Despite the rich history of Batman films on screen - both brilliant and downright awful - theres actually a far more rich canon of films that didnt actually make it past the post. Theyre the Bats that failed to take flight. That couldnt escape the cave. And other assorted Bat-puns. Directors as auspicious as Darren Aronofsky, George Miller and Joss Whedon have tried and failed to turn their hand to the Dark Knights franchise, mostly during the fallow period after Joel Schumacher opened so many wounds. Some of those lost pitches inevitably sound incredible, but failed to get off the ground for reasons beyond their quality, while others - particularly like the one suggested by Adam West - were literally batsh*t. So what if they were made? How would the Bat-canon have changed, and most importantly, how would the Rogues Gallery - soon to be extended hugely thanks to Suicide Squad and the expected solo Batfleck stand-alone - look today?
11. ManBat
The Film: DarKnight Believe it or not, Joel Schumacher wasnt all bad. He was badly shackled by Warner Bros desire to sell more toys and bring in the family audience that had been ostracised by Tim Burtons darker vision, and it meant he had to compromise badly on his own vision. In light of the results of that compromise - Batman & Robin - Warner apparently heeded Schumachers darker intent and approached rookies Lee Shapiro and Stephen Wise to pitch a new sequel idea more in tune with the characters grittier origins. As with Batman Begins, Batman 5 - named DarKnight in homage to the made-for-TV vigilante movie, 'Dark Night Of The Scarecrow - focused on the idea of fear. It also introduced Dr Jonathan Crane, who accidentally initiates the transformation of his colleague Dr Kirk Langstrom into the monstrous Manbat. That in turn draws Batman back out of retirement as Gothams citizens believe Manbat to be Bruce Wayne, forcing the Dark Knight to hunt the creature and Dr Crane, himself on a vengeful attack again Gotham for his dismissal from Arkham Asylum. Having the Manbat in a film still feels like a missed opportunity, and lets hope someone is brave enough to go full horror with a future Batman film to make up for it.
