Bill if you could, I’d like some clarity on the age range Reeves/WB are looking at for casting of the next Batman. You mentioned 25-33 age range (Reeves wanting to skew younger/WB slightly older) but wasn’t it Reeves who wanted Gyllenhaal initially — he’s on the backside of his 30s? Also, if Reeves wants younger, than wouldn’t that make Hammer a WB (not Reeves) choice. Thanks.
JETT SAYS: John, you’ve pretty much summed up all I know sir. I believe that age-range — for the actor — is about correct; though I believe that Bruce Wayne will be 28-ish in the film and a couple of years into his Batmanning.
As far as Jake Gyllenhaal, Reeves met with him (“allegedly”) very early in the process of putting the film together. Thus, he might not have decided on a specific age for Batman at that time.
In terms of Armie Hammer, I’m pretty sure (know?) that he’s on “The List” for potential Batmen (Batmans?); whether that’s WB’s or Reeves’ list, I don’t know. Hell, maybe he’s on both. Regardless, I don’t think that WB would push an actor on Reeves that he didn’t want; in turn, I don’t think Reeves would cast someone WB was opposed to (i.e. a total unknown).
Do you think, When Affleck signed on for BATMAN v SUPERMAN, he was under the impression that Nolan would have the same level of involvement as he did with MAN OF STEEL?
JETT SAYS: No. It was apparently ZS that recruited him and he was totally sold on that take on Batman. Nolan was never going to be as involved with BvS as he was with MOS. BvS is 100% Snyder’s baby.
What’s more likely to happen first: another Justice League movie, or Snyder’s cut of the first one getting an official release (this question may or may not be serious)? And now for a non-groan-inducing question: do you think Reeves will go with the approach of making one movie at a time, or does he have a series of stories in mind that he’ll build upon?
JETT SAYS: I’ll take that first question seriously Trey: another JL movie will happen before the other — no way in hell the ZS cut gets a release. In fact, there will be another JL film someday; but not anytime soon or likely with the actors currently in the roles.
As far as Reeves, I really don’t know. Chris Nolan had a trilogy in mind, but he never held anything back for a sequel. Maybe Reeves will go that route, or perhaps he already has a plan for 3 films or so. We’ll see.
What centennial or _27 issue of #DetectiveComics has been your favorite? #BatmanOnFilmPodcast
— Javier E. Trujillo (@JaviTru) March 29, 2019
JETT SAYS: As a Batman fan, I’ve really liked it all because it’s a celebration of Batman. All the covers for DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 have been a highlight.
Jai Courtney says he’s returning as Boomerang in SUICIDE SQUAD 2. How is this a reboot then? (via email)
JETT SAYS: You know who else is returning? Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Deadshot — though Idris Elba is replacing Will Smith. I suspect that Viola Davis will return as Amanda Waller too.
However, since the film’s producer said flat-out not to call it “Suicide Squad 2” — as you did sir — because the title is “The Suicide Squad” and “it’s a total reboot” — I’m going to take his word for it. Just in case you (or anyone reading) missed it, here’s exactly what he said…
First of all, we don’t call it SUICIDE SQUAD 2 because it’s a total reboot, so it’s THE SUICIDE SQUAD and I think people should be extremely excited about it. It’s everything you would hope from a James Gunn script and I think that says a lot and that promises a lot and I know that we will deliver a lot.
If it makes folks feel better, call it a “soft reboot”, “relaunch”, or whatever. Regardless, this film is going to be very different than its predecessor and have little connectivity between it and SUICIDE SQUAD — even though some cast members will return.
I guess the best way to describe it is that they’re doing a “Batman Forever” or a “Casino Royale,” if you will.
But as far as strong connective tissue between films and building to another big team-up movie, that ain’t happening.
Any chance Kite Man or Condiment King will appear in the film?
JETT SAYS: Hopefully.
You say BvS is unwatchable now. Let’s just say you start with the extended cut and make a new cut. Take out everything Justice League related including nightmare Batman and Wonder Woman, make the BvS fight the third act, insert “Kent” after Supes says save Martha so it’s not as corny, Batman saves Martha and Superman goes after Lex. No doomsday, movie ends. Better movie now?
JETT SAYS: Yes, but there’s still one problem…Bruce Wayne/Batman would still be an unlikeable asshole. But yeah, you’re on to something sir.
With Detective 1000 out and Batman 80 in full swing, what are some of your Batman highlights, either favourite moments or personal experiences? #BatmanOnFilmPodcast
— Ricky Church (@RichardChurch16) March 29, 2019
JETT SAYS: Favorite single comic issue: BATMAN #251…Favorite live-action film: BATMAN BEGINS…Favorite animated film: THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE…Favorite animated TV series: BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD…Favorite TPB/Graphic Novel: YEAR ONE…Favorite Batman actor: Adam West and Christian Bale (tie)…Favorite personal Batman experience: Visiting the set of THE DARK KNIGHT/personal thank you letter from Chris Nolan (tie).
Too much…too much Batman stuff I love.
Hi Jett, how are you? I have a question. What is your favorite song from the 1980s? Personally, my favorite is Glenn Frey’s “The Heat is On.”
JETT SAYS: Oh dude, you realize that I came of age in the 80s — that was the decade of my high school and college years. There are TOO many songs I love from the 80s to narrow it down to one. But if I had had to man, it would be “Back in Black” (1980) by AC/DC. I’m a rock-in-roller brother! 🤘😝
My fave non-rock songs of the 1980s: “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson, “Little Red Corvette” by Prince, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones, and “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” by George Strait.
Hey Jett, love all the way from India. Could you give your ranking on all live-action Batman movies all the way from 1989 to present? Also, I couldn’t find your review of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES on your website. What was your opinion about that movie?
JETT SAYS: Shoutout from the BOF home office in Tomball, TX, USA to India! Let me rank ’em for you…
9) BATMAN v SUPERMAN 8) BATMAN RETURNS 7) JUSTICE LEAGUE 6) BATMAN & ROBIN 5) BATMAN FOREVER 4) BATMAN ’89 3) THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 2) THE DARK KNIGHT 1) BATMAN BEGINS.
As you can see, I love RISES. I think my review of it from 2012 is on BOF somewhere…or maybe I’ve yet to migrate it over to the new site.
What is your favorite part of the anticipation for a Batfilm? For me it’s always the Batmobile. I remember back when you shared the back tire shot of the Tumbler. I lost it, over a tire. Haha #BOFPodcast pic.twitter.com/BGZfjWsKhP
— 🦇Pete’s 🎞 Tweets 🎬 (@PeteIllustrated) March 29, 2019
JETT SAYS: I love ALL of the build-up to a new Batman movie! I suppose it’s seeing the new Batsuit for the first time.
When do you think we are going to get the first trailer for the joker? #BatmanOnFilmPodcast
— Maurício Fagundes (@maufagundes47) March 30, 2019
JETT SAYS: If I had to guess, sometime in April as the film will be a year out from release. So in other words, SOON.
What is your favorite small-role Batman on Film cameo, i.e. OnStar commercial, McD commercial, Titans tv show, Birds of Prey intro?
JETT SAYS: “Just for the taste of it.”
Will Tim Sale ever get his due as one of the best Batman comic artists of all time?
JETT SAYS: Hasn’t he already? I certainly consider him to be one and I think most fans and his colleagues do as well.
It seems like Warner Bros. is turning a corner with DC properties on film. Would you say the studio may have learned some hard lessons from past efforts, or do you think it is just a matter of – for lack of better phrasing — a broken clock needing to be right at least twice a day?
JETT SAYS: Lest we forget, WB is the studio that brought us not only the greatest comic book trilogy of all time but one of the greatest film trilogies of all time — regardless of genre — in THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY.
And hell yeah they learned from their mistake(s)! As I’ve said many times, the train went off the tracks the moment they decided to scrap a true sequel to MAN OF STEEL in favor of BATMAN v SUPERMAN in order to get to a Justice League film ASAP.
But yeah, with AQUAMAN being a huge success, their new focus is on making damn good solo/standalone DC films and letting the shared universe thing go…thank goodness.
Well, that’s it for the month of March 2019. Get your questions ready and we’ll talk about next month! – Bill “Jett” Ramey
