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BOF Mailbag – May 2018

Bill "Jett" Ramey

PREVIOUS: BOF Mailbag – April 2018

JETT SAYS: I’m sure they will.  In terms of DC on film, I suspect that the focus will be on AQUAMAN and SHAZAM! — or at least it should be.  I hope like hell they don’t “announce” a bunch of future DC movies — like they’ve done in the past — that will never come to fruition.  They’ve got 2 films coming within the next year — the aforementioned AQUAMAN and SHAZAM!.  Spotlight them WB, and nothing else.

Does the next actor who plays Batman knows he has been cast?

JETT SAYS: I doubt it, but it’s possible.

What are your thoughts on El Fanboy’s observation that Batman worked well during the Nolan trilogy because of the timing of the societal culture then, and the fact that it has changed and now people flock to the MCU films because they are bright, cinematic, and hopeful? Do you think that this matters when it comes to whether or not people even WANT Batman?

JETT SAYS:  Batman has been around for almost 80 years and was popular no matter what the societal culture was at the time.  I believe Nolan’s DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY worked well and was successful because it was damn good and arguably great.

Batman’s last two cinematic outings were BATMAN v SUPERMAN and JUSTICE LEAGUE.  Let’s be honest, OK?  They didn’t work well and didn’t resonate with the audience for a lot of reasons; namely, due to the fact they weren’t very good — especially JL.

Yes, people want Batman.  Simply make a good Batman film and people will show up.

Who is the most likely Villain(s) for Reeves’ film?

JETT SAYS: I have no idea.  If I had to guess, I’d think Reeves would want to use a Batman villain(s) that we haven’t seen before, or haven’t seen on film in a while.  I do think Deathstroke would be a good choice.  Maybe he goes with The Riddler — haven’t seen that character in a Batman film since 1995.  It sounds like Reeves wants to make a noir, detective sort of film.  Therefore, we should probably think of Batman villains who would fit that mold.

Did you ever finish ARKHAM KNIGHT? How would you rate the ARKHAM series as a Batman story? Do you think it will influence future iterations of Batman in other media?

JETT SAYS: No, I have not finished ARKHAM KNIGHT…yet.  I will!  I did play and finish all of the other games (including the very underrated ARKHAM ORIGNS).  I think the stories in each were very good and would have no issue if they influenced Batman in film, TV, comics, etc.  The idea of Batman having to go into Arkham Asylum — perhaps locked up with all of his Bat-villains — would make for a hell of a film in my opinion.

What are your hopes for the DC Films and the Batman franchise going forward?

JETT SAYS: Make good films.

JETT SAYS: I think it’s about a wash between DD and BvS critically.  Personally, I thought DD was OK when I saw it back in the day, and I simply do not like BvS.  Also, it seems that Ben Affleck’s performance Batman was well-received in BvS by critics and the audience (well, except for being a murdering A-hole), while his portrayal as Daredevil was deemed as nothing special.

Hi Jett.  Do you think the 1966 TV show — and especially the ‘66 movie — defined who fans favor as their favorite villains.  Being the same age as you, I have found Joker, Catwoman, Riddler and Penguin seem to have been and for the most part still are the most popular.  By far The Joker, seeing he had the most appearances on the show.  I also notice on GOTHAM TV show they seem to be the most popular four and well liked by fans of that show. 

JETT SAYS: Absolutely.  I don’t know if it defined whom Batman fans consider their favorite Batman villains, but it certainly did for the general audience.  The Joker and Catwoman had been around since 1940 and were already popular characters.  The Penguin and The Riddler did not have a lot of comic book appearances before being used in the BATMAN TV series and film.

What would you like to see next in a Batman comic book story?

JETT SAYS: Hmm… I’d like to see Matt Wagner return to the world of Batman and do something with The Joker.  Perhaps combine the first few Joker stories in the comics and turn it into an undated story.  Sorta like he did with the two DARK MOON RISING stories.

JETT SAYS: I wouldn’t have allowed a sequel to MAN OF STEEL be turned into a semi-Batman movie in order to set up a Justice League film.  I would’ve mandated that if we were really going to do a shared universe (which I would’ve been against, but I’ll go with it for the sake of answering this question), we’re going to go ahead with MAN OF STEEL 2 as a true sequel to MOS, and I would’ve ordered solo films (including the new Batman) for the characters who would be in the potential JL film.

I remember back a few years ago that someone you knew (name escapes me at the moment) was working on a fan film that was set to be a prequel to Batman ‘89. What happened with that?

JETT SAYS: That would be Paul Wares and the film was titled BATMAN: PROLOGUE.  I’ll ask him about it, though I know he never finished it.

JETT SAYS: Thanks man!  My BOF is 20 years old…wow!  Anyway, I’m a no trunks on Batman man myself.

If Huey Lewis and the News were a group of Batman villains, who would they be?

JETT SAYS: “The Very Good But Not Great Gang That’s Not Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Worthy.”

Ben Affleck was announced way before BATMAN v SUPERMAN went into production. Do you think we will hear any casting news this year for Matt Reeves’ Batman film?

JETT SAYS: Ben Affleck was announced as WB’s “New Batman on Film” in August of 2013, and BvS filmed in 2014…yet it wasn’t released until March of 2016 (and that included 2 release date changes).  Whatever, it was a cluster F.  Anyway…

I don’t think we’ll get word on the casting of Matt Reeves’ Batman film until right before it goes into production.  And honestly, I don’t believe that’s going to happen until 2019 at the absolute earliest.

The last time we saw Batman in a live-action film was only 6 damn months ago!  Let’s give our beloved character a chance to regroup and have the audience miss him first?  Didn’t I write something saying that not too long ago?

JETT SAYS: Unless they do a BATMAN BEYOND movie at some point (which I wouldn’t be opposed to honestly), I don’t see Batman on film being anyone other than Bruce Wayne.

If you were stuck on a deserted island with one BOF roundtable member, who would you want it be and why?

JETT SAYS: Announcer Rachel (yes, she’s part of the show, so she counts).  Why?  She’s my best friend.

If you were to retire from BOF, would you shut the site down, or pass your work on to a compatriot?

JETT SAYS: I don’t see myself retiring from BOF anytime soon, so y’all are stuck with me for the foreseeable future.  When and if the time comes, I’d probably see if one of my children wanted to take over.  If none wanted the gig, I’m not sure what I’d do with it.  BOF is such a part of me, and I’m such a part of BOF…I just don’t know.  I do know that BOF wil never shut down.

What do you think are the chances WB will do an animated reunion film for THE BATMAN for its 15th anniversary next year like they did for THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES for its 20th anniversary last year with BATMAN AND HARLEY QUINN and for BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD for its 10th anniversary this year with SCOOBY DOO AND BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD?

JETT SAYS: I don’t think none of those films were done to commemorate an anniversary of an animated Batman TV series; their release dates were mere coincidences.  I’d like a new animated film based on THE BATMAN, but I don’t see that happening.

 

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