TV Batman Adam West not excited for The Dark Knight
By David Bentley on Jun 20, 08 01:57 PM in Film gossip

TV BATMAN actor Adam West has spoken about next month's superhero sequel The Dark Knight - and he doesn't share the fanboy frenzy of anticipation and excitement for the film.

In the upcoming movie, directed by Christopher Nolan and a follow-up to 2005's Batman Begins, Christian Bale plays Bruce Wayne and his masked alter-ego and Heath Ledger plays anarchic archvillain the Joker.

West, now 79, says it's the other end of the spectrum from his own version of the caped crusader in the camp and colourful 60s TV series, in which he co-starred with Burt Ward who played his sidekick Robin.

West, who at one point distanced himself from his TV role but now embraces the iconic status it has brought, told Comicbookmovie he felt no ill-will towards The Dark Knight but it had an entirely different approach to the character.

He said: "I've only seen bits and pieces of [Nolan's Batman movies]. There's an enormous amount of effort and time and money that goes into the making of them, but it's a different generation. They're a different kind of thing than ours was. They're dark, gothic, sinister, full of explosions. We didn't approach it that way at all."

West was used to the lighthearted portrayals in the 60s TV series. "It was silly and funny. With the villains, especially, it was almost Shakespearean because of the bizarre costuming and makeup. In those days we didn't rely on special effects as much so everyone was challenged to use their imaginations.

"I don't remember any case in which somebody didn't really enjoy the creation of it. If it wasn't that kind of open environment, then I felt like I was a failure because I tried to go on the stage every day and create that kind of atmosphere."

In 1966, the cast filmed a spin-off film, Batman: The Movie, which is coming out on Blu-ray disc on July 1 in the US and on July 14 in the UK. But there's no sign of a DVD or Blu-ray release for the series itself.

West said: "I get that question all the time. People want it, but I can't do anything about it. The only thing I've heard is that for some time they've been trying to cut a deal as far as ownership and return - basically who gets what slice of the pie. When that is worked out, then I guess you'll be able to get it."

Being of a certain age, I know Adam West for two very different roles played at very different times of his life. There is of course the part he plays as Mayor Adam West in the hilarious Family Guy, and then there is Batman. I’m more a fan of the former, but then that is because I’m rather childish, and grew up when special effects meant the original TV series version of Batman was rather outdated and dare I say it, a bit on the lame side.

However, West needs to be respected for bringing a character to life way back then who is about to be absolutely everywhere in the form of Christian Bale with The Dark Knight just a few weeks away from release.

The Den Of Geek recently interviewed West in the lead-up to the release of Heath Ledger’s final film and asked him his views on a number of different things, mainly Batman related but not wholly. Two sections of the interview stand out though. First there is West’s views on the current generation of Batman movies.

“They’re simply doing their thing, and doing what they think brings the biggest return.”

“[But] when I see bits and pieces of the movies, to me they’re too violent, too noisy and they rely too much on the score and sound effects etc, but they’re brilliantly done as far as the CGI is concerned… all those things that they can do in modern times.”

“Even in those movies, I would rather see warmer relationships. More meaningful relationships. And more subtle, tongue-in-cheek comedy of some kind. You can go around killing dozens of people, but you’ve got to be sort of funny doing it.”

So he’s kinda critical of the all-action killing machine that Batman has become. He has a point, but only really when viewed from the point of view of 1960s television when let’s face it, things were done slightly differently than they are today.

But after all his criticism of the new breed, it seems West would still love to make a guest appearance in a forthcoming film. He said:

“Well I’d love to. I like Christian Bale. I’ve heard he’s a big fan of mine, but I certainly reciprocate.”

“I think he’s really very good. I’d love to play his father. The older Batman comes out of the woodwork, when times get really tough…maybe a few tips here and there.”

Now that I’d love to see, and I actually don’t think he’d look too out of place. I’m not sure if the strangely coloured outfit West wore to become Batman would quite work in this day and age though.