DC ELSEWORLDS: Reimagining Keaton Sequels & DC Films that Never Were

[Frodo]

THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY (The 1950s)
Director : John Huston

Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Paul Newman

Bane: Marlon Brando

Ras Al Ghul/ Henry Ducard : Lawrence Oliver

Joker : James Dean

Two- Face/ Harvey Dent : Troy Donahue

Talia Head/ Miranda Tate : Anne Baxter

Catwoman/ Selina Kyle : Audrey Hepburn

Scarecrow/ Johnathan Crane : Henry Fonda

Rachel Dawes : Jean Simmons

Lucius Fox : Sidney Poitier

John Blake : Ricky Nelson

Alfred Pennyworth : Claude Rains

James Gordon : Clark Gable

 

[Frodo]

WONDER WOMAN ( 1962)

Wonder Woman/ Diana Prince : Paula Prentiss

Steve Trevor : George Peppard

Eric Lundendorff : Christopher Plummer

Ares/ Sir Patrick Morgan : Peter O'Toole

Dr. Poison : Lotte Lenya

Etta Candy : Shelly Winters

Hippolyta : Donna Reid

Antiope : Honor Blackman

 

[Frodo]

SHAZAM! (1991)
Director : Chris Columbus

Billy Batson : Fred Savage

Shazam : Paul Gross

Black Adam : Thomas Ian Griffith

Freddie Freeman: Edward Furlong

Captain Marvel Jr : Matt Damon

Doctor Sivana : Ben Kingsley

Mary Bromfield : Danielle Harris

Mary Marvel : Jennifer Connelly

The Wizard : Richard Harris

Marylin Batson : Debera Winger

 

[Frodo]

THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (1945)

Dr. Midnite : Cary Grant

Wildcat : Humphrey Bogart

Star Spangled Kid : Gary Cooper

Dr. Fate : Gregory Peck

Hawkman : Burt Lancaster

Green Lantern: Kirk Douglas

The Flash : Jimmy Stewart

Hour man : Robert Mitchum

Wonder Woman : Jane Russell

 

[Frodo]

BRUCE WAYNE (1988)
Director: David Lynch
Producer : John Peters
Music : Danny Elfman
Story: Set in the same universe as John Hughes's Smallville trilogy of films , Bruce Wayne, traces the dark knight's senior year at Gotham prep , and the pivotal events which will lead him on his journey towards greatness. As they head towards graduation, Bruce and his friends , the spoiled Tommy Elliot , the Dashing Harvey, and the mysterious free spirit Andrea, all find themselves at a crossroads with regard to their future. Tommy is being pressured to go to medical school, Harvey has his eye on higher office, Andrea wants to go drama school, and Bruce the heir to Wayne Enterprises, has a secret agenda which evolves avenging the murder of his parents.

As the four contemplate their futures beyond Gotham Prep, their bond begins to strain as Andrea and Bruce fall in love ,much to the jealousy of Tommy. The couple bonds over their shared losses , while at the same time, the relationship is filled with secrets. Young Bruce has already begun informal material arts training with former detective Henri Ducard, who has unorthodox methods and beliefs in street justice.

All the while a mysterious vigilante known as The Reaper reigns terror in the Gotham Underworld, street gangs, muggers, and Gotham's most corrupt police officers , and presents Bruce with an opposite example of bringing order and justice to the streets of Gotham. Torn between two deadly examples of fighting crime, and torn between his quest for vengeance and a potential future with Andrea, Bruce Wayne will find himself on the horns of a dilemma ,and whatever path he takes , will change Gotham.

Bruce Wayne : River Phoenix

Alfred Pennyworth : Sam Neill

Leslie Thompkins : Susan Sarandon

Tommy Elliot : Robert Sean Leonard

Andrea Beaumont : Mädchen Amick

Harvey Dent : Ethan Hawke

Lucius Fox : Louis Gossett Jr.

Henri Ducard : Charles Bronson

James Gordon : Kurt Russell

The Reaper/ Carl Beaumont : James Coburn

 

[Frodo]

MAN OF STEEL 2 (2015)
Director: Joe Johnston
Producer: Chuck Roven

Superman : Henry Cavill

Lex Luthor : Bryan Cranston

Metallo/ John Corbin : Damien Lewis

Lois Lane : Amy Adams

Jimmy Olsen : Colin Ford

Perry White : Laurence Fishburne

Mercy Graves : Maggie Q

 

[Frodo]

YOUNG JUSTICE (1990)
Director : John Hughes
Producer : Jon Peters
Story: Set in the same universe as Hughes's Smallville trilogy and David Lynch's Bruce Wayne films, in the distant future, Darkseid and his minions have planned an all out invasion of earth, but the Justice League stands in his way. As a result, Steppenwolf and Darkseid decide to hatch a sinister plot to thwart the Justice League once and for all. Steppenwolf decides to use a mother box to travel back in time to 1989 and wipe out the founding members of the League while they are still teens, have yet to become heroes, and have yet to meet each. With the young teens gone, the timeline changes and will leave Earth vulnerable to Darkseid 's Para-demons to take over in the future.

When The Flash gets wind of Steppenwolf's plan , he knows that time is running out and that Steppenwolf stands a very strong chance of killing the JL when they are at they're youngest and most vulnerable. Using the speed force , Barry Allen travels back to 30 years to 1989 to try to warn a goofy farm boy, a brooding rich kid, a naïve young warrior, a cocky naval recruit, and a land dwelling young hothead , that the greatest threat to their lives is coming for them, and that the future of the Earth depends on their survival.

But can Barry convince these teens to get along, unite, and become the heroes they were meant to be, before Steppenwolf arrives to change the course of history?

Clark Kent : John Cusack

Bruce Wayne : River Phoenix

Diana Prince : Brooke Shields

The Flash /Barry Allen : C. Thomas Howell

Hal Jordan : Christian Slater

Arthur Curry : Lou Diamond Phillips

Steppenwolf : Rutger Haurer

Darkseid : Michael Ironside

 

[Airwings]

Frodo: Christian Slater is some cool casting for Hal.

Phoenix as Bruce is intriguing. He was the "h*ck" of an actor.
But due to his looks, he might be an incredible Aquaman (bc of his talent). Just saying'

 

[Frodo]

Frodo: Christian Slater is some cool casting for Hal.

Phoenix as Bruce is intriguing. He was the "h*ck" of an actor.
But due to his looks, he might be an incredible Aquaman (bc of his talent). Just saying'

I agree with you. I think Phoenix could do great Arthur Curry/Aquaman as well.

I also think he could have played several other characters from Aquaman, to Flash , to Robin.

He was a great young actor , gone way too soon.

 

[Frodo]

BATMAN UNMASKED (1969)
Director : Sidney Lumet
Script: Rod Serling
Consultant : Neal Adams
Producer : William Dozier
Release Date : June 20, 1969
Soundtrack : The Bryds, Cream, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Buffalo Springfield, The Band, and more...

Project History: In the wake of the Batman series calculation, William Dozier decides to continue the series via motion pictures. However, it's decided that keeping with the more grounded and more adult approaches of films of the late 60s, that the character should return to its darker roots. So a decision is made to hire Director Sidney Lumet and creator Rod Serling to craft a psychological thriller which incorporates the more pulp aspects of the early Batman comics. As a result, Robin is sent off to college and plays a much smaller supporting role with Batgirl being totally absent. Gone is the campy style of the first film, and in is a more serious take on the Dark Knight myths.

This is truly Batman's story with West , for the first time, truly taking center stage as he's tested by four villains who challenge him physically, mentally and emotionally. Unlike the first film, Lamet and Serling draw on 4 new villains ,as opposed to returning to villains already featured on the show. Serling in particular is drawn to Two Face, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and Hugo Strange and DC Comics approves the use of those 4.

Robert Stack, of the Untouchables, is cast as Two Face, Bruce's one time best friend for whom , Bruce feels responsible for his life of crime. 60s sex symbol Ann Margret is cast as Poison Ivy who uses her wiles and her poison dust to torture Batman's emotions and drives him to obsession . Psycho actor Anthony Perkins is cast as a creepy as haunting Scarecrow who's toxins evoke Batman's deepest and darkest fears, while Peter Sellars takes a more sinister and sadistic turn as Dr. Hugo Strange who unites the three other villains to destroy the Caped Crusader after discovering that Bruce Wayne and Batman are on in the same.

Rounding out the cast is The Farmer's Daughter actress Inger Stephens as Bruce Wayne's love interest Vicki Vale, while Jack Lemon is cast as dogged reporter Alexander Knox who, like Vale is working relentlessly to discover the Batman's identity.

Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Adam West

Two Face/ Harvey Dent : Robert Stack

Poison Ivy : Ann Margaret

Scarecrow/ Johnathan Crane :Anthony Perkins

Hugo Strange : Peter Sellars

Vicki Vale : Inger Stevens

Alexander Knox : Jack Lemon

Alfred : Alan Napier

Dick Grayson : Burt Ward

James Gordon : Neil Hamilton

Harvey Bullock : Vincent Gardenia

 

[Frodo]

SUPERMAN AND THE PHANTOM ZONE FIVE (1958)
Director : Howard Hawks
Release : Summer 1958

Superman/Clark Kent : George Reeves

Zod : Charlton Heston

Ursa : Jane Russell

Jax Ur : Ray Walston

Nun: John Russell

Brainiac : Alec Guinness

Lois Lane : Noel Neill

Lex Luthor : Yul Brynner

Jimmy Olsen : Jack Larson

Cameo by Bruce Wayne : Guy Williams

 

[Frodo]

GREEN LANTERN CORPS (1995)
Director : Tony Scott

Jon Stewart : Will Smith

Hal Jordan : Harrison Ford

Guy Gardner : Jaime Kennedy

Kyle Renner : Josh Hartnett

Kilowag : Michael Clarke Duncan

Sinestro : Alan Rickman

Hawkgirl: Tea Leoni

 

[Airwings]

BATMAN UNMASKED (1969)
Director : Sidney Lumet
Script: Rod Serling
Consultant : Neal Adams
Producer : William Dozier
Release Date : June 20, 1969
Soundtrack : The Bryds, Cream, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Buffalo Springfield, The Band, and more...

Project History: In the wake of the Batman series calculation, William Dozier decides to continue the series via motion pictures. However, it's decided that keeping with the more grounded and more adult approaches of films of the late 60s, that the character should return to its darker roots. So a decision is made to hire Director Sidney Lumet and creator Rod Serling to craft a psychological thriller which incorporates the more pulp aspects of the early Batman comics. As a result, Robin is sent off to college and plays a much smaller supporting role with Batgirl being totally absent. Gone is the campy style of the first film, and in is a more serious take on the Dark Knight myths.

This is truly Batman's story with West , for the first time, truly taking center stage as he's tested by four villains who challenge him physically, mentally and emotionally. Unlike the first film, Lamet and Serling draw on 4 new villains ,as opposed to returning to villains already featured on the show. Serling in particular is drawn to Two Face, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and Hugo Strange and DC Comics approves the use of those 4.

Robert Stack, of the Untouchables, is cast as Two Face, Bruce's one time best friend for whom , Bruce feels responsible for his life of crime. 60s sex symbol Ann Margret is cast as Poison Ivy who uses her wiles and her poison dust to torture Batman's emotions and drives him to obsession . Psycho actor Anthony Perkins is cast as a creepy as haunting Scarecrow who's toxins evoke Batman's deepest and darkest fears, while Peter Sellars takes a more sinister and sadistic turn as Dr. Hugo Strange who unites the three other villains to destroy the Caped Crusader after discovering that Bruce Wayne and Batman are on in the same.

Rounding out the cast is The Farmer's Daughter actress Inger Stephens as Bruce Wayne's love interest Vicki Vale, while Jack Lemon is cast as dogged reporter Alexander Knox who, like Vale is working relentlessly to discover the Batman's identity.

Batman/ Bruce Wayne : Adam West

Two Face/ Harvey Dent : Robert Stack

Poison Ivy : Ann Margaret

Scarecrow/ Johnathan Crane :Anthony Perkins

Hugo Strange : Peter Sellars

Vicki Vale : Inger Stevens

Alexander Knox : Jack Lemon

Alfred : Alan Napier

Dick Grayson : Burt Ward

James Gordon : Neil Hamilton

Harvey Bullock : Vincent Gardenia

Nice nice, but you went a little copy cat here. I did a dark reimagining of West-Bats a few pages back

 

[Frodo]

Nice nice, but you went a little copy cat here. I did a dark reimagining of West-Bats a few pages back

Lol. Yeah, I'm pretty late to the dark Adam West version of Batman casting.. My 60s and 70's Batman films have basically been exclusively Clint Eastwood .

 

[DawnWarrior]

Yeah. I did it as if the film version would be separate from the TV version, and that this was a different continuity from the Tv series.

Though, truth be told, Lynda Carter still could have rocked the role in 84 since the show had only been off the air a few years by the early 80s.

Sure, sure. But also, Terry was only 20 in 1984, and Lynda Carter was two years younger than Gal Gadot is now. So...I'd rather see Lynda. Hell, the first 'Incredible Hulk' TV movie was 6 years after the show ended, that's less than this would be.

Also gotta have Lyle Waggoner as Steve, who played him on the show. I'd forgotten about this, but the show did the thing where the first season was set in the 40's, then the second jumped to the modern 70's where Waggoner played Steve Jr., who happened to look just like his dad. So the 'wishing Steve back to life' subplot would either be absent or look a lot different in this version.

I was curious about budget numbers as well: WW84 (the real one) had a budget of $200 million, which adjusts $80 mil in '84 dollars. That's more than twice the budget of the biggest blockbusters of the era including Dune, Superman III, or Return of the Jedi. So a $40 mil budget in this era would be likely.

 

[Frodo]

Sure, sure. But also, Terry was only 20 in 1984, and Lynda Carter was two years younger than Gal Gadot is now. So...I'd rather see Lynda. Hell, the first 'Incredible Hulk' TV movie was 6 years after the show ended, that's less than this would be.

Also gotta have Lyle Waggoner as Steve, who played him on the show. I'd forgotten about this, but the show did the thing where the first season was set in the 40's, then the second jumped to the modern 70's where Waggoner played Steve Jr., who happened to look just like his dad. So the 'wishing Steve back to life' subplot would either be absent or look a lot different in this version.

I was curious about budget numbers as well: WW84 (the real one) had a budget of $200 million, which adjusts $80 mil in '84 dollars. That's more than twice the budget of the biggest blockbusters of the era including Dune, Superman III, or Return of the Jedi. So a $40 mil budget in this era would be likely.

Farrell would have been a pretty young WW that's for sure, though, I think she could have pulled off the role as a younger rebooted Diana as opposed to a veteran WW like Gal's is. Farrell was also a pretty good actress in her early 20s. So, she would have been my choice for a rebooted, rookie Wonder Woman circa the 80s.

In terms of the

Spoiler

Steve Subplot, it actually would have worked better in the 80s given that there were films like Heaven Can wait and All of Me with Steve Martin and Lilly Tomlin, a popular film from 1984, that utilized that storytelling device

. It was more well known back then than it is today , so Jenkins was kinda doing a deep cut in using that old device.

 

[Frodo]

BATMANIA : A BATMAN 1989 BIOPIC

Michael Keaton : Kevin Alejandro

Tim Burton : Cole Sprouse

Jack Nicolson : Jack Black

Kim Basinger : Jennifer Garner

Michael Gough: Ben Mendelson

Peter Guber : Tom Hanks

Jon Peters : John Travolta

Michael Uslan : Joseph Gordon Levitt

Sean Young : Zoey Deschanel

Bob Kane : Al Pacino

 

[Frodo]

THE SUPER-FRIENDS! (1985)
Director : Ivan Rietman

Batman : James Brolin

Wonder Woman : Sigourney Weaver

Superman : Kyle Maclachlan

Aquaman : Patrick Swayze

Robin : Eric Stoltz

Green Lantern : Dennis Quaid

The Flash: Mark Harmon

Jayna : Courtney Cox

Zan : Bronson Pinchot

Wendy : Soleil Moon Frye

Marvin : Sean Astin

Lex Luthor : Albert Finney

Brainiac : Julian Glover

The Riddler : William Dafoe

Joker : James Woods

Cheetah : Jane Fonda

Sinestro : Alan Rickman

Black Manta : Carl Weathers

Captain Cold : Lance Henriksen

Salomon Grundy : Andre the Giant

 

[Tg11]

Batman Begins (1994)

Bruce Wayne/Batman- Keanu Reeves
Alfred Pennyworth- Peter O'Toole
Henri Ducard/Ra's Al Ghul- Sam Neill
Rachel Dawes- Sandra Bullock
Jim Gordon- Harrison Ford
Dr Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow- Russell Crowe
Carmine Falcone- Robert De Niro
William Earle- Ian McKellen
Lucius Fox- Lou Gossett, Jr

 

[Tg11]

The Dark Knight (1997)

Bruce Wayne/Batman- Keanu Reeves
The Joker- Crispin Glover
Commissioner James Gordon- Harrison Ford
Harvey Dent/Two Face- Brad Pitt
Rachel Dawes (recast)- Charlize Theron
Lucius Fox- Danny Glover
Sal Maroni- Ray Liotta
Gambol- Michael Clarke Duncan
Dr Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow- Russell Crowe
Mike Engel- Liev Schreiber

 

[Tg11]

The Dark Knight Rises (2001)

Bruce Wayne/Batman- Keanu Reeves
Jim Gordon- Harrison Ford
Selina Kyle/Catwoman- Kate Beckinsale
Bane- Vincent D'Onofrio
Miranda Tate/Talia Al Ghul- Connie Nielsen
John Blake- Matt Damon
Lucius Fox- Danny Glover
John Daggett- Julian Sands
Dr Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow- Russell Crowe
Ra's Al Ghul- Sam Neill

 

[Frodo]

BATWOMAN (1995)
Director : Sam Raimi
Music : Danny Elfman

Batwoman /Kate Kane : Gina Gershon

Alice : Hudson Leick

Luke Fox : Robert Townsend

Mary Hamilton : Ming Na Wen

Sophie Moore : Vanessa Williams

Jacob Kane : Warren Beatty

Julie Pennyworth : Elizabeth Hurley

 

[Tg11]

Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2009)

Bruce Wayne/Batman- Christian Bale
Alfred Pennyworth- Sir Michael Caine
Clark Kent/Kal El/Superman- Brandon Routh
Diana Prince/Wonder Woman- Jaimie Alexander
Lois Lane- Kate Bosworth
Lex Luthor- Mark Strong
Martha Kent- Sissy Spacek
Perry White- Courtney B Vance
Senator June Finch- Virginia Madsen
Wallace Keefe- Matthew Gray Gubler
Mercy Graves- Maggie Q
Doomsday (CGI)

Cameos

Barry Allen/Flash- Shia LaBeouf
Arthur Curry/Aquaman- Charlie Hunnam
Victor Stone/Cyborg- Brandon T Jackson

 

[Frodo]

BRUCE WAYNE RETURNS (1989)
Director : David Lynch

Story : Taking place two years after Lynch's first Bruce Wayne film, Bruce is now a 20 year old leading a double life. In the day , he attends Gotham University while at night , he lives , using an alias, in one of Gotham's worst slums to be closer to the poorest of Gotham's citizens. He wants to understand the poverty and desperation that has led to the disparity and crime in Gotham City. At the same time, he's taken kick boxing Lesson's with former Kickboxer Ted Grant who was once the Hero known as the Wildcat. Grant's only other pupil is the mysterious 18 year old Selina for whom Grant considers a daughter.

The moody and driven young Wayne forms an unlikely friendship with the fast talking and two fisted young Selina. Little does Bruce know that Selina harbors a secret of her own. She is the illegitimate daughter of Gotham Mob boss Carmine Falcone, and her existence is seen as a threat to the Falcone children who wish to inherit the empire after their father steps down. The three Falcone children decide to rub Kyle out and hire The Bronze tiger to track her down . All the while, The Bronze tiger has his own history with Ted Grant, and the two men are bitter enemies.

It's now up to Bruce and Ted to protect Selina from a superior opponent and the Falcone mob . Bruce and Selina will find themselves caught between A Wild Cat and a Bronze Tiger, and both men will shape the hero and villain they will become.

Bruce Wayne : River Phoenix

Selina Kyle : Winona Ryder

Wildcat/ Ted Grant : Mickey Rouke

Carmine Falcone : James Caan

Sophia Falcone : Linda Fiorentino

Mario Falcone : Anthony Garcia

Alberto Falcone : Patrick Dempsey

Bronze Tiger : Mr.T

Alfred Pennyworth : Sam Neill

 

[Frodo]

BRUCE WAYNE FOREVER(1990)
Director : David Lynch

Story : On the eve of his 21st Birthday, Bruce Wayne once again finds himself at a crossroads. Having graduated from Gotham University, and with his secret training well underway , he's booked a flight to Europe to seek out new teachers and learn new methods for fighting crime. However, his life is complicated after a chance encounter with a young socialite named Silver. The two begin a secret affair over a long, hot summer in Gotham City . Alfred encourages the relationship with the hope it will lead to a commitment , which in turn, may dissuade Bruce from his goal of avenging his parents murder. Alfred hopes that Silver can persuade him not to leave Gotham but to instead start a life with her.

At the same time Bruce's new romance has complicated his travel plans, a serial killer has been roaming the streets Gotham, with victims as varied and unconnected as possible. This killer has drawn Bruce to The Calendar man , whom remains locked up in Arkham asylum. He wants to understand the criminal mind and Calendar man makes for an unsettling ,yet insightful ,teacher. Soon ,Bruce is torn three ways . Should he continue his tutelage under Calendar man, and find the mysterious Zsasz? Should Bruce leave well enough alone and focus on a future with Silver? Or, Should Bruce leave Gotham and begin on his journey to avenging his parents?

While Bruce struggles with the right choice, another mentor of his, Ellen Yin, pursues her own investigation into Zsasz despite facing odd pushback from Commissioner Loeb and her corrupt colleague Flass. Why Don't they want her to investigate the case? Why the stonewalling? And is it possible that Calendar Man and Mr. Zsasz are working together?

Bruce Wayne : River Phoenix

Silver St. Cloud :Sheryl Lee

Detective Ellen Yin : Joan Chen

Calendar Man : Anthony Hopkins

Mr Zsasz : Kevin Bacon

Alfred Pennyworth : Sam Neill

Commisoner Loeb : Jack Warden

Flass : Gary Busey