-century Japan that’s routinely pillaged by bandits. Fed up with the annual shakedown, its farmers retain the services of seven masterless samurai to defend their harvest.

It's being reported the film could take place outside of the events of Episodes VII or VIII. However, with recent talk of LucasFilm trying to use the Marvel Studios model. This could be a way to introduce new characters into the trilogy, giving them stronger than usual backstories. Neither a writer or existence of a script is mentioned but is stated production would take place after Episode VII. It's rumored that the seventh installment would start pre-production in the Spring with the film possibly shooting later this year. In any case, from the new footage from Man of Steel it looks like Zack has grown as a director taking more of a serious tone.

It recently was announced that Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders, Return of The Jedi, Empire Strikes Back) and Simon Kinberg (X-Men Days of Future Past) would be hired as writers to develop films just like this one. It's possible that either or both of these screenwriters could be be tackling the untitled project. This might not even be that large announcement LucasFilm's Kathleen Kennedy's promised us for January. Episode VII still doesn't have an announced name for it's director.

Zack Snyder And Ruben Fleischer Candidates For JUSTICE LEAGUE?

ThinkMcflyThink (via CBM) tweeted a couple more names added to Warner Bros' list of possible directors for Justice League. We've previously heard names like Ben Affleck (Gone Baby Gone, The Town, Argo) and The Wachowskis (Cloud Atlas, Matrix 1-3) in the running. However, some uninspired directors such as Brett Ratner (Rush Hour, X3) and McG (Terminator Salvation) are being bunched into in the group. Some other interesting names include studio darling Zack Snyder (Man of Steel, Watchmen, 300) and Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Gangster Squad). The latter seemingly becoming a studio favourite in his own right. I feel The Wachowskis, Ruben and Zack have the best shot here. Zack is head of the pack in my opinion. As he was able to pull off Watchmen while the film could have been a total disaster it ended up a solid attempt.

Matthew Goode Says He's Up For More Watchmen Films

Comic fans seem to be divided on DC's decision to roll out a new series of Watchmen books under the title Before Watchmen without the approval or input of creator Alan Moore. The prequels will explore previous adventures of the dark superheroes not included in the graphic novel by Moore/Gibbons. CBM found an interview with actor Matthew Goode who was asked by about the new comics and his thoughts on them. He revealed that his character Ozymandias was the only character in the film that didn't have their origin chronicled in the first film and would like to see that revealed.

"I've heard they are doing these. It's not Alan Moore or Dave Gibbons who are doing it, but they've got some of the best. Who knows what will happen with that? Whether it will be made into a prequel or not?" 

"Zack would have loved to have his [Alan Moore] involvement, because the book is so revered and its one of his favourite things in the entire world. Whether Zack would be involved in it again I don't know, he's pretty busy. I'm quite excited to see what they come up with. In some senses, my character was the one character where everyone else gets a bigger chunk of back story. I'd quite like to know what was going on. See if I was right about some of the choices I made!" 

It was rumored around the release of the Zack Snyder's Watchmen that Warner Bros, DC Entertainment and Legendary Pictures were planning on making more Watchmen films. A Rorschach film was included in the rumblings. We should expect with the prequel comics coming out all bets are off since they now have material to work with. Watchmen seems to have been profitable for the studio even with the high budget. If these prequels were to happen I expect they would treat it the same way as they are with 300: Battle of Artemisia. As they would look to Zack Snyder to godfather the project if he doesn't end up directing. I was also assume the film would keep it's tone and gritty nature but the effects/budget would be scaled down from the original. Snyder is expected to return for a Man of Steel sequel that is rumored to be already in development. However, I wouldn't rule out him returning to Watchmen in the future.

My personal belief about Watchmen continuing is that comic book characters are usually fair game if they're not creator owned. Batman gained a lot when Frank Miller was able to write his own vision of Batman. Mark Millar revitalized Avengers which sparked new interest and resurrected the superhero team. Who is to say that some of these Before Watchmen books won't end up as good if not better than the original? DC seems to be extremely timid when it comes to their comic book films. They're currently only focusing on Batman and Superman with a possible sequel to Man of Steel along with new Batman films without Bale, Oldman and Nolan. The studio is still working out how to bring Wonder Woman to the screens without recreating the terrible response and low box office return Green Lantern earned.

Films That Should Be Made: Tales Of The Black Freighter

Originally a comic within the Watchmen graphic novel. It will be turned into an animated short for the Watchmen DVD release. People have talked a sequel/prequel to Watchmen but it would be impossible without Alan Moore's involvement. Moore is someone who is very anti-Hollywood considering being burned on many occasions. On the other hand The Black Freighter is a story that could be expanded into a full feature without Moore's help. The basic story is already set up and the character could be developed by another writer without backlash from Watchmen fans.



Gerard Butler has done the voice acting for the animated film, so it makes sense that he would be cast as the mariner.



If the studio options a full live-action feature they would of course ask Zack Snyder to return. Having Butler and Snyder working together again would make a lot of people happy. They'll also be possibly working together on the 300 prequel.



"Marooned" tells the story of a young mariner cast adrift at sea, making his way to his hometown to warn its inhabitants of the coming of the Black Freighter. During his journey he is "forced by the urgency of his mission to shed one inhibition after another", including using the bodies of his dead shipmates as a make-shift raft and mistakenly killing innocent people as he makes his way to town.