If David Fincher Directed 'The Batman'

The Batman has been compared to Fincher's Se7en (1995) due to its dark noir tone and whodunit nature of the trailers. The Batman directed by Matt Reeves has promised in an almost peripheral way that the film will delve into the "detective" nature of Batman's character. That being said, and with no disrespect to Matt Reeves, this is what I believe The Batman would be like if David Fincher stepped into the director's chair.

THE CHARACTERS

Firstly, every Batman film needs a James Gordon. The dynamic between Batman and Gordon is a must-have in any good Batman film. I will be mainly casting actors that have worked with Fincher in the past to keep in line with how he might structure the film itself.

Commissioner James Gordon

Micheal Douglas may not seem like your everyday choice, but his work with Fincher on the Mystery/Thriller film The Game (1997) speaks to his ability to hold his own in that type of world. Also, him being one of the best actors of his generation does help. His James Gordon would by this time be a veteran in the force. Seen too much in Gotham City to believe in redemption. He's just trying to keep the peace for as long as he can. He isn't too thrilled about his daughter Detective Barbara Gordon following in his footsteps as he hopes that she'll leave the city for a better life. He tries to protect her by giving her easy assignments that are way beneath her pay grade. As if trying to get her to quit being a detective.

Detective Barbara Gordon

As far as actors in Fincher's filmography, few have been as captivating in their roles big or small, as Rooney Mara. Her work with Fincher on The Social Network (2010) and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011) is proof enough for her to own the role of Barbara Gordon as her own. This version of the character is pre-Batgirl so she'll be a headstrong, stubborn detective who is constantly at odds with her father the commissioner, about why she gets the "safe" or "easy" assignments in Gotham City. She's seen as a product of nepotism in the GCPD and is mostly shunned by her peers. She develops an unlikely friendship with one Edward Nygma.

The Riddler/Edward Nygma

In what, to me anyway is an obvious pick, I think Edward Norton would make a fantastic Riddler. Norton worked with Fincher on the legendary Fight Club (1999). His frank method approach would make for quite the performance. This version would be a pre-Riddler Edward Nygma who works in the autopsy department of the GCPD. His life is a montage of being berated constantly by his boss and being put down because of his high IQ by his jealous coworkers. He develops an unhealthy obsession with the one person who showed him kindness. A dark and lustful infatuation if you will. With the beautiful and driven Detective Barbara Gordon.

Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot

Yes, it is an odd choice. But Jesse Einsberg as a pre-Penguin Oswald Cobblepot is hard to deny if you think about it. As ironic as it may seem, his performance as Lex Luthor is the ideal audition for the kind of Penguin Fincher is likely to portray. A young Oswald a student pursuing his Bachelor's in Wildlife Biology with a primary focus on, you guessed it, Penguins. For his final year assignment, he must present his thesis to an audience of his peers and to a select few investors who will fund his project if they like it. On the day of his presentation, it's announced that Bruce Wayne will be the guest of honour. Oswald makes his presentation but discovers that he has stage fright coupled with a stuttering problem. He struggles to get his words out until his Lecturer calls him Penguin which prompts the auditorium to chant mockingly at Oswald. Shattering him in a way that just can't be fixed. He approaches Bruce Wayne as he leaves to try and pitch his thesis once more but gets told by the billionaire, "You seem like a good kid, but I can't bet on a loser." Oswald then begins his journey as the Penguin, constructing his identity from a place of pure vengeance. A rage-fueled crusade of sorts against all those who wronged him. Starting with his Lecturer and ending with Bruce Wayne. He starts waiting tables as a part-time gig at a restaurant called "Falcone's Italiana".

Carmine Falcone

"Dirty Napkins are a sin, my boy." I want that to be the opening line. Brian Cox as Carmine Falcone. I have no clue if he can do an Italian- American accent, but in Fincher's filmography, it was either him or Gary Oldman in my mind. Cox has already showcased more than his fair share of diverse performances especially the ones in Zodiac (2007) and his ongoing series, Succession. This Carmine Falcone has been running all the crime in Gotham for decades now. He loves to dine at his restaurant where his wife Fiona cooks and his men are plastered all over like a private army. He notices the way his young part-time waiter Oswald carries himself and soon hires him as his driver. The two develop a sort of friendship and Oswald learns about the art of fear from Falcone further building him as the Penguin. I would imagine a Godfather-type scene where Gordon meets Falcone in his restaurant after getting evidence from the Batman that could put Falcone behind bars where Oswald saves Falcone by shooting Commissioner Gordon in the head. This sets Barbara on the case of her murdered father as Batman investigates in the shadows. Ed Nygma while stalking Barbara meets Oswald Cobblepott setting in motion events that'll lead all parties involved on a one-stop collision course.

Catwoman/Selina Kyle

Amanda Seyfried I feel could be a more than decent Selina Kyle from Fincher's filmography. This version of Selina Kyle is married to a rich oligarch named Igor Slavinsky. The head of the Russian Mafia who's come to Gotham City seeking to take over the Falcone's territory. The tension between Falcone and Igor is at a breaking point. Selina lives a life of luxury and so do her cats. She longs for the days when she leapt across buildings and "liberated" the biggest diamonds you'd ever seen from the hands of many a museum. Her life now consists of pleasing her "husband" whom she married simply to stay alive and afloat. But alas, there is no honour among thieves and she's been carefully siphoning his money into an offshore account. That'll be her biggest score yet. Seeing Batman plastered all over the news excites her. Oh, how she longed to meet him. The man she was meant to be with. She develops a flirtatious but non-sexual relationship with Bruce Wayne. The dashing billionaire is playing mediator in the discussions between his father's old acquaintance Carmine Falcone and Selina's husband, Igor as they try to come to some understanding. How will this little plot point weave its way into the greater plot?

Alfred Pennyworth

Yes, Tywin Lannister himself, the great Charles Dance as the Bat's butler, friend and father figure. His deep voice and British accent. Need I say more? This version of Alfred is a tough and no-nonsense man. He and Bruce share more than just their symbolic worried father and disobedient son relationship. Alfred is good friends with Commissioner Gordon. They've been friends ever since that night in the alley. Alfred expresses his concerns about Bruce to James. Minus the Batman part. Bruce is swimming in dangerous waters. Falcone and Thomas Wayne had a relationship that ended with Thomas dead. What of Bruce? Alfred tries to remind Bruce of his humanity. His self within his being. "Don't lose yourself to the Bat, Master Wayne."

Bruce Wayne/Batman

It had to be Brad. Fincher's No.1 collaborator. Minus the beard, I think Pitt would make a great Bruce Wayne. Set in a dark world built by Fincher, he'll be able to thrive as both Bruce and Batman. He has the vocal capabilities to pull of the voice of the caped crusader and the physicality of the role. The only caveat is he'd need to be a tad younger than he is now. This version of Bruce Wayne is fighting on two fronts. In the day he is a controversial and yet philanthropic billionaire and at night a violently flawed iteration of the Dark Knight. One that struggles immensely with his dual identity. His no kill rule has yet to show itself. This Batman doesn't kill, but he doesn't save them from dying either. He's far from friendly with the GCPD and takes brutality to another level, even going so far as to cripple a dirty cop and hang him by his ankles outside the GCPD station. The police are after him, the criminals want to avoid him and Gotham needs him.

Plot

"I like characters who don't learn from their mistakes." a quote by Fincher himself. Thus, it would stand to reason that the various characters in this film will attempt at some form of personal growth but deep down never really want to change. They just hid it better. The film'll follow Batman as he galivants around Gotham brutalising criminals while also using the city itself as a character in the film. The many characters would suggest a 3-hour runtime to fully encapsulate this world and to give each character room to breathe. Nonetheless, I expect beautifully formed noir with enough darkness to whet your appetite.

Thank you for reading till the end. It means a lot to me that you stuck with this little thought experiment of mine. Do comment down below if you have any thoughts about what Fincher might do if he ever did do Batman.