For most people even remotely familiar with Batman, there’s a dark connotation to his stories and image. Batman’s known as a brooding crime fighter in an ailing city who was traumatized by the death of his parents. A lot of generations didn’t grow up on Adam West’s Batman. Many instead had the Tim Burton movies along with Batman: The Animated Series. And yet others may have a more of an attachment to the Chris Nolan movie trilogy.
While Joel Schumacher attempted to bring back the campiness to the franchise, the films were met with such unfavorable reactions that it seemed almost impossible to return to a goofy version of Batman. It’s worth considering the positives of creating a modern day Adam West vibe on screen again.
10 It Would Give Fans A Break From The Nolan & Burton Vibe That Has Dominated For 30+ Years
Nolan’s trilogy is beloved by many Bat aficionados. Nolan brought his signature thriller style to the franchise and it worked amazingly well, giving fans plenty of twists and turns. But there are plenty of dark, suspenseful iterations of Batman.
While aspects of the new Batman film seem promising, it seems like the movie just wants to continue the vibe of Nolan and Burton. The fresh, campy take may give fans a whole new appreciation for the Dark Knight so the gritty versions of Batman don’t fall at risk of getting stale.
9 Jim Carrey Can Reprise His Role As The Riddler
Fans weren’t too keen on Tommy Lee Jones’ performance as Two Face in Batman Forever. But Jim Carrey fit the character of the Riddler perfectly. Carrey’s zany persona best mirrors the villains of the 1960’s Batman series over any other actor in the Schumacher series.
The Riddler will be the main villain in the new Batman movie with Robert Patterson, which seems to go for a darker Christopher Nolan aspect. But if a campy Forever type film came out, maybe Carrey can reprise his role as the Riddler, much in the same way that Michael Keaton and others are revisiting comic book movie roles they played decades ago.
8 The Lego Batman Movie Proved That Fans Are Willing To Embrace A Funny Batman
The Lego Batman Movie is arguably one of the best Batman movies ever made. Not only does the film have a brilliant character analysis of Batman (and his relationship with The Joker) but it playfully pokes fun at past versions of Batman from Adam West to Nolan.
Lego Batman was a critical and commercial success, with many critics praising the animation, the humor, and the family friendly chaos. Will Arnett is even said to be Ben Affleck’s favorite Batman. There’s obviously a demand for a chaotic Batman movie that is jam packed with jokes and merriment for all viewers.
7 It Could Introduce Campy Twists On Villains That Have Never Had That Before
Between the ’60s Batman and the Schumacher movies, we’ve seen a lot of portrayals of classic villains through a quirky lens. But Batman has plenty of classic villains that haven’t gotten the opportunity to be campy on the big screen.
There’s certainly potential for an eccentric version of villains such as the Scarecrow or Clay Face. The animated series The Batman has explored campy animation while still having some ghastly aspects of some predecessors. But some fans felt that series had gotten key villains wrong. The same criticism has been aimed toward Schumacher’s movies. Maybe this is the time to finally get new campier versions of certain villains right.
6 The Darkly Campy Allure Of Burton’s Films Worked Well
Tim Burton’s films were extremely monumental for Batman’s stature in pop culture. The arrival of Batman in 1989 caused a Bat like frenzy in the early ’90s. One of the reasons Burton’s films are so great is their ability to blend campiness of previous Batmans with a gothic aura the fans have come to adore.
Burton does this specifically well with contrasting bright colors in a dark setting. There’s a gleefully cartoonish posture to Danny DeVito’s penguin and Jack Nicholson’s Joker. Yet they can also be surprisingly graphic, such as the Joker stabbing a mobster in a throat with a feather pen. If a campy film is done in a similar Burton style, it could work.
5 A Campy Batman Movie Could Finally Bring Back The Classic “Fun” Joker
Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of representations of the Joker. More often than not, The Joker is a disturbing psychopath with a murderous sense of humor. While that is very satisfying on one level, many fans long for a throwback to Cesar Romero’s Joker.
Romero’s Joker was a wacky and mischievous bad guy. Although he’s still a villain, Romero’s not nearly as unsettling as other Jokers. With all the Heath Ledgers and Joaquin Phoenixs of the DC universe, a funny, kooky version of the Joker may entice fans.
4 A Lighter Take On Batman Would Help Bring In Younger Fans
Batman never had a problem staying relevant as he’s been super popular for decades and decades. But Batman typically has the same kind of morose, serious layer for the last few decades. The hero turned an especially dark corner on screen in Burton’s films and after Jason Todd’s death in the comics.
Adding a sillier version of Batman could bring in a younger generation to the franchise, or an older fan base that would enjoy a Batman that’s not completely consumed with the death of his parents.
3 A Funnier Batman Can Rival Marvel’s Comic Relief
In the past decade, it’s been said that Marvel had outshone DC in regard to movies. One theory behind this is that Marvel is really good at adding comic relief to their story lines. There were numerous problems that DC fans had with movies such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and pre-Snyder cut Justice League. But maybe these movies would be better if they had a self deprecating shot at themselves (looking at Lego Batman).
DC could use a campy Batman to acknowledge to the audience, between the serious moments, that they’re watching a superhero movie. A funnier Batman could help a modern but campier version succeed with viewers.
2 The World Could Use A Lighthearted Version Of Batman Right Now
Super heroes give people a sense of escapism. During these tough, unprecedented times, a light hearted Batman will probably be welcomed with open arms. The doom that looms over Gotham may be too much for the viewers to handle who have gone through a lot this past year.
A goofier, campier Batman, or even a wise cracking Batman, rather than the typical brooding Batman will uplift fans spirits after going through a historically bad year.
1 Fans Are Always Yearning For Nostalgia
Playing off of consumers’ attachment to nostalgia has always been a popular marketing technique. This had been employed through selling graphic t-shirts or collectibles for decades ago. Todd Phillips’ The Joker had invoked a Scorsese like Taxi Driver style to his film (as well as The King of Comedy).
Movies such as the remake of It and the series Stranger Things have also gained popularity with their fondness for yesteryear. While some may not remember Adam West, the ones that do would definitely pay money to see a throwback to the 1960s TV series and a movie. There could also be a chance, as stated before, to introduce the zany, Adam West-type Batman to a new generation of fans.
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