Holy 70 Show Batman!

[Hand of Evil]

I read stuff about movies and have to say...what the hell are they thinking!

From Sci-Fi Wire

Kutcher First For Batman?

Dark Horizons posted speculation about the rumor that Ashton Kutcher is the front-runner for a proposed fifth Batman movie. The '70s Show star is Warner Brothers' first choice, but not that of director Christopher Nolan, the site reported.

Citing an anonymous source, the site also reported that Nolan will make his choice in late August or early September from a list of as many as 20 actors.

The site added that Christopher Lloyd has been spotted on the Warner lot in the company of Nolan, fueling speculation that he may be in the running to play a villain called the Scarecrow.

 

[Jamdin]

Ashton Kutcher would look better as the Scarecrow since he's on the lean side. I couldn't see him as Batman even with the muscle-lined suit. Maybe he would work as Nightwing.

 

[KenM]

Ashton Kutcher is too young for Batman/ Bruce Wayne IMO. Batman should be in his 30's.

 

[Mark]

I think he could play thirty. Most of the actors who have played it before for the movies have been in their forties (or pushing forty) and in worse shape than him (no muscles, pot bellies, etc.). Sounds to me like they are moving in the right direction physically but may not be making the wise choice based on talent, but I don't know him from anything other than 70's show and the car movies. Maybe he can do more than play dumb in comedic roles.

 

[Mark Chance]

I'm thinking Kutcher is a horrible choice. He might have the talent (big emphasis on "might") but he doesn't have the presence/reputation to pull off the role. He'd butcher it worse than Clooney, and Clooney was an awful Batman. The animated Batman movie with Mister Freeze was better than the Clooney Batman movie.

If Pierce Brosnan could lose the accent, I think he could pull it off. He's got the poise and charisma. Give him 2 or 3 months with a personal trainer, and it could work.

 

[Mark]

He might have the talent (big emphasis on "might") but he doesn't have the presence/reputation to pull off the role.

That's what they said about Keaton, who I think wound up defining the role for the movie series. Brosnan is too old, IMO.

 

[Mark Chance]

That's what they said about Keaton, who I think wound up defining the role for the movie series.

Keaton already had box office power by the time he did Batman. He was an unusual choice not because people doubted his talent but, I think, more because he doesn't seem terribly intimidating or athletic.

Kutcher doesn't have box office power, largely because, I think, his domain is the small screen rather than the big one. It seems few TV actors make good on the transition to movies. I mean, look at David Caruso's movie career.

Brosnan is too old, IMO.

He is getting up there, but he's still physical enough to handle Bond. Dye the gray out of his hair (head and chest), and he could probably pull it off.

The problem with Batman as a character in a movie is that Batman is an older man, late 30s at least, with a worldly air and more than a life time of experience. A kid like Kutcher couldn't pull that off. But, in addition to Batman's elder statesman of superherodom aura, he is also the athlete par excellence.

The trick with the movie is finding an actor who can do both: the mental and the physical. Kutcher is good with the physical; he's in pretty good shape and does a lot of his own physical comedy. With the right script and a director who can milk talent out an actor (which are really the biggest problems the last two Batman movies have had), Kutcher might be able to do it, but I doubt it.

He's just too pretty.

As mentioned above, what we need is an actor that can handle the depth of character and the physical rigors of the role. You know: Someone like Chow Yun Fat. Only not Chinese.

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

I could see Kutcher playing the kid from Batman Beyond, but not Bruce Wayne. I agree with the others who said that Bruce Wayne needs an older actor who is in decent shape.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

Dude, Where's My Batmobile?

Batman: Let's go stop the Scarecrow, Robin!
Robin: And then?
Batman: Uhh, we'll ship him back to Arkham.
Robin: And then?
Batman: No and then!
Robin: And then?
Batman: No and then!

BTW, anyone know if this is the Year One project or not? A twenty-five year old (Kutcher's age, but NOT Kutcher) would be perfect if it is. I believe that's how old he was in the Year One comics.

 

[Mark]

Wanna go fishing...?

Here's all of the actors (and, unfortunately actresses, and others) in the IMDb site database between the ages of 25 and 30 (approx).

http://www.imdb.com/BornInYear?1978

http://www.imdb.com/BornInYear?1977

http://www.imdb.com/BornInYear?1976

http://www.imdb.com/BornInYear?1975

http://www.imdb.com/BornInYear?1974

(...we could divide this up if people wanna just claim a month and make some suggestions for casting...)