Re: Dreamcasting - Round One
Here's mine...
Bruce Wayne/Batman - Burt Lancaster
After remembering a biography I watched on Lancaster, I decided he'd fit the bill in my vision of TDKR. Burt was always a tough-as-nails ladies man, which is exactly what Bruce Wayne is, with or without the mask. Also, Burt Lancaster was a "natural" gymnast and even worked in the circus as an acrobat. He was also one of the actors who really defined the phrase "action hero".
Burt as Batman from this story would be a lot like the role he played in "Tough Guys" with Kirk Douglas, Harry Doyle. A tough old guy... just without the comedy, and maybe a little younger... although, despite being in his 70's when that movie was made, he looked more late fifties.
Alfred Pennyworth - John Gielgud
Michael Caine was awesome in Batman Begins, and Michael Gough was consistent, so it's hard to top either choice, but I'd go with Gielgud, who played Hobson the butler in "Arthur" with Dudley Moore. It's not much of a stretch, and clearly he has experience as a butler.
Robin - Tatum O'Neal or Jodie Foster
Tatum O'Neal was the female pitcher in the original Bad News Bears movie with Walter Matthau. She was the tomboy who ended up playing on the all-boys team and usually, showing them up. She was spunky and irreverent, which is perfect for the role of the female Robin.
Jodie Foster is my other choice, mostly based on her performance in Taxi Driver as a street-smart, underage prostitute. Take the prostitute part out, though.
The Joker - John Malkovich
The Joker is supposed to be elderly in TDKR, but really, doesn't look much different from any other version of the character. I've always thought John Malkovich plays a great psycho, well... for that matter, he plays any role with a lot of expertise, which is why his films are usually a hit with critics. Really, playing the Joker wouldn't be too far off from Cyrus "The Virus" from Con Air, which was pretty much the only good thing about that movie, outside of Steve Buscemi (who would also make a decent Joker, but I'm saving my last "toss up" for another role.).
Also, after reading his bio on imdb.com, this quote piqued my interest:
"I'm drawn to a character with a lack of humanity. People give reasons for being cruel or sadistic but I think it is just a lack of humanity and concern for others. I think I'm good at them because I don't like them. Audiences are attracted to them but I hate them. It's strange."
Jim Gordon - Robert Duvall
Like Lancaster, Robert Duvall is another classic tough guy, and the perfect "speak softly but carry a big stick" kind of character actor. Gordon's never been much for action until there's no other alternative, but when it's time for that, he takes care of business. Duvall's filled those shoes plenty of times, just watch him in Falling Down or even in The Godfather films.
Two-Face - Ed Harris
Harris is an awesome actor, and meets both the physical and psychological (in character) requirements to play him. If you take a look at his body of work, he's played everything from the quiet type, to a good guy to a total psychopath, and those are all aspects of Harvey Dent's psyche. Dent's physical disfigurements had been healed in TDKR, and Harris is undoubtedly a pretty handsome fellow. I think he'd be a natural for this part.
Dr. Bartholomew Wolper - Christopher Lloyd or Vincent Schiavelli
Wolper was pretty eccentric, as you would have to be to approve of letting a psycho serial killer like the Joker free. Christopher Lloyd played the classic eccentric Doc Brown in "Back to the Future". Vincent Schiavelli defines the word "eccentric" and both of them have the gait appearance and poofy hair that Wolper had in the book.
Superman - Errol Flynn
In his prime (the 1930's), Flynn was in tip-top shape and throughout his career was considered not only a great actor but very handsome, with the chiseled features Superman should have. He was also no stranger to playing the hero. No doubt he had a touch of arrogance as well, which I've always thought should be an essential part of the Superman character. Too many times, he's been played as the humble do-gooder, but I think the Superman from TDKR is anything but. While everyone else in that version of the DC world was aging and feeling the effects, Superman was "eternally 30" (an actual quote from Frank Miller, I believe). Why wouldn't he feel just a little bit better than everyone else? I don't think Errol Flynn ever really played a character who got "shown up", but then again, Superman doesn't get shown up much either... but he sure did in TDKR.
Green Arrow - Billy Connolly
Green Arrow, especially in TDKR, is a little bit "out there". So is Billy Connolly, and mostly, this choice is purely inspired by watching Billy in the Boondock Saints. It's almost self-explanatory. Watch and compare... you'll see what I mean.
"The Mutant Leader" - Brock Lesnar
This role doesn't require a lot of talking or a lot of actual acting talent. It does, however, call for someone huge and brutal. Former WWF champion Brock Lesnar is both, and the guy just plain looks scary. Add some makeup and he's perfect, and being a pro wrestler is basically being a stuntman, so fight scenes would be a snap.
Ellen Yindel - Laura Linney
I thought she played a great hard-*** attorney in "The Exorcism of Emily Rose", I have no doubt that she'd play a great hard-*** commissioner in TDKR. She's easy on the eyes, to boot... always does a great job bringing her characters to life.
Selina Kyle/Catwoman - Gena Rowlands
Rowlands, like Selina Kyle, was a total bombshell in her youth. She's put on some weight and age has set in, just like Kyle in TDKR. As the madam of an escort service, for some reason I always pictured and heard Kyle sounding like an old Southern Belle... and Rowlands had that down in "The Skeleton Key". Maybe a little younger than she is now, but she'd fit the role quite well.
Lana Lang - Kathy Bates
Dead ringer! Bates is heavyset and is well-known for playing women who aren't afraid to speak their minds just like Lang in the story. This is probably as close as you'll get to a perfect casting choice, if you ask me. There's just no question, really.
