Recasting Batman 1989 In 2021

Recasting Batman 1989 In 2021

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Imagine if Tim Burton’s iconic Batman film didn’t happen in 1989, but instead in the year 2021: what would that cast look like today? Time to recast!

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Recasting Batman 1989 In 2021

If Tim Burton’s Batman was made in 2021 rather than 1989, it would have a very different cast. One of the DC Comics heroes depicted most often on the big screen is Batman, who several actors in film history have played. But the movie franchise that really helped set the foundation for the Caped Crusader’s portrayal outside the comics was the Burton films, starting with 1989’s Batman. While the later Batman films in the 21st century have gotten ever darker, it started with Burton’s vision, featuring Michael Keaton in the role of the Dark Knight.

Keaton went on to reprise the role of the iconic DC hero in Batman Returns, which marked the end of the Burtonverse after the actor and director departed the franchise ahead of Batman Forever. To this day, Batman ’89 is beloved by larger parts of the world, being a big part of pop culture history. Keaton’s iteration is regarded as one of the all-time best Batman portrayals in live-action. While his time as Batman ended in 1992, Keaton will soon be donning the cape and cowl once more in The Flash movie as his Batman from Earth-89.

If Burton’s Batman never happened in 1989, but instead 32 years later, the cast and general feel would be totally different. Instead of Warner Bros. producing The Batman with Robert Pattinson in the role, the 2021 version of Burton’s Batman would likely still feature a plot involving the Joker as the main villain and Vicki Vale as the love interest. How would the movie be recast if Burton was helming Batman today?

Anson Mount as Bruce Wayne/Batman

Recasting Batman 1989 In 2021

While his first time playing a superhero didn’t go as Marvel TV had probably hoped, Anson Mount would be the ideal actor for Burton’s Batman film as the titular hero. Even though the writing (and atrocious special effects) was what made Mount’s Inhumans gig as Black Bolt a short one, the actor has shown that he can juggle playing both sides of Bruce. Best known for playing Captain Pike in Star Trek: Discovery and the upcoming Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Mount would pull off the billionaire’s charming facade as well as the brooding crime-fighter.

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Willem Dafoe as Jack Napier/The Joker

Recasting Batman 1989 In 2021

So many talented actors have brought The Joker to life both on the big and small screen, whether it be in live-action or animation. While Jack Nicholson’s performance as Joker in Batman ’89 will always be unforgettable, another actor born to play this villain is Willem Dafoe. From iconic performances that also include Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, Dafoe’s tremendous range would be a perfect fit for the Clown Prince of Crime. Even in the last couple of years, Dafoe’s name has popped up in several fan casts for The Joker.

Yvonne Strahovski as Vicki Vale

Recasting Batman 1989 In 2021

While Vicki Vale was missing in Batman Returns, Kim Bassinger nonetheless made the character iconic, thanks to her unforgettable performance in the Burton film. If Vicki were to be cast today, Chuck’s Yvonne Strahovski would be the perfect fit for the intrepid Gotham reporter. Anyone who has seen the Australian actress on Chuck and Dexter knows Strahovski can pull off Vicki’s charm and strength without any problems.

Timothy Dalton as Alfred Pennyworth

Recasting Batman 1989 In 2021

Following the late Michael Gough’s portrayal in the Burton films, the modern Batman franchises have cast some huge actors as Alfred Pennyworth. From The Dark Knight trilogy’s Michael Caine to Andy Serkis in The Batman, if someone were to play Alfred in the Burtonverse, Doom Patrol star Timothy Dalton would be an inspired choice. With roles like James Bond and The Chief, seeing Dalton as Bruce’s ultimate ally would be quite the treat.

Bryan Cranston as James Gordon

Recasting Batman 1989 In 2021

Even though Pat Hingle’s Commissioner Gordon wasn’t always the biggest character, James was in all of the original four Batman films, even the ones from Joel Schumacher. But if Burton’s Batman were to happen in 2021, Bryan Cranston is another talented actor whose name also comes up a lot for Gordon. In fact, Cranston has even voiced Batman’s famous GCPD ally in the animated adaptation of Batman: Year One. From Breaking Bad, Your Honor to his long line of film work, Cranston couldn’t be more right for DC’s Commissioner Gordon.

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Supporting Characters

Zachary Levi as Alexander Knox – While Levi plays Shazam, if Burton was looking for someone that could channel Robert Wuhl’s comedic energy, the DCEU star would be the ideal casting. In addition to that, it would be a fun Chuck reunion between Levi and Strahovski.

Idris Elba as Harvey Dent – Sticking to Burton’s concept of having a Black actor playing Harvey Dent, Elba would be amazing, especially in a world where he would have played Two-Face in a sequel.

Vincent D’onofrio as Lt. Max Eckhardt – While Max may have been an original character for Batman ’89, this was obviously Burton’s iteration of Harvey Bullock, the dirty GCPD officer. The 2021 version would be better off just using Harvey rather than Eckhardt. Being no stranger to playing corrupted baddies after portraying Kingpin, Daredevil’s D’onofrio is the man for the job.

Victor Garber as Carl Grissom – While Garber may be best known to DC fans as Martin Stein, a.k.a. one half of Firestorm in the Arrowverse, he would have no problem playing a mob boss. Garber has had a long career in TV, film and even stage, and is a remarkably versatile actor.

Tom Cavanagh as Bob the Goon – There is no Burtonverse Joker without Jack’s number one guy Bob the Goon who Cavanagh would be a solid casting. While also a funny side character, Bob did garner some popularity in his own right.

Alice Eve as Alicia Hunt – Even though she wasn’t exactly the traditional Harley Quinn, Alicia was the closest thing the Burtonverse ever got to having that character by The Joker’s side. After her work as Typhoid Mary on Iron Fist, Eve would nail the creep factor that came with Alicia.

While Burton’s original Batman films will always remain classic and integral to the character’s media legacy, it would have been an experience if those movies had happened in 2021. Given how far technology and film production has come 32 years later, Burton’s Batman franchise would have definitely looked visually different, to say the least.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/batman-1989-recasting-characters-joker-2021/

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