Taking a Shot in the Dark at the Batman 3 Movie

Taking a Shot in the Dark at the Batman 3 Movie

Many fans are still wondering what Christopher Nolan is cooking up for his next Batman film, but have the clues been right under our noses the whole time? I have some theories.

Editorial Opinion
By TheQuestion - Jul 22, 2010 05:07 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman

With the release of Christopher Nolan's 'Inception', along with its critical and financial success, many believe he will turn his attention to delivering his next (and final) installment of the Batman franchise. Since shortly after 'The Dark Knight' fandom has been in a tizzy with wild rumors and outright fabrications about the direction of the sequel. Nolan himself has been mum, as always, and that coyness has only added to the fervor. However, I do believe Nolan is a man that speaks more through his art and less through the media, and to know where he want to go, simply look at where he's been. I think I've got some solid ideas of what may be in store for the caped crusader's return visit.

1.)The Freaks Come Out at Night

A few people may remember the great viral marketing from TDK. It was one of the most in depth and active marketing campaigns ever created for a film. One of the most popular areas of the campaign were the Citizens for Batman events. In this subset of the campaign the fans played the role of Gothamites in support of Batman's vigilante efforts. A fortunate number of residents of Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles participated in a faux rally and were treated to all sorts of free swag. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Chicago effort and I still wear my CFB shirt with pride.

Included with the merchandise was a Gotham Times newspaper. It mainly featured little fluff pieces about the ongoings of the universe after 'Batman Begins', but one low key article in the fake newspaper stuck out to me. The piece was titled 'The Day Shift'. Take a gander.



If you can't read it too well, the article is about how Batman has forced criminals to operate in the day (a fact echoed by the Joker in TDK), but they are also afraid of a new criminal element that roam the streets at night, costumed villains. I kind of wrote off this article until I saw TDK, and every story of substance from the newspaper was actually canon for the film. This leads me to believe that a few of Batman's enemies are already active at the start of TDK, and this transition from mobsters to super villains will be played up in the sequel.

With the Falcone empire in shambles and most of the mob locked up, there is now a power vacuum in the criminal underworld, one that Gotham's more vibrant baddies will fill. Out of all of Batman's foes there are only a couple that have the cojones to step up; Black Mask and The Penguin. Black Mask is one of the most power hungry gang bosses in Gotham, and Penguin is a greedy financier and launderer that keeps money and murder moving around the city. Coincidentally enough these characters are both easily adaptable to Nolan's style and serve a real purpose in the narrative of Gotham. The Joker literally burned through the mob's cash, who better to prop up the pimps and pushers than the seemingly legit Oswald Cobblepot? And who better to terrorize innocents and crooks a like other than the sadistic and cruel Black Mask? I'm willing to bet at least one of the two make it into the sequel. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Firefly buzz around, or even the Scarecrow to haunt us one last time. Nolan has a pinache for incorporating a large number of villains in a single story, so this could be a buffet instead of a three course meal.

2.) If You Build It...

Wayne Manor was destroyed in 'Batman Begins'. The Batmobile bit the dust in TDK. Notice a motif here? Not only do these event raise the stakes for Batman and the story, they also give plausible reason for creating the Batcave and a newer, sleeker Batmobile. Assuming Lucious Fox didn't hand in his resignation, he's still around to outfit Batman with all of his wonderful toys. The Batcave is a no brainer, as Bats already had his famous super-computer and crime lab in TDK. But what of the Batmobile? The Tumbler was already made and functional when Bruce Wayne stumbled upon it, but what would he choose to design from scratch? He clearly has a preference.





So could we be seeing Batman in something that blends his love of sports cars with the functionality of the Tumbler? After all, Nolan seems to be streamlining Batman's look and operations over the last two films. And he fully understands that the Tumbler is now an iconic vehicle and he must replace it with something much cooler. I think something along the lines of this is what you'll see.



"Everyone thought it was the new Batmobile! The reactions were great..." - Slavche Tanevski, designer of the Lamborghini Ankonian Concept

3.) Riddle Me This

I've seen nearly all of Chris Nolan's film with the one exception being 'Following', his first feature film. The man has a knack for intricate head-scratchers; the Riddler must be a wet dream of a character for him. Before Jonah Nolan ever started working on a script, there were rumors that the Riddler would be the main baddie of the third film. That was never more than pure speculation that ran wild, but for good reason. Considering Nolan's love of mystery and thrillers, and TDK ending with Batman on the run, now is the time for Mr. Nigma to make his proper film debut. Shut up. I said "proper". The Riddler is no cackling baffoon that skirts on the Joker's schitck. He's an arrogant, calculating sociopath that is out to prove that no man, Bat or otherwise is his equal.

He would see the hunt for Batman as a way to test his intellect and succeed where the Gotham PD fails. But as always, he has a grander scheme in mind to keep all of Gotham guessing. Casting may be a bit of guess work. I hate to disappoint, but I don't think Johnny Depp is, or ever will be the man for the job. Nolan has a habit of working with a close number of trusted actors and some talent from the UK or Australia. So don't be surprised when a name like Jude Law, or now, Joseph Gordon-Levitt pops up. My personal favorite is Law, he just has 'The Riddler' written all over him.

4.) Robin? Hell no. Dick Grayson? Maybe.

It's no secret that neither Nolan nor Bale is a fan of the Boy Wonder. With his piss-poor translations into live action who can blame them? I'm personally a big fan of Robin (notably Tim Drake) but if Nolan doesn't like or appreciate the character, then he's the wrong guy to adapt him. However, that doesn't mean that Richard Grayson won't show up, or be alluded to. Nolan has already given a subtle tease. That kid from 'Batman Begins', take a good look at the color motif of his shirt. Red and green? Cheeky monkey!

Regardless of how you feel about Robin, everyone must admit he is a crucial character in the mythos, and the general audience will eventually clamor for him . Even with that said, there's no room to tell a fully fleshed out origin for Robin, but Richard Grayson could prove to be a pivotal character. With Rachael Dawes dead, Lucious Fox reluctant, Commissioner Gordon leading the hunt, and Alfred just being old, the youthful ward could bring a bit of light into the otherwise bleak world of Bruce Wayne, and repair his tarnished public image. At the very least, I expect the next film to bookend on a trip to the circus, and perhaps the next creative team can tackle Grayson.

5.) No Cats Allowed

I love a woman in skin tight vinyl, but I have no clue where she fits into the overall arch for the Nolan Trilogy. The film is in need of a strong female lead, and maybe Selina Kyle can be slipped into the story somewhere. But as for full-on, whip-cracking, back-flipping Catwoman -- don't count on it. Damn. Also I since Nolan doesn't have a great handle on female character, as they are often outshined by their male counterparts in his films. Maybe Carrie Anne-Moss in 'Memento' is the exception.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my long and in depth analysis. We can continue to discuss below. Hopefully, with Comic-Con in full swing this weekend we'll get some excellent Bat-News soon.
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AverageCitizen99
AverageCitizen99 - 7/22/2010, 6:21 PM
Astounding editorial! :)

I really liked a lot of what you brought up:

1. The viral campaigns really are where you find the most interesting stuff! The belief that these costumed lunatics or 'freaks' coming out at night feels like a nightmarish folk tale for a big gritty city like Gotham, it would definately deroute tourist attractions. It would be all the more difficult for both sides of the law knowing that people like Batman, the Joker or Scarecrow are running around turning their businesses into bigger warzones. And it was made canon in the beginning of TDK when we see Scarecrow about to negotiate when the Bat-posters arrive. By the time, as you said, 'Batman Begins' ended a lot of things could have happened to Gotham's criminal empire. As the Joker said, "You've changed things. Forever." For all we know Black Mask, Penguin, Catwoman and etc could be in the game by the time TDK started. I would love to see more 'gangs' in clown masks or bat suits running around in the sequel.

2. Nolan's films are sort of a starting point for the whole Batman mythology in modern times. We were introduced to the Batcave, costume and Tumbler in the first film as sort of prototypes that would evolve with each chapter of Nolan's world. The second film follows Wayne Manor's destruction with Wayne and Alfred's activities in a clandestine bunker. The new suit is also introduced as is the super-computer, sonar vision (the classic white lense masks) and Bat-cycle. By the next film it is likely we will be getting a new suit that could be closer to the look of the comics with, as you pointed out, a reconfigured Wayne Manor with a more updated Batcave and sleeker version of the Tumbler (fake or not, that one looks great!).

3. The Riddler would definately be a villain that would have Nolan interested while still keeping in touch with the current state of his universe. I agree that Riddler shouldn't feel like an ersatz to the Joker just because the sequel was thought of with the Joker in mind. Everyone needs to see what discerns these two characters and what makes the Riddler different. But I always thought of Nolan using/adding someone like Hugo Strange into the mix. His history in the comics have led him to Bruce's connection with Batman and also caused a stir in both sides of the criminal underworld: sane or costumed. Either way, this could be interesting.

4. Dick should at least be foreshadowed. With Nolan and Bale leaving it would give DC a chance to do a Batman and Robin film correctly. And I didn't notice that easter egg from the first film. :)

5. I think I've heard Nolan say before that he might not be interested in Catwoman as he wents to go further with the lesser known villains. But she could be fun.

Very good work! :)
TheQuestion
TheQuestion - 7/22/2010, 6:37 PM
Thanks AC! I do my best to base my editorials one observable likelihoods instead of wishful thinking, and good god that is hard!
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 7/22/2010, 6:42 PM
I agree with alot of this!
@Chris McLellan-I LOVE Marion Cotillard! She's a great actress,classy,and incredibly hot!
TheQuestion
TheQuestion - 7/22/2010, 6:46 PM
And by the way, Cotillard is smoking hot! She was simply amazing in Inception.
TheUnknown
TheUnknown - 7/22/2010, 7:09 PM
Marion Cotillard..... for TALIA!!!!!!
AVEN
AVEN - 7/22/2010, 8:13 PM
I'm sure about this stuff...

- Nolan will kill Batman in this movie... believe in me
- Some strange villain will replicate the Joker actions in the dark knight movie, but he won't be the Joker...
- The original Joker will disappear of Arkham ...
- The Joker will overshadow all the movie
- Catwoman won't be in the movie

;D
TheQuestion
TheQuestion - 7/22/2010, 10:40 PM
@AVEN:
I hate this notion that Nolan would kill Batman, as it is baseless, and frankly pretty stupid. Not only would people absolutely riot over such a decision, but WB would never let their cash-cow franchise be literally killed. I also think that anyone replicating Joker's MO would be misguided and does nothing to move the narrative forward. TDK was about the idea of escalation and the battle between the ideologies of Batman and Joker, all with the fate of Gotham at stake.

Now that Batman has won that battle he must now find a way to bring himself back from the brink and become the dark, yet heroic crusader he is today. Doing anything to compromise that story arc would be a mistake. I wouldn't be surprised if Batman and Gordon's cover-up of the Two-Face murders is exposed, and the citizens of Gotham turn to Batman as their last line of defense and hope. Redemption should be the theme Nolan is going for, both for Batman and Gotham.
elevendayempire
elevendayempire - 7/23/2010, 3:00 AM
On Catwoman...

One of the overriding themes of The Dark Knight was escalation - which was hinted at in the closing moments of Batman Begins. Logically, we should look to the closing moments of TDK for the themes of the next film. So we have Batman on the run, betrayed, "not the hero we want, but the hero we need."

You can get some interesting dramatic mileage from Catwoman in this context. If Catwoman was recast as a Robin Hood-type figure, an antihero stealing from the corrupt rich, that'd place Batman in an interesting moral quandary; she's punishing the villains as he is, but deriving personal gratification from it. Well, Batman's getting personal gratification from his mission, too. Add to that the possibility of Selina pursuing Bruce, who's profoundly damaged in the wake of Rachel's death, and the blurring of the lines between his Batman/Bruce personas, and you have an interesting set of themes to play with using Catwoman. And she's the least silly of the Batman villains, and could fit into the "real-world" context of the Nolan films. Indeed, you already have a "realistic" take on the character in Frank Miller's Batman: Year One - the dominatrix-prostitute-turned-cat-burglar. It's doubly interesting if you keep her "ward" Holly in the mix - although I doubt Nolan would go for it, thematically mirroring a Batman/Robin relationship with that of Catwoman and Holly would be one way of introducing Robin an a way that isn't supremely daft.

Plus there are practical considerations; with Rachel out of the mix, Warner Bros will be agitating for Nolan to add a significant female character to the mix. Nolan's Batman films are heavily skewed towards the male audience as it is, and the studio will want an audience-identification figure for the female audience in there.
BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 7/23/2010, 6:22 AM
Nice job! We share a lot of ideas.
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/BIGBMH/news/?a=14098
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/BIGBMH/news/?a=14062
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/BIGBMH/news/?a=14076
Good to see someone else who actually thinks about stuff without just being blinded by fanboy wishes.
AverageCitizen99
AverageCitizen99 - 7/23/2010, 6:36 AM
@TheQuestion
Either way you've managed to craft a witty and impressive outlook on the prospectable future for Nolan's Batman! I look forward to noticing some of your other works. :)
RyKnow
RyKnow - 7/23/2010, 7:49 AM
@ TheQuestion - What a brilliant and well written article. I bet it IS hard putting an unbiased and logical article together that makes sense. I couldn't do it and I won't pretend I could. I agree with more or less everything you've wrote and it would fit in well with the current series' story. I've always had this feeling that the theme of redemption will be a big player in the next chapter.
And you are right, WB would not commit commercial suicide and write off their biggest money earner.

Excellent reading, and I look forward to seeing more of your articles.
TheQuestion
TheQuestion - 7/23/2010, 7:51 AM
@elevendayempire: Those are some extremely valid points. I've always loved Catwoman and compared to some of Batman's other villains, she's easily adaptable. I agree with you about the next movie needed a solid female character, and I think she or Talia would be great in filling that role. It all depends on the main villain. If it's the Riddler, use Selina Kyle, as Talia would carry too much Ra's Al Ghul baggage into the film.
NightBat
NightBat - 7/23/2010, 9:25 AM
@TheQuestion..GREAT article! I can really tell you are a fan and you make some really nice points!
Niacin
Niacin - 7/23/2010, 9:33 AM
Great Editorial!! All of the pictures included were great. Check out The Batman 3 script at:

http://riboflavin.weebly.com/free-story.html
squirt
squirt - 7/24/2010, 7:49 PM
batman will end with this one. he will kill the villain, then he stop being batman.
SamFisher
SamFisher - 7/25/2010, 5:24 AM
Very cool article!! Nice points!
I think for sure Catwoman/Selina Kyle will be in the next one, after Lucious Fox said the suit will stop a cat. Even if she's not a major character. (but I'll still bet she will be).
We HAVE to have a new Batcave and Batmobile of some type, and I bet you're right on with making it more sportscar based!
I really hope we'll see some more of the detective type work for Bats. I don't think it's been handled enough in any of the movies.
I personally wouldn't be surpized to see another cameo of the Scarecrow.
All in all, I just can't wait to see what Nolan does. I have no doubts that it will rock! :)
thetrubatman14
thetrubatman14 - 7/25/2010, 6:58 PM
that chick in the first comment can play catwomen real baddass! also that kid from the first movie is not robin or anything close to that he is just a kid with a hint of robin he is nothing. and plus he was blond!!! there has to be a robin for there to redhood and NIGHTWING!!!
batfan84
batfan84 - 7/26/2010, 8:06 PM
I'm glad that someone FINALLY said the name Jude Law. I've mentioned this name several times before for the character of the riddler. I don't know what it is about him, he just fits. He's a talented actor and with Nolan's direction and this character, I look for acting greatness from him. He's kinda got that 'i'm better than you' vibe when you see him in movies and he's not even trying, a perfect trait for the narcissism of the riddler. And with the darker, smarter, more evil theme of the villains in Nolan's Batman films, the riddler could finally be seen as the true threat that he should have always been to batman. And when it comes to the death of batman... could see it. It's the final movie, right? So why not? If any villain would and could kill him, it's a dark version of the riddler. A death trap! Just like in the comics, only this time he doesn't get out... can you imagine the hatred for the riddler's character if they let this happen!? Very plausible if you ask me. I wouldn't be against it...
dbapz
dbapz - 7/30/2010, 3:18 PM
yes i agree ! very well done article

i read the script is finished and warner bros is expecting an announcement on a title


hopefully soon !
Amalgam
Amalgam - 7/31/2010, 8:05 PM
Nice Article. Now I want to watch Batman Begins just to find the kid, ha.
Optimist18
Optimist18 - 8/3/2010, 9:08 PM
Good points. Regarding the Lamborghini Ankonian Concept
; it's pretty cool, but I'd expect something a little more out of the box for the new Batmobile.
Optimist18
Optimist18 - 8/3/2010, 9:11 PM
On another note for the Ankonian, I think if you put the bat symbol at the tip of the hood then that would be really neat looking.
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