arkhaminmate
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Post by arkhaminmate on Oct 26, 2005 16:49:15 GMT -5
On BOF many years ago i read the scripts for the Batman films as well as the unproduced Bruce Wayne tv show. I recently found them & more at scifiscripts.com . Has anybody read them? I'm kinda partial to the Batman 2 script by Sam Hamm, & the origional The Batman script from 1986
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Jack Napier
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Post by Jack Napier on Oct 26, 2005 18:57:11 GMT -5
I've read all of the available Batman scripts online...except the Batman & Robin one (do I really need to?).
The Batman (1983) by Tom Mankiewicz is pretty interesting. It did have a lot of ideas that wound up into all the Batman films (Joker's involvement with the Wayne murders in B89, Penguin's hideout in BR, Grayson partially blaming Batman for his parents' deaths in BF, Batman appearing in the public and making speeches in B&R, and Bruce Wayne discovering that he must become a bat when he discovers the Batcave in BB). There was an element of camp in it that I didn't care for. It did have a dark quality, but it seemed very uneven in tone, like Batman Forever. Overall, I'm glad they went with Sam Hamm's script.
Batman (1986) by Sam Hamm is similar to the film, but not entirely. There is no Joker-killed Bruce's-parents twist. Bruce Wayne is written much more like the playboy in the comics than he was protrayed in the film. The Joker is the same age as Bruce. Vicki is specifically a red head. Alexander Knox is less of a comic relief considering that he blackmails Bruce halfway into the script. The (Vicki's) apartment sequence as well as the cathedral finale are completely different. It's a very good script that first proposed the idea that Gordon was the officer who comforted Bruce the night of his parents' murder. I find Joker's personality more maniacal and ultimately closer to my interpretation of him. Also, Robin is in this draft. His introduction in this draft is brought to life by storyboard animation in a special feature on the B89 DVD.
The final shooting script is also quite different from the film. Again, the apartment scene and the cathedral confrontation are much different, as well as the flashback and the Bruce-Vicki conversation that follows it. There is an entire action sequence following the apartment scene that was cut during pre-production. I personally didn't think it was that great, but would've definitely explained why Joker just showed up at Vicki's apartment to drop off a box full of dead flowers.
Batman 2 by Sam Hamm is alright, but I hate the characterization of Catwoman and I found Penguin less interesting than the Batman Returns version. The Robin protrayal was interesting, though, and the twist was intriguing.
Batman II by Daniel Waters is horrible, IMO. Way too much self-parody going on. This would've been an early death for the series. Still, it did have some things that I would've liked to have seen in the film. By contrast, the shooting script is better and closer to the film version. Thank you, Wesley Strick.
Batman Forever by the Batchlers is alright, but ironically I have to give credit to Akiva Goldsman for cutting down certain elements. If you thought Goldsman added camp, he didn't. The storyline in this original draft was pretty much the same as the movie...except Riddler was a purple haired guy named Lyle Heckendorf and Batman makes love to Chase Meridian wearing only his cape and cowl. Goldsman's draft is much better and better than the final film. If you can honestly imagine a non-neon Gotham as well as less over-the-top performances from the villains, then you could see how this had the potential to be the best Batman film out of the three.
Batman: Year One by Aronofsky and Miller is underrated. Sure, the basic story is untrue to the comics, but it does have a better characterization of the corruption in Gotham City and the heroism of Gordon than Begins, IMO. Bruce Wayne's various stages into becoming Batman are quite interesting and although you don't feel as much sympathy for the character as you may do in Begins, he is still pretty much a Batman who is angered by the corruption rampant in Gotham City and wants to do something about it.
David Goyer's Batman Begins draft, which I read AFTER I saw the film, is pretty close to the final film. There are cuts and revisions here and there. Some kinda big, some rather small. Overall, it's the same story. Anything that I thought should've been in the movie that was only in the draft can be found in (shameless plug) my fan fic, "The Batman."
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Post by thekingpun on Nov 9, 2005 20:00:26 GMT -5
Out of curiousity, what was the big twist in Sam Hamm's Batman 2 script?
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Jack Napier
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Post by Jack Napier on Nov 9, 2005 20:16:37 GMT -5
The Wayne murders was a hired hit set by the other rich Gothamites when Thomas Wayne refused to join them in the search for their ancestors' stolen money. It's this money/treasure that Penguin and Catwoman are hunting down for throughout the film.
It was intriguing, but I think everyone prefers the randomness of the Wayne murders.
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BillionaireBruce
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We should have been changing the world... inspiring people to be better than what they are...
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Post by BillionaireBruce on Nov 9, 2005 21:03:46 GMT -5
I've read the original version of Begins, a lot of it's the same but there a couple interesting differences.
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Jack Napier
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Post by Jack Napier on Nov 10, 2005 1:10:24 GMT -5
I do prefer the original version of "I'm Batman" though. It felt less like a rip-off (as much as I love that scene, it is hardly original). Here it is for anyone interested:
Right after the dock fight...
Batman STANDS there, long cape BILLOWING out to one side. The chain SLIDES from his leg. Falcone is behind him, SHOTGUN aimed dead at Batman's head.
FALCONE What in God's name are you? Batman opens his hand, revealing TWO SHOTGUN CARTRIDGES. Then TURNS, billowing cape WRAPPING around him.
BATMAN I'm Batman.
Falcone pulls the trigger. CLICK.
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Timothy
Men of Steel
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Post by Timothy on Nov 10, 2005 5:49:14 GMT -5
^ Interesting...I'm starting to enjoy that version more than the other in the film...
Quick question; was there ever a mention in the early drafts of 'Begins' that Arkham Asylum was being constructed shortly around/ after the deaths of the Waynes, as a sort of "prelude" to the destruction, vice and chaos (think of the Poison Ivy episode of B:TAS where Harvey Dent was breaking ground for a new penitentary that would make Gotham "a safer place to live" = Blackgate) that would overwhelm the city before the return of the Dark Knight?
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Jack Napier
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Post by Jack Napier on Nov 10, 2005 20:26:30 GMT -5
^ Nope.
Which is unfortunate. That would be a good idea (thinks of more plans for "The Batman" story...)
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Jack Napier
Gotham Knights
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Post by Jack Napier on Dec 23, 2005 13:51:02 GMT -5
I've been rereading the Mankiewitcz script and I have to say that this scene (with a possible dialogue revision....remember this was written in 1983 so some of the lingo is a bit outdated) would've been awesome onscreen. It surpasses Year One, IMO, in illustrating Bruce's need to become a fearful symbol when fighting crime. It's exciting and heart-wrenching. It would obviously hit Bruce close to home, much more than getting in a fight with prostitutes and getting caught by the police.
EXT. APARTMENT STREET - NIGHT
Bruce crosses the street to a gleaming Aston-Martin sportscar. ANOTHER THUNDER CLAP! Rain falls as he reaches into the car, takes out a topcoat and hat. He starts to pull the convertible top up, glances down the street:
PEOPLE scurry to avoid the rain. Down the block, across the street, a COUPLE with a YOUNG DAUGHTER look over nervously as a tough-looking BIKER on a huge Harley-Davidson rolls up parallel to them on the street.
BACK TO BRUCE
Adjusting the convertible top. Looking off again.
BACK TO BRUCE'S P.O.V.
Suddenly: the Biker hops the curb in front of the Family! Pulling a gun, he herds them back into a dark alleyway.
BACK TO BRUCE
Eyes narrowing. His jaw twitches. A GUNSHOT RINGS OUT! Bruce explodes across the street for the alleyway.
As Bruce arrives: the Young Girl bursts out screaming, runs past him. Bruce hesitates, then runs inside the alley.
ANGLE IN ALLEYWAY
The Man lies in the alley, being cradled by the Woman. Blood oozes from the side of his head Bruce arrives.
WOMAN I...think he'll be all right. Our daughter's run to call an ambulance.
Bruce hears the REVVING of a motorcycle. He looks off down the alley, eyes flashing with anger.
ANGLE DOWN ALLEY - HIS P.O.V.
The Biker grins at him from the far end of the alley, puts his Harley in gear, rolls off through the pouring rain.
BACK TO BRUCE
He makes his decision, takes off in pursuit.
WOMAN Careful! He's got a gun!
EXT. END OF ALLEYWAY
Bruce arrives at the alley corner, looks off:
ANGLE ON BIKER - HIS P.O.V.
The Biker hovers by the side of an apartment building, still grinning at Bruce through the rain. He rolls forward slowly, almost as if enticing Bruce to follow him, now disappears again.
BACK TO BRUCE
Bruce arrives at the rear of the building, which faces on a vacant dirt lot. He edges forward through the mud, turning the corner, suddenly coming face to face with:
The Biker. Still grinning. Switching off his Harley. Muscles bulging through his wet T-shirt as he dismounts.
BIKER Congratulations, man. (wide smile) You caught me. Matter of fact...
The ROAR OF ENGINES is HEARD! Bruce turns to see: TWO MORE BIKERS, rolling into position behind him. Bruce is hopelessly trapped.
BIKER (CONT'D) ...you caught all of us...
The other two Bikers now dismount and close in. The first Biker draws his gun. Biker #2 looks Bruce up and down critically, squinting at him through the rain.
BIKER #2 That's my raincoat you're wearing. Take it off.
Biker #2 snaps his arm forward - a switchblade appears in his hand. He flicks it at Bruce who stands his ground, slicing a button off the front of his raincoat.
BIKER #2 (CONT'D) Pick up the button, Wimpy. Then lick it clean and hand me my coat.
Bruce stares icily, then slowly bends down to retrieve the button from the mud. Suddenly: Biker #1's foot flashes INTO FRAME, headed straight at Bruce's face! In a lightning-quick move, Bruce grabs the swinging leg with both hands, rises, swings Biker #1 off the ground in a circle, sends him crashing into the motorcycles as his gun goes flying.
Biker #2, switchblade in hand, rushes Bruce. Biker #3 unhooks chains from his belt. Bruce sidesteps: the knife slashes through his raincoat, sending it billowing out behind him like a cape! Biker #3 whistles the chains past Bruce's ear: He snatches them, karate-kicks Biker #3 in the stomach, simultaneously belting Biker #2 across the side of the head with the chains, knocking him unconscious.
Biker #3 lunges at Bruce from behind! Bruce spins, grabbing his arm, twisting the knife away, catching it in his other hand as he trips Biker #3, sends him sprawling in the mud. Bruce now straddles him, knife in hand.
CLOSE ON BIKER #3
Blinking in fear, his head pressed into the mud next to the button.
BRUCE Your turn to pick up the button, scumbag...
Biker #3's arm slowly starts forward as Bruce steps on it.
BRUCE (CONT'D) With your mouth.
Biker #3 shuts his eyes in humiliation as: THE SOUND OF A SIREN IS HEARD!
ANGLE ON SIDE OF BUILDING
TWO POLICEMEN round the corner of the apartment building, now stop, stare in astonished silence at:
The Three Bikers, sprawled in the mud near their machines. Bruce has completely disappeared.
EXT. ALLEYWAY ENTRANCE - NIGHT
A paramedic van is parked at the entrance. Umbrella-holding ONLOOKERS watch. A gurney with the wounded Man is wheeled out. The Woman and the Young Girl follow.
Bruce appears at the edge of the crowd, collar still up, hat adjusted low over his face He stares.
The Paramedics stop. One leans down, examines the Man, then covers his face with the sheet. The Woman turns away in silence. The Young Girl clings to her.
Bruce watches, his eyes filled with tears. He turns, walks off as CAMERA RACKS FOCUS to the pouring rain.
EXT. WAYNE MANOR - NIGHT
CAMERA RACKS BACK from the rain to Bruce, standing by the Aston-Martin in front of Wayne Manor.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Bruce enters the empty living room. His expression is numb. He pauses, lost in thought. Then, moving as if by instinct, he heads for the stairs leading to the basement.
And after that, he discovers the Batcave in a VERY similar sequence to that of Batman Begins. The only difference is that he discovers the cave in a different way and when the bats swarm around him, he lets out a cry of defiance.
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Jack Napier
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Post by Jack Napier on Nov 8, 2006 4:13:11 GMT -5
Well I got my hands on Mankiewicz's second draft of The Batman. I'll be posting an overall difference between the two, but rereading the draft did give me some interesting ways to compare it to Batman Begins. See if these scenes seem familiar...
ANGLE BACK THROUGH HOLE
Seen from inside: the torch beam shines. Suddenly - a long length of rope is tossed through. Bruce appears in the opening. He wriggles through, hanging on to the rope.
Bruce expertly shimmies down the rope, a man completely at home in an action he knows well. The beam from the torch dances across the walls of the cavern: high-ribbed, jagged walls, suggesting some sort of labyrinth beyond. The rope has played out. Bruce hangs by the end, looks down, lets himself fall to the cavern floor below.
He rises, plays the torch against the sides of the cave.
ANGLE ON BEAM - HIS P.O.V.
The beam searches into crannies, exploring dark gray walls. It comes across a large patch of solid black.
BACK TO BRUCE
Looking curiously.
BACK TO BLACK PATCH
As the beam hits the black patch fully - dozens of yellow eyes appear. The entire mass LAUNCHES ITSELF INTO CAMERA with a terrifying screech and the sound of beating wings.
BACK TO BRUCE
His jaw drops, stunned, as THE COLONY OF BATS swarm over him! He stumbles, protecting his face. The torch drops to the floor. Its shaft of light dances crazily around the cavern.
From O.S. - a low moan is heard from Bruce. It rises, gathers in volume and intensity, gradually becoming a deep, booming guttural roar - at once a scream of total pain and a cry of defiance. The terrified bats scream back in a maze of hot and cold light bouncing off beating black wings.
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