Tim Burton’s Batman 3 Almost Got The Comic Book Treatment
DC Comics has created a number of homages to cult TV shows based on their characters. Batman ’66, was a continuation of the Adam West TV series in comic book form, while Wonder Woman ’77 did the same for Lynda Carter’s classic Seventies TV show. Both these comic book runs were well-received, and it seemed that further adaptations of classic shows or movies would be in demand. At least this is what Joe Quinones and Kate Leth thought. The comic duo, who were directly inspired by Batman ’66, pitched turning Tim Burton’s unmade Batman 3 into a comic book miniseries entitled, Batman ’89. Unfortunately, DC Comics rejected the idea as Quinones explained on his blog.
It’s another blow for fans who wanted to see Tim Burton’s Batman 3. Not only would the proposed comic have given some closure for fans, it would have expanded the “Burton-verse”. However, there is some satisfaction–and also a lot of frustration–in seeing Quinones’ concept art bring to life some of Tim Burton’s characters from Batman 3.
Batman ’89 would have picked up directly after the events of Batman Returns effectively ignoring Batman Forever. It’s a good idea. Fans had been vocal about their dislike for Joel Schumacher’s two Batman films, and with numerous details of Tim Burton’s third film circulating the internet, a comic book run would have fit into DC’s comic stable nicely.
In Quinones’ drawings, the dark, Gothic world of Burton’s Gotham forms the backdrop for the continuing adventures of Batman and Catwoman, both drawn in the likeness of Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer respectively.
What is even more interesting is that part of the project would have followed Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two Face. Not Tommy Lee Jones version, but Billy Dee Williams who played Gotham’s District Attorney in the first film. While no one could fault Jones’ casting as Two Face on paper, on film it proved to be one of Jones’ worst performances.
Another interesting inclusion in the pitch is the likeness of Marlon Wayans with the characteristic “R” for Robin emblazoned on his shirt. This reflects one of Burton’s jettisoned ideas. Before Chris O’Donnell wore Robin’s suit in Batman Forever, Marlon Wayans got the part in Batman Returns. Unfortunately for Wayans, the role fell through because Burton believed the film was already overstuffed with characters and their origin stories.
In addition, Quinones and Leth also speculated on which actors Burton would have cast for other important characters in Batman’s world. One of Quinones’ drawings depicts a dark-haired girl with glasses, who is none other than Barbara Gordon a.k.a. Batgirl. Here, Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl has been erased from history. Someone speculated on Quinones’ Twitter feed that his rendition of Batgirl looked like Winona Ryder. Quinones responded that their Batgirl is, in fact, Christina Ricci.
During the mid-90s, Ricci played a long list of dark, Burtonesque-like characters like Wednesday Adams in The Adams Family. So, it seems fair that Ricci would have been considered by Burton if an additional Burton Bat film eventuated. Nevertheless, Quinones also responded with a picture of Batgirl in her suit, which looks suitably Burtonesque in design, with an interesting, retro-looking Bat poncho.
Funnily enough, Quinones did say that Winona Ryder wasn’t left out, and was considered for the part of Zatanna. No drawings of her proposed character were presented. But he did show drawings of Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Though Quinones does not say who he had in mind when drawing these two, Poison Ivy does look like Geena Davis, who was a big Nineties star.
