BOF Mailbag – March 2018

Welcome to the March 2018 edition of the BATMAN ON FILM Mailbag!

This will be a 2-for month as I’ll be doing another one for Spring Break 2018, so stay tuned.

Now, on to the mailbag…

 

How much impact will Walter Hamada have on [the DC films] that were already in production (SHAZAM!, WONDER WOMAN 2, etc.) before he stepped in?

JETT SAYS: I’m assuming that he won’t influence projects like SHAZAM! and WONDER WOMAN 2 all that much.  I’d guess his influence will be felt going forward with films in-development and whether are not they are ever green-lit.

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@BATMANONFILM Do we know for sure that Affleck’s rejected script for the solo Bat-movie revolved around Arkham? #BatmanOnFilmMailbagMarch2018

— Apostolos Kyriazis (@Tolismann) March 2, 2018

JETT SAYS: Do we know for sure?  Nope — we do not.  Maybe it was set in Arkham, maybe it wasn’t.  I’d consider nothing but rumor.  Plus, that script has been tossed and Matt Reeves is new doing his own thing with Batman on film.

When do you think we’ll hear more information about Matt Reeves’ BATMAN film?

JETT SAYS: Whenever he’s done writing the script, turns it over to Warner Bros., and the they either greenlight it or pass.  At that point, we’ll hear something.  Frankly, I don’t think either Reeves or the studio is in a huge rush to get it out — and they shouldn’t be.  Let Reeves take all the time he needs to develop something that’s going to be damn good.  And remember, just because Reeves signed a deal to develop and direct a solo Batman film, doesn’t mean it’s a 100% set in stone given to happen.

I have often heard Batman fans (and creators) say things like “Bruce Wayne is a mask and Batman is who the character really is.” I understand this line of thinkingn but I severely disagree. To me, Bruce Wayne’s humanity is key to the Batman’s character and mythos. What’s your take on this?

JETT SAYS: I tend to subscribe to that theory actually.  I think THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY — especially in BATMAN BEGINS — did Batman/Bruce Wayne how I see the character.  Bruce is essentially three people.  One, there’s the “public” Bruce Wayne that’s essentially an act.  Secondly, there’s the “real” Bruce Wayne that only a few people — Alfred, first and foremost — see.  Lastly, there’s The Batman, of course.  I see the “real Bruce Wayne” as a combination of the second and third examples above.

What was different about BATMAN v SUPERMAN before they delayed the release date?

JETT SAYS: Not much. They changed the release date — a couple of times I believe — to make sure they had enough time to finish it properly and not be rushed.  Now, the film was altered quite a bit once Chris Terrio came on board and re-wrote David Goyer’s original script.  For example, Dick Grayson/Nightwing was said to have been in the original script.  Also, it was said that Bruce Wayne fought crime in Gotham via Bat-drones and Bat-bots ala KINGDOM COME.

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What’s the hardest part of running BOF and what’s the best part about it? #BatmanOnFilmMailbagMarch2018

— Michael Fricker (@Michael_Fricker) March 2, 2018

JETT SAYS: The best part?  Well to be honest, I’ve got to do a l lot of cool stuff and meet a lot of cool people because of BOF, that’s for sure.  However, I’d say the best part of running BOF is it kinda-sorta allows me to be a “Batman creator” even though I can’t write comics or draw.

The worst thing about BOF is quite frankly having to deal with bad online fanBOI behavior.  It’s a beat-down and can get to you…if you let it.  Also, the year-plus I spent covering JUSTICE LEAGUE was the least-fun I’ve ever had in my 20 years of doing this.

If you had to bet real, non-monopoly money on it, what do you think the state of DC films will be in 5-10 years, and how will it have gotten to that state?

JETT SAYS: Hmm…this is a hell of a good question.  I think that the DC films that are “canon” will have soft-rebooted and have moved as far away from the world created in BATMAN v SUPERMAN and JUSTICE LEAGUE as possible.

I read in a blind item a fairly deep cut rumor that Nolan and Bale could be tempted back to Batman in exchange for directing and starring roles in a very prestigious WB picture that is sure to get Nolan that Oscar that keeps avoiding him (I doubt he’ll win for DUNKIRK). If that were to pan out, is there any story you could possibly conceive that would still be worth telling in the THE DARK KNIGHT film universe?

JETT SAYS: That’s a tough question Joey.  I don’t think there’s anyway in hell that Chris Nolan returns to the world of Batman on film.  I think Bale would; if — and only if — Nolan was going to direct.  But to answer your question, I can’t conceive a story set in that universe that would be worth telling to be honest.  I think it’s best for all involved — Nolan, Bale, and fans of THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY — that it stays just that: a trilogy.

Hello Jett.  Do you think it’s possible a time will come (or is already here) when Batman is seen as just another superhero and not something “iconic” by the mainstream due to the increased visibility of other heroes combined with poor reception of his recent movies?

JETT SAYS: Yes, I do.  It’s one of the reasons that I’ve been lobbying Warner Bros. to give Batman on film a bit of a break.  I also think the way Batman was portrayed in JUSTICE LEAGUE — the worst depiction since BATMAN & ROBIN — didn’t help the general audience’s perception of the character.

We need to “miss” Batman on film again.  That’s why I hope that Matt Reeves takes all the time he needs with his standalone Batman film.  If end doesn’t come out until 2021 or 2022, so be it.

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Since @mattreevesLA confirmed he is still on The Batman, what could have whispered that would make @BATMANONFILM to go march out with a pitch fork?

— David Kocher (@realDavidKocher) March 2, 2018

 

Where you ever shocked to not see something in a Batman film that you thought would be on screen?

JETT SAYS: I thought that Nolan would’ve found a way to work in The Penguin in THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY and he didn’t.  Oswald Cobblepott could’ve been one of the crime bosses in THE DARK KNIGHT in a small role.  This is all I could think of!

Do you think it was WB’s or DC’s fault — or a combination of both — over the performance of the movies and such a negative backlash?