The studio had hoped to start fresh with a new take on the character that would distance itself from the previous installments. Joss Whedon and Joel Schumacher were among the filmmakers who pitched their own ideas, but ultimately it was Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain) who was chosen to write and direct the film.
Aronofsky had made a name for himself with his independent films Pi and Requiem for a Dream, which were both praised for their bold and unconventional approaches. Aronofsky's involvement in the Batman project was seen as a sign that the studio was willing to take risks with the franchise.
To create a new and unique take on the character, Aronofsky and Frank Miller (The Killing Joke) decided to focus on the early years of Batman's crime-fighting career. Their script would have explored Batman's origins and the motivations behind his decision to fight crime. Unlike previous Batman films, the Aronofsky-Miller version would have portrayed Batman as a flawed and complex character, struggling with his own demons as he battles Gotham's criminal underworld.
Aronofsky had made a name for himself with his independent films Pi and Requiem for a Dream, which were both praised for their bold and unconventional approaches. Aronofsky's involvement in the Batman project was seen as a sign that the studio was willing to take risks with the franchise.
To create a new and unique take on the character, Aronofsky and Frank Miller (The Killing Joke) decided to focus on the early years of Batman's crime-fighting career. Their script would have explored Batman's origins and the motivations behind his decision to fight crime. Unlike previous Batman films, the Aronofsky-Miller version would have portrayed Batman as a flawed and complex character, struggling with his own demons as he battles Gotham's criminal underworld.
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| This film did get made... |
One of the major departures from the source material in the Aronofsky-Miller script was the portrayal of the Batmobile. In previous movies, the Batmobile had always been a high-tech vehicle filled with gadgets and weapons. But in the Aronofsky-Miller version, the Batmobile was simply a tricked-out car. This decision was in keeping with their desire to create a more grounded and realistic version of Batman. Eventually, The Batman with Robert Pattison used the tricked out car idea to great effect.
Another departure from the source material was Batman's decision to turn his back on his fortune and live a street life. This choice was made to give Batman a deeper connection to the people he was trying to protect. By living among them and experiencing their struggles firsthand, Batman would be better equipped to fight for justice.
Despite the creative differences between Aronofsky, Miller, and the studio, the unmade Batman film remains a fascinating "what if" in the history of superhero movies. It serves as a reminder of how difficult it can be to bring a bold and unconventional vision to the screen (ask Tim Burton about Superman Lives), and how important it is to find the right balance between creative risk-taking and commercial success.
Eventually, the reigns of the Batman character and Year One were handed over to Christopher Nolan who turned Year One into the magnificent Batman Begins.
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