Quoted from Baltis. Nolan, in typical Nolan fashion, went out of his way to cast an all foreigner Batman. Bale -- Wales Liam -- Scottish or Irish Ledger -- Australian Cain -- English Oldman -- English

Morgan Freeman -- American
Ann Hathaway -- American

Thomas Hardy isn't that big, physically, but some camera angles can change that.  It worked for Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile.


Phil

The casting of Hardy as Bane never made sense to me until I saw Bronson. I recommend everyone see that film, if only to see an excellent film that has nothing to do with Batman.

I think Hardy has a shot at the character. Regardless, I don't think this will have anything on The Dark Knight. It's called The Dark Knight Rises. No matter how good it is (and I think it has a chance to be very good), it will be standing on the shoulders of its predecessor.

Quoted from dogglebe Morgan Freeman -- American Ann Hathaway -- American Thomas Hardy isn't that big, physically, but some camera angles can change that.  It worked for Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile. Phil

Michael Clarke Duncan is 6'5, so they didn't need to use angles to make him look big.  Dude is huge.

Hardy is about 5'10, while Bale is around six feet, so in that case they will need to use some tricks.  Bane is supposed to tower over Batman.   Hardy looked ripped in Warrior, but in that photo he looks like he's been hittin the fish n chips pretty hard.

Quoted from dogglebe Morgan Freeman -- American Ann Hathaway -- American Thomas Hardy isn't that big, physically, but some camera angles can change that.  It worked for Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile. Phil

I do hope so... And they do have software that adds muscle volume and can make one thinner, taller, fater or shorter.  I seen some demos of it used on like Baywatch of all things.  They also used it in Lord of the Rings with the hobbits.

I dunno - I think it'd just be easier to hire a big guy and have him play the role than to tinker with settings on software in hopes of making your small guy a big guy.  All I'm saying.

As it is -- I could've played Bane.  And that's troubling for someone, like me, who really got into the series when he 1st arrived in Gotham.

Quoted from Ryan1 Michael Clarke Duncan is 6'5, so they didn't need to use angles to make him look big.  Dude is huge.

In The Green Mile they used camera angles and platforms to make him look even bigger.  In reality, David Morse is only an inch shorter than Duncan.  In the movie, it looks like there's six inches difference.


Phil

Quoted from Ryan1 Michael Clarke Duncan is 6'5, so they didn't need to use angles to make him look big.  Dude is huge. Hardy is about 5'10, while Bale is around six feet, so in that case they will need to use some tricks.  Bane is supposed to tower over Batman.   Hardy looked ripped in Warrior, but in that photo he looks like he's been hittin the fish n chips pretty hard.

Yeah, he's big, but as Phil pointed out, they made him look 7ft tall and even more physically imposing in The Green Mile.

Tom Hardy was in great shape for Warrior. His neck and traps are almost out of proportion with the rest of his body. In the scenes where he fights Brendan (Joel Edgerton) it seems as if Brendans shoulders are almost flat in comparsion.

There where so many unresolved issues in Warrior, it seems as if they left it wide open for a sequel.

The big question is, will Nolan kill off Batman??

I think Batman should be killed off.  It was have a lot of impact.  Hollywood will bring him back in its next reboot.

I stopped reading Superman comics after Doomsday killed Superman; I knew he wasn't dead and was put off by how DC Comics was trying to make him look like he died.  A year later, he was back and everything was back to normal.  Then they (kinda) did the same thing with Batman.  Bane crippled him and left him for dead (spinal damage or something).  I knew he'd be back but was annoyed that DC Comics was playing the same game, so I stopped reading Batman.


Phil

Quoted from James McClung The casting of Hardy as Bane never made sense to me until I saw Bronson. I recommend everyone see that film, if only to see an excellent film that has nothing to do with Batman.

I second this motion.

Hardy is a force of mature in this film.
I was enthralled with the energy of the story.
And the director went to helm "Drive" for Ryan Gosling.

E.D.

Quoted from Baltis. Bale -- Wales Liam -- Scottish or Irish Ledger -- Australian Cain -- English Oldman -- English

I'm curious, Balt, who you would've chosen (among Americans) for these roles.

If I had my choice (and a time machine), I'd go back to Michael Keaton.  Bale was a better Bruce Wayne, but Keaton was the better Batman.

Ras al Ghul was a foreigner, anyway.  Don't see a problem with a foreigner in the role.  Anyone with an 'American look' would be distracting.

If I had to pick an American actor for the joker, I would go out on a limb and say Jim Carey.  Sure he sucked as the Riddler, but that was because he had nothing to work with.  If not him then someone should find out if Steven Tyler can act; he looks like the Joker.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I'm curious, Balt, who you would've chosen (among Americans) for these roles. If I had my choice (and a time machine), I'd go back to Michael Keaton.  Bale was a better Bruce Wayne, but Keaton was the better Batman. Ras al Ghul was a foreigner, anyway.  Don't see a problem with a foreigner in the role.  Anyone with an 'American look' would be distracting. If I had to pick an American actor for the joker, I would go out on a limb and say Jim Carey.  Sure he sucked as the Riddler, but that was because he had nothing to work with.  If not him then someone should find out if Steven Tyler can act; he looks like the Joker. Phil

I know a whole host of possible candidates for the role of the Joker. They are all well versed in the role, no method acting required and have raided banks and caused anarchy in society. These individuals are of course Irish politicans and bankers. the only problem of course is that they are foreign. Sigh.

Don't believe Jim Carey would have made a good Joker and certainly not a great one. Heath Ledger brought an incredible intensity and level of mania to that character. I think Johnny Depp could have taken a weird stab at it, but still, not right. Michael Fassbender certainly has the grin and has the acting chops, but again, I have reservations.

Quoted from dogglebe I'm curious, Balt, who you would've chosen (among Americans) for these roles. If I had my choice (and a time machine), I'd go back to Michael Keaton.  Bale was a better Bruce Wayne, but Keaton was the better Batman. Ras al Ghul was a foreigner, anyway.  Don't see a problem with a foreigner in the role.  Anyone with an 'American look' would be distracting. If I had to pick an American actor for the joker, I would go out on a limb and say Jim Carey.  Sure he sucked as the Riddler, but that was because he had nothing to work with.  If not him then someone should find out if Steven Tyler can act; he looks like the Joker. Phil

Keaton was king.  He was Batman and Bruce to me... but he's gotten a bit too old.  I do think he pulled together both ends of the character and made a truly memorable performance.  The suit was also better.  It actually looked like Batman.    I am a huge Bale fan -- I think he's one of the best actors going today, but he's not batman to me.

So in a perfect world -- and I held all the cards.

Bruce Wayne/Batman -- Ryan Gosling (if he bulked up again, dyed his hair darker... He would turn out an amazing performance of both Bruce and Batman.)

Joker -- Adrian Brody (such a talent.  I think he'd look awesome with long, nappy green hair and white paint)

Bane -- Glenn Jacobs (no questions)

Catwoman -- Natalie Portman (because I think she can act -- and I'd like to see her in tight leather.  *looks around* Next!)

Two Face --  William H. Macy or Trevor Saint John (I'd lean to Trevor, cos' I love the guy, but Macy would be crazy good too.  Trevor has an awesome way of playing both the good and bad at the same time, though.  Watch his work.  He's amazing.)

Riddler -- David Hyde Pierce (easily)

Scarecrow -- Steve Buscemi (was there ever a question?)

Mr. Freeze -- Andrew Howard (this is one of my favorite actors.  So talented)

Ras Al Ghul -- Daniel day Lewis (if it had to be a foreigner)

Those are my picks...

Quoted from Baltis. Keaton was king.  He was Batman and Bruce to me... but he's gotten a bit too old.  I do think he pulled together both ends of the character and made a truly memorable performance.  The suit was also better.  It actually looked like Batman.    I am a huge Bale fan -- I think he's one of the best actors going today, but he's not batman to me. So in a perfect world -- and I held all the cards. Bruce Wayne/Batman -- Ryan Gosling (if he bulked up again, dyed his hair darker... He would turn out an amazing performance of both Bruce and Batman.) Joker -- Adrian Brody (such a talent.  I think he'd look awesome with long, nappy green hair and white paint) Bane -- Glenn Jacobs (no questions) Catwoman -- Natalie Portman (because I think she can act -- and I'd like to see her in tight leather.  *looks around* Next!) Two Face --  William H. Macy or Trevor Saint John (I'd lean to Trevor, cos' I love the guy, but Macy would be crazy good too.  Trevor has an awesome way of playing both the good and bad at the same time, though.  Watch his work.  He's amazing.) Riddler -- David Hyde Pierce (easily) Scarecrow -- Steve Buscemi (was there ever a question?) Mr. Freeze -- Andrew Howard (this is one of my favorite actors.  So talented) Ras Al Ghul -- Daniel day Lewis (if it had to be a foreigner) Those are my picks...

Can't argue with those selections, especially Buscemi as Scarecrow.  I could also see him as the Riddler.  Gosling would be good as Batman, even though he's not American, haha.  But I personally think Bale owns that role and is even better than Keaton because of the almost psychotic intensity he brings to the character.

Yeah, I just realized Gosling is Canadian... (shakes fist)

Cillian Murphy, who played scarecrow, rather unconvincingly I thought, was originally offered the role of Wayne/Batman by Nolan but declined because he didn't have the physique for it. What in the name of God was Nolan thinking!?

Neil Patrick Harris was suggested to play the Riddler.  I think a fanfic poster was even made up.  I would like to see Doogie play this part.


Phil