I posted a blog in September about the next Batman movie. Someone calling himself Mike posted a comment suggesting Black Mask as a possible main villain for the movie. Having read very little batman I knew nothing about Black Mask so decided to look him up. This is a brief overview of how Black Mask came to be. Taken from various sources I hope it is correct:
Born Roman Sionis to one of Gotham City’s wealthy families. Roman’s parents moved in the same circles as Thomas and Martha Wayne. Privately they admitted to their son that they did not like the Waynes but continued to associate with them forcing Roman to be friends with their son Bruce. Roman disliked his parents who he saw as hypocrites, they were also self-absorbed and had little time for him. As he got older his dislike grew to hate and resentment until he burned down the family’s mansion, killing them following their disapproval of his girlfriend.
Getting away with the crime, Roman inherited the family fortune and business but had little business acumen. Eventually the business was taken over by Bruce Wayne who employs his own Board of Directors to run it. Roman creates the alter ego Black Mask and begins a life of crime soon discovering he is better at crime than business. He recruits a mask wearing gang and calls them the False Face Society. It isn’t long before he seeks revenge against his childhood “friend” for taking over his business. He begins by kidnapping Wayne Enterprises employees. As Batman investigates he soon discovers that Black mask is in fact Roman Sionis.
This on its own could be the outline for a film. I also like the idea of an sub plot featuring plot a serial killer (there a few of those in the Batman back catalogue to choose from) that the police can’t catch forcing them to ask Batman for help. The film needs a few female characters so I would suggest Romans girlfriend Circe. It is also the perfect opportunity to introduce Catwoman. There are various versions of her origin. The one that would fit the current films is a wealthy socialite by day and cat bugler by night. This gives the chance for interaction between Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne before they meet as Catwoman and Batman. This doesn’t leave much space for Harley Quinn, who there is a groundswell of support for. An idea that could work is to introduce her as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, the Arkham Asylum psychologist, before she becomes Harley Quinn leaving the possibility of a future appearance.
So casting. Hopefully all the regulars who survived the first two films will return and be joined by: Although five or ten years too old, I would like to see them played by actors of a similar age to Christian Bale the best suggestion I have heard for Black Mask/Roman Sionis and his girlfriend Circe are real life couple Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci. For me Angelina Jolie is the clear favourite to play Catwoman/Selina Kyle. The hardest to decide on is Harley Quinn/Dr. Harleen Quinzel, I would go for Brittany Murphy as she always has a certain look in her eye that makes her perfect for a slightly unhinged character.
And finally why is the article called Gotham City? Simply because that is my choice (if not my idea, I got it from the Photoshop fan posters) for the title of the next film.
‘Privately they admitted to their son that they did not like the Waynes’
I know, I hate the Scary Movies series too
Really, I thought they would be your kind of movie!
this Black Mask character sounds pretty juicy, i like the sound of him. i also like your suggestion of Vincent Cassel, terrific actor. i doubt however that Angelina Jolie will make the cut, but i think thats a good thing.
Personally I’m hoping that the Joker comes back as Batman makes most sense when he is around and Cassel or Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be my choice for the person to fill Ledger’s shoes.
…and Brittany Murphy as Harley Quinn would be a dream.
I’m not sure what that photograph is from but Vincent Cassel looks like a comic book villain in it, or Bob from Twin Peaks. What’s your problem with Angelina?
I think that photo is from Vincent’s self portrait collection entitled ‘we both know who I share a bed with… what have you achieved with your life?’
Vincent Cassel would make a great joker but I really don’t think the Joker should be used again, I would say that even if Heath Ledger was around to play the part. We need a new villain.
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dont know which is more insulting Fandango – you thinking i would like the Scary Movies or asking me what is wrong with Angelina Jolie
The scary movie one was a low blow, sorry. To be honest I haven’t seen them so they could be brilliant for all I know!
Seriously, I don’t know what your problem with Angelia Jolie is, I think she would be perfect, she looks the part, she can act and she brings some star power to the cast. She isn’t Michelle Pfeiffer circa 1992 but that’s a tough act to follow. Its not as if I suggested Halle Berry.
Black Mask is a rubbish villian, I remember reading somewhere he went mad after being bit by a racoon or something.
Would love to see Harley Quinn, Murphy is a great shout. Unlike Jolie for Catwoman! A rare miss by you Fandango! She’s way too old. Kate Beckinsale perhaps?
Get Killer Croc in!
Man Cassel does look like an older joker, perfect for Arkham Asylum if ever it gets made.
BTW scary Movie 1+2 are quite good!
34 Year old Angelina Jolie is “way too old” lets get 36 year old Kate Beckinsale, good call Ross. Having said that Kate Beckinsale would be a good choice as well. The other interesting one that keeps coming up is Rachel Weisz.
I like the idea of the new film using smaller villains rather than Batman’s a-list talent. if only because while we’ve had The Joker god-knows-how-many-times-by-now, it’s nice to see Ra’s given his due (or the Scarecrow or Zsasz). I think the Black Mask could work well as a a sort of anti-Bruce Wayne rather than a Batman opposite. Plus Nolan seems to like the more grounded elements of the mythos, and he’s relatively tame (he’s no Mr. Freeze or Manbat or Poison Ivy)
I think the character they choose is less important than the chating and the script. Nolan hasn’t disappointed on either of these so far. If he takes it from a pointod view: “I want Batman to face this challenge, I will find a villain that fits that challenge” and not “this villain would be cool, what story will be good for him?” As you at Nolan favors the more. “grounded” realistic characters, I don’t see it changening as that would ruin it.
Brittany Murphy WOULD have been a good choice…too bad.
[…] executive/cult leader/mob boss and general criminal who hates Bruce Wayne. See more about him here. He has appeared on Tv in the aminated series but never in a real life […]