DC Comics News (our sister website) has an exclusive for you!
Any fan of the Dark Knight knows Kevin Porter for his unique and brilliant portrayal of the Batman…just not in multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbusters. The 44-year-old actor, producer, and director has been involved in a host of short films produced by ‘Bat in the Sun’ Productions. The result of some of his work — in productions like “City of Scars”, “Killer Croc vs. Batman”, and “Batman: Dark Justice” — have delivered millions of youtube hits and a rabid cult following. Make no mistake, Kevin Porter is the fan’s Dark Knight.
A Batman enthusiast myself, I have followed Porter’s work over the years and have admired the presence he creates on-screen, giving fans intense action and amazing decisiveness. His performances draw parallels from various inceptions of the DC charter we have read in comic books. We at DCComicsNews.com caught up with Kevin Porter for a broad Q/A session and found the experience like no other. The man behind the cowl is humble, brilliant to work with, polite, and most importantly, very gracious in having so much fan support.
DCN’s Damian Fasciani
Kevin, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Can you give us a brief background and bio on yourself? Favourite sport, hobbies, where did you grow up?
Kevin Porter
I grew up in Florida as a huge football fan as well as an avid comic book collector.
DF
Can you take the fans back to the origins of your connection to the Dark Knight and how you started in film?
KP
I have always been a huge Batman fan, going all of the way back to the television series as well as the animated show. I was an actor in Los Angeles and responded to a casting for actors to portray Batman for live appearances around the world. I was fortunate enough to be cast, and that led to a chance meeting with the Bat in the Sun guys..
DF
Having seen the brilliant work you have done portraying the character of Batman, where have you drawn your inspiration from to be able to deliver the performances we’ve seen?
KP
That’s so nice of you to say. When I play Batman, I am able to access a portion of myself that’s not readily available. We all have a duality to us and that’s what attracts me most to the Dark Knight; dark places in our psyche that we often suppress.. Batman allows me to explore this and expand.
DF
Can you give DCN and your fans an insight into the character preparation you go through prior to a film shoot?
KP
At first it is physical. When I receive the call, I get into what I call “Extreme Batman Shape.” I generally stay within two weeks of that type. I then receive the script and research is done to best prepare me mentally for the scene to be shot.
DF
Can you share with the fans your proudest moment on film as the Dark Knight and why?
KP
There have been so many, and I could say the countless hospital visits. The times that I have been in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the USO trips around the world. But the one project that endures and will be standing long after we are gone, is “City of Scars.” With that film, we got it right. I am more proud of that than any film that I’ve ever done, and I’ve done some big ones..
DF
What’s the typical length of time taken between pre and post production to get a short film complete? And do you get involved in any other elements of a shoot?
KP
I am very blessed as Aaron allows me to simply focus on my craft: the act of bringing Batman to life. The Bat in the Sun guys handle the pre and post production, so I simply show up, look cool, and leave! The post production time really depends on the length of the project as well as the visual effects required.
DF
The fight sequences we have seen give a gritty and realistic take on how Batman deals with his enemies. What training do you undertake to bring that physical presence on set?
KP
I am an athlete at heart. I played football all through elementary school and through college, so I always say that a true athlete can undertake anything physical. I also come from a martial arts family, so that helped tremendously with the fight scenes.
DF
2014 will mark the 25th anniversary of Burton’s 1989 Batman film. What are your thoughts on how that world was constructed and the Batman story told?
KP
I think that the 89 movie, along with Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns reimagined Batman and brought his world to a more realistic, albeit grittier place. You can watch any of the subsequent films without seeing Burton’s fingerprints all over them. He, along with Richard Donner, set the standard by which all superhero movies are judged.
DF
Of all the Batman films, do you have a personal favourite and why?
KP
The 89 film, for the reasons that I just expressed. They started with a script and visually noting to draw from. The 66 movie? I don’t think so. They imagined a way to allow for a man dressed as a bat to realistically stalk the night in search of criminals without looking hokey.
DF
If you could deliver another Batman film for the fans, what story and take would you like to portray?
KP
I like the death of Jason Todd. Or the Hush series; something that deals with Batman’s loss as an adult. I’d like to focus more on Bruce Wayne and how he processes that duality of being the bat and keeping up the social veneer of a billionaire..
DF
Since the news broke that Ben Affleck is going to be the Dark Knight in Man of a Steel 2 (working title), you filmed a short but very powerful warning to him which I thought was brilliant. Can you share with us the background on that?
KP
That was actually Aaron Schoenke’s (Bat in the Sun Productions co-founder) brilliant idea. We showed up to shoot our latest project and she had this script for a pass for Ben Affleck. It took some selling, as I was not on board initially, but as usual, Aaron was right and it turned out amazingly well..
DF
If you could film a movie where a cross universe team-up was part of the story, which other superhero would like to team up with and why?
KP
I’m not just saying this because of my pending Punisher project, but I would love to see a Bruce Wayne/Frank Castle project. I love both of those characters and see such similarities. Both driven by grief.
Kevin Porter referred to the “City of Scars” as is proudest production. See it here.
The warning shot to Ben Affleck as he is set to now be the latest actor to portray Batman.
Kevin Porter also has a Facebook page to connect with his Fans. With over 100,000 Likes and a growing fan base, be sure to visit and connect with the Fan’s Dark Knight.
It was an absolute pleasure to work with Kevin and have him donate a portion of his time to open up for the dccomicnews.com fans.
