Oct. 1: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: Part I

"Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. But, does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?"

Directed by: Jay Oliva, Rated: PG-13, 76 minutes

Every year, Warner Bros. Animation makes a movie inspired by some of the greatest DC heroes and comics and each year they get better. This time around, WB adapted Frank Miller's classic graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns, a novel many consider to be the one of the best versions of Batman ever to exist. Embracing the darkest themes of the Dark Knight and running with it, this version of Batman pushes the limits of his character, his strength, and his moral code. It's the closest Batman ever gets to killing someone, and the rage that consumes him is like nothing we've seen before. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: Part 1 is incredible. 

Along with Watchmen, this is the greatest superhero graphic novel of all time (in my opinion). 

The film follows Bruce Wayne (Peter Weller) much later in life. Years of being Batman have taken a toll on him, mentally and physically, and he retired the cowl years ago. Now 55 years old, the man sees Gotham fall into chaos again, as a gang called the Mutants have taken over the city. Led by their brute of a leader, simply called the Mutant Leader, Gotham has become a shadow of what it was, with people fearing to walk the streets at night as crime is at every corner. After Bruce sees how bad the city has gotten, and how out of control the Mutants are getting, he decides to take back his cape and cowl and hit the streets once again. As the public grows more fearful of what's become of the city, Batman's resurgence is also put to question, posing the question if he's better for the city or a criminal like the men he fights. Also, a young girl named Carrie Kelly (Ariel Winter), also sees how bad things have become and buys a cheap Robin costume, hoping to help Batman fight the scum on the streets. 

Yes, lady and gents, we have a lady-Robin. 

There's so much to love about this movie and it's a shame it only clocks in at 76 minutes. We see Batman aged and rugged, and much meaner than what we're used to. He's sick at what his city has become (again), and he really pushes the limits of how far he'll go to take down a bad guy. Multiple times he pulverizes someone, almost to death, and the rage behind him comes out in a very violent fashion. Had this story been made into a live-action film, it most certainly would be rated R. As we see this older Batman, we also get to see all sorts of new gadgets he has in his belt. While I may be going out on a limb with it, I'm fairly certain that he uses Scarecrow's fear gas and some weapon of Clayface's, showing you that he's adapted over the years. There are also plenty of other references to the DC universe, including mentions of Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang, multiple Robins, and we see Harvey Dent as well. As many years have past, all of these familiar characters have changed over time, and it's very interesting to see what's become of them all. 

Even Commissioner Gordon returns, looking like some Civil War hero gone rogue (fried chicken may be involved). 

Whenever Warner Bros. releases another one of these animations, I buy them the day of release without any knowledge of whether they're good or not. I really have trust in them, along with DC, that they will continue to produce quality films, and The Dark Knight Returns: Part 1, is really the best one yet. The voice acting is terrific, the animation is beautiful and dark, and it's glorious seeing the legendary graphic novel play out on screen. Frank Miller's creation is faithfully adapted and the Gotham we see is one we feel for. We've been with Batman (and Bruce) for so long, seeing him struggle and border the fine line between hero and villain is heart-wrenching. This film is a must see for anyone that's even the smallest fan of Gotham's Finest. You will not be disappointed. 

The Good:

a faithful adaptation of the greatest version of Batman ever seen in comic book form, showcasing the violence and destruction The Dark Knight carries around him

The Bad:

It's only 72 minutes, but it is just the first part with the second on the way next year

The Ugly:

wondering if this story could ever make the transition to a live-action film, but knowing no studio would have the balls to make an R-rated Batman movie

Overall: 8.7/10

Trailer:

As You Watch: Episode V: Batman

Here's another installment of the As You Watch Podcast, a podcast I host with Joe from Two Dude Review, Vern from The Vern's Videovangaurd, and Bubba from Flights, Tights, and Movie Nights. We talk about the DVD and theatrical releases for the week as well as our "Top 3 Time Travel Movies That Aren't Back to the Future". This leads into our movie of the week discussion, where we talk about Tim Burton's Batman and wrap it up with The Battle of the Wits. Bubba's hosting this week so head on over to his site for the audio. 

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Sept 15: Batman

"The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being the clownishly homicidal Joker."

Directed by: Tim Burton, Rated: PG-13, 126 minutes

Tim Burton's Batman is what turned me onto The Dark Knight. As a young kid, looking for the "ultimate superhero" to worship and idolize, I found so much awesome in Batman that I was immediately hooked. The suit, the gadgets, and the Batmobile gave me something I not only wanted to be a part of, but awesome toys to play with as well (and as a kid, toys are king). Then, just as I was getting into the movies, a glorious thing happened. Batman: The Animated Series premiered and I just about lost it. I couldn't get enough of Gotham's Finest and the obsession rolled in faster than a Batrang flying at a gang of criminals. Now, whenever I hear Danny Elfman's memorable Batman theme, I go back to my childhood and worship the Bat even more, tapping into my nostalgia for a quick fix. 

The movie also gave me the most memorable VHS cover of all time. Just the Bat Symbol- so simple. 

Burton's Batman skips the origin story for the hero (played by Michael Keaton) and focuses on his greatest nemesis, The Joker (Jack Nicholson). The film starts with Batman already doing what he does, but alludes to the fact that he's still a mysterious figure that's popped up in Gotham City. We then see Jack Napier, a professional criminal who's looking to move up in the underworld. After a chemical accident turns his skin white and leaves a permanent smile on his face, Napier takes on the persona of The Joker, a man hellbent on destroying Gotham and taking control of the city. Driven insane by his accident, the man will not stop at nothing to take over and stop the Batman from doing any more good for the city. As The Joker begins his takeover by contaminating the city's hygiene supplies (makeup, deodorant, hairspray, etc.), turning all those who use any products into grin-faced corpses, Batman must figure out a way to stop him, while juggling a love interest (Vicky Vale played by Kim Bassinger), who's a little too curious as to what's going on in the city. 

The Clown Prince finally portrayed as a homicidal freak. 

While I appreciate the film starting off after Bruce Wayne takes on the cowl, the semi-focus on the origin of The Joker is a little out of place. I know a part of it is faithful to the comics, but I don't see how a man falling into a vat of chemicals makes him bat-shit crazy and insane. I would have much preferred to see The Joker exist already, and simply bring his mischief and chaos to Gotham in full force. Luckily, even that smallest bit of disappointment is almost washed away immediately with Jack Nicholson's performance. He steals every scene he is in and seeing his trademark grin (stretched a little wider for the role) and hearing him laugh like a mad man never gets old. His gadgets are just as entertaining and the more comedic route he goes about the role makes his darker moments even creepier. Michael Keaton also does a terrific job as Bruce Wayne, even though I've never thought he fits the role physically. However, even then he's just not on screen as much as I remembered. There's just a lot more focus on The Joker and his story. 

Keaton's Bruce/Batman focuses much more on the gadgets than brute force. He's still a stud. 

While I could go on for days about the film, I'll wrap up saying that Batman really isn't as good as I remember it being. Maybe a part of that is having the Nolan Dark Knight trilogy fresh in my mind, or maybe that times have changed so much that a somewhat campy adaptation just doesn't do it anymore. I actually prefer the animated series over this film and feel the colorful villain and over-the-top style fits much better when hand-drawn. Batman will forever have a place in my heart and I will never downright hate the film, but I have to say it has not aged as well as I hoped. The pacing is a little weak (back to the focusing on The Joker issues) and the entire film looks like it's on one giant sound stage. To argue that, however, one could say that it's a faithful adaptation to the comics, which I agree on, but I guess these days I'm just looking for a bit more from my superheroes, even if it's Batman. 

The Good:

seeing Batman in a live-action movie and realizing how much the film did for the hero and comic book adaptations as a whole (and of course, Nicholson)

The Bad:

too much camp in a post-camp world, feeling more out of place today than anything else

The Ugly:

realizing the film isn't as great as I remembered, with plenty of flaws that I now see as a more "experienced" movie-watcher

Overall: 7.8/10

Trailer:

July 19: The Dark Knight

"When Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent launch an assault on the mob, they let the clown out of the box, the Joker, bent on turning Gotham on itself and bringing any heroes down to his level."

Directed by: Christopher Nolan, Rated: PG-13, 152 minutes

While Batman Begins is a quiet little masterpiece, The Dark Knight is one for the ages. It's an instant classic that fuses both genius film-making and incredible storytelling, all on an epic scale like nothing you've ever seen before. It's the purest of films that ignites something in all of us, whether you're already a fan of The Caped Crusader or not. The Dark Knight is not merely a superhero movie, but a sprawling crime epic that pits the purest of good versus the most chaotic of evil, and puts the battle on a massive stage. Batman Begins is simply the portal to The Dark Knight, and once you pass over the threshold, the movie opens up into an expansive world, inhabited by people just like us, struggling to survive in a world of the corrupt and insane. Everything about The Dark Knight is bigger than before and the heights it reaches are of epic proportions. Even then, it's not just about the action sequences, as the heart of it all consists of incredible performances and a story so simple yet so complex, that sees how badly the world needs a hero like Batman. 

The Dark Knight introduces us to Batman's greatest foe- The Joker. Some can argue that you can't have one without the other, and the movie plays on this idea incredibly well. While Batman is morally good, the Joker is a chaotic evil that simply "wants to watch the world burn". One is driven by the determination to do good, no matter what the cost, while the other is out to destroy everything he can. It's really what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, and the calamity that ensues is both brutal and visceral. Of course, this game is only as good as its players. Heath Ledger gives one of the greatest performances in movie history as The Joker. Everything about him, from his facial tics, to his mannerisms and his voice, become The Killer Clown. Every moment he's on screen, you're enthralled and cannot look away no matter how hard you try. Every line he utters is instantly a classic and is just as memorable as the performance. Unfortunately for Ledger, this performance was his swan song and it leaves you aching for more. The man is the rare breed of talent that comes along once in a lifetime, and The Joker embodies every ounce of it. The only downfall to his acting is the fact that he overshadows the rest of a very large cast. Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne/Batman but, unlike in Batman Begins, he's more of a man in the suit than the soul behind the cowl. There is not as much focus on his Bruce Wayne alter-ego as there was in the past, but we still are able to see him struggling with the symbol that he created and his search for a replacement that the city can look to in times of darkness. It's in that search that Wayne finds Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Gotham's district attorney whose mission is to rid the streets of crime and bring swift justice for all of those responsible. He's the White Knight of Gotham. Eckhart plays the part beautifully and his inevitable downfall and transformation into the villain Two-Face is not only tragic, but hard to watch. Eckhart is a man who's known for his nice, charismatic, guy roles and seeing him fall from grace is not only different, but a nice change of pace. Returning to all of their roles are Morgan Freeman (as Lucius Fox), Michael Caine (as Alfred), and Gary Oldman (Jim Gordon), each in a bigger part than Batman Begins. Before, each man owned the role, but this time around, they really are the men they play, and are even bigger allies to Batman. 

Brilliance is not enough to describe this Academy Award winning actor. 

The Dark Knight is Christopher Nolan's greatest film, and with a filmography that includes Memento, Inception, and The Prestige, that's saying a lot. Like I said before, the film pushes the boundaries of film-making, combining real sets and live effects with the most minimal amounts of CGI. While Batman Begins felt contained and restricted to what it could do, The Dark Knight breaks out and the city becomes another character in the film. Everything about the movie feels real and tangible, and Nolan truly turns Chicago into Gotham. In this increased scale, Batman and the villains are free to explore (or destroy) the city, and the size of the populous adds a sense of urgency to everything that's going on. Time plays a crucial part in the film, and we're reminded that Batman is simply one man and cannot be everywhere at once, while The Joker, "an agent of chaos", seemingly has the means to do just that. This contrast, in fact, is the perfect example of how easy it is for man to fall to darkness and how Batman's cause is far greater (and harder) than one can imagine. It's this theme that really is center of the story and it's what makes the story so masterful. Every man has a price, and a limit, and The Dark Knight tests every character's strength. How can one man- one symbol, put together everything that falls apart, while maintaining a moral code and keeping everyone safe?

I really, really, love this film and can't recommend it enough. Whenever asked what my favorite movies are, The Dark Knight is always at the top of the list. While I try to remain unbiased toward the film, re-watching it only confirms my feelings. It's as close to perfect as any movie I've seen and takes someone we are all familiar with to new heights and places we could never imagine. With a stellar cast, led by the phenomenal Heath Ledger, an unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer, and set pieces you could only ever imagine, The Dark Knight is the masterpiece Batman deserves. 

The Good:

a story with balls, never relenting on the physical and mental punishment that Batman suffers, and going places you'd think would be taboo for a summer blockbuster

The Better:

the massive scale on which that story is told, incorporating both real settings and effects 

The Best:

Heath Ledger delivering one of the greatest performances in cinematic history

Overall: 9.9/10

Trailer:

The Year I Made Contact: 1989

The Movie Waffler was asking bloggers to partake in a little blogathon. The idea is to write about the movies that came out the year you were born. Being that I am trying to branch out a little bit and write more than just reviews, I figured I would give it a shot. Plus, 1989 was a damn fine year for movies. I give you, my Top 5 films of the year of my birth, 1989 (in no particular order). 

"Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moon light?"

June, 1989 gave rise to Tim Burton's Batman, forever changing the way we look at the Dark Knight and re-introducing the world to the superhero movie. Sure, Adam West had fun in the cape in 1966 in the movie that gave rise to the classic, campy TV show, but it wasn't until Burton's masterpiece that we saw the darker side of Batman and the sinister clown, the Joker, played masterfully by Jack Nicholson. The first Batman movie I ever saw and the start to one hell of an obsession. 

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." 

November, 1989 unleashed upon the world one of the greatest sequels in the history of film. Back to the Future Part II starts off exactly where the first one left us, and this time takes us to 2015, a year of Jaws 19, digital Michael Jackson waiters, and a Miami Marlins v. Chicago Cubs World Series. Some argue that Part II is much weaker than the first, but it is actually my favorite in the series. Best part of the movie? The future forseen has to happen. But keep in mind, Nike has released self-lacing sneakers and Mattel hopes to launch a hover board this holiday season. 

"Don't call me Junior!"

May, 1989 saw the end of one of the greatest trilogies of all time. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade shows our favorite archaeologist chasing myth and searching for The Holy Grail, while fighting everyone's enemy- Nazis. It also shows, in one of the best openings in recent memory, how Indy became who he was, showing us how he got the scar on his chin and the fedora on his head, as well as the reason he's so afraid of snakes. Introducing Sean Connery as Indy's dad was genius, and the two have gone down in film history as one of the greatest father-son duos. My favorite Indiana Jones movie and a perfect finish to a perfect trilogy. If only it truly was the end...

"Carpe diem. Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary." 

June, 1989 also gave us Robin Williams' finest performance and introduced us to the likes of Ethan Hawke (one of, if not my favorite actors), Robert Sean Leonard, and Josh Charles. Dead Poets Society is one of my favorite movies of all time and is one of the funniest most emotional dramas I've seen. I remember seeing this in an English class in high school, during my "awakening", when I first began to obsess about movies in general. I was jealous of all the boys attending Welton Academy and I so desperately wanted to be taught by Robin Williams' Mr. Keating. The movie teaches you about love, life, death, and most importantly, to seize the day. 

"If I lose my magic, that means I've lost absolutely everything." 

Now, my last film did not see a 1989 release in the United States, but in Japan. I could never write a list of some of my favorite movies without including a Hayao Miyazaki film and thus I give you, Kiki's Delivery Service. In my opinion, not Miyazaki's greatest film (Spirited Away wins that title), however, it was one of the first of his movies I saw and introduced me to his magical story-telling that still holds a very special place in my heart. Never has the story of a witch been so colorful and full of life, let alone left such an impression in the imagination of a young boy. 

Five Films That Just Missed the Cut:

When Harry Met Sally

Say Anything...

Christmas Vacation

Driving Miss Daisy

The Little Mermaid

Five Memorable, but Not Too Incredible Movies:

See No Evil, Hear No Evil

All Dogs Go to Heaven

Uncle Buck

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland

Field of Dreams

Why Did I Ever Like These Five Movies?:

Look Who's Talking

Weekend at Bernie's

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Pet Sematary

Little Monsters

The Justice League- My Cast

Warner Bros. recently announced that their thought to be dead movie adaption of The Justice League is back on track. In 2007, George Miller, the director of Mad Max and Happy Feet (weird, I know) had a full cast and even a script for a JL movie. However, with budget issues and tax reasons, the film never was and WB canceled the project. Obviously, now that Marvel is raking in billions with The Avengers, Warner Bros. won't sit by idly while they have all the fun (and the money). I can't be more excited about this idea as I am a true DC fan-boy at heart and can only imagine the places that they could go with the film. If you don't know, WB already has a planned Batman reboot after The Dark Knight Rises concludes Christopher Nolan's godly trilogy, so the next adaption could be an introduction to an entirely shared DC universe with all the heroes running around together with Gotham City being a quick trip away from Metropolis. The possibilities are endless and, of course, when anything along these lines comes to the public's attention, everyone imagines his or her perfect cast. The following is my idea for a cast for The Justice League. Keep in mind, Warner Bros. is probably going to go with a much younger cast than that of The Avengers and I also wanted to think a little more outside of the box for each role.

Founding Members

Superman is The Man of Steel and unofficial leader of The Justice League. He's the strongest of the League and the ultimate symbol of good. He's strong, wise, and pretty much perfect in every way. He has nearly every super power in the book and can do no wrong. Christopher Reeve is arguably the best man to ever play Superman as he carried his films with wonderful charisma and charm, balancing between a clumsy Clark Kent and the powerful hero. Tom Welling did a great job in the role on the small screen and some can argue that Brandon Routh did a fine job in Superman Returns. Henry Cavil jumps into the blue suit next year in The Man of Steel and I can only be optimistic of his performance. Thinking that Warner Bros. may be fast-tracking the JL movie, Cavil may be the convenient and obvious choice. However, if The Man of Steel doesn't bring in big bucks, WB may look elsewhere for a new Son of Krypton.

Miller's Superman was: D.J Cotrona 

My Pick: Matt Bomer 

He has the looks, the charisma, and the talent to not only lead, but kick a whole lot of ass. He's the star of USA's White Collar and I am waiting to see his jump to the big screen. Lately, it seems, to make it big as a movie star, you need to play a superhero and I think Bomer has what it takes. 

Other Choices: 

Alex Russell (Chronicle) Joe Manganiello, of True Blood fame or Jamie Dornan, best known for his role as Sheriff Graham on Once Upon a Time

Batman, in my opinion, is the hardest to cast for a Justice League movie because Christian Bale's turn in the black cowl will be fresh in all of our minds. However, we knew he couldn't play The Dark Knight forever and his turn as our favorite caped crusader would eventually come to an end. Not only is this the hardest casting but I think it will also bring the most pressure to the man to take the role. Batman is a mysterious, mastermind detective and one of the greatest martial artists in the world. Whoever takes over the role needs to be able to brood away in the Bat Cave and Sherlock his way through the streets of Gotham. He needs to be someone that looks good in a suit (for the Bruce Wayne persona) but also someone that you'd hate to run into in a dark alleyway. 

Miller's Batman was: Armie Hammer

My Pick: 

I actually agree with George Miller on this one. Armie Hammer would be an excellent choice for the role of Bruce Wayne and for Batman. He is a terrific actor, he's huge (6'5), and he has a deep, almost menacing voice that would fit perfectly for the role. He's really meant for this role and while he has yet to find huge success after his performance in The Social Network, I believe a turn at ol' Bats would make him the star he deserves to be. Plus, he already has lived the life of a young millionaire, but did end up giving up his wealth to pursue acting. 

Other Choices:

Luke Evans (Immortals), even Jake Gyllenhaal, or Joel Edgerton (Warrior)

The Flash can be considered the comic relief of The Justice League and also the most immature of the group. He is wise-cracking and quick to act and his mistakes usually have to be fixed by other JLers. He is, however, an excellent fighter and hero and certainly deserves his spot in the League. Whoever plays him needs to be genuinely funny while being believable as someone that could actually save the world. Not just any comedian could be Wally West. Earlier in his career, I thought Ryan Reynolds would be the perfect Flash, but after his stints in the X-Men franchise and as the Green Lantern, any hope of him donning the lightning bolt across his chest are no more. 

Miller's Flash was: Adam Brody

My Pick: Jensen Ackles

Jensen Ackles would be the perfect Flash. He's smooth talking and genuinely funny. He could easily play the immature and sometimes careless Flash and although Miller's choice of Adam Brody is a great one, I really believe Ackles would make the role his own. 

Other Choices:

Adam Brody or Ryan Kwanten 

Wonder Woman is the most popular female superhero in the world. She's pretty much a female version of Superman and definitely one of the leaders of the Justice League. She's determined, strong as hell, and very serious at first, as she's learning to adapt to the world outside of her Amazonian home. She's also a princess, but not like the royalty we know, as she is a warrior princess. She represents the strongest of women and should definitely not be sexualized, as her creation was founded on equal rights for men and women. Whoever plays her needs to represent everything righteous and needs to be a symbol of strength and good will. 

Miller's Wonder Woman was: Megan Gale

My Pick: Morena Baccarin 

She's tough and in charge and has the exotic look to her I would associate with Wonder Woman. She's not necessarily tall, but she is strong and I could definitely see her with the golden bracelets and lasso of truth. She's also a fan-boy's dream after playing the role of Inara Serra on Firefly and even has done some voice-work for DC, connecting her to the JL universe in a way. 

Other Choices: 

Michelle Monaghan (Source Code), Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia), Natassia Malthe (DOA)

So, George Miller cast the rapper Common as his Green Lantern, leading me to assume that it will be John Stewart as GL and not the Hal Jordan we came to know in Ryan Reynolds' superhero bomb. Assuming this is correct, John Stewart is a much more serious and stern Lantern than Jordan. Stewart is a war hero who has trouble with authority but learns to wield the power of the ring and becomes a tremendous hero of the universe. He's much wiser than most heroes and takes his responsibilities as the Green Lantern very seriously. Whoever is to play Stewart needs to be able to be strict without being too belligerent. 

Miller's Green Lantern was: Common

My Pick: Idris Elba

Whenever a big role for an African American comes up, Idris Elba's name always seems to be in the mix. However, even though he's an absolutely incredible actor, he has yet to have the chance to star in a big blockbuster and I can't understand why. He's phenomenal in everything he's in, be it The Wire, Luther, or even his small role in Thor. The man's got one hell of a presence and I can't see anyone but him in the role, even though he will probably not get it. 

Other Choices:

Boris Kodjoe (Resident Evil: Afterlife), Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker)

I'll admit, I've never really liked Aquaman. He started off as a ridiculously lame hero, talking to aquatic friends like he's on a Saturday morning cartoon show. But in later incarnations, Aquaman has become much more regal, serious and to an extent- badass. Shifting from Flipper's best friend to King of Atlantis can change a character overnight. Whoever plays the role needs to be authoritative and in charge, as he is a king after all. 

Miller's Aquaman was: Santiago Cabrera 

My Pick: Ben Barnes

He's already played royalty as Prince Caspian in the Narnia movies and proved he can wield a sword (sure, Aquaman uses a Trident, but close enough). He also has great hair, which for some reason I feel to be a crucial part to the role. 

Other Choices:

Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) or Alexander Skarsgard (yes, another True Blood actor)

Martian Manhunter is pretty much a cooler version of Superman. With similar powers, plus telekinetic and shape-shifting abilities, he's the Justice League's behind the scenes guy. He's an alien, like Superman, but actually looks like a martian, thus his name. His biggest weakness, however, is fire and he tends to let Superman and the rest of the league do most of the fighting while he does the thinking, strategizing, and planning. He's incredibly wise as well as strong and is somewhat a combination of Superman and Batman making him the ultimate JLer. Whoever plays him has one hell of a pair of shoes to step into and needs to be able to be believable as a genius, quiet, incredibly strong hero. 

Miller's Manhunter was: Hugh Keays-Byrne

My Pick: Benedict Cumberbatch

This was a very tough role to cast because the Martian Manhunter is so unique. He may be incredibly strong, but he is not very built, so going for a big actor wasn't necessary. Assuming the majority of the performance will be motion capture, the actor's voice is one of the most important parts of the casting. My choice would be Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock). He has a deep, much older voice and he's also one hell of an actor. I can also see him stepping in the leader role whenever Superman or Batman are unable to as he has a very commanding presence. 

Other Choices: 

Doug Jones, the man can play anyone or anything

What do you think of my picks? Who do you think should play each role? The thought of the film happening is exciting enough and speculating and "dream" casting is always fun.