EDITORIAL: My Theories About THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

EDITORIAL: My Theories About THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

So, The Dark Knight Rises is perhaps the most anticipated comic book movie yet. I have been impatiently waiting for July 20, 2012 for about 2 years now. So, from what has been leaked about the film, I've come upe with several theories about the story:

Editorial Opinion
By aliasgirl47 - Dec 07, 2011 11:12 AM EST
Filed Under: Batman

1. DID CATWOMAN POISON THE COMMISSIONER? In the first teaser, Gordon is shown in a hospital bed. Once in the comics, Scarecrow drugged Catwoman, and caused her to poison the commissioner. Since Gordon is speaking in a raspy voice, it is plausible that he may have had a poison blown into his lungs.

2. WILL BANE BREAK BATMAN'S BACK? That's the question that's on everyone's mind. IN the teaser, if you look closely, you can see another hand on Gordon's hospital bed. Perhaps, Bruce, with a broken back in the same hospital, wheeled himself in there in his wheelchair, and spoke with Gordon. It definetly seems like Gordon is talking to Bruce.
In a recent "leaked" prologue description (which may or may not be true) it was told that Batman meets Bane in some sort of tunnel. Then, before weakening Batman and breaking his back, Bane reveals that he knows everything about the Caped Crusader, and that he has big plans for Gotham, that he wants Batman to see, which is why he doesn't kill him then. When I read that I was ecstatic, and perhaps this could be the prologue, or maybe not. But, even if Batman's back isn't broken in the prologue, it probably will occur at some point in the story, especially since Bane has been described as a villain who can rip people's spinal columns right out of their bodies, crush skulls, and snap limbs.

3. WHAT'S UP WITH CATWOMAN? Now that I've learned that The Dark Knight Rises take place 8 years after The dark Knight, I'm wondering why Catwoman looks so young. Anne Hathaway will no doubt make a good Selina Kyle, but if Bruce is years older than her, I'm not sure if they should have a romance. Perhaps, Batman will be more like a father figure to her, which could be an interesting way to tell their story that hasn't been done.
If Nolan is making this Selina Kyle similar to the "mousy secretary" that we saw in "Batman Returns", Anne Hathaway is perfect for that. She played that sort of person in "The Devil Wears Prada". Though Anne can pass as a secretary, I'm not so sure about her playing a serious, dramatic Catwoman, all while doing action. To be honest, I thought Anne was more suited to play someone like Harley Quinn, and someone else, more "serious" and more experienced with action, such as Jennifer Garner, Charlize Theron, or Kate Beckinsale, should have been given the role of the Princess of Plunder. That being said, I've got my fingers crossed for Anne with hopes that she can pull it off. Michelle Pfiffer did approve of her , and since Michelle, in my opinion, was the best Catwoman, I'll trust her assumptions.
The Catoman suit certainly is reminiscent of the one that Julie Newmar donned in the '60s. I was hoping more for the cowl and goggles look, but perhaps at one point, she'll wear something like that. he one thing that's really bothering me is this: WHERE IS HER WHIP???? Catwoman, my favorite DC Comics character, HAS TO HAVE A WHIP. Hopefully, she's got one, and it just hasn't been mentioned yet, but all Catfans know that Selina MUST CARRY A WHIP.
I'm hoping that Anne will "dig her catnails" into the character, and both sides of it. I hope that she will be playfully psyciotic, but a little more serious thatn Michelle's Catwoman. I want some suttle purrs, a meow here and there, and of course, the signature Catwoman laugh, but I would like to see it all done in Nolan's realistic way, like he did with the Joker.

4. HOW WILL IT END? I read something in the news that said at one point, the last bit of this film's script was split up and hidden in several different drawers by Nolan in an office. I've come up with a few guesse about how Batman's story could end.
1. BATMAN DIES....BUT... perhaps, Batman will die, honorably, but (and this is just a guess) what if Catwoman takes over, turns from her villainess ways, and becomes Gotham's new hero? Catwoman does have an entire spin-off series in the comics, and I believe that Nolan could do something for the female superhero that hasn't been done before. He could bring in classic Catwoman villians and storylines, and perhaps even throw in Batgirl. So far, for female heroes, we've only seen "Elektra" and "Catwoman". I WANT MORE. Even if this Catwoman series is not made, eventually someday, I would like to see a series of films solely about a superheroine. After all, us fangirls need role models too. Anhyway, it's just a guess, but I would like to see more Catwoman.
2. Mabe it will appear that Batman is dead, but a little later on, he'll be seen in some street, running, perhaps with Alfred or Bruce's voice saying "A legend never dies", and then the film will go to its end credits. That certainly would be interesting.
3. Similar to Batman Returns, maybe in the end, Batman believes that Catwoman is dead, but then she appears (preferably to him) and agrees to begin fighting crime alongside with him, or on her own. Maybe she'd say something like "Thank you", and then, like in Batman Begins, Batman would reply "You dont have to thank me". Then the two would either depart or leave together in search of more criminals.
4. Batgirl????? There hs been a Btgirl rumor swarming around, which may not be true, but it would be awesome to see a Batgirl cameo in the end of the film, maybe even after the credits.


So, those are my thoughts, and they're mjust my opinions, please no hateful comments.

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RunDTC
RunDTC - 12/7/2011, 11:24 AM
RunDTC
RunDTC - 12/7/2011, 11:29 AM
if the film ends with Catwoman as the main hero, I may have to kill Nolan myself AND HE'S MY FAVORITE DIRECTOR!
alucard365
alucard365 - 12/7/2011, 11:49 AM
i don't know about a Catwoman film franchise, but after seeing the Catwoman short, i'm all for a Catwoman animated series.
XP84
XP84 - 12/7/2011, 12:13 PM
This is by far the worst of TDKR theories. Bruce Wayne being Selinas mentor??? Catwoman Gothams new hero??? No. Please. Just stop.
MercMatt
MercMatt - 12/7/2011, 12:22 PM
This is the one movie that has me wanting to know everything. I like your ideas, and they seem plausible. I would think that, with the possible fourth and fifth films, as mentioned in Nailbiter111's article, that is Batman/Bruce does die, that JGL's character could possibly take over. That would be ok with me. A real-world Nightwing, without the Dick Grayson tie-in. May not be the most wanted thing, but it could work. Good read. Cheers!
joeker
joeker - 12/7/2011, 1:48 PM
i seriously doubt catwoman will poison Gordon but Bane will break Batmans back, that being said he proberly wont snap it so he will have a chance at recovering, but batman 'dying' & bruce lives on is a possibility but batgirl? No i guess we will have to wait & see
AC1
AC1 - 12/7/2011, 2:20 PM
I'd prefer a Batman Returns style ending with Batman in the Catwoman role. Like Batman is presumed dead, we think we see him die, then the film ends on the dark streets of Gotham, Commissioner Gordon pondering the future without the Dark Knight, only for him to notice something, which we then see: Batman's silhouette, running into the distance. It'd also be a mirror to the Dark Knight Returns graphic novel, but instead of Bruce faking his own death to become Batman full time, Batman fakes his death to become more of an invisible predator type of vigilante, returning to the shadows after the exposure he'll obviously gain in this film. In fact, it could even be left ambiguous as to whether it's still Bruce in the costume, or someone else entirely.

But yeah, while these are good theories, I don't think any of them are likely. I hope Bane breaks Bruce's back, but even that's not a certainty with this film.
ISleepNow
ISleepNow - 12/7/2011, 2:34 PM
Gary Oldman wouldn't be talking about the possibility of Warners going on to Batman 4 and 5 if Batman was dead
TheDpool
TheDpool - 12/7/2011, 2:38 PM
well if Bane is supposed to have been raised by rahs gaul then he may know bruce is batman since rahs did
Kaedus
Kaedus - 12/7/2011, 2:43 PM
I'm pretty sure, seeing this is the last one, that Batman will reveal himself to Gordon as Bruce.

Calling it.
MassExecutions
MassExecutions - 12/7/2011, 2:46 PM
Time to break this one out:

If you think Batman is going to die you better brush up on your spelling, because there's no "F" in "way".

Of course I'm talking about a "body riddled with bullets laying on a slab in the morgue kind of death." There might be a "something bad happens, no body recovered" kind of pseudo-death.

I predict that Bane will break Batman's back, right at the end, and somebody else will kill Bane, like Gordon or Alfred.
Moonwalker1991
Moonwalker1991 - 12/7/2011, 3:07 PM
Good article. There are some things I'm a bit concerned about in this film such as the eight year gap, but I trust Nolan. He'll deliver.
Moonwalker1991
Moonwalker1991 - 12/7/2011, 3:07 PM
@Kaedus: That would be quite a twist.
WyattLayne
WyattLayne - 12/7/2011, 3:42 PM
I had theorized a while ago that it will appear that batman is dead, but we will then see him in the shadows, as the criminals do, and we won't know whether it's Bruce and he survived, or if its someone in Gotham who was inspired to keep the legend alive.that would be awesome IMO.
LogicError
LogicError - 12/7/2011, 3:46 PM
So just anyone gets to write an article on here? Does the editor read this stuff first before they post it?
Bandrews1
Bandrews1 - 12/7/2011, 3:49 PM
Interesting theories, but I doubt they would have Batman being a mentor to Catwoman.
thewolfx
thewolfx - 12/7/2011, 3:50 PM
heres my theory

the movie will probly suck compared to TDK
ATUnit
ATUnit - 12/7/2011, 4:04 PM
All of those ENDING scenarios are lame and would not lend themselves to a Christopher Nolan film.

Not to sound sexist, but was this written by a FANGIRL????

Catwoman is a supporting character. That's it. Nothing more.
heisei24
heisei24 - 12/7/2011, 4:54 PM
why the hate on Batman's death?
Gnyah123
Gnyah123 - 12/7/2011, 4:57 PM
how bout this..bear with me..
if he does die i think it'll be at the end maybe the final showdown between bat n bane but i dont think he will die..i hope he doesn't i dont think nolan will let us walk out the theater in tears as we see bruce's funeral haha. if anything bane will die or get locked up he has to..he still can't be at large if bat is dead who will stop him? catwoman...i dont think so..batgirl?...i dont think so..n since there is no robin the only other person is JGL if he sorta knew who bat was n he became the new bat...batman beyond..

the part about the 8 years....
in 1 of the prologue descriptions or a description of the film of wat will happen through it...it said flash backs will happen of how bane took over gotham
so maybe..probably batman gets his back broken in the beginning probably the first 20 - 40 mins..
then we fast forward to 8 years later as bruce is just maybe healing n reflecting on how bane took over gotham..then maybe at a certain point in the film thats when we see gordon in the hospital telling him to come back..
so maybe after healing for 8 years n after seeing him in the hospital bed he trains to come back..
Gnyah123
Gnyah123 - 12/7/2011, 5:01 PM
how bout this..bear with me..
if he does die i think it'll be at the end maybe the final showdown between bat n bane but i dont think he will die..i hope he doesn't i dont think nolan will let us walk out the theater in tears as we see bruce's funeral haha. if anything bane will die or get locked up he has to..he still can't be at large if bat is dead who will stop him? catwoman...i dont think so..batgirl?...i dont think so..n since there is no robin the only other person is JGL if he sorta knew who bat was n he became the new bat...batman beyond..

the part about the 8 years....
in 1 of the prologue descriptions or a description of the film of wat will happen through it...it said flash backs will happen of how bane took over gotham
so maybe..probably batman gets his back broken in the beginning probably the first 20 - 40 mins..
then we fast forward to 8 years later as bruce is just maybe healing n reflecting on how bane took over gotham..then maybe at a certain point in the film thats when we see gordon in the hospital telling him to come back..
so maybe after healing for 8 years n after seeing him in the hospital bed he trains to come back..

also ur wrong about bruce being in the wheel chair..cuz sum1 recorded nolan filming as bruce was going to a party or w/e it was like his first time out..he was walking with a cane n ppl asked him where have u been etc..
also the wheelchair is false...becuz when they first started shooting the film the first pictures we saw was a man in a tux. wearing a mask jumping out the hospital...im gon guess that was bruce seeing gordon n maybe police or security walked in on him..which is why we see the pics of him jumpin out the window..
WinterSoldier24
WinterSoldier24 - 12/7/2011, 5:16 PM
Pretty good write up. A few grammatical errors but, nothing to have an aneurism over. =P

To be honest, you're reaching pretty far with some of your theories. I actually wouldn't rule out the Bat's death in one of Nolan's films. He's one of a very few select type of filmmaker that's allowed to take risks like that because he's earned the right to. It's that type of vision that makes his storytelling compelling, though not original. =P

As far as Catwoman taking the mantel from the Caped Crusader? I really don't think that's the direction this particular story is leaning towards. Catwoman's a master thief, not a vigilante.

@Mass has the best idea of how it could end but, I'd love to see it end the way nowtheresaBATman described. Perfect ending =P

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions of course so, good write up.

Gnyah123
Gnyah123 - 12/7/2011, 5:48 PM
@nowtheresaBATman

maybe ur right. but at the end of the day nobody knows but the ppl who were on set haha.

but think bout it though i mean we r going to get the prologue...then maybe after that a lil origin perhaps of bane or/and the shit about the doctor that was posted on here a few hours ago
cuz after the prologue and all that we r picking up where we left off in TDK..which is him running away...keep in mind hes hurt from the fall from saving the kid n from being shot!
but he gets away from the cops..only to find himself run into bane n thats where he gets his back broken...n left to suffer in pain..then we go to 8 years later..
but again no1 knows haha but i think he will get it broken in the beginning after the prologue n w/e afters that..
Organa1978
Organa1978 - 12/7/2011, 8:13 PM
I just hope that NONE of these endings be the right thing.
Please NO !
Famtrad3
Famtrad3 - 12/7/2011, 8:32 PM
If you have been following every set photo that has leaked from TDKR sets, then you will recall there was an image of a man with a mask jumping out of a widow. I believe this was Bruce Wayne visiting Gordon in the hospital. I don't think Bane will break Batman's back. I believe Bruce leaves Gotham alone for some time but decides to come back when all hell breaks lose. look at the photo.

http://www.totalfilm.com/news/the-dark-knight-rises-on-set-photo
Famtrad3
Famtrad3 - 12/7/2011, 8:40 PM
Adding to my previous comment. The fact that Bruce Wayne is the man jumping out of the window would also explain why that was one of the first set photos, and how that scene with Gordon could be done so early and be part of the first official trailer for TDKR.
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 12/7/2011, 8:52 PM
Batman will pull a Ras Al Ghul - He'll die in the end. it will feel like the end of his story. He'll die in the war scenes we've been seeing. they'll have a funeral. the movie will end. smash to black. slow fade into alfred walking down into the batcave. he rounds the corner and there's a healthy and alive bruce wayne. sitting at his computer in batsuit, no cowl. an empty glass case where a batsuit was once displayed can be seen behind him. he pulled a bait and switch and put his suit on a dead body. maybe john blake. Batman and Alfred exchange a bit of dialogue and Batman makes a comment "But is Batman immortal?" before putting on his mask and hopping in the batmobile and speeding off to defend Gotham.

franchise now open for recast of batman and joker. and room for dick greyson and barbara gordon.
BringTheFire
BringTheFire - 12/7/2011, 9:27 PM
My two cents * For what it's worth *

The prologue will be the extended ending to The Dark Knight. Almost as if you are watching the directors cut or something.

The story will be a mix of four things. * Catwoman and Batman's Romance * Bane building an Army * Bane Taking over the City * Untold tales of Bruce on his travels from Batman Begins and where he met Bane *

The final battle....Bane will break the Batman...but will it be Bruce Wayne? Recall if you will the Ninja training where Bruce made Ra's think he was a different Ninja and Ra's attack the wrong guy. Batman will probably do the same here. And When Bane breaks the bat and unmask him it will be someone else...and people will say hey Batman was Framed...and the real Batman will sow up during the Final show down.

The Ending...Probably a very Epic speech by Gordon....and something to do with the Joker...and Gotham always needing Batman
sikwon
sikwon - 12/7/2011, 10:20 PM
i dont post often but im reading on here all of the time. that said, im thinking that at some point (im leaning towards the beginnig of the movie) that batman gets broken. however its done, watching bane take over gotham is going to be epic. jgl has got to be nightwing, as batmans recovering he has to take up the mantle. nolan said he wont do robin (thank god) but that dosent mean that he wont do night wing. the interview ware he talks about bane taring people apart is telling, there is absolutely NO WAY that they will not have the breaking of batman. its just too epic. its like having the joker without the make up. you just cant do it. thats the whole thing that makes bane so badass, he broke the unbreakable. the talk of an army means that batman cant do it alone, the themes of batman inspiring copy cats in the dark knight will be taken to a new level with catwoman and nightwing being actual super heroes under batmans crippled tutelage until hes fit for combat again and they defeat bane. gordons injury could be anything, the result of a thoroughly out of control gotham, a stray gunshot, an attempt on his life. anything. to think that batman was laying so low that bane was able to take over without any attempt by the bat to stop him, i just cant see that. rather batman gts beatin and gives up. alot of batman themes have to do with him dealing with the darker aspects of his nature, one of the things we havent seen is batman taste defeat. how will he react to being broken? to failure? to seeing gotham over run? hes going to spiral down in depression for a time until hes strengthend by something or someone. point is, i think knightwings going to be in the tdkr.
Redhood2k10
Redhood2k10 - 12/7/2011, 11:03 PM
Have a scene in the baggage about Batman monitoring someone in metropolis. Batman needs help dealing with Bane and Big Blue shows up saying " need a hand?"a lol jk. If only there was such a world.
Scorpio9
Scorpio9 - 12/8/2011, 1:19 AM
Wait..they're making another Batman movie???
MassExecutions
MassExecutions - 12/8/2011, 6:19 AM
Here's the thing. Like some people have said, Bane WILL break Batman's back. Its too good of a scene and too well known not to have it.

Here's the other thing. If they don't have the entire law abiding populace of Gotham rising up in this film and killing every criminal, and then restoring order, Gotham will still be so corrupt and dangerous at the end of the movie that without Batman it will be totally screwed. That's why you can't kill Batman.
BabyGroot
BabyGroot - 12/8/2011, 7:13 AM
i highly doubt that batman will die because of course it'd be a typical thing to do in a case like this, but Nolan's team are too creative to go down that road. another reason why i doubt it is because of this --> http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/debbiedowner/news/?a=50821
if there's a possibility of doing sequels, he'll probably live on to be a mentor for someone else to take continue his legacy. which can probably solve the problem of who's to take over for Bale after he leaves with Nolan, precisely going to a similar concept to Batman Beyond. least imo, because it can actually work and the whole point of doing this film was to finish *Bruce's* story being the dark knight.
bsgbumpersticker
bsgbumpersticker - 12/8/2011, 9:32 AM
I think The Dark Knight Rises will end will Bale taking off the cowl (killed or otherwise) and Gordon-Levitt putting on the mask (either as Batman or Nightwing). The title does have RISES in it which speaks to new beginnings vs. the end of a trilogy. Just my two cents.
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