Batman: Year One - The R-Rated Reboot That Almost Was (ft. Frank Miller)

Before Batman began... we almost got Batman: Year One!
After 1997's Batman & Robin was released to negative reviews, fan disappointment, and mediocre box office, it was clear execs at Warner Bros. thought it was time to re-imagine Batman. The studio developed a variety of Bat-projects, most of which never made it past the script phase, and one of the most intriguing of these would-be Batman movies was surely Darren Aronofsky and Frank Miller's Batman: Year One, which was conceived as a violent, low-budget, R-rated revision of the Dark Knight's legend -- more French Connection and Taxi Driver than superhero adventure.
IGN has traced the history of this film, going back to talk to some of the key players involved, like the legendary Frank Miller and Warner Bros. President Worldwide Production at the time, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, in order to unmask the true story of the Batman: Year One movie that almost was!
For more Inside Stories, check out these awesome deep dives:
The Unofficial Avatar Game With Millions of Admirers
• The Unofficial Avatar ...
The Lie That Helped Build Nintendo
• The Lie That Helped Bu...
Saving Siege: Ubisoft's Hard Fought Victory:
• Batman: Year One - The...
#ign

[@vitotito12]

You know your batman is way too dark and edgy when Frank Miller says: "My Batman was too nice for him"

[@pulkitsharma4927]

To be fair, his batman was always the nice guy. It was his Gotham that was more cynical and dirty.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

@@pulkitsharma4927 In that sense, his Batman was actually closer to the original 1940's Batman, minus Gotham being so poor and crime-ridden.

[@lukeg6017]

Pulkit Sharma Nah bro his Batman wasn’t always the nice guy, read TDKR sequels or All Star Batman and Robin

[@dcworld4349]

@@lukeg6017 Once Robin was introduced the darkest he got was the Neal Adams Bond Batman era before TDKR. But the sequels were really bad, Carrie as Batman is dope AF but the rest of the books are just him taking crazy pills. I actually like Allstar as an elseworlds story but doesn't make sense as a part of the same universe given he's an actual psychopath. Even Oliver from season 1 of Arrow would question his actions.

[@zachariahkendrick3078]

Pro tip: you can watch movies at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching a lot of movies lately.

[@neelchavan8935]

I honestly expected an R rated Batman before an R rated wolverine or a PG-13 Deadpool but I guess not

[@Great-Tiger]

Wolverine and Deadpool kill a lot more people.

[@Shy223]

It's pg 13

[@neelchavan8935]

flamingo agent omega what

[@ShamrockdYA]

Deadpool is R Rated tho?

[@neelchavan8935]

ShamrockdYA I’ve l once upon a Deadpool is PG-13

[@caedengoering]

They should still release this. Make it under their black label “Joker” universe of disconnected and serious films. This is the one Batman movie that never happened that I would love to see.

[@juliovillalobos2133]

That feeling when the black label “joker” universe sounds better than anything they could possibly be working on.

[@TrunksG]

@@juliovillalobos2133 yeah, i mean. The things that they could do with that liberty. Imagine being able to watch Batman or Superman movies, or anything else, competing for prizes at cannes. Or Venice, or even the Oscars. It would be something from another world

[@purnenduray1130]

Best idea 🔥🔥🔥 if only WB make it true ❤️

[@thedirtyroom_3564]

So you’ve never seen Batman begins?

[@TrunksG]

@@thedirtyroom_3564 we mean. More darker than batman begins. Not a pg13 film, we mean a r rated film.

[@SlothmanTV]

I think we’re at a point where we can have two or three different iterations of Batman portrayed for the big screen, one for the adults one for the teens one for the little kids.

[@josephstalin9139]

That's exactly what makes Batman such an (inevitable) incredible success on all platforms (Comic books, cartoons, video games, movies).

[@freshprinceofnightcity]

100℅ agree with you.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

I read The Dark Knight Returns when I was eleven so...

[@thedirtyroom_3564]

Teens and adults would have the same Batman if someone tried to make a “Teens” version of Batman it would just feel like a watered down version of the adult one.

[@officialutubechan]

One for the fans

[@Ben82077]

Bruce: ...A distracting scar will conceal my identity. Or glasses...that seems to work in Metropolis.

[@John-X]

and a nerdy demeanor. I think Superman just counted on people thinking it would be too ridiculous for a guy like him to be Superman.

[@ComicWriter-ml3qt]

John Doe in one comic that actually happened. But I’ve heard in modern tales, he changes a lot of subtle details like posture, his voice, how well his appearance is, and how he walks.

[@davymcgravy7778]

Actually, Superman's glasses change people's perception of the wearer

[@nayeebG]

WB is the ONLY reason alot of Great DC movies were cancelled. This script already gave me goosebumps. I hope Matt reeves makes a serious,dark Batman movie.

[@lootpack7744]

Congrats!

[@punishedsneed]

It looks like it will be. The Riddler is straight murdering people and teasing Batman.

[@coltonhoeckendorf6562]

Have you seen the reaction to the test screening? People are saying it's closer to a horror movie than anything. Very dark apparently

[@antona.1327]

They also canceled a lot of terrible ones. And we got a dark and serious Batman trilogy regardless of Year One. So what is your point, exactly?

[@tank-o-rak]

it does.

[@ShadowFox746]

This is sort of how I would picture Bruce growing up in Todd Phillips’ Joker. Honestly, they could reuse this script as a sequel to that and have Phoenix reprise his role as the antagonist.

[@L.K-19]

Shadow Fox The script was really bad No

[@Suleimanfilmaker]

@@L.K-19 how is it bad please explain further

[@mrcuboid]

A Batmobile with a supercharged school bus engine and no headlights. Someone needs to pick this script up and make it a movie ASAP.

[@freddyjosereginomontalvo4667]

Do you see the Batmobile chase from The Batman?

[@c1audius]

I think Batman’s internal dialogue is definitely something missing from the movies 🦇

[@Goo_Ze]

👀speaking facts

[@porc1429]

Well you gotta see the new Batman movie

[@Da_doggo104]

@@porc1429 facts that is my second favorite Batman movie

[@qownsqud3207]

Always thought what made Batman's no kill rule so important and significant was the amount of violence that surrounded him.

[@Niko-uf5kh]

I expected this to be a lot longer imo. Like at least 30 min to an hour.

[@adamdavis1737]

Not from IGN :(

[@Niko-uf5kh]

Adam Davis this felt like a countdown video forreal

[@adamdavis1737]

Legit I want a documentary on this script lol

[@tsepomatjaka2700]

Duuddeee i legit expected like at least a two part thing or something

[@Niko-uf5kh]

Adam Davis the only way to have a PROPER length video. Lol

[@simplygamin07]

Well, Pattinson's Batman looks quite promising from the trailer they released in the DC Fandome.

[@Riddem79]

Yeeees

[@Riddem79]

10/21/21

[@grimmywizard]

And it's gonna be year two Batsy

[@grimmywizard]

@@Riddem79 not anymore I'm afraid

[@braedyngaming7767]

R-rated Batman. Interesting

[@cinfernoproductions392]

Already is some

[@bobbyshewan4229]

Cinferno Productions BvS isn’t just a Batman movie tho. Unless you mean the animated movies too

[@SkullKingOG]

i truly believe u can make a batman movie rated R without him using guns or killing. i mean look at the brutal things he did to people in the arkham games. look at the animated movies and how brutal he is in most if those. if he does kill tho its gotta be the joker cause well come on the joker is ALWAYS batsies first murder

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

Honestly they can take inspiration from the Daredevil TV show it doesn't necessarily kill or use any weapon to kill them but he definitely is brutal

[@v-trigger6137]

I believe Daredevil did something like that. the tone was very dark, r-rated. but Daredevil never killed anyone, he just sticked with his no killing code (although he did beat up people very brutally). they can definitely do something like that with a r-rated batman. the thing though I just don't understand is that, why these filmmakers thinks that batman necessarily needs to kill to make the movie dark. like his no killing code is the whole reason what makes him a humanist complex character, if you get rid of that code, then he will be just another punisher type vigilante character in mask with no meaning at all.. it's a simple thing that these filmmakers just don't understand

[@SkullKingOG]

also when u REALLY think about it some of the stuff bats does is even worse than death. i mea u KNOW at least some people he "fights" are gonna be in wheelchairs forever or be eating crap thru a friggin straw for the rest of their lives. i mean even his dang batarangs actually stab into and impale people they just dont kill them. honestly if i ever was a crimimal and i saw batman diving for me id rather shoot myself than let him put me in a life long coma

[@bobbyshewan4229]

V - Trigger biggest problem with BvS. Snyder does not understand Batman or Superman

[@Ryuga-2015]

You mean without him having the use of guns.

[@alexbrooks3605]

Wish you guys had mentioned the actors considered for the role. Darren wanted Joaquin Phoenix to play Batman, but the studios wanted Freddie Prinze Jr.

[@chillywilly3285]

The studios always mess everything up

[@parthbhavar4729]

"I'm not wearing hockey pads!"

[@WealthyHomeless]

Yeah that was probably what made in the nolan version or may a coincidence

[@darcocondre7572]

DR FISHYY NOOOOOOOOO

[@Bowman-sk3xw]

What’s the difference between me and you I’m not wearing hockey pads 😂

[@petergant8767]

I'm guessing that Batman by this point has started wearing body armor, after his fight with the Gotham Police Department!

[@arielhurts]

Isn’t Batman begins basically year one?

[@chrisbridston3438]

Night Wolf 🐺 NIIIIICE...👍🏼 pullin out the deep cuts .. great stories

[@cinfernoproductions392]

Yes

[@spooderdude5949]

Different cinematic universe bud

[@carloquibot]

@Night Wolf the dark knight is the one inspired by long halloween right? with harvey dent's origin and all

[@carloquibot]

@Night Wolf ohhh i see i see

[@cheemsjr9450]

This could’ve been a great connection to the 2019 joker movie

[@grimmywizard]

Absolutely. WB has been wasting so much potential

[@AWMK101]

Autoshop batman is not a great idea

[@Gideon13397]

@@AWMK101 You're half the reason why we don't get great films now.

[@gumbi5612]

@@AWMK101 Lol why not that's basically what Matt Reeves Batman did in his movie made everything himself even his car and the Batman cave almost look like a autoshop lol so what's the problem with that🤷‍♂️

[@tran961]

The closest to an R-Rated Batman is playing the "evil" path of the Batman Telltale Series.

[@lorinrusu5893]

The Dark Knight Returns is the R-Rated Batman

[@Gideon13397]

@@lorinrusu5893 This script, if it had been made would have went further beyond than what Frank Miller's was cooking up in his dungeon of terror.

[@nayeebG]

That cancelled movie would've been a game changer.

[@jon2813]

Batman Begins was a far bigger game changer than this edgy take could had

[@nayeebG]

@@jon2813 Well, this one never happened. Look at the time this was announced. If it did, people would've lost their minds.

[@hsehovic63]

@@jon2813 lol, no. Nolan's films are overrated

[@3badthebad]

well now we have The Batman to fill in that role 😂

[@ARealGamerGrill]

Some guy: "Yo dude the pimp saw your face! Better put a fake scar on!" Batman: "What about my dad's one of a kind ring with a giant 'W' on it?" Some guy: "Nah bro don't worry about that just say it's an upside down 'M'"

[@GD-fi7rm]

I’m kinda glad it didn’t get released cause if it did than we never would have gotten the dark knight.

[@user-vo1ls6xg4f]

Sounds more like an Elseworld story.

[@yugioh887]

Yea like now they actually can hire them back to do it because of the multiverse thing

[@AWMK101]

Yeah the him not being a billionaire is very odd for how the character works

[@BriantheWolverine]

I’m still glad we got Batman Begins instead.

[@esdraslopez4658]

Strongly agree

[@JohnnyDreddXD]

Well... I sure don't I want Batman Forever 2 still

[@milkiassamuel780]

I always felt that was an almost perfect representation of the Year One storyline, with a few changes hear and there.

[@mr.lonewolf8199]

Agree, whole Nolan trilogy was great

[@mist7628]

Hmm? It would be cool if they made Year One The Long Halloween Dark Victory As a movie trilogy, then I’d prefer it over the dark knight trilogy

[@ozeirGD]

Well at least they let Christopher Nolan make one of the best superhero trilogy of all time. The Dark Knight Trilogy is what makes Batman awesome again.

[@xeflatio93]

for me this makes much more sense... Instead of a Bruce who grew in a mansion protected by wealth and big walls unaware of how the underworld works a Bruce that grew in the streets knowing every play in the book until reaching the peak.

[@nl5147]

Do You even know Batman lore ? 😂

[@oseverything5413]

I just realized that in this video’s description the reimagined r rated Batman film is described as similar to the French connection and taxi driver, and in dc Fandome yesterday, Matt reeves said that his Batman film will be similar to the French connection and taxi driver

[@henrybraxton5797]

Why must everything be R Rated? Thats the problem with world.. Everybody is angry Batman and movies can be gritty... People forget Batman was a great detective... Wheres the thiller thats not only gritty and action packed but is a great crime thiller wheres the sherlock side of Batman? Where he figures out a mystery and solves it that wows us... I think writers are missing that mark... U can do and still be dark gritty.. Cuz Batmans skills has to survive the Streets he in so being half ninja works. Gives him an edge an upper hand..

[@ishaansharma8215]

matt reeves hears you brother

[@Quares02]

😎

[@Apache3617]

The Batman 2021 with Robert Pattinson is actually going to be more of a Noir like you’re describing. It’ll be interesting

[@zer0w1nz35]

This seems a bit like Batman Year One, the animated movie

[@bigd8924]

Great movie btw :)

[@crimsonchin4889]

@@bigd8924 Agreed

[@dumbot12]

More like the comic Year One

[@Dylan-cu4ty]

*Batfleck* in a "Rated R" Batman movie would have been amazing.

[@servorobotva2955]

But that’s not happening is it

[@MrGogoido]

Its looks like Matt Reeves took some notes from this script for The Batman (handmade suit and very gritty approach) I really hope this one has an R rating too.

[@darkknightfan7520]

I think frank reused some of this for all star Batman and Robin for how crazy Batman is in that one.

[@markpatjoebilldinousar1111]

This movie sounds so f**cking HARD . DEF the type of batman movie id want to see. It sounds so wild , dark , gritty and awesome

[@stsolomon618]

This is somewhat similar to The Batman

[@coreyfishwick3454]

I feel like matt reeves, the batman will take a lot from this version

[@gumbi5612]

Fact's I feel the same n I hope it's R rated to

[@Doyouevenart69]

Nah actually quite the contrary, I feel if you’re done the research, you’d know that Reeves Version will very much so more akin to the books, especially the new 52 and Scott Snyder’s run. Darrens version, while amazing, is literally absolutely nothing like the books whatsoever

[@ferstnaimlaastnaim6732]

It’ll be like a comics accurate version of this one. So basically the best of both worlds

[@sonamtashi7706]

There’s similarities to Reeves Batman whose Batsuit looks homemade & almost patched together instead of the sleeker begins version & his batmobile is basically a heavily customized & armored muscle car. Reeves Batman seems like a rich guy who cobbles together his gear but doesn’t have a gadget guy like Lucius probably because he’s still so new to this gig so he doesn’t trust as many people. Always wondered how Batman got all that heavy equipment & construction done in the batcave if only he & Alfred know about it.

[@therocketboost]

Frank Miller already gave the world all the joy it needed when he wrote the Vanilla Ice song Ninja Rap for the soundtrack of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of The Ooze.

[@BatmanKnightfan]

7:29 this is darker than Zack Snyder’s Batman. Best one

[@theempiredidnothingwrong3227]

Having read the amazing year one comics I'm so sad this didn't happen

[@matt55800]

To be fair, this version of Year One is way different than the original comic, Batman Begins was closer to Year One, cause this version was gonna make so many changes

[@andrewh978]

This version is not like the comic at all. It would have been interesting to see, sure, but it’s not exactly an accurate “adaptation”

[@jsherpa25]

We got Pattinson’s Batman now ☺️ what a masterpiece.

[@ja_sh9799]

I wanted a batman r rated film It is the only thing that can put dc over marvel

[@v0dka885]

Umbrella Corporation i know but that was Fox movies which marvel gave the license to use Deadpool but i see what you mean

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

Rated R doesn't mean everything DC can actually go darker and Explorer elseworld stories that gives them the edge over Marvel

[@Tonebonethetiger]

😂😂

[@xthelegend89]

What is this obsession with going “over” Marvel? Just enjoy what you enjoy. Believe me, your life won’t get any better if DC movies start making more money than Marvel movies.

[@ja_sh9799]

@@xthelegend89 jeez chill, I'm just saying they'll be at an advantage cos then dc can embrace a true "dc comic" level of darkness And be more edgy Marvel can only do dat with venom and Deadpool (occasionally Wolverine) Thus giving dc a wider audience that will look forward to dc movies just like they do for marvel

[@charlesphilips2045]

"The studio shrieked in horror..." My sentiments exactly.

[@rohan34]

The Pattinson Batman is going to be in this kind

[@xerxesmontes9828]

The production quality for this video is incredible. Thank you

[@SicSemperBeats]

this just makes me more appreciative of Dark Knight. true drama and down to rights reality with very few punches thrown. I wasn't the biggest fan of the third film but honestly I wish they would have just continued the Nolan franchise and made a universe off of that. the dc films we have now lack so much cohesion, with Wonder Woman honestly being the only GREAT movie lately. (I liked aquaman tho and uncut bvs too)

[@jacob2971]

This sounds a LOT like the batman , would be surprised if Matt took inspiration from it

[@kjh7108]

So we almost got Batman Year One, A Nicolas Cage superman and a George Miller Justice League. Man what couldve been

[@ignacio1759]

A disaster nic cage can't act period, batman yo would have been nice tho

[@Jeremiah_D.]

@@ignacio1759 Nic can act, hes just given terrible roles in even worse movies, but he would be a better John Constantine, definitely not superman

[@JonathanTacoman]

Pitch this to HBO or Netflix, they’d make it

[@cinfernoproductions392]

Dudes batman is already rated R just watch The DCAUM Movies and batman the killing joke and the game batman Arkham knight...

[@sillyfella2009]

Also TDKR

[@Commander_Shepard.]

Nah, hardly R-rated

[@arijitnaskar9147]

Batman Vs Robin, Batman Bad Blood, Justice league Dark Apocalypse War was brutal too

[@Shy223]

This is actually rated pg 13 if you look it up.

[@Mrsmifff]

You said movie twice

[@jernigan007]

Sounds just like Batfleck in the warehouse fight. THE BEST BATMAN FIGHT SCENE EVER

[@evo2542]

Shortly after 1997, movies suddenly became serious and dark. If this Batman was released, it would probably be looked at as the start of all of it. lol

[@jaytheartman610]

back then Clint Eastwood would have actually been a great dark knight returns batman

[@ShadowProductionsXD]

That's fake. Read the book Development Hell. It clearly states that was a joke made by Darren

[@petergant8767]

I could see Clint Eastwood playing Jonah Hex, he seems to give off that vibe!

[@petergant8767]

And, He's played in Westerns before!

[@grbhighlights9401]

This reminds me of The Batman 2022 ngl

[@alex30425]

Yeah both have Bruce doing a diary entry and both have the batcave be an abandoned train station.

[@eddscall]

I am just happy.......as I know its just a matter of time before we get a batman beyond movie just by the sheer amount of Batman movies being churned out

[@walochirhah8366]

Would love to see low-budget projects like this on HBO Max.

[@NEUROMANCER2077]

Or we can all watch the awesome Batman Year One Animated Movie.

[@akshaymisal2461]

Hello imran !!!! ....you are also here😍😍

[@michaelblaine6494]

I remember hearing they were doing this but didn’t hear they decided not to,do a few years later when Begins came out I figured it was the Year One movie(because it kind of is) with a different name. Even after seeing it since there was so much of the book in there, Flass,Falcone and Loeb all come from there,Batman using a sonar device(from his boot) summoning bats to cover his escape from a swat team and even the ending with Gordon on the roof mentioning the Joker. They still could make this since there’s so much to set it apart from any of the others and seeing how different it would’ve been. Maybe there’s an earth 2 where that movie was made😜

[@sameerahmadbalaganur8958]

Your loving son... "BATMAN" NOT BRUCE.... Its BATMAN!!

[@travisralph5284]

"Batman would never torture someone..." Well we know this project was being worked on before Holy Terror then...

[@gradearawk]

I love this! More of these mini-docs please.

[@markdaza8425]

If there's some way to connect this Batman to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, then I'd be down for this to finally happen.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Written by Scott Collura? Isn’t that the guy who did the AWESOME “Batman: Dead End” short film?

[@patbernardo5768]

It would have been interesting to see Frank Miller and Arnovsky's version

[@LNo-re7sk]

I'm glad Frank is still alive.

[@koheletcalaforexclan6508]

My dream Batman movie would be a Dark Frank Miller world, a More Detective Batman, and a Plot as centered around Crime as it is inner Emotion and Trauma Like The Joker Movie, but Batman, but not crazy, but not childish; I would like a Movie that would evoke the fear the criminals feel more up front, but not to cartoony But, that’s asking a lot 👍

[@dddoggo5042]

Its ironic how everything in the 90's had to be colorful and suitable for all ages , and nowadays a dark, depression story can be produced so easily for any film studio

[@TheAtomsmith]

This movie would have been Joker before Joker came out.

[@סטסאנטיפוב-ק9ב]

So unfortunate its never happened 😔coupd be the best superhero movie of all time

[@irockdirtyshoes]

A R rated Batman film is inevitable.

[@jumintschoe8286]

I rock dirty shoes yes R rated Batman movie is super tight! :)

[@Knightfall182]

Not necessarily. It's a kids brand and gotta sell toys.

[@rammtastic]

@@Knightfall182 does it really though? Logan didn't and neither did Deadpool or vemon I think. Dont crush the dream. Wait a minute......these are comicbook characters, nevermind.

[@merrq1]

Rah .M venom wasn’t r rated lol

[@raiyan4381]

@@merrq1 We are Venom

[@_Floorit_]

Who else loved batman as a kid

[@rileydurkin6244]

ME!!!!!!!! (Btw I still do!!!)

[@pro-yn2mi]

@@rileydurkin6244 i used to..i like rorshack now

[@Richie016]

I’m in too👍🏻

[@thesigmamale2134]

@@pro-yn2mi yet you can't even spell his name correctly it's Rorschach

[@kriss7483]

Yeah I like roarsnack also

[@ThreeProphets]

Can you please release the full interview with Miller?

[@ulrichsanchez8734]

I'm cool with having an r-rated batman film.

[@rileydurkin6244]

Me to!!!

[@jimmycrocket5720]

too*

[@cinfernoproductions392]

There already is some

[@officialgamerz29]

Are you? Wow, wasnt expecting that.

[@homanism6438]

Joaquin Phoenix was intended to play as Bruce Wayne/Batman in this movie. i read the script of the movie and it is like the combination of Batman and French Connection and Taxi Driver. when i saw The Joker movie, i see the same tone of the Batman Year One script

[@x.gotham.x]

it’s like a mix between batman and sin city, i love it.

[@nightjaw2233]

i wonder if this is the script there going to use for the robert pattinson batman, isnt that adapted from year one its definetly intereting that a movie version of year one was thrown before batman begins, only to have a year one film now many years ago

[@Warvvolf]

I remember reading a Wizard magazine about this. They had a poster painted for it starring Ben Affleck as Batman, Dennis Quaid as Jim Gordon but I don't remember their pick for Catwoman.

[@dreadfuldeadlinesessaytuto3892]

Ah this is gonna be amazing! You guys should do one of Aronofsky's RoboCop project! I would love to see that.

[@theraphachukwu]

I honestly wouldn't have minded this film. Maybe not then... but now DEFINITELY would watch it 😅

[@viddykhaos2896]

Let's hope Batman 2021 is darker and has the conceptual perfection

[@lootpack7744]

You got your wish

[@viddykhaos2896]

@@lootpack7744 well timed comment, my friend

[@higheyrie6176]

As long as i hear kevin conroy as batman

[@jwallE93]

After the Joker went R and had huge success I can see a low budget R Batman film happening if Rob Pat Batman isn’t well received

[@jwallE93]

If an artistic Batman is made it probably would be dealing with PTSD Trauma anger management

[@brownboy4165]

This is a great opportunity to show how brutal Batman and the villains he takes down can be

[@aleodred]

I hope they decides to release this in some form in the future. This sounds something appropriate for the current age and time. People will love it

[@alejandrobello1025]

Great video! Definitely want more of this!

[@Laughingcoyote1213]

I used to watch Ebert and Roeper all the time as a kid 😢

[@williambaileys]

They released year one as an animated movie

[@crash3711]

Please make taxi driver BATMAN WE WANT THIS FILM please!!!!

[@navi4rider]

Matt Reeves gonna make it... That R-Rated raw dark knightmare...

[@marcellinvl]

That was awesome! I always wondered what happened to that film. I followed it closely at the time.

[@jameslandonjr]

This would be amazing I wish it would have been made combines old classic film and and Batman just wish it was made

[@rohan34]

Thanks for sharing this story. One of the best episodes for me.. I'm a Batman enthusiast but I didn't know about this proposed movie.. it would have been a great thrilling movie.

[@MinuteLeech2]

Batman begins is basically year one with Ra's al ghoul thrown in. It's obvious Nolan based it on that

[@adamg4912]

There was a time that I was dying for this happen. In retrospect, I'm glad it didn't. Miller's version is tired and easily misunderstood (see Snyder). It's great to be inspired by bits and pieces of it or do a one-off movie (like Joker). It's not the type of Batman and world that can sustain multiple stories (see The Dark Knight Strikes Again and All Star Batman...). My dream would be Bruce Timm/Paul Dini writing Batman with David Fincher directing, you'd end up with something along of the lines of the Arkham Games on film.

[@oneupgamer5306]

With the Way superhero films were perceived and marketrd around the time that this would have been released I'm not surprised it wasn't given the green light in the end. At the same time however, I would absolutely love to see this.

[@iamtrying2690]

Miller: Batman wouldn't do that. Laughs in Snyder's Batman.

[@billyboleson2830]

The funniest part is that Miller inspired the hell out of Snyder which is Frankly ironic....

[@GOLDMOUFGOD]

@@billyboleson2830 haha "frankly"

[@nl5147]

Yeah snyder’s Batman is basically Punisher dressed as Batman

[@JillRobertsIsmyGF]

Anyone Else laugh when Frank Miller said "It's Batman" At the end

[@andrewh978]

Surprised that for “Year One,” they directly took a scene from The Dark Knight Returns (the “working defenses” scene), which is supposed to depict a Batman that’s gone overboard at the end of his career

[@dsalvatier]

I would've loved this version of the Batman legend. People need to stop being so tied to traditional takes on these fictional characters and realize that the reason they've endured so long is because they can be handled different ways. It's a shame we'll never see it, but perhaps it could make a great R-rated DC animated movie.

[@Bjswac]

As they had the bad decision of not making this movie they had the GREAT decision of ditching the Whedon pitch too!

[@NickTeran17]

I am happy we got Batman Begins. For me it's my favorite adaption of batman and his origin story.

[@reyhavoc2911]

This batman was really edgy considering the time. But i bet this would even outgross Phoenix Joker today knowing the track record of DCs dark and experimental, often based on 70s psychological thriller film takes of their heroes