And just like that, a third of 2024 has already come and gone. Regarding April’s BOF Mailbag, yes, I’m posting it on the month’s final day…but better late than never, right? Let’s ride! – Bill “Jett” Ramey
Any Idea when we’re getting BATMAN: CAPED CRUSADER (animated series)?
JETT SAYS: I do not. Maybe next year after THE PENGUIN and before THE BATMAN: PART II? Or they could wait until right before the latter is released in 2026 to take advantage of the Bat-hype.
Imagine a GREAT Indie Batman film once we get past 2036, so you can get the very basics into the script. What does it look like for you?
JETT SAYS: It looks like something I couldn’t care less about nor will watch. Let me say this about any Batman projects after the character is in the public domain…
No major studio is going to make a Batman movie. There will be some indie filmmakers who will try, but they’ll be nothing more than glorified fan films (no offense to fan films) and akin to that bullshit Winne the Poo horror movies that have come out recently.
What’s something (story arc, setting, character, atmosphere) we have yet to see in a Batman film that you would like to see in some future film (not necessarily in THE BATMAN SAGA, but certainly can be)?
JETT SAYS: I’d like to see a live-action film version of Hugo Strange. Not necessarily any of the comic book storylines involving that character (MONSTER MEN, STRANGE APPARITIONS), but I’ve long wanted Hugo Strange in a Batman movie. Maybe we get him in one of Matt Reeves’ THE BATMAN SAGA projects.
Are you opposed to Batman fighting with partners or, are you opposed to the characters altogether? I would love to see Nightwing get his own movie.
JETT SAYS: Well, Gordon is a partner, right? So is Alfred. Thus, I wouldn’t say that I’m opposed to Batman working with a partner…as long as it’s Gordon or Alfred. I don’t care for the sidekicks, so no Robins, Batgirls, Batwings, Nightwings, Red Hoods, etc. My preference is solo, grounded, street-level Batman stories.
What’s your favorite Wayne Manor?
JETT SAYS: To the Bat-Poles…
If you could change 3 things about the current Batman monthly comics (Batman + Detective Comics), what would they be?
— Craig Harlow (@HarlowC) April 23, 2024
JETT SAYS: Oh man, just be F’n better! I don’t know if I can name 3 things, but I’d definitely stop with the big, multi-issue “events” and have storylines that last no more than 2 or 3 issues. Hell, I wouldn’t mind if they went old school and had an entire story in single issues. And less fantastical stuff dammit! Batman falling from the Moon back to Earth was a jump-the-shark moment for me with Batman comics.
We’ve seen a lot of your Batman collection through photos and videos. Can you tell us a little bit about what we haven’t seen? For example, how much stuff do you have in storage and what type of stuff? Also, is there anything you wish you had room for in your office but can’t include for spacial reasons?
JETT SAYS: Most of my stuff is in my office. Now, most of my comics are stored away in totes and there are a few various toys, action figures, etc. that are also put away (like all the action figures my kids had when they were little). But for the most part, what you’ve seen in pics and my videos is it. It’s a modest collection, I think.
Not that I have it, but something I’d love to have in my office is a full-size Batman statue and/or a Bat-suit from one of the films…with the one from THE BATMAN being my preference.
Any idea how advanced the script is? For months there have been rumors that the script was in the final stages, but suddenly the film is delayed a year due to the script not being ready yet.
— Erik (@erikmts123) April 24, 2024
JETT SAYS: The WGA and SAG strikes affected the scripting stage of THE BATMAN: PART II more than a lot of folks (fans) thought they would. Matt Reeves and Mattson Tomlin did not work on it during them, which is probably the main reason for the delay. Also, Matt Reeves is a perfectionist, so until he thinks it’s ready, it’s not ready. Also, studio/soundstage availability was also affected by those strikes.
I will say there’s a good chance it’s already done and they are just waiting to start preproduction later this year and commence filming in early 2025. In fact, they probably could’ve started earlier, but Warners is keen on the first weekend of October release date.
I really enjoyed the score of THE BATMAN by Michael Giacchino a lot. Do you think he is a lock for scoring the sequel considering he has dabbled in the director’s chair?
JETT SAYS: I don’t see why he wouldn’t. So yeah, I expect him to return.
So if I got this correctly “Joker: Folie a deux” is a drama like the first one, but the music plays an important part (like in the first one) and not a conventional musical like Moulin Rouge or Les Miserables? (I never expected it to be like that, to tell the truth).
JETT SAYS: It’s described as a “jukebox musical,” which is very interesting. Yeah, it’s a drama, but will have these extravagant musical numbers which, I assume, will be part of Arthur Fleck’s delusions/fantasies. We shall see in less than half a year…I’m very much looking forward to it!
I haven’t heard as of yet, but do you think Pattinson will make an appearance or two in THE PENGUIN series? I know the focal point is obviously on Oz, but I am hoping to see a few appearances of The Batman!
JETT SAYS: No inside info here, but yeah, I totally believe that Rob Pattinson shows up as Batman and/or Bruce Wayne in a cameo. Remember, THE PENGUIN is “the next chapter in THE BATMAN SAGA” and leads directly into THE BATMAN: PART II.
Are you following the production of the upcoming MAX series PARADISE LOST? Sounds like it’s going to be a Wonder Woman version of the KRYPTON series from Syfy.
JETT SAYS: I am not. I have no interest in that project.
