TAMPA, Fla. — If you’ve seen a Batman movie made after 1966, Michael Uslan probably produced it.
“Batman has changed my life and I have changed Batman’s life,” said Uslan.
Uslan has produced dozens of deferent Batman stories- is now working on Batman… for the stage at the Straz Center in Tampa.
Uslan offers the plot:
“Blue collar kid from New Jersey who dreams helping restore the darkness of Batman,” said Uslan.
It’s based on his memoir “The Boy Who Loved Batman.”
“First I have to do what my mentor and friend Stan Lee said: ‘Always get in a plug.’”
Uslan wanted Batman to be less campy than his 1960’s treatment in movies and television show.
His vision – a return to the original Dark Night of the comics.
“And I don’t know how to tell you this—but it’s a major plot point in our new play,” said Uslan.
A play complete with its own bat cave-kinda — it’s the costuming department.
We can see several capes and a mask — the mask!
Uslan picked it up.
“I have in my hands my past, present and future,” said Uslan “I have been inspired by Batman since was four-years-old. My mom said I learned to read from Batman comics before I was four.”
And as a thank you — Uslan restored Batman’s original persona: less camp, more cool.
“And I kind of feel like I helped restore the darkness and the dignity to Batman. So ever Hero needs a hero.”
And after Batman’s run at the Straz, the theatres of New York City await (and maybe Gotham after that?).