RESULTS: Will Christopher Nolan Kill Off Batman In THE DARK KNIGHT RISES?

RESULTS: Will Christopher Nolan Kill Off Batman In THE DARK KNIGHT RISES?

A few days ago I asked the CBM community if they believed that Christopher Nolan would kill off Batman in The Dark Knight Rises. Click the jump to see the results of that poll.

Feature Opinion
By nailbiter111 - May 30, 2012 03:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman



In the latest issue of Empire Magazine there is a great spread about The Dark Knight Rises. The article begins with a quote from screenwriter David Goyer discussing the moment that he and Nolan conceived the final scene of the film. Goyer's quote hints of something tragic to come:

"The final scene of The Dark Knight Rises is exactly that scene we talked about then," says Goyer, speaking to Empire from his LA office almost four years later. "It remained completely unchanged. We both knew in our hearts that we were onto something special. I have to tell you, having finally seen everthing strung together a little while ago and seeing that scene, I got a complete lump in my throat."

Not too many scenes will put a lump in your throat. One type of scene is a major death of a character. Something we all shared for those that have watched Marvel's The Avengers and Men In Black 3.


Also, about five days ago it was revealed that dialect coach Francie Brown had seen the most recent cut of the film and told her husband Roger Nail that it was over three hours long. See the results below.




The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters July 20th 2012 and stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon, Tom Hardy as Bane, Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake and Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate.

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webheaded
webheaded - 5/30/2012, 3:48 PM
I kind of want it done, actually. It'll just be a hell of a way to end the trilogy.
antonio
antonio - 5/30/2012, 3:49 PM
I thought about it and I am still extremely conflicted about whether or not Bruce will die or not. With that said, I'm just gonna stop speculating and wait until July 20th to see how this epic story pays off.
santoanderson
santoanderson - 5/30/2012, 3:50 PM
Didn't Christian Bale have an interview a few days ago saying he was open to a fourth Batman film, assuming Nolan was too? It's kind of hard to resurrect a dead character in this universe.
TheUnknown
TheUnknown - 5/30/2012, 3:52 PM
There is no way WB can kill the title hero in front of children
NerdyGeek
NerdyGeek - 5/30/2012, 3:53 PM
Bruce Wayne may die. Batman can NEVER die
CyclopsWasRight
CyclopsWasRight - 5/30/2012, 3:53 PM
no, just no, what yossarian said.
Ghostfire
Ghostfire - 5/30/2012, 3:55 PM
Who cares!! Just bring on the movie!!
SeaSerpentine
SeaSerpentine - 5/30/2012, 3:56 PM
Are the Lazarus pits in the film or was that just speculation? I remember that the first set pics depicted some kind of pools or springs.
Knightrider
Knightrider - 5/30/2012, 3:56 PM
@santoanderson It was my understanding that, that interview was done a long time ago, plus I doubt he could say "I can't do a forth, as I die at the end of this one" haha However recently he has said he won't be Batman again, plus could always appear in flashbacks, or be set in the 8 year gap, who knows.

As for killing him, I would take my hat off if they did, as I would think it is a pretty gutsy move to do it.

I am all for story though, if the story works with him dying, then fine, if it done just for shock value, then I am not fine with it. Wait and see I guess
Knightrider
Knightrider - 5/30/2012, 3:57 PM
I do also think you can kill him and call the film TDKR, as Bruce can die, then someone else takes up the mantle of the Bat, thus the Dark Knight Rises
ralfinader
ralfinader - 5/30/2012, 3:58 PM
@santoanderson - reading comprehension on this site lacks alot to be desired, thats why the 'yes' vote won...or a bunch of Nolan haters were being hopeful.

@ckal- The announcement that Bale and Nolan were making this their last movie is the 'out'. They don't need to kill Batman for an out.

@Yoss - exactly

Warner Bros wouldn't let Nolan kill Bats anyways. Listening to commentaries from the movies both animated and live-action, they do care about the charactors to some degree, they just usually have no idea what to do with them.
ralfinader
ralfinader - 5/30/2012, 3:59 PM
@knightrider - then it should be called "A Dark Knight Rises"
R888
R888 - 5/30/2012, 4:00 PM
I don't think bat will die







angus666
angus666 - 5/30/2012, 4:00 PM
I just don't see the point. He doesn't fit in with any other DC hero in this style of movie, so it might as well be a different universe all together. If they make another Batman, they wouldn't have to account for these movies.
TheNameIsBetty
TheNameIsBetty - 5/30/2012, 4:00 PM
Where's the person that usually says,
"Bah, I'll wait for Redbox."?
95
95 - 5/30/2012, 4:02 PM
Batman dying opens doors for more threats.
FilmsFan
FilmsFan - 5/30/2012, 4:03 PM
@santoanderson So what do u think Bale would've said: "Oh yes! We killed Batman in the end, so the legend ends... No 4th film, goodbye"!!

I mean he has to say that a 4th one is possible just to negate the extreme speculations on Batman's fate in TDKR!
Magie Gyllenhall said this in TDK's interview that she'll be happy to be back, even though she knew she died!
So they have to say that!
Knightrider
Knightrider - 5/30/2012, 4:03 PM
@Ralf I don't believe it would need a title change to suit the story that literally. If, as mentioned dies and someone else becomes Batman, The Dark Knight Rises works fine as a title, especially when talking about the Dark Knight as a symbol rather than a man in a suit.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 5/30/2012, 4:03 PM
I want him killed off for two reasons.
1) Forcibly Retired at an early age? This is Batman - he NEVER gives up - don't even flirt with that.
While Nolan and Goyer have actually thrown in MORE characters from the comics in their movies than Burton and Schumacher's combined, one gets the immediate sense that Batman really hasn't grown into the detective that DETECTIVE COMICS quickly centered around. He did not these characters with his superior deductive reasoning and planning, nor did he work very hard ON HIS OWN. He is not very far into his career as Batman. Death before retirement.

2) The other fish in the sea...
Batman is one of two DC properties that Warner Bros is greatly invested in. With Batman dead, perhaps WB won't be so quick to reboot him, and instead explore the other superheroes that carry some weight in the comics. While you may understandably argue that the studio doesn't operate on good will, let me remind you that Nolan will still be a force in WB, as he is working with Zach Snyder on Man of Steel. I don't think they want to burn that bridge.
pmkane
pmkane - 5/30/2012, 4:05 PM
Anyone else think they might do the whole Dark Knight Returns ending . . . Bruce Wayne is exposed as Batman and apparently dead at the end, but we see him alive and well and training the next generation of Gotham's protectors?
santoanderson
santoanderson - 5/30/2012, 4:06 PM
Whatever. I know that WB has given Nolan a lot of leeway with these movies, but I really doubt they'd be open to killing off the character. That and, regardless of how much spin they put on it, killing a superhero at the end of the movie/trilogy would be a major buzzkill.
95
95 - 5/30/2012, 4:07 PM
After being "broken", Batman returns (despite the odds). RISE. At the end, Batman is "immortal". He becomes a Ra's al Ghul-type. Remember, Batman and Talia exchange words during the climax -- probably about "true justice". Last scene: Batman watching over Gotham like a gargoyle.
BJD
BJD - 5/30/2012, 4:08 PM
@santoanderson:I read the same interview you did and it was more recent than the interview where Bale gave a flat NO.
Here's the link to Yahoo news

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/christian-bale-opens-door-another-batman-movie-184704827.html

However Bale only leaves the door open enough for hope to drip through in liquid form. Bale says he would love to do it if Mr. Nolan came up with a fourth script.

Even so, I doubt he would've said this if Batman dies at the end of TDKR, knowing that Chris Nolan is the poster child for realism...on the other hand, there is the Lazarus pit..
DukeAcureds
DukeAcureds - 5/30/2012, 4:10 PM
Killing him, yet not breaking his back? Think not. Besides, Bale has all but confirmed that Bruce will survive, as he would be willing to return for a sequel.
antonio
antonio - 5/30/2012, 4:10 PM
@Durf I'm with ya!! Next Friday is Prometheus and I just cannot wait!! Let the awesome year for movies continue!!

@3D I like your theory. I always thought the scene from trailer #3 with Batman on top of the bridge would possibly be the final scene.
marvel72
marvel72 - 5/30/2012, 4:13 PM
don't really care if they kill batman,its gonna get rebooted in a few years.


2.5 hours is more than enough run time,i don't want to get bored while watching it.

i remember going to see the two towers,way too long especially with those treebeard scenes & uncomfortable seats.
DEADP0000L
DEADP0000L - 5/30/2012, 4:15 PM
FilmsFan
FilmsFan - 5/30/2012, 4:15 PM
& I don't know is anyone gona die (Bruce &/ Batman).
But I'm just not understanding that why even we think that Nolan is gona kill the main character let alone WB or anyone stoping him!
In Memento; the main guy was a kind of bad guy & he lived in end!
Prestige or even in Inception the main guy or guys were not that "good guys" & no one died, just cuz they have to be killed!
So i think Batman & Bruce will pushed to the limit but he's the SuperHero & one of the biggest known movie characters, Nolan would be mad to do that. That's not gona happen, & even if did it would be kind of after win for batman, cuz if Bane beat Bruce/Batman & killed him, who's gona kill bane!
So Batman can't die & Nolan would never do that!
8thPassenger
8thPassenger - 5/30/2012, 4:16 PM
@ckal

They've said roughly one third of the movie is shot in IMAX.

They also said about an hour is in IMAX.

Do the math.
brewtownpsych
brewtownpsych - 5/30/2012, 4:16 PM
it all depends on how well it's done. dying at the end could be very compelling indeed.
antonio
antonio - 5/30/2012, 4:18 PM
@8thPassenger that rounds up to about nearly 3 hours. Am I right?
antonio
antonio - 5/30/2012, 4:19 PM
@IronMan so, I would say this summer has not disappointed. And it's going to get better from here. :)
RaMan
RaMan - 5/30/2012, 4:23 PM
Batman will fake his death. Just read the ending of "The Dark Knight Returns" since the movie is based off that:


After Bruce's funeral, it is revealed that his death was staged as an elaborate ruse; Clark Kent (Superman) attends the funeral and gives Robin a knowing wink after hearing Bruce's heartbeat as he leaves the grave site, suggesting his silent approval of what will happen next. Some time afterward, Batman leads Robin, Green Arrow, and the rest of his followers into the caverns beyond the Batcave and prepares to continue his fight. His plan, which will take years of training and studying, is to build an army, and to bring sense to a world plagued by something "worse than thieves and murderers". He decides that this will be a "good life – good enough."
antonio
antonio - 5/30/2012, 4:26 PM
@Hulk2008 that's a route that can definitely go.
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