7) A Dark Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth Adaptation
If there’s one word to describe the Arkham Asylum graphic novel, it’s “unsettling.” The water color-esque art, the terrifying imagery and disturbing subject material combine to form a story that’s more of a horror movie than it is a standard superhero tale. AA: ASHOSE chronicles the life of Asylum founder Amadeus Arkham while simultaneously showing a mentally challenging battle between Batman and the Joker, who’s released the inmates and taken the employees hostage.
While this wouldn’t be the most “mainstream-friendly” option for WB to take, it’s doubtful Matt Reeves wants to simply do what previous Batman directors have done. Besides, while audiences have seen some creepy Joker moments in film, they’ve never seen a full-blown disturbed Joker. This would undoubtedly be a great acting challenge for Jared Leto and an opportunity for Reeves to further indulge his tendency to go grim-dark with the overall tone.
Besides, making The Batman a full-on horror/thriller hybrid movie is an immediately intriguing enough concept that’s difficult to turn down.
6) An Adaptation Of Arkham Asylum (The Video Game)
While the Arkham Asylum graphic novel focused on psychological horror, visual metaphors, and the backstory of the asylum’s founder, the first installment of the Arkham video game series is far more straightforward and less idealistic. However, what it lacks in horrifying imagery, it makes up for with appearances by many different villains like Killer Croc, Victor Zsasz, and Scarecow, all of which are led by Joker and Harley Quinn.
Not only would this allow for a tremendously action-packed story, but it would be greatly varied across its runtime. Mentally challenging sequences like the Scarecrow sections would contrast with Killer Croc’s sewer scenes in a satisfying way. Arkham Asylum offers a wealth of potential dangers that would push Batman to his limits.
In addition, you offer up the Joker vs. Bat storyline in a way that remains unique to previous cinematic showdowns. It could even provide Jared Leto’s Clown Prince of Crime the best opportunity to chew scenery with manic delight.