Batman Begins

[ripper48]

I know that there's been a thread about the new Batmobile (called "The Tumbler" in the script, and as I like to call it the "Bat-Tank"), but there hasn't been a real thread about the whole story of this movie.

A few months ago, David Goyer's first draft leaked out on the internet, and being the spoiler lover that I am, I read it all. It truly is excellent. Without a doubt the best Batman adaptation to date. Whether it's the best comic book adaptation...I don't know...I think it could be, but seeing the major success and good word of mouth Spiderman 2 is receiving, we won't be able to tell until next year when the film is released.

Batman Begins is not a sequel nor a prequel to the previous Bat series, created by Tim Burton and ruined by Joel Schumacher. It is a total restart of the franchise. Therefore, there will be small differences made. (These changes are more in line with the comics)

That includes changing the killer of Thomas and Martha Wayne (not The Joker...), Robin isn't there, Batgirl isn't there, all the cool flashy neon stuff from the previous movies isn't there...

Instead, we have something more in line with the graphic novel by Frank Miller: Batman - Year One. However, this is an original creation by David Goyer and Christopher Nolan (who I believe touched up a bit of the script because Goyer himself had no time to do a second draft, since he had to direct Blade: Trinity), and it has to be one of the greatest origin stories I've ever read. The way everything has a meaning, everything is connected, everyone and everything has a motivation. It's all great.

And with the director of Memento, and a star studded cast of actors, composed of Christian Bale (American Psycho, Equilibrium) as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Sir Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Liam Neeson (Schindler's List) as Wayne's mentor, Henri Ducard, Ken Watanabe (Oscar winner for his supporting role in The Last Samurai) as Ra's Al Ghul, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later) as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow, Katie Holmes (I don't know what you think of her, but she's an ok actor, and real easy on the eyes...plus, she's not written as your regular dumb love interest) as Wayne's childhood friend/love interest Rachel Dodson, Tom Wilkinson (nominated for best actor for In The Bedroom) as Carmine Falcone, everybody's favourite replicant, Rutger Hauer (Roy Batty in Blade Runner) as coporate prick, Mr. Earle, and, of course, Sirius Black (also known as Gary Oldman) as Sgt. James Gordon, I can't see how this movie can go wrong.

I won't give you any spoilers, except to say that you can expect a few twists in the tale, and I'll give you also a general background:

This is the story we didn't get to see back in 1989 in Tim Burton's "Batman". This is the story of why Bruce Wayne became Batman, how Bruce Wayne became Batman, and as the Joker put it back in "Batman" where Batman got all his "wonderful toys". And, of course, much much more. This is the film where we finally discover who is the man behind the mask. Why he does what he does, and of course, we follow his journey as he battles against all the evil in the decaying Gotham City.

To finish off (hoping that you like my thread), a few pictures that you may or may not have seen:

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/img/5BAS0030.jpg

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/img/5BAS0004.jpg

I know it ain't pretty, but it has a purpose, as does everything else in this movie, and it can do a lot of very cool stuff.

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/images/batimage3.jpg

Bruce Wayne

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/images/batimage2.jpg

The Dark Knight Returns

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Sections/Newsweek/Components/Photos/mag/060621_Issue/040612_batman_wide.hmedium.jpg

Oh yeah...........

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Sections/Newsweek/Components/Photos/mag/060621_Issue/040612_BatmanSUB_horiz.jpg

Batman confronts Crane

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/img/02.jpg

Sgt. James Gordon

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/img/04.jpg

Henri Ducard

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/img/03.jpg

Alfred Pennyworth

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/img/01.jpg

Lucius Fox

Enjoy, discuss, ask questions...If you absolutely have to have spoilers, I will post them if you ask...You can ask here, or send me an owl.

[salem_phoenix]

Wonderful pics... I can't wait to see this! I will miss the old Alfred, though. I think his name was Michael Gough???

[FlyersFan]

Just saw the trailer for this one. It looks pretty awesome!!!!

[Dorian Myrrdin]

Both of the trailers are awesome. I can't wait for this one! Batman Begins doesn't seem to be as cartoony as the other ones, but more serious and realistic. God, I can't wait! When does it come out?

[Senna Wells]

I'm hoping that this project is going to start out well. I love Tim Burton to death, but getting a fresh start on the Batman story seems like a good idea, especially trying to get the story more accurate to the comics.

I'm liking the picture of Oldman as Gordon, but I'm not really sure how I feel about Ken Watanabe being Ra's Al Ghul...he's nothing like I pictured for the role, but hopefully he'll do something great with it. The only thing is Caine having a mustache. I can't picture Alfred without one after "Batman: The Animated Series"!

[nerdypants]

I can't wait for this movie! I haven't seen the trailer, but I did se American Psycho, and Christian Bale was fantastic!

[Dorian Myrrdin]

Anyone see the Superbowl commercial for Batman Begins? God, that movie looks awesome! Christopher Nolan knows how to make a Batman movie, that's for sure. Then, go to gamespot.com and look up Batman Begins. There's a couple of pictures for the game and they are awesome! Jeez, I think this movie is going to be huge and awesome! Maybe it will do better then the first Batman...

[Jive]

Im pretty excited for this movie..... and even though the new batmobile looks pretty crazy it doesnt look too batmobile-ish you know????

[chronium]

its not supposed to look like the batmobile its supposed to be the first one ever. so its just supposed to be functional and not worry about the look

[Serena Snape]

Batman is absolutely my favorite comic book character! I've been a fan since I saw reruns of the 60's TV show; and though I LOVE Tim Burton and what he did for the franchise, I am uber-excited about the new movie. The cassting is great and the pics are awesome, though i haven't seen the trailer yet. Sadness :upset: !

[Liselle]

I'm just after checking out the trailer, I have to say that it looks really good. I'm definitely a batman fan.....but when I heard that they were planning on going back to pre the first film, I was skeptical. I do like the fact that they have retained a subtle vestige of the later story (how the Batcave was found for example)....from what I understand though it seems to be a clean slate for the series as a whole.

Christian Bale looks well, suitable tortured Bruce Wayne...nicely brooding :D, I was horrified when I heard that he'd got the part originally......but it looks like he may be good.

Its refreshing to get away from the more cartoonish elements of the frahchise and go back to the story, back to the actual man behind it all and see how the story started and how it grows. I will be there to see it when its out.

Liam Neason :lol: his character in the trailer reminds me of his starwars character!

[Allemande]

I can't WAIT to see this!
Firstly, I love Christopher Nolan's work, so I'm really excited to see what he's going to do with this.
Secondly, I also love Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, and (of course) Gary Oldman
Thirdly, it comes out on my birthday! (June 17)
could it get any better?

[chow mein]

I'm not a big fan of the previous Batman movies, save for the first one with - I think it was, Michael Keaton? But the trailer makes me think that this movie will be completely awesome - Christian Bale and Gary Oldman make the movie even more appealing :D