The Dark Knight Rises

[Scribblesense]

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/10/27/christopher-nolan-reveals-title-of-third-batman-film-and-that-it-wont-be-the-riddler/

Christopher Nolan reveals title of third Batman film and that 'it won't be the Riddler'
Oct. 27, 2010 | 6:25 a.m.

Nolan was most eager to talk about the fact that Warner Bros. had  agreed with his argument that the film should resist the current 3-D craze and instead use high-definition approaches and IMAX cameras to strike out on a different cinematic path than the stereoscopic technology that, for better or worse, has become the dominant conversation in the blockbuster sector.

Check back here later in the morning for a more in-depth look at that decision and the Nolan ambitions and reasons behind it.

As for the title, it shows the writer-director's intention to keep his Bruce Wayne trilogy tightly stitched together. "We'll use many of the same characters as we have all along, and we'll be introducing some new ones," Nolan said cryptically.  I had an odd thought: What if Nolan somehow brings back Harvey Dent? The only reason I even mention it is because, back during post-production on the second film, Nolan told me that the title "The Dark Knight" was just as much about Dent and his fall from the status of shining-knight civic crusader. Dent was plainly dead at the end of the last film, though, and Nolan has been intent on keeping his Gotham City film firmly rooted in a gritty gangland realism– this isn't a franchise that has veered off into the supernatural or even much super-science.

Nolan plays things close to the vest — he's one of the few filmmakers of his generation who actually does wear a vest — and he chuckled when I tried to get a few more details out of him. "Oh, you know me, I don't talk." He began our conversation by comparing it with a visit to the dentist's office. Well, if so, he's a patient who never opens wide. I asked if he could imagine a time when Warner Bros. would let a filmmaker shoot a Batman script where the villain isn't one of the signature creations from the comic books. "Ah, Geoff Boucher, master of the leading question," he said with a chuckle.

That's when he did agree, however, to eliminate a villain candidate, namely Edward Nigma, the green-suited Riddler, who many people (myself included) assumed was the next natural choice. That character could be taken in a lot of directions — think of Kevin Spacey's character in "Seven" as a compass point for one of those dark paths — but Nolan and his team are going a different way. As with "Dark Knight," the new film has a script written by Nolan and his brother, Jonah, and it's based on a story by the director and David Goyer. Earlier, I got Nolan to take Mr. Freeze off the list and, yes, this is like pulling teeth but don't think for a minute that I mind. Nolan makes sublime films, and any secrets he wants to keep in place are done so to protect the final product. As for me, I'm hoping now for Hugo Strange who, come to think of it, looks a bit like a dentist...

So, we know the title, and we know the villain won't be The Riddler (damnit!).

We also know that it is based on a comic book and will most likely be in color.

July 20, 2012 is the release date, and I'm counting every damn second.

[Darth Geek]

You can call it any damn thing you please, I just ask two things: DO NOT HAVE A LOVE INTEREST, and do not have Catwoman in it (unless she gets the shit kicked out of her in three seconds flat, that would be awesome). The ultra serious Nolan version of  Batman has already figured out he can't have a girlfriend without endangering her (something the audience figured out many years ago), and would have no problem punching a female villain. So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

[Scribblesense]

You can call it any damn thing you please, I just ask two things: DO NOT HAVE A LOVE INTEREST, and do not have Catwoman in it (unless she gets the shit kicked out of her in three seconds flat, that would be awesome). The ultra serious Nolan version of  Batman has already figured out he can't have a girlfriend without endangering her (something the audience figured out many years ago), and would have no problem punching a female villain. So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

Casting is underway for a new female character, sources say; that could be a villain, a new love interest, or just another character who happens to be a woman. My bet is on number three.

I also don't want Bruce to be all "mopey" because of Rachel's death, but I don't see how it's possible if the story is going to focus on Bruce Wayne as Batman again. If he can carry the burden of Harvey Dent's death, and the burden of the people the Joker killed, he can carry the burden of Rachel's death. That's the Batman I want to see.

As for a villain (since my top picks, Riddler and Mr. Freeze, have already been axed) - I'd like to see The Ventriloquist, though it would be difficult to make him intimidating.

My current top pick would be Bane. The highly intelligent and therefore more dangerous Bane, not the stupid grunting lugnut we saw in Batman and Robin. Maybe both, even.

[Doctor Who?]

You can call it any damn thing you please, I just ask two things: DO NOT HAVE A LOVE INTEREST, and do not have Catwoman in it (unless she gets the shit kicked out of her in three seconds flat, that would be awesome). The ultra serious Nolan version of  Batman has already figured out he can't have a girlfriend without endangering her (something the audience figured out many years ago), and would have no problem punching a female villain. So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

I don't know what about Catwoman as a costumed hero who is out to get Batman because she thinks he killed Dent?  Now that would be interesting.

[Tripe]

So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

I think most people who follow this here know what my choice would be.

[Darth Geek]

You can call it any damn thing you please, I just ask two things: DO NOT HAVE A LOVE INTEREST, and do not have Catwoman in it (unless she gets the shit kicked out of her in three seconds flat, that would be awesome). The ultra serious Nolan version of  Batman has already figured out he can't have a girlfriend without endangering her (something the audience figured out many years ago), and would have no problem punching a female villain. So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

I don't know what about Catwoman as a costumed hero who is out to get Batman because she thinks he killed Dent?  Now that would be interesting.

Not really, because that would be changing the backstory and motivastions and everything about the character (besides, Talia would have similar motivations because he killed Ras Al Gul) and she wouldn't be a threat to him in a fight.

[Doctor Who?]

You can call it any damn thing you please, I just ask two things: DO NOT HAVE A LOVE INTEREST, and do not have Catwoman in it (unless she gets the shit kicked out of her in three seconds flat, that would be awesome). The ultra serious Nolan version of  Batman has already figured out he can't have a girlfriend without endangering her (something the audience figured out many years ago), and would have no problem punching a female villain. So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

I don't know what about Catwoman as a costumed hero who is out to get Batman because she thinks he killed Dent?  Now that would be interesting.

Not really, because that would be changing the backstory and motivastions and everything about the character (besides, Talia would have similar motivations because he killed Ras Al Gul) and she wouldn't be a threat to him in a fight.

Well The movie Joker and Ras Al Gul were not exactly the same as their comic book counter parts so I don't see how changing the back story would hurt that much.

Also they could cast an actress who works out in the part. 

I am not saying I want her in it just that there are ways that she could be it there is no reason the movie would be bad just because Catwoman is in it.

[lmolson73]

You can call it any damn thing you please, I just ask two things: DO NOT HAVE A LOVE INTEREST, and do not have Catwoman in it (unless she gets the shit kicked out of her in three seconds flat, that would be awesome). The ultra serious Nolan version of  Batman has already figured out he can't have a girlfriend without endangering her (something the audience figured out many years ago), and would have no problem punching a female villain. So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

I'd like to see Harley Quinn in a live action film, though I can't think of any particular actress who would be the best choice to play her. 

[Darth Geek]

You can call it any damn thing you please, I just ask two things: DO NOT HAVE A LOVE INTEREST, and do not have Catwoman in it (unless she gets the shit kicked out of her in three seconds flat, that would be awesome). The ultra serious Nolan version of  Batman has already figured out he can't have a girlfriend without endangering her (something the audience figured out many years ago), and would have no problem punching a female villain. So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

I'd like to see Harley Quinn in a live action film, though I can't think of any particular actress who would be the best choice to play her. 

Me too. I think she'd be a good choice as she would be trying to free Joker from Arkham and she works mostly in the background, not a hand to hand combater. Maybe we only see the Joker in deep shadow and hear his voice a little.

[Johnny Unusual]

Yeah, I hope it's Talia.  They should also find a way to "resurrect" Ra's.

Well, there's always the Lazarus Pit, but that doesn't seem right for the movie versions of the character.  Still, that sounds like a fine idea.

Still, rather than one big villain, it could be a bunch of smaller ones (perhaps with the Penguin as a leader).  Not necessarily going for a lot of villains per se (we know how that usually turns out) but to continue the idea that both Batman and Joker changed everything and that classic crime has been replaced by madmen (which was tackled in the Long Halloween mini-series).  Scarecrow can come back in a small role.  You don't have to give them all special attention but just to show that traditional crime is being supplanted by something most destructive and unsettling.

Or maybe bring in Hugo Strange but also give him elements of recent Bat-Villain Dr. Hurt who wants to break down Batman both physically and psychologically.

If they do the Joker again, I think it would work, but it will be a Hell of a job for the actor replacing Ledger.

You can call it any damn thing you please, I just ask two things: DO NOT HAVE A LOVE INTEREST, and do not have Catwoman in it (unless she gets the shit kicked out of her in three seconds flat, that would be awesome). The ultra serious Nolan version of  Batman has already figured out he can't have a girlfriend without endangering her (something the audience figured out many years ago), and would have no problem punching a female villain. So a background plotting type villain like Harley Quinn or Talia, that's fine.

I'd like to see Harley Quinn in a live action film, though I can't think of any particular actress who would be the best choice to play her. 

Me too. I think she'd be a good choice as she would be trying to free Joker from Arkham and she works mostly in the background, not a hand to hand combater. Maybe we only see the Joker in deep shadow and hear his voice a little.

I like Harley, but I don't think she belongs in the Nolan/Goyer version of Gotham.  She's a little too straightforwardly comedic.

[Henry88]

 the penguin being the new villain  would be great  he is really underappreciated.

[Darth Geek]

the penguin being the new villain  would be great  he is really underappreciated.

And horribly butchered in Batman Returns.

[Henry88]

the penguin being the new villain  would be great  he is really underappreciated.

And horribly butchered in Batman Returns.

and now they have (slim)chance to redeem him by making him the new villain

[Scribblesense]

Maybe they're going to do Jervis Tetch. He needs an "Alice."

Eh... too gimmicky a villain in my opinion.

Nobody agrees with my suggestion of Bane? 

[Tripe]

If they do the Joker again, I think it would work, but it will be a Hell of a job for the actor replacing Ledger.

Tommy Solomon man, or the kid that did this: