Holy guest spot..?

Rumor has it that a big name from Batman’s past has been spotted in Nottingham, England where The Dark Knight Rises is currently filming. While Nolan’s camp, the studio and West himself are all being tight lipped about it, Floss Magazine is reporting that West is, in fact, filming a cameo for the new film. As to what role the veteran actor will play is anyone’s guess, but it certainly has the internet abuzz.

West starred as the titular character in the popular series Batman, running from 1966-1968. He also reprised the role in several animated programs. He has also made cameos in that realm, first as actor Simon Trent, who played the TV superhero “The Grey Ghost” (who was an influence on a young Bruce Wayne) in Batman: The Animated Series. He then went on to voice Mayor Grange on The Batman, and even voicing Bruce’s father Thomas Wayne on an episode of Batman: The Brave and The Bold. However, many Batman fans look on the 60s series with horror, as it was more of a pop culture sitcom than a representation of the Dark Knight. But those fans overlook the fact that at the time, Batman wasn’t the popular character he is today, and the title was in fact in danger of being cancelled. Batman may have been campy, colorful, and over-the-top, but it saved the comic. It also created a backlash that was responsible for the grittier, darker stories of the seventies.

Additionally it wouldn’t be the first time that actors from previous versions of superhero movies or programs have made cameos. Noel Neill, Lois Lane from The Adventures of Superman made cameos in 1978’s Superman (uncredited as Lois’ mother) and in 2006’s Superman Returns, along with original co-star Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen). And Lou Ferrigno made cameos in both Hulk and The Incredible Hulk, as well as having done the voice of Hulk in both of them (he’s also doing the voice of the creature in the upcoming The Avengers). And then there’s Stan Lee…

Could Adam West bring something to this production, or will fans simply be reminded of the old series, only to be taken out of Nolan’s darker story? Part of me feels that this will be the case, and that he wouldn’t fit in with the new mythology of the character. And yet, having grown up with the old series, another voice says give him a shot. For many older fans, West is Batman, and always will be. I guess we’ll just have to see what develops form all of this.

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