I noticed today some people disliking the look of Bane in Chris Nolan’s third instalment in the Batman franchise, The Dark Knight Rises. Most wanting a style that resembles the comic book, which I understand as I used to want that before and just as comic book movies were starting to make its initial strides in Hollywood. But, at some point I realized, although I loved pro wrestling, not many would make great actors. Not knocking the boys, they have the builds down to a “t” in some cases, just stating that these films have been carried by mostly great acting and directing. I remember when the first X-Men movie was coming out and first wondering, who the hell is Hugh Jackman? Second, after finding out somewhat who he was and what he looked like, I thought he was too tall and didn’t look badass enough to carry the claws of Wolverine. Jackman used his acting ability and work ethic to make it work wonderfully. I say work ethic, as Hugh was ripped for the solo instalment (favourite scene is when he pops out of the tank and then takes the bullet off the head).

Looking too much like the books can lead to problems ranging from small to big. From poor acting, to having to use CGI which can look lifeless taking away from the “coolness” of what we are watching, as well as the fact that some comic book characters outfits look a tad bit cheesy, especially in real life. 

Here’s some fails or would be fails following the comic book style too closely. Only my opinion of course.

Robin. The Boy Wonder’s costume? Although it can work in art form, on screen it looks kind of tacky. Remember the 1960’s version? Cheese intended, but looked tawdry. However, Robin’s outfit in Batman Forever was actually not a bad upgrade, and his costume in Batman & Robin was one of the high points in my opinion, looking like Nightwing but with a cape.

Wonder Woman. Okay, Lynda Carter was able to pull it off, but that was the latter end of the 1970’s. Yes, I am a hetero-sexual male, and would still watch the original look being used, but I just think it’s time for an upgrade somewhat, and what would the feminist say? Aha! I liked the look from the recent series that was rejected (the look was only good thing, story was weak), but since I feel it should go back to her homeland story wise, I thought an Amazon meets Gladiator type look would be perfect also. Not sure “who” this is in the picture, but the look is spot on.

Martian Manhunter. Wouldn’t be a total fail, but would they keep the underwear look? I can picture a close resemblance to Dr. Manhattan from The Watchmen just green and not glowing.

Bane. They have tried before and failed. Batman & Robin featured a Bane that although looked similar to his comic book repertoire, looked horrible. To make matters worse, he was made out to be a mindless oaf. Also, the tubing at the back of his head, in my opinion, make him very vulnerable. In The Dark Knight Rises we see a Bane sporting almost a Hannibal Lector meets Scorpion of Mortal Kombat, but if you look close they appear to be tubing leading to the mouth and nose. I think, I may be wrong, but the quickest way to get drugs into the system is through inhalation, or was it the drug is more potent? Either way, perhaps this is how he uses the Venom Formula, or it was simply a way to make him look more like a Badass who broke the Bat instead of a low promotion wrestler he does in the comic books. Who knows, but remember there were some Heath Ledger haters, and well they still are sucking it large aha! Personally though, it is the story of this version of Bane that intrigues me. Remember, Bane didn’t just break Batman using his strength and power; he also used a very high intellect.

Anyone who wears just Spandex. Honestly, it just doesn’t really work in real life. Yes, Spidey sported the stretch, but the webbing was 3D-ish to compensate. Like I said before, the comic book movies need great stories as well as good to great acting to work properly. Even back in the Action Movies hayday, there were still only really Arnold and Sly with jacked up physiques, but the acting range isn’t really there. Most of the good actors out there are far from the physiques that would fill out the spandex costumes. Hugh Jackman beefed up pretty good to play Wolvie and still wouldn’t have been able to pull neither the yellow and blue or the brown, black and yellow suits. I suppose other would argue that Christopher Reeves pulled it off in the Superman movies, but he didn’t “nail it”. I am talking “look” not in no way performance.

Going back to pro wrestlers though, I feel they should be used as henchmen for sure in these movies. Especially for “brainy” villains or ones that would simply use these guys to soften up the hero, such as The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, etc (yes, the brain is in the Cave aha). I did like Triple H (Paul Levesque) in Blade: Trinity, limited yet good lines, and had the back ground for the fight scenes with Reynolds to make it look better (hate noticing a double at work). Kevin Nash as The Russian in The Punisher (2004), however I did not. First Big Sexy looked silly, and had nothing to say, the man is great on a mic and can do lines, just watch The Longest Yard (2005). Also, this would allow the comic book movie maker to possibly use WWE to reach what is typically the exact same market that the movie is targeting. The Rock (Dwayne Johnson)is going to play Roadblock (I think) in the next instalment of G.I. Joe, but I could see a wrestler or former wrestler getting evolved eventually in the franchise, seeing how popular Sgt. Slaughter was back in the day.