The May 2021 BOF Mailbag #1

By
Bill "Jett" Ramey
-
3973

Which comic writer/artist from yesterday or today would you bring to the pages of Batman if you had the chance?

JETT SAYS: You’ve stumped me here, man!  Batman has had such great artists and writers over the years that I really can’t think of anyone I’m just dying to see writer/draw Batman.

After BATMAN v SUPERMAN — and especially JUSTICE LEAGUE disappointed, I’m not surprised that they are rebooting Superman and Batman. If these new movies underperform do you think they will hold off on more movies? Maybe try Batman as a TV show? I’m actually not that worried about THE BATMAN performing well, but I kinda feel like this new take on Superman must succeed or we won’t get more Supernab solo movies for a long time. (Good thing there is SUPERMAN & LOIS!)

JETT SAYS: I’m not worried about THE BATMAN.  I expect it to do very well and spawn a couple of sequels as its own film universe on the big screen and HBO Max.

As far as the Man of Steel, I’m not sure what will become of Superman’s big-screen endeavors if this reboot falters.  It —  just like Matt Reeves’ THE BATMAN — appears to be its own thing and not part of any “shared universe.”  Perhaps a Henry Cavill Superman in WB’s DC films that are “connected” is still a possibility and can coexist with this J.J. Abrams-produced/Ta-Nehisi Coates-written Black Superman?

JETT SAYS: 1) THE BATMAN being more grounded and realistic than Christopher Nolan’s THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY.

2) As far as a “director’s cut” of BATMAN FOREVER — aka “The Red Diary Cut” — I’m not going to say it’s not a possibility, but I’m not holding my breath for it.  And I say that as someone who’s a fan of BATMAN FOREVER and has long wanted to see the longer and darker “Red Diary” version of it.

JETT SAYS: Vengeance…

Any word on how “toyetic” the Batman and the Flash movies will be?

JETT SAYS: Since merchandising concept art has already leaked online, I’m sure there will be plenty of “collectibles” and various tie-ins to THE BATMAN.

There are rumors of a JOKER sequel. Would you be disappointed if they made another Joker film?

JETT SAYS: Rumors? I know they are actively developing one.  And yes, I’ll be disappointed if it comes to fruition.  But, I get what they’re doing it: $$$.

As I’ve said many times, a sequel will reveal JOKER‘s “magic trick” (borrowing a term from Chris Nolan) and negate what made it so great: Its ambiguity.  Was it all real?  Imagined by Arthur?  Some of both?   Who knows for sure and everyone’s take on it is correct.  It would suck to know who the magician made the rabbit disappear.

Why are WB/AT&T execs so bad at keeping good relationships with some actors and directors for DC movies? Are they not concerned about negative PR?  If Ezra Miller’s THE FLASH movie fails, could you see them recasting Barry Allen in this universe?  I was never a fan of Ezra as Barry.

JETT SAYS: Well, I don’t think you want to throw away the babies with the bathwater — i.e. Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Margot Robbie, James Wan, or Patty Jenkins.  Really, those are the only folks that are really leftover from, well, you know what era I’m talking about.  As far as actors and directors that are part of DC on film going forward, they’re pretty much all new.

When it comes to Ezra Miller as The Flash, yeah, that’s a bit of a head-scratcher — I figured they’d recast the role for the solo movie.  It’s not like he was beloved like Ms. Gadot or anything.  I didn’t think he was horrible, but I wouldn’t have been sad if he were replaced.  I guess I’m OK with him returning under a new writer and director and seeing what happens.

As far as THE FLASH solo movie, I think it’s going to do really well, to be honest.  Michael Keaton’s return as an aged Bruce Wayne sure as hell ain’t gonna hurt!

JETT SAYS: I love THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY and Christian Bale is my favorite Batman of all time.

I’ve seen reports that Battinson may not be thrilled that he is about to be the first to share his time in the cowl concurrently (Batfleck and Keaton in THE FLASH). Is there truth to that, and if so, do you think that threatens future Battinson sequels?

JETT SAYS: Hogwash.  And no.  Cheers!

JETT SAYS: I think we’ll get some promo pics from THE BATMAN at some point between now and DC FanDome 2021 in October.  I figure we won’t get a trailer until then as that’ll pretty much be the launch of THE BATMAN publicity and marketing.

Do you think THE BATMAN will be an open and shut movie and the second will be a completely different story, or do you think that the first movie will end on a cliffhanger leading into the sequel?

JETT SAYS: I think it’ll be a standalone film that will leave subtle plot/character breadcrumbs behind for future films.

When are we getting trailer 2 for THE BATMAN?

JETT SAYS: FanDome ’21, I figure.

Do you think the BATGIRL movie will be the first movie post THE FLASH where Keaton will feature as the “DCEU” Bruce Wayne?

JETT SAYS: Quite possible.  Like that riff off of BATMAN BEYOND and THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS I’ve been suggesting/hinting about???

Hello, Jett. How are you? Have you seen the Venom: Let There Be Carnage official trailer?

JETT SAYS: I did and I liked it.  I also liked VENOM and don’t get the hate it gets.  It couldn’t be that hated since it made damn near $900 Million at the box office.

Do you think the Black Superman in this reboot will be Clark Kent?

JETT SAYS: I do not.  While he will be Kal El from Krypton, I believe his incarnation on Earth — his “secret identity,” if you will — will be something new.  The same goes for his backstory on Earth.  Honestly, there’s no reason to do a “Black Superman” and give him the same story/persona as Clark Kent.  And I’m cool with this and that approach.

Do you think the Snyderverse will return? Or is it done for?

JETT SAYS: I’ll put it this way…

The “Snyderverse” will return anytime anyone wants to watch MAN OF STEEL, BATMAN v SUPERMAN, and ZACK SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE on Blu-ray or Digital.

What do you make of this campaign by [ZS] fans to boycott THE BATMAN?  Will it make an impact on THE BATMAN’s success?

JETT SAYS: This is what I make of it…

 

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