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.