Welcome to the 2nd BOF Mailbag for the month of April 2020 (click here for the previous installment). I hope everyone is well and hanging in there during this Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks for all the questions and keep those cards and letters coming! Now, on to the mailbag! – Bill “Jett” Ramey
ALSO READ: The April 2020 BOF Mailbag #1
First and foremost, how are you and the family doing?
— Ivan Pereira (@IvanPer4) April 19, 2020
JETT SAYS: We are fine sir and thank you for asking! I hope you and yours are as well Ivan!
This has probably been asked, and if so my apologies, but what’s the date of no return when they’re going to have to push back THE BATMAN’s release date?
JETT SAYS: I think if they can start filming by the end of May or early June, 6/25/21 is good to go. However, I don’t see that happening and I think the release date getting pushed is now inevitable.
Whatever happened to the casting of Mad Hatter and Firefly? Is it possible they didn’t make it to the final draft?
JETT SAYS: Like Two-Face, that’s very likely…or maybe they are in the film and simply very small roles.
Hey Jett, did you vote in the ’88 “Death in the Family” call-in and if so were you for or against killing Jason Todd? #BatmanOnFilmMailbag
— Here’s Jamesy! (@Jamzarm) April 19, 2020
JETT SAYS: I did and I called 1-900-720-266…
With the delay in production do you think that [director Matt] Reeves will make any small changes to [THE BATMAN] script?
JETT SAYS: I don’t think so. There were multiple rewrites and polishes — even with another writer — therefore I believe he was very happy with the final shooting script.
What has been your favourite entrance to the Batcave from Wayne Manor from all of the live action Batman movies?#BatmanOnFilmMailbag
— Robin’s Nest (Craig Harlow) (@HarlowC) April 19, 2020
JETT SAYS: I’m going to cheat, kinda, but it’s this by far…
When I was a kid, I thought the Batpoles really worked. Man, I miss being a kid…
If BATMAN BEGINS had not been a success, what would the state of Batman on film be today?
JETT SAYS: Interesting question.
Well first of all, let’s keep in mind that BATMAN BEGINS was not a big success in regards to the box office. It was reviewed well, got good word of mouth, and had long legs at the box office.
However, it was actually on home video that the film was really discovered by the general audience and it did really well on that platform.
Frankly, I’m not sure BEGINS would’ve got a sequel in this day and age, but thank goodness it did.
BEGINS ended up changing the comic book/superhero movie genre quite a bit. I’m not sure we’d be in the current “Golden Age of Comic Book Movies” like we are today much less have gotten THE DARK KNIGHT, RISES, or another Batman film, period.
Did you get to read any of the many scripts for “BATMAN 5” pre-Nolan getting involved and were you impressed with any?
JETT SAYS: I read the Darren Aronofky/Frank Miller YEAR ONE script, one titled BATMAN: DARK KNIGHT (which featured Man-Bat and The Scarecrow as the main villains), and the first BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN script (by Andrew Kevin Walker). I’m glad none of them came to fruition and I’m more than happy the way “BATMAN 5” turned out (i.e. a reboot via Chris Nolan with BATMAN BEGINS).
There seems to always be a new animated Batman series when a new Batman live-action movie is released. Have there been any talks about a new cartoon in development? #BatmanOnFilmMailbag
— Ryan Lower (@lower_ryan) April 19, 2020
JETT SAYS: I’ve heard nothing about one in the pipeline and honestly, I doubt one is in the works. I think WB/DC/WB Animation are all happy with the animated DC Batman movies right now. And as I’m sure you’ve noticed Ryan, most of them are straight-up Batman movies or movies with Batman in it.
Why was there no DC logo/intro at the beginning of Joker? With all the positive press the film was getting prior to release, it seems like it would have been a good opportunity to solidify the brand. #BatmanOnFilmMailbag
— WW (@Batboat77) April 19, 2020
JETT SAYS: I think the answer is two-fold. One, it’s not a typical comic book/superhero movie. Secondly, with the film being set in 1980, they opened with the ‘ol Warner Bros. retro logo.
What would you guess are the percentage chances that Dick Grayson’s Robin appears on screen with Pattinson’s Batman at some point in the future?
JETT SAYS: I’m not sure, but I’ll go with 50/50. I truly believe that THE BATMAN and it’s subsequent sequels are going to be more “grounded and “realistic” than THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY, so doing “Robin” is tough and tricky to pull off and not come across as cheesy and silly.
You can’t have Batman in a live-action movie that’s meant to be taken “serious” gallivanting around Gotham fighting crime with a teenage boy in an orange tunic and green pixie boots. We’ll see.
Batman has always had great villains and had the most memorable performances. Given that reeves might be giving us one of the more flawed Batman and couple that with Pattinson’s incredible talent, do you think this will be the first time we talk more about the hero’s performance than the villain’s?
JETT SAYS: I get what you’re saying and I’d say that’s true for the villains of the 4 Burton/Schumacher films.
However, I’d argue that most people recognize how great Christian Bale was in all three of THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY movies. The TRILOGY was, first and foremost, about Bruce Wayne.
When it comes to Pattinson’s Batman in THE BATMAN, I do think — like the TRILOGY — it’s going to focus on Bruce and Batman…perhaps even more so.
#BatmanOnFilmMailbag whose #Batman wins in a fight-Morrison’s, Snyder’s, or King’s? Don’t forget, #TheBatmanIsComing…eventually.
— Javi-The Bond Is Not Enough (@JaviTru) April 19, 2020
JETT SAYS: HA! That’s a tough one. I’m going to go with Tom King’s Batman over Morrison’s and Snyder’s — and that doesn’t mean I prefer King’s BATMAN over the other two’s. If I had to rank their runs, it would be 1) Snyder 2) King, and 3) Morrison (and I’m not a big fan of Mr. Morrison’s take on Batman and his Bat-sensibilities).
Favorite Batman scene in Nolan Bat-movie?
Favorite Batman scene in non-Nolan Bat-movie?
Favorite Bruce scene in Nolan Bat-movie?
Favorite Bruce scene in non-Nolan Bat-movie?
Favorite Villain scene in Nolan Bat-movie?
Favorite Villain scene in non-Nolan Bat-movie?
JETT SAYS: In order of your questions: “The Dock’s Scene/Secrets of Scary People” in BATMAN BEGINS; “I’m Batman” in BATMAN ’89; the “Red Diary” stuff from BATMAN FOREVER (yes, I cheated); a “drunk” Bruce telling people to get the f*ck out of Wayne Manor in BATMAN BEGINS; the Joker bank heist scene/”What doesn’t kill you makes your stranger!” opening of THE DARK KNIGHT; and, The Joker/”Wait ’til they get a load of me!” from BATMAN ’89.
Did Bale really get offered money to appear in BATMAN v SUPERMAN or was that just rumor? If yes, do you know anything about how that story would have worked out? I’m glad it didn’t pan out that way but I’m still curious nonetheless.
JETT SAYS: Apparently, WB wanted Nolan to be the “show-runner” for DC on film after MAN OF STEEL and he smartly declined. Nolan’s advice to WB was to make as many DC films as they wanted, but have them be their own thing and keep them separate from other DC movies. Also, apparently, Bale was asked to reprise the role and also smartly declined — no way in hell he would play Batman without Nolan directing and neither wanted to retroactively F-up the ending to THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY.
There you go.
What is the possibility of Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman getting her own movie in future DC live-action movies? Do you see that happening? I Would like to hear your thoughts.
JETT SAYS: Here you go…
Very slim. No. You’ve now heard ’em, brother!
Was Mr. Reese in THE DARK KNIGHT the Nolan version of The Riddler? Is this confirmed?
JETT SAYS: Nope x2.
Hi Jett, I hope you and your family are well and healthy during this crisis. Here is a question for your next BOF mailbag…
I know your not a big fan of The CW shows and I know you’re not big on Batman on TV. Now seeing that during “CRISIS” (and since Batwoman’s back door pilot last year) we know Batman now exists in Arrowverse. What are your thoughts on letting Batman make small cameo’s on Batwoman, The Flash and upcoming new SUPERMAN AND LOIS show if it was done with certain exceptions: 1) Not related to the new movie, 2) we get a different costume than Patterson’s, and, 3) Will Arnett gets cast.
JETT SAYS: Hello there Mr. Michael, we’re fine — thanks for asking, and I hope you and your family are as well, sir.
As far as your question, I don’t see it happening even with the caveats/exceptions. Batman is WB’s #1 IP, so I believe while they’ve loosened up a bit with the use of “Batman” in live-action TV the last few years, they still aren’t going to go there. And honestly, I agree with them and I personally have no desire to see full-on Batman on any DC show on The CW.
Plus, Will Arnett is The Lego Batman…more of that with him, please!
Do you think we’ll have a villain that hasn’t been named yet in a small role for THE BATMAN — like Mr. Zsazz was in BATMAN BEGINS?
JETT SAYS: It’s “Mr. Zsasz.” Anyway, I’m sure that there will be small, cameo-like roles featuring Batman villains in THE BATMAN, yes. However, the casting of Tim Booth as Zsasz in BATMAN BEGINS was announced by Warner Bros. before filming commenced.
