Frank Miller Fancies Stallone as Broken Down Batman
Filed under: Action, RumorMonger, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns is one of those fantasy movie concepts that never goes away. Everyone wants to see it, everyone wants to direct it, everyone wants to be in it, and yet it never actually gets made. I'm not sure exactly -- I don't think it's unfilmable, but it's kind of nightmarish. I don't know why, but I always want to scrub my brain after I read it. (When someone invents a method for doing just that, please let me know.)Anyway, Geoff Boucher, who has the most enjoyable sit-down chats with geek gods, mentions that the last time he spoke to Miller, the writer/director/man about town said that he envisions Sylvester Stallone in the role. "Just that mouth of his, the scowl and the way it would look in a mask. I loved Rocky Balboa. This wounded warrior, that's what Batman is in Dark Knight Returns. "
You can't blame Miller for thinking so visually; he is a comic book man, after all. But Miller's retired Batman has a real elegance about him as he drinks hard liquor with Commissioner Gordon, and thinks about the good old days. He's like Gregory Peck, if Peck had ever been an ass-kicker of Arkham escapees. That's not Stallone -- who does battered, bruised, and pissed off very well, but could never be Bruce Wayne. But if they ever do Returns, they really do have to cast one of our former 80's heroes for added poignancy -- I'm just not sure who. Bruce Willis? Kurt Russell?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-08-2008 @ 6:17PM
will said...
Would it not have to be Harrison Ford? ....think he would be sweet, if he actually made an effort with his acting in it, of course.... like an older John Book from Witness....but badder-ass..
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9-09-2008 @ 1:12PM
Eric H said...
Ewww yuck.
9-08-2008 @ 6:18PM
mj said...
He'd need to loose the accent, but I when I read the "DKR" back in 80s-90s, I always envisioned Sean Connery in that role.
mj
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9-08-2008 @ 6:25PM
thomdano said...
I agree, Harrison Ford is the perfect choice for the role.
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9-08-2008 @ 7:02PM
Will said...
Hands down I always thought Kurt Russell. That is after those Clint Eastwood rumors from years ago. Eastwood is way too old now but about 10 years ago maybe. So for me it falls to Kurt Russell. I could see him as Bruce and as the Bat.
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9-08-2008 @ 7:32PM
Car said...
Stallone would be perfect, He could do Wayne just fine.
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9-08-2008 @ 7:37PM
Stan Winstone said...
With all due respect to Frank Miller as a writer of comics, his skills as a filmmaker remain in question. Sin City doesn't count because Robert Rodriguez did most of the heavy lifting on that one. The Spirit looks quite horrible in the trailers I've seen so far.
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9-08-2008 @ 8:34PM
Robert Yaniz Jr. said...
Hello? Here's an obvious casting decision: Why not Michael Keaton? He's already in his late 50s, and by the time this project ever gets going (if it ever does), he'll be well into his 60s. I always thought Keaton should return to the role in some way. In not in this, perhaps in a Batman Beyond movie?
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9-08-2008 @ 8:58PM
jfarley said...
I have posted many times that I thought Bruce Willis would be the perfect aged, beaten down but not out Batman. And originally I wanted Patrick Warburton for Superman, but lately have been enamored of the idea of Jon Hamm from MadMen.
Just green light the thing and let's go!
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9-08-2008 @ 11:45PM
Wayne said...
Bruce Willis or Michael Keaton.
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9-09-2008 @ 1:12AM
afdd said...
stallone would be great and I think he's the best choice. He'd look great behind the mask
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9-09-2008 @ 1:31AM
What the Frack?! said...
My friend and I always wanted Bruce Willis for the part. But now that Michael Keaton is getting older... That would be awesome. Always liked him as the best Batman.
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9-09-2008 @ 8:58AM
Luis A. said...
I would have never thought of Stallone as Batman if I had been asked, but thinking about it I'd say it wouldn't be a bad choice at all.
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9-09-2008 @ 9:14AM
techstar25 said...
Michael Keaton. I love it. Great suggestion.
"The Dark Knight Returns" will go into production the day that Christian Bale gets tired of playing Batman (likely after this third movie). If he declines for whatever reason, they can contact Keaton and keep the franchise going. Until then, they should just keep "Returns" in their back pocket.
If they got Keaton to play Batman, I guess technically then "The Dark Knight Returns" would be a sequel to "Batman Returns". Shoot, while were at it, call up Tim Burton and Danny Elfman.
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9-09-2008 @ 1:06PM
Kevin said...
Definitely Keaton. If you're going to make a movie about an older batman then hire Batman for the role. It just makes sense. You could still use Stallone...just as the personal trainer whose job it would be to get a 60 year old Keaton in shape for the part.
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9-09-2008 @ 1:14PM
Eric H said...
I agree with Bruce Willis, he definitely fits the look of Batman in DKR, Ford and Keaton could never pull that off, they are far to small, and Keaton just looks frail.
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9-09-2008 @ 1:27PM
manic dave said...
I would never in my life have said/written Stallone as remotely possible. But, after reading it, I can think back to Copland. Not just a great job by "Rocky", but by any actor. Yeah, the Brooklyn, New York, Philly, etc., whatever, accent needs to be fixed but visually he's perfect. And regardless of dialect, I think Sly has the acting chops to pull it off.
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9-09-2008 @ 5:43PM
VALER said...
Sylvester Stallone is perfect for Batman in his 53 more or less!!...
Do you see "Rocky Balboa" and "Rambo"(2008)?...
Sylvester Stallone and Kevin Costner are my perfect choices for Batman and Superman!!...
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9-10-2008 @ 3:30PM
Mark said...
What about Michael Biehn? He'd make a good Bruce Wayne and Batman.
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9-11-2008 @ 2:21AM
vicky said...
OUH they really should to kurt russel, i loved him in Tango & Cash! I totally see it!
And btw: you can't find anyone more suitable than stallone to play this part. I'm so excited!
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