Stories by @nathanbates

Blood Meridian

The novel tells the story of a teenaged runaway referred to only as "the kid" with the bulk of the text devoted to his experiences with the Glanton gang, a historical group of scalp hunters who massacred Indigenous Americans and others in the United States–Mexico borderlands from 1849 to 1850 for bounty, pleasure, and eventually out of nihilistic habit.

The Safdie Brothers’ The Batman

What if the acclaimed directing duo tackled the bat?

Robert Pattinson’s Batman Rogues Gallery

Matt Reeves I know you’re reading this. Steal these ideas.

The Man Who Fell to Earth

An extraterrestrial arrives on Earth seeking a way to save its dying home planet but soon thereafter falls victim to earthly vices.

Actors Who Could Play Mister Freeze in a Batman Seuqel

Seemingly at the top of everyone’s future villains wishlist is Victor Fries, who contrary to his own last name, has a thing for sub zero temperatures. Who would you like to see cast in the role?

Waiting for Godot

Vladimir and Estragon engage in a variety of discussions and encounters while awaiting the titular Godot, who never arrives.

JOKERS

Based on Willem Dafoe’s own pitch about starring as some kind of “imposter Joker” in a sequel to the 2019 movie. After spending and indeterminate amount of time in Arkham Asylum, Arthur Fleck discovers to his horror that a man going by the title of “Joker” has plunged Gotham into a panic with a string of gruesome crimes. Determined to reclaim his mantle, Fleck must escape the hospital for the emotionally disturbed with the aid of an unlikely ally, and find the imposter and justice for his own twisted legacy.

Nosferatu (2022)

The Dracula Man.

Miller’s Crossing (2020)

Tom Reagan, an advisor to a Prohibition-era crime boss, tries to keep the peace between warring mobs but gets caught in divided loyalties.

Red Dragon (2018)

FBI profiler Will Graham is brought back into action in order to help catch a serial killer known as “The Tooth Fairy.”

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Vol. 1

Protagonists from various works of literary fiction are united to combat forces that threatened Victorian era England.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Vol. 3 - Century

Alan Moore’s wild and hilarious fan fic opus sees famed literary characters Mina Murray, Allan Quatermain, Orlando and others face off against the antichrist who is actually Harry Potter.

The Prestige (gender-swapped)

A tale of two (wo)men who lock themselves into a increasingly deathly cycle of revenge after one’s spouse is accidentally killed by the other during an onstage magical performance.

Christopher Nolan’s Doctor Strange (2006)

After a rich guy’s life gets turned upside down, he travels the world, joins a secret organization and becomes a superhero.

The Young Butler (2018)

Heavily inspired by (i.e. ripping-off) Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel The Remains of the Day and its Merchant Ivory film adaptation, the ever loyal butler to the Wayne dynasty reflects on his past, his loyalty to slain patriarch Thomas and silent bow made to protect his heir, Bruce.

Space Oddity

A film adaptation of the David Bowie song.

Battle Beneath the Stars

A farm boy, two bickering clerks, an aging hermit, a lovable rogue and his scruffy compatriot and a strong willed heiress ban together to stop a ruthless railroad tycoon and his hired thugs from deposing more innocent settlers from their lands.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them / The Crimes of Grindelwald (2016-18)

Inspired by mr_funcaster, what if the Harry Pottee prequel/spin-off series had a different cast and creative team behind it?

Stephen King’s The Stand (2021)

The fate of mankind rests on the frail shoulders of 108-year-old Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors including Stu Redman, an ordinary working-class factory man; Nadine Cross, a deeply conflicted woman; Frannie Goldsmith, a pregnant young woman; and Nick Andros, a young deaf and mute man. Their worst nightmares are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the Dark Man.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2017)

A tale of power and responsibility. Back from his brief stint as an Avenger during the events of Civil War, Peter Parker, the amazing Spider-Man, is determined to prove himself worthy of full time membership to Tony Stark. Looking to make the biggest impact possible, though, Peter overlooks certain small time crooks whose schemes quickly snowball into a larger threat that will endanger his friends and family.