You have to admit, things didn't look too good for The Caped Crusader in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. Even disregarding what he is up against in the story, comments from Nolan, Bale and co - as well as various other hints and clues from sources - have suggested that ol Bats may not make it to the very end of the movie. There is also the following Tweet from UK film maker Danny Allen which I found interesting - "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES has been reducing test screening audiences to tears.... if it matches the truly haunting trailer I don't blame them.". Tears usually means someone dies right? Well, while I have no doubt in my mind that SOMEONE we care about will buy the farm in the movie, the following quotes from Christian Bale definitely suggest that it won't be Bruce Wayne..unless Nolan's theoretical "next story" saw him return as a ghost..
"My understanding is that this is the last one. I think it's appropriate, I think it's going out at the right time. But...if Chris came to me with a script and said, 'You know what? There is another story' then I would love the challenge of making a fourth one work."
Also, when asked about the possibility of coming back "Dark Knight Returns" style to play the character as a much older man Bale responds - "
That could be an interesting one, couldn't it? Twenty years down the track...". So while this doesn't rule out Batman's demise entirely (Bale may just be playing the game here) it certainly serves as strong evidence against it. Rest easy Bat-fans, you may be spared seeing your hero expire on screen yet.