I continue to this day, to skip to my favorite bits of "The Dark Knight" (E.g. The transformation and reveal of Dent as Two-Face, The Joker interrogation scene at the MCU, and more). And every now and then, I'll watch the film in its entirety, appreciating every heart breaking, body pounding moment. There's something very different and intriguing every time I watch the film, and it reminds me (dare I say it), of the first time "Spider-Man" (2002) came out. I really couldn't stop watching it, and not for one second did it become boring.
Recently whilse casting my mind back to the original Batman movies, and of course Nolan's first, "Batman Begins (2005)," I began to envision what could've unfolded if say...Ledger hadn't died? If Katie Holmes had stuck onto the role of Rachel Dawes? and if Dent had survived?
In fact, one of the key aspects of the Dark Knight that made me think "Awwww, but why not more Two-Face?" was Dent's demise. The CGI, was astounding as you'll all agree, and as a fan boy, that was very empowering to be able to finally say "Yep, Dent's not black, he's not half purple, and he looks [frick]ed up and burnt to hell, like he should be!" Nolan had managed to pinpoint the look to a tee, and actually make people feel his pain. If Dent had lived, however, would his madness have gotten worse? Or would he have started to become the white knight he once was...to only die in the third, becoming Harvey Dent once again? Who knows.
As for Joker, we all know it's in poor taste to try and reinterpret what Ledger did in a third Bat flick--nothing can replace that performance. But if Ledger hadn't passed? Would Joker have reappeared in the third? Or could we have seen a little a'la "Batman Returns" (1995) with the character returning in the moonlight like Catwoman at the end? I have always envisioned Joker locked away in a padded cell, as promised by Batman himself, and a psychiatrist named Harleen Quinzel slowly approaching the cell door. Something as small and as simple as that would have the fan boys squealing...like pigs! But with Christopher Nolan recently informing us that the third will close the doors, rather than expand on the universe, it seems unlikely to see any Easter eggs or twisted endings of any sort.
And for god's sake...Am I the only one who feels that Scarecrow/Dr. Crane needs a little more leg room? I love Joker, Two Face and Scarecrow equally, but if you're not going to kill off the character...don't waste his existence. Or at least promise us another appearance from Murphy in Batman 3. I've never felt more strongly that Cillian Murphy is Dr. Crane! Just as much as Heath as Joker, and Eckhart as Dent! So let's hope we get another fear toxin spraying, maggot crawling face invested appearance from Scarecrow.
Now that I've stopped ranting, I'm finally gonna say my opinion on what's being done with Batman 3...well nothing so far. My predictions are simply: Riddler will probably be the guy. No doubt, even if I didn't want him there, he's our next baddie. My idea for a story? That Batman continues to run from Gordon and the rest of Gotham, whilse Riddler offers the people a cure for the city? He persuades the public that he is the right man to capture the caped crusader, and that he just wants what the city wants: a peaceful life and no more "This city is messed up!" Although unknown to the people, Mr. Nigma is plotting something. I don't know what, but he's plotting something whilse still maintaining his innocent face to the city. Wayne obviously has to return to taking down Riddler and his thugs, whilse solving riddles which hint clues to Batsy what Nigma's actually planning. Batman (With Alfred's helps of course) will discover for himself that Riddler isn't so innocent after all.
Well you get the idea. Anyway, discuss my minions!
-Mike