Posted in: Movies, NYCC | Tagged: adam west, Batman, entertainment, film, Gran Torino, NYCC, Return of the Caped Crusaders

Adam West Wants To Do Batman Ala Gran Torino

by Chuck Brouillette

There is a standard aspect of reporting at press events best described as rotating-round-tables. Where groups of reporters are seated at groups of tables leaving òne seat open for the group of producers and/or stars to each rotate in, one at a time, allowing each table of reporters a chance to quiz all the players involved in which ever media project is being promoted.

This reporter took part in one such press event on the first day of NYCC 2016 with the writers, producers and star of Warner Bros Animation's newest feature film, Batman: Return of The Caped Crusaders which heralds the return of Adam West, Burton Ward and Julie Newmar in the voice-over roles they originated in the fantastic live action Batman television series which is celebrating its 50th year in 2016.

This method of gathering information to report is rather effective for getting the most info out about a media project, and allows a rather large group of reporters the opportunity to 'touch' each of the creators and stars within a realistic time frame.

It's efficient. And sort of like a social experiment as well.

Often a bunch of strangers with a common purpose but one of those strangers has basically the same purpose as info provider.

But then there's Batman. Yes, Adam West, TV's First Batman joined our table as well.

and he was a revelation. It's pretty amazing in general how the dynamic changes when you participate in these events and the person joining the table is the talent rather than the creator. They are the stars of course, most often the reason folks are spending thier money on the project being promoted, so the energy at the table obviously changes at this point. And Mr. West inparticular brought an energy all his own to our table.

He discussed how much he felt Batman: Return of The Caped Crusaders brought the original project back into animated action for a new generation of fans with subtle and sharp contemporary notes. He said he hoped next for a live action action opportunity portraying a man of a certain generation who is sort of mad-at-the-world but has his sensitivity and character explored though out. Yes, Batman wants to do Gran Torino too.

But the best part of this encounter goes back to that strange equation of human components that is the Press Round Table. Myself and most of my fellow reporters were quizzing Mr West about general aspects of the new film and his involvement in it. But one reporter in particular had a couple of hard-hitting questions about 'body image' issues and the pressure kid's today feel to compete because of media influences. It could have been a static moment for Our Hero to contend with but he channeled the self-professed 'Buddist elements' of his particular set of super-powers when he instructed the questioning reporter that the best way to deal with such issues is to just breathe. Holy Zen, Batman!

Chuck Brouillette is a writer and artist living in Saratoga Springs, NY. You can see how he does both @twitter.com/Chuckbrouilette

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!