Between 1989 and 1997, Warner Bros. Pictures released a successful run of Batman movies under the watchful eye of directors Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher. Burton directed the first two movies: Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), and Schumacher directed the second two: Batman Forever(1995) and Batman & Robin (1997).
The four films were distinctly different, yet shared the same continuity. They also provided a platform for some of the biggest, and best Bat-villains.
From Jack Nicholson’s Joker and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman to Jim Carrey’s Riddler and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze, Burton and Schumacher’s Batman movies took some of the biggest stars of the era and turned them into villains. And if the Burton/Schumacher Batman movies had continued, then no doubt even more A-list stars would have taken on the role of the Caped Crusader’s most famous rogues.
And that’s what I want to talk about today. Let’s forget the ‘80s/‘90s era of Batman movies ended, and let’s pretend the series kept going.
If the Batman movies did continue throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, and Burton and Schumacher had remained on board as directors, perhaps alternating sequels, who would have been cast as the villains? In this scenario, the Batman movie series continues beyond 1997’s Batman & Robin with a succession of sequels.
If this scenario had happened, who would have been cast as the villains? And could it have been these guys and gals?
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Tom Cruise as Clayface
OK, let’s begin with actor turned shapeshifting villain, Matt Hagen, aka Clayface. Let’s position Hagen as a good-looking action star who is disfigured in an accident, but given the ability to alter his shape.
Who would have been the perfect actor to play a handsome ‘90s/‘00s-era action star? It would have to be Tom Cruise, right?
While Cruise usually plays the good guy, he has been known to dabble in villainy (see 2004’s Collateral), plus throughout the ‘00s the actor briefly fell out of favour with audiences, which would have made him the perfect ‘tragic’ villain who just wants to reclaim his place as a star.
Joel Schumacher directs. McDonald’s releases a tie-in Clayface-themed milkshake to promote the movie.
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Johnny Depp as Scarecrow
Onto fan-cast number two, and this one pretty much casts itself. So much so, it’s amazing it never happened.
Anyway, if you want an actor to play the spooky, kooky Scarecrow you surely go to late ‘90s-era Johnny Depp, right?
Take many of his characters (Ichabod Crane, Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka, Edward Scissorhands), then blend them altogether, and the Scarecrow aka Jonathan Crane pops out the other end. And of course, as a constant collaborator with Tim Burton it seems like a match made in Gotham.
Burton directs, and Depp steals every scene. Alas, he’s too busy filming a Batman sequel to appear in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and Adam Sandler is cast as Captain Jack Sparrow.
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Carol Kane as Harley Quinn
How do you possibly match Jack Nicholson’s Joker? You introduce an even crazier counterpart in the shape of Harley Quinn, played by Carol Kane. Yes, the irreplaceable Carol Kane!
Imagine an even nuttier version of Kane’s Ghost of Christmas Present from Scrooged (1988), only decked out in the red and black threads worn by Dr. Harleen Quinzel. She’s crazy, she’s bonkers, she’s the Harley Quinn of our dreams.
Tim Burton directs, Kane becomes the talk of Tinseltown. Little Bat-fans the world over have aspirations of becoming an unhinged psychiatrist when they grow up.
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Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Ventriloquist
Before his death in 2014, Philip Seymour Hoffman appeared in a collection of high-profile movies, from The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) and Magnolia (1999) to Mission: Impossible III (2006) and The Hunger Games (2013). Arguably his most famous role was that of Truman Capote in 2005’s Capote.
Now, watch that performance and say that Hoffman wouldn’t have made a great Ventriloquist in a Batman movie? Go on, say it. You can’t, can you? Because it is perfect casting.
Joel Schumacher directs, Hoffman puts in a disturbing and commanding performance. The movie sweeps the board at the Oscars, and The Ventriloquist (and Scarface) quickly becomes the Halloween costume of choice three years in a row.
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Robin Williams as the Mad Hatter
Before he passed away, Robin Williams’ name had long been associated with the Batman movies, and this is because for a very long time he was actually in the running to play a Batman villain. That villain would have been the Riddler in Batman Forever, a part that ultimately went to Jim Carrey – but it was originally written for Williams.
But let’s imagine that Williams had finally made his way to Gotham and tapped into the kind of unstable performance he delivered in One Hour Photo. With Riddler already spoken for, it paved the way for Williams to become the somewhat unhinged, Mad Hatter.
Joel Schumacher directs, Burger King releases the Mad Whopper. That summer everyone starts quoting lines from Alice in Wonderland.
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Geena Davis as Phantasm
Beautiful? A strong screen presence? Able to do action at the drop of a hat? There can be no one else to take on the role of Andrea Beaumont – the love-interest of Bruce Wayne – than Geena Davis!
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) and Cutthroat Island (1995) demonstrated Davis’ status as an action star, while roles in Beetlejuice (1988) and A League of Their Own (1992) showed a softer side. A perfect balance for Beaumont and her deadly alter-ego, the Phantasm.
Tim Burton directs, Davis signs up for a spin-off movie. The spin-off movie goes through years of development hell before Davis leaves and is replaced by Halle Berry.
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John Lithgow as Clock King
Fresh off the success of hit sitcom, Third Rock from the Sun, John Lithgow is cast as Temple Fugate, aka the Clock King. He’s crazy, he’s a whacko, and he really likes punctuality!
Lithgow throws himself into the role, going completely method. As a result, he develops a real-life obsession with watches.
Joel Schumacher directs, Lithgow seeks counselling shortly after wrapping production. On the plus side, Swatch gives him a sponsorship deal.
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Jeff Goldblum as Ra’s al Ghul
And finally, having missed out on the role of Scarecrow (because it goes to Johnny Depp), Jeff Goldblum takes on the part of Ra’s al Ghul. He plays it different to what fans would expect for al Ghul, but it works regardless.
In fact, it’s amazing!
Joel Schumacher directs, fans create a Goldblum cult. SFX magazine calls it “the performance of the century”. Probably.
Despite being practically immortal, Ra’s al Ghul is killed off in one film, paving the way for Killer Moth or KGBeast to appear in the next Bat-movie.
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about Batman movie fan-casting. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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