TBF, Mags, you have been doing a lot of the heavylifting for the quest, so this will be in good hands.
To be clear to everyone, this is just me burning out on imagination of the quest, since my muse has been hitting me over the head a lot with so many different ideas that I just can't find myself too interested in this.
I'll still hang out here, though, since this still does have a sepcial place in my heart.
I'd like to thank you all for making this a wonderful experience while it lasted.
I'd also like to thank @Magoose, @Fluffy_serpent, and @Martin Noctis for doing so much to help prepare and write this quest. I couldn't have done it without you all.
Batman Returns Directed by: Bruce O'Brian
Written by: Frank Miller
Produced by: Kathleen Kennedy
Production Studio: Columbia Pictures
Distribution Studio: Columbia Pictures
Starring: Bruce O'Brian (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Clint Eastwood (Captain James Gordon), Detective Sarah Essen (Faye Dunaway), David Patrick Kelly (Edward E. Nygma), Alec Guiness (Alfred), Bob Hoskins (Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin), Jodie Foster (Barbara Gordon), Tom Cruise (Dick Grayson), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), Cindy Morgan (Sophia Falcone), Dennis Hopper (Salvatore Morani), Robert Redford (Harvey Dent), Billy Crystal (Gino Santana), Dick Van Patten (Robert Rains) and Richard Mulligan (Gil Colson).
Budget: $40,000,000 Domestic Profits: $424,312,305 International Profits: $190,650,249 Total Gross: $614,962,554
When the first script for Batman was introduced you were frankly spellbound by it. For during the entire production, if there had been an abundance of, it was scripts that had Batman either as a continuation of Adam West's adaptation, to more dark and gritty tones of the Golden Age of comics, stories that involved Joker, Two Face, the Penguin, and more that had Catwoman as a romantic partner, or even just went and had Robin right there with Bruce from the beginning. In fact, you'd had your eye on two other scripts before Miller's appeared; One where Batman was already established and fought the Joker, and one where they showed his origin story during nearly half the movie, having him fight the Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul (one of the newest villains in his Rogue's Gallery).
Yet in the end, neither of those could bring what Miller brought in when he delivered his script; a feeling of sincerity, of realism, of understanding Batman's mind and thoughts as he begins his crusade against crime.
The first movie was a hit beyond what you had imagined. Star Wars had been the first movie ever to go over a Billion dollars, with Superman following on its heels, yet Batman had soon joined them becoming the third film, and even managed to outperform Superman if the gross was anything to go by! The audience loved it, the Critics loved it, they praised your interpretation of Bruce Wayne...even if they also mentioned how dull you take on Batman was. Many fans recognized the hints you were leaving with Redford playing Harvey Dent, showing Jodi Foster as Barbara Gordon, and of course Robert Shaw as the Penguin. All of them soon became household names as their careers took the newfound fame (or just added fame for the veterans) with the entire cast willing and promising to come back for the sequel.
Yet losing Shaw just as you were about to start was a heavy blow, and a reminder that for all your plan, in the end, you could not account for everything.
It took time for everyone to recover, but as they say; the show must go on. And go on it did. With Frank Miller coming back from his work at Marvel (with your blessings) to once more try his luck at another story that may be able to rival his previous masterpiece. It was a bit of a tall order, but one that you're happy to see come true, for the story that came out was one that perfectly complemented the previous entry, that explored new angles of the batman mythos, and introduced the newest villain for Batman in a subtle and insidious way, to the point that he did justice to the character of the Riddler, turning him from a simple thief who used riddles, to a true arrogant mastermind that could, and did, outthink nearly all of Gotham into destroying itself had it not been for the quick intervention of Batman, Gordon, his daughter and the future Robin.
Heck, he even managed to take in the change of actors for the Penguin and make it a somewhat part of the film. Now that's talent!
But it would all be for nothing if the audience did not accept the film and the changes made to it. On the one hand you know you're being pessimistic, probably because of what happened to so many films just last month when Raiders made its debut. Not many halls are being given now since Theaters want to basically own their own printing machine in the form of Lucasfilm's latest entry, and on many other days you would be right there with them supporting them. And yet, Batman Returns is a film you want to see succeed, not only because you worked on it, but because you're sure that everyone who worked on it deserves to have their time in the sun.
You wonder if this is how the other directors and producers feel. Then you remember most of them are assholes, so fuck them.
But it seemed that in the end your fears were for naught, for if there is one constant in America, it's that in the end, nothing can stop a dedicated batman fan when they want to see their favorite hero on screen. The outright outpouring of letters sent to theaters in order to make at least some space for Batman were enough to at least give three halls to satisfy the demand...at the expense of other films of course, but every studio now has gotten the message that trying to fight both you and Lucasfilms would be futile at this point. Hell. from what you've heard Sydney is already planning to scrap films for next year as he does not want to risk it without a sure hit.
Couldn't happen to better guy.
The result was everything you'd hoped for. Audiences coming in excited to see your rendition of the Black Knight once more, and leaving even more hyped at what they were shown; actions scenes not seen in any other film, a nuanced story and theme that made one think without taking away any enthusiasm nor enjoyment. Once more the amazing ensemble cast that could appeal to nearly anyone that saw the film, an aesthetic that moves towards the Gothic and gave the city its own personality, making it nearly its own character. Heck, everyone even praised Bob's take on Oswald Cobblepot, finding a logical continuation of the Penguin in the continuing storyline.
And you haven't even mentioned the excitement at seeing both Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson taking center stage for the first time on film.
The tale of Batman continues some years where it left off, Batman now a more established presence in Gotham, with both supporters and detractors; Gordon and Essen respectively, as they now have to deal with the remains of the Falcone family, the returning Maroni Family who has now allied through marriage to the Falcone's, not to mention the rising "Penguin Gang" who is slowly but surely taking over the Gotham Underground. It is during this tumultuous period when a new player, calling himself "The Riddler" introduces himself by killing many members of the newly formed alliance, using complex plans that give a hint of hope of escape, but only if they're able to find the answer to many of the riddles employed.
Underneath it all however, there is also the subplot including both Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson, a recently orphaned teenager who are trying to find Batman's real identity for different, yet similar, reasons. How they get entangled and how they eventually aid in the Riddler's capture is one of the cleverest pieces of writing you've seen.
What truly makes it intriguing though, is how during the entire film, there is always the question about Vengeance and Justice, where does one begin and one end? On which side of the strata are the main characters on? It makes you think and wonder about whether each is correct, or if one is the right path against the other. Many of the characters such as Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and even James Gordon struggle with the idea, as each of them have suffered so much at the hands of the criminals of Gotham, some of them believing them to be altogether linked to each other, and that one cannot exist without the other. it is somewhat Ironic that the ones who are the most critical of Batman are the ones who have a clear idea of the difference between them, such as Essen and Alfred, the former doing it out of disgust for what the city is doing and wishing to take James out of it before it can sink its claws on him. While the latter does it out of paternal love and care for his ward, seeing how much Bruce has already lost and not wishing him to lose even more.
Perhaps it's your won bias as a director, and as having worked with such talented actors for the last two movies, but to you the highlight is the clear acting prowess and emotion that each of the characters bring to the tale. The story itself can be seen as a thriller mixed with a mystery in it, but it would be worthless if the characters could not bring in the emotion, the cues, and the reactions necessary for each of the scenes in. On more than one occasion you've felt that this movie rides on the shoulders of each and every one of them, and for that you will forever be grateful.
You just have to look at the main antagonists to understand; David Patrick Kelly worked as a perfect Edward E. Nygma in the first film, an awkward forensic scientist trying to go by, yet with a simmering rage in him as he feels himself above all others due to his high intellect. That is translated perfectly in this film as Nygma, now as the Riddler, makes fools out of every single one of Gotham's finest as he leads them in circles with no one being sure who the Riddler is or how to catch him. Some well put shots from behind him to hide his face, or moments where he is nearly covered with glasses and a face mask also enhance the mystery for those who are seeing the movie for the first time and don't know who he is. During the entire film it's a complete delight to see a man so full of himself being able to back up what he says, with him being smug all the way to prison when they catch him, knowing that in the end they could not even figure out the truth until he spelled it out for them. A megalomaniac of the highest order, and one of the best adaptations in your opinion of what the character should be.
But Bob Hoskins did not remain behind. He knew he was the best one to replace Shaw, but he also knew he had some big shoes to fill, especially since he could not act the exact same way Shaw had done for the Penguin, managing an air of pomposity and civility which bellied the deep cruelty and darkness within. Bob's response was to simply peel it off, show the Penguin with all darkness revealed, with a level of coarseness that outright shocked all former viewers of the first film, insinuating that this was the real Oswald Cobblepot, the man behind the facade in the first film. The man who could speak with the new Falcone alliance about needing to work together, while funding Riddler's campaign of terror against them and Gotham in the next breath. Bob gave the character the development necessary to avoid being a rehash, but it was also respectful enough to Shaw's interpretation that no one could say they were just throwing him away once it served its purpose.
Both villains represent the dark aspect of Gotham that Batman faces against, and this time you made sure to take all the criticism for the character from the first movie and translate it into a more nuanced character, one that would be its own beyond Bruce Wayne, and one that brings the fight to the criminal element with both brains and brawn. Your action scenes were of course as high and ambitious as you could make it (fighting one hundred men in a single shot was nothing short of grueling), but you also made sure to add some nuance to the Dark knight; making sure that for the acts of vigilantism and fear he brought to the criminals, that he also was seen as compassionate towards those who were victims. The fact that he was only a man was highlighted in the theme of the film as he debated whether his struggle was for vengeance or Justice, and the final moment, when he finally acknowledges what he must stand for is one of the best in your opinion.
Not that you were the only one to be seen as such, as many of the other actors gave some of their best work in ages.
Clint had told you beforehand that acting as James Gordon was something that was not in his range, but you, and nearly the entire audience, think that this his best role so far. After all, whether Clint acknowledges it or not, James Gordon in the film is a logical continuation of many of his previous western roles; the lone man fighting for his own code against an entire town/city. Faye gave an amazing portrayal of a tough as anils detective, yet also one that remains feminine and wants to bring in a good life for her man and step-daughter. Their eventual relationship breakdown is tragic because both work perfectly for each other, yet their own principles demand that they must separate. In the end, there is no drama, no tears, just the sadness as they go their separate way.
God, so many have already praised that scene in how mature it was handled.
And of course you can't ignore both Jodi Foster and Tom Cruise as both Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson respectively. The story and adaptation of Robin came at the last minute, but having him be a teenager on the cusp of adulthood is just what you needed to explain both his rashness and impulsive anger, as well as to not show a child battling criminals. He had such an amazing chemistry with Jodi as well, both of them just bouncing of each other whenever they shared the screen. Jodi was on top form as the future Batgirl, displaying her smarts and analytical mind when trying to decipher who Batman is, and later on just where the bombs are when they finally decipher Riddler's clue. The final scene where she and Dick confront Bruce, having discovered his real identity, is one of the most amazing moments of deduction that frankly had everyone in the audience surprised. Meanwhile Tom took your advice and went to the Gym you'd recommended him for. There they gave him just the right amount of discipline and training so that when he finally showed his fighting prowess, he did not disappoint any of Robin's fans.
Finally, both Alec Guinness and Robert Redford managed to bring to light some of the most poignant and tragic aspects of the characters they played as. For Guiness, Alfred may have been a step down when you consider his long and storied list of performances in both Britain and America, yet you have to say, you think this will be the one he'll be remembered for. Alfred, for all that he is a butler and an assistant, is more than that under Guinness' direction; he's a family member, a surrogate father to his ward, the one man who looks after him when batman does not, the man who went to Maroni himself and threatened him to leave his ward alone after being let go by him...and the one person Bruce could not do without, in the end heeding his advice to not fall under the allure of vengeance and fighting for Justice against all criminals.
Redford had a reduced presence in this film, but he made do in every single scene he had, showing the duality within Dent, bursting into anger whenever he had to let a criminal go, the quiet solemn moment which, when approached with the right light, could almost show a divide in his face, and the slow muttering whenever he thought he was alone, giving the impression he was speaking to someone else. In the hands of a less experienced actor they might have seemed as overly dramatic, but with Redford at the lead, they showed a tortured mind who's desire to do good was slowly being undermined from within by a rage and anger that was slowly, but surely swallowing him whole.
In the end, it was an amazing film.one that actually managed to put in a good battle against Raiders. Alan was both satisfied that he managed to get some money, yet also furious that he once more managed to lose by trying to go against Lucasfilms. Further discussions with mike are being held, as Alan wants to make sure to get advance warning for both Star Wars and Indiana Jones in order to make sure he doesn't try to fight the inevitable net time (He's also told Kathleen to get Harrison for Wonder Woman). Sydney is once more with his team in trying to revive Universal's Monsters Franchise to be able to fight more evenly, and Disney...well, they seem to be sitting down and looking at the chaos.
Just what are they up to?
Critics praised the film as a worthy addition to the burgeoning Batman Franchise, and an excellent addition to the growing Cinematic Universe. Though there have been other that decry how Batman has been perverted from what it truly was, a children's show with Adam West as the true Batman interpretation. Many are quick to correct how Batman is mostly returning to its roots once more, with none other than Adam West writing that though he enjoyed his time on Batman, he has nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for the movies, as they seem to be doing an excellent job. This shut most of the critics quickly enough, though there are still some who keep on making a nuisance of themselves.
The Post credit scene having Batman and Alfred speaking in the Batcave about the upcoming event for a Greek Exhibition. Where batman looks at the files of the Curator, Diana Prince, and compares it to a photograph showing Wonder Woman along with some soldiers in WWI. The resemblance between both being uncanny. While not something completely new like the previous post credit scene from Superman II, it still managed to add an additional piece to the puzzle; Bruce was at the Exhibition to spy on Diana, already knowing her identity before she introduced herself to both him and Clark. it may be small, but it's the little details that keep the hype up for fans, as many of them are already discussing it and adding their own spin to the entire tale.
All in all, an excellent film, and one that you're proud of being a part of.
Well... You're not exactly sure how to feel about this. On the one hand, you did not think that your movie would be that good as to make an impact beyond entertaining, yet from the letter you've just received you've actually done more than that.
It's because Batmania has returned to the country, and it's come back with a vengeance.
lunchboxes, cereal boxes, drawing books, pens and pencils, cups, glasses, dishes, clothes and shoes, all kinds of jewelry and decorations...and that's without even mentioning the toilet paper, disposable plates, art and comedy sketches...the list goes on and on. The mania that had once been thought of as a fad from the 60's is now making its mark in the 80s. Furthermore, it's not only adults or children that are the most affect, but teen culture as well. No longer are teens being harassed, mocked or outright bullied for enjoying comics, as suddenly it's become acceptable to not only read them, but wear all kinds of clothes that showed the Bat Logo in front.
That's not all though, you never thought it possible despite how much Marvel had begun to flaunt it, but nowadays the entire Comic Codes Authority has lost what little power it had as both Marvel and DC have begun publishing their comic without that hated seal once and for all. What would once had been a death knell for any comic company has now become utterly obsolete as Stan tells you how the new writers have begun experimenting on new entries and comics; There's talk of reviving the old Horror comics with a new Anthology series called "Night Mind" and a new Cyberpunk series called..."Bubblegum Crisis"?...has entered the mainstream, gaining huge popularity among the Cyberpunk fans.
It's something that's beyond what you'd once thought. John had once told you he'd bullied those who read comics, and now such action is being seen as unthinkable as everyone wants to read comics. Both Marvel and DC are reporting increase distribution and production for their titles as the audience increases, with new ideas being introduced just as many are discarded.
Alan and DC Comics, the main beneficiaries, are already making plans to take advantage of this newfound fascination with the Dark Knight. Aside from the films there are already plans to include different comics to increase the character's appeal. Frank Miller, who went back to his work on Daredevil, is suddenly being scouted to write for DC, and there are rumors that Columbia might try for what many thought to be impossible; a Batman Animated Series. Stan is already trying to rush the MCAU into production to get ahead of the curve, as Mike is once more seeing dollar signs as he tries to convince Alan that DreamWorks has just the right people to make it a reality.
[]The Cracks begin to Form (THe cracks begin to form)
[]Solidarity (The Solidarity Trade Union receives more recognition)
[]It can't get any worse right? (Allow me to roll something to see if it does)
Say Magoose, I recall that I selected as reward that someone finally spilled the beans about what happpened to the Romanovs and where the bodies are (if I interpreted it correctly). Did anything happen because of it?
Say Magoose, I recall that I selected as reward that someone finally spilled the beans about what happpened to the Romanovs and where the bodies are (if I interpreted it correctly). Did anything happen because of it?
It's because Batmania has returned to the country, and it's come back with a vengeance.
lunchboxes, cereal boxes, drawing books, pens and pencils, cups, glasses, dishes, clothes and shoes, all kinds of jewelry and decorations...and that's without even mentioning the toilet paper, disposable plates, art and comedy sketches...the list goes on and on.
@Carcer -> Red Hippy Bear (Was not sure how to reverse the name of the city in GTA4 so went with reversing the avatar, if its a homage to the Discworld character than I apologize for getting it wrong)
@Orion Ultor -> Galvatron ( Optimus Prime was Orion Pax. Galvatron is his Evil clone)
I have several ideas off the top of my head.
Some of the puppet states decided that if Romania could break off they could too.
Political infighting leads to someone who has no idea what they're doing taking charge of key parts of the government.
A border incident with one of their neighbors (preferably China) erupts into a brush war.
Someone realizes that living under the soviet union is shit and realizes they have nothing to loose but their chains.
A famine or a pandemic erupts. Bonus points if it's a holdover from the soviet biological weapons used in Romania.
I have several ideas off the top of my head.
Some of the puppet states decided that if Romania could break off they could too.
Political infighting leads to someone who has no idea what they're doing taking charge of key parts of the government.
A border incident with one of their neighbors (preferably China) erupts into a brush war.
Someone realizes that living under the soviet union is shit and realizes they have nothing to loose but their chains.
A famine or a pandemic erupts. Bonus points if it's a holdover from the soviet biological weapons used in Romania.
