With the recent news of an animated movie being adapted from the Batman ’66 TV show, as well as a resurgence of the show’s popularity (probable thanks to the show finally being released on DVD and Blu-ray last November) we were thinking of a huge live-action remake of the show. Yeah, there was that TV movie a long while ago about the behind the scenes of the show itself, but we’re talking a recast of an original episode, or even the movie. Keeping the show’s zany and campy vibes and set design, here’s a look at how we would take Batman ’66 into present day. While nobody can ever replace Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero, Frank Gorshin, and Burgess Meredith, this could be a fun experiment down the line.
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Bruce Wayne/Batman – Jon Hamm
This one kind of seems like a big duh moment. For the past 8 years, Hamm has won critical acclaim and several nominations for his portrayal as Don Draper on AMC’s Mad Men, but Hamm actually has been flexing his comedic chops over the years as well. With roles in Bridesmaids, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, and even recently in the Netflix original series The Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt, Hamm has proven he has great comedic timing and delivery that are in tune with what was started with West donning the cape decades ago.
Dick Grayson/Robin – Troy Gentile
The Goldberg’s is one of ABC’s newest shows that feels like a time warp to my 1980’s or at least any kid from around that time. Gentile plays the lovable, goofy, and somewhat moronic big brother Barry on the show with such charisma and fun, he’d be a perfect fit for the Boy Wonder that Burt Ward made famous. The “Holy X, Batman!” will still be utilized of course, and Gentile has equal parts charm and whimsy and something about his persona that screams “sidekick” that makes him a good choice to don the tights and tiny cape.
Alfred – Timothy Dalton
Before he was Bond, Timothy Dalton was a man of the stage. Having studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and quickly moved from there to TV and movies starring with the likes of Richard Harris and other notable actors at a reasonably young age. Dalton recently returned to TV as the mysterious Sir Malcolm on Penny Dreadful, a sort of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen-type show, but him as an Alan Napier-type of Alfred would be something extraordinary by itself.
Commissioner Gordon – Dan Castellaneta
This one is just kind of funny to me. Castellaneta has voiced Homer Simpson for almost 30 years, but does take the live-action route on the occasion starring The Pursuit of Happyness alongside Will Smith and Super 8. Castellaneta comedic wit is enough to capture the sometimes vacant expressions of the constantly-troubled police commissioner.
Chief O’Hara – Brendan Gleeson
Gordon had his own sidekick in the form of Police Chief O’Hara who pretty much the most stereotypical Irish police stereotype we’ve seen since, well, probably something out of a cartoon. O’Hara did his best to maintain his fight against crime in Gotham City, but obviously was outnumbered and outsmarted at every given turn. Brendan Gleeson is mainly known mostly for dramatic roles, but his turn in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire showed that he had a larger range and working out a role like O’Hara could be something else to show off Gleeson’s comedic style.
Aunt Harriet – Phyllis Logan
Because it’s not truly Batman ’66 without Aunt Harriet. I feel that Phyllis Logan of Downton Abbey fame fills that mousy and care-taking tone of fussy old Aunt Harriet. Harriet was never a major player, but always offered moral support to Bruce and Dick if need be and added a sort of sweetness to the show that would have otherwise been absent.
The Joker – Will Arnett
How do you top both Cesar Romero or Mark Hamill as TV’s Joker? You really can’t, but you can join them. Arnett is a contemporary comedy legend and seems like just the right fit for the show. Arnett can be creepy, smooth, but still overall funny. He might not be as giggly as Romero’s performance, but he could be in the same hysterical wheelhouse with over the top gestures and laughter.
Catwoman – Alana De La Garza
Much like Arnett, it’s hard to top such a performance like Romero’s, but with De La Garza, there’s even more competition as there are three Catwomen to be compared to. De La Garza’s performance as ADA Connie Rubirosa on Law & Order, as well as her recent work on Forever as Jo Martinez shows her fierceness, but the potential to show off how she’d handle being on the other side of the law could be fun. She definitely has the right look for a 1960’s Selina Kyle and Catwoman’s trademark catsuit would look spectacularly well on her.
The Riddler – Jim Rash
Adam West has mentioned more than once that his favorite villain to work with was Frank Gorshin’s Riddler. Gorshin brought the Prince of Puzzles to life for the first time and even Jim Carrey’s performance in Batman Forever was incredibly influenced by Gorshin’s body movements and spastic nature. Oscar winner Jim Rash has shown similar attributes on TV cult favorite Community as the Dean. His wiry frame and having the courage to be the butt of jokes at his expense comes in handy when taking big comedic bumps as the Riddler.
The Penguin – Hank Azaria
How could this not be the greatest? Azaria is a known voice actor and comedian in his own right, but it’s his nasally voice of Chief Clancy Wiggum from The Simpsons that could easily turn into a a Burgess Meredith-type of squawk. Azaria is a character actor as well and could provide a worthy opponent to Hamm’s Batman. Plus, he’s the second person on the list with comic book movie cred, so that has to count for something, right?
Barbara Gordon/Batgirl – Alison Brie
I admit, this might be a little too on the nose. Brie has shown both dramatic side as Trudy Campbell on AMC’s Mad Men as well as her funny side as sweet and randomly angry Annie Edison on Community. Add in the fact that she reminds me of a young Yvonne Craig, it’s a big no-brainer on who should don the fabulous purple and yellow Batgirl suit. Batgirl in the ’66 series might have seemed tamer than her male counterparts, but didn’t take any guff from any evil-doer and Brie would be a solid addition to the cast.
So readers, I know it’s a far-fetched idea that this would happen, but given the show’s timeless appeal any sort of facsimile would be an extremely difficult thing to cast. West and Ward have carved out their place in history, but having a little fun doesn’t hurt. So who would you add to the cast to the already wild and legendary rogues gallery? Would you change anything? Let us know in the comments.
