Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Damn it... I am having trouble getting some image issues resolved, and that sucks. I wanted to run some stills with this article, and hopefully I’ll be able to add them in the next few hours. I want to include them because I think they speak for themselves.
See, a couple of months ago, I got a number of e-mails from people with photos attached. An alley. A film crew. Rain at night. And there in the middle of it all, Batman and the Joker. I had no idea what I was looking at. One person swore in their e-mail that the “bald dude” in the crew photos was Darren Aronofsky, and that these were photos from his BATMAN: YEAR ONE project. I could see why someone might think so at first glance. The Batsuit being used was obviously cloth and leather instead of sculpted rubber. The actor in the Batsuit looked like he was in amazing shape, perfectly cast. And the Joker was totally different than Nicholson’s version, much more the demented whip-thin clown of recent comics.
But since I couldn’t begin to figure out what was being shot, I didn’t see any way we could run the images. It was frustrating, but I figured someone would turn up, or some explanation might be forthcoming. Of course, leave it to me to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m stuck in LA all weekend, when it looks like the action’s taking place in San Diego. I’ll let today’s scooper explain:
"Mystery BATMAN film REVEALED"
Moriarty,
Word has it that over the past few months you've received several intriguing photographs from fans in Los Angeles who claimed to have stumbled upon a very elaborate, live-action BATMAN shoot. The sometimes-blurry behind-the-scenes images seemed to indicate that a great-looking Batman was actually going before the cameras in secret. Well, I'm here with the real scoop!
Indeed, there was a BATMAN shoot, but it was for a short film that is currently being kept under lock and key. I have seen this film, and it's any fan boy's wettest dream! It looks AMAZING. I managed to get hold of a few images directly from the 35mm film, and have enclosed them. I think you'll agree that this is the best looking Batman ever put to celluloid. The actor really carries it off, a true testament to the director's casting eye. The story has a majorly PISSED Batman confronting the Joker for the last time in some dark, back alley during a rainstorm. Trust me when I tell you it’s got some mind-blowing surprises in it.
This is proof that you don't need to stick a name actor into a stiff, rubber suit of armor in order to make Batman work in the movies. There is a way to do it right and this director certainly did it. He's an industry professional, and I really want to see more from him. He and his crew are obviously tremendous Batman fans.
I'll try to send you more info on this wild short later this weekend!
Call me, Griffin!
Now, I’ve spoken with Griffin on the phone. He’s not the filmmaker. I’ve also heard rumblings from sources around Kevin Smith, who evidently loves this film, and Alex Ross, who thinks it’s the best visual representation of BATMAN on film so far. This thing seems to be striking a chord with anyone who gets to see it. I've even heard about a few other characters in the short who weren't in those photos, and if what I'm hearing is true, this is a crazy, crazy short film, and a fan fantasy fulfilled.
I wish I could chat with you and tell you exactly where to go in San Diego if you want to see this film. I’ve heard word that fans who keep their eyes open may get a peek at it during Comic-Con. I’m personally dying to get my hands on a copy to see if this is really as well-made as I’m hearing. Anyone who has seen this thing... let me know what you think. The curiousity is driving me crazy.
"Moriarty" out.
Now for the pictures:
