I think that this new film will explore deception, and how the truth – no matter how painful – is more important than a comforting lie. All of the surviving characters from the previous two films are wrestling with some kind of deception:
Alfred knows that Rachel did not love Bruce in the same way as he loved her, and that she wanted to start another life with Harvey. He kept this information from Bruce to protect his ward, but perhaps this is the reason why Bruce is so emotionally withdrawn: Bruce cannot move on until he understands that his relationship was not real. Is Alfred helping Bruce, or is he preventing him from moving on and growing?
Like Bruce, Jim Gordon is one of the few people that know the true depth of Dent’s moral fall. In the first film, Gordon is called one of the few honest cops on the force, so this turn – ignoring Dent’s crimes and hunting his friend/ally for the sake of order and peace – will lead Gordon to some form of existential despair and/or self-hatred. What happens when an honest man lives a lie for such a prolonged period? Is he still an honest man? Given that there has been no sign of Gordon’s family in set photos or reports, perhaps his deception has come at a cost to his family (who experienced Dent’s wrath and might not be happy about keeping quiet).
Lucius Fox knows Batman’s true identity, and the depth of his willingness to protect Gotham. Lucius had broken his moral code in order to help the caped crusader in the last film. Will Bruce ask him to make a similar sacrifice in The Dark Knight Rises? If Bruce does, will Lucius finally leave Wayne Enterprises?
Finally, Bruce/Batman became a martyr in the last film. He was willing to destroy his own name in order to protect Gotham. However, he still has not grown into the man that his father was, and should be. Remember: in The Dark Knight, his entire motivation was to be with Rachel and live a normal life, and his failure to do so would likely create depression and regret, leading to dissatisfaction with all areas of his life. In the early stages of this new film, Bruce performs similar philanthropic endeavours as his father. Yet – because Bruce is still in some form of arrested development as a result of the events of the last film – I am certain that these actions may seem hollow and unfulfilling to Bruce. Bruce needs to come to terms with his relationship with Rachel, and cast aside the grief once and for all in order to become a complete man and hero. The last film ended with Gordon suggesting the importance of faith over truth, but maybe this new film will reverse that stance showing how a false faith can lead to unfullfilled lives.
New characters may function within the narrative to comment - through comparison - with the returning characters, and establish how this previous world order is corrupt and self-defeating.
From the pictures in Empire Magazine (as well as reports of the character as a terrorist/freedom fighter), Bane seems to be a 'truth-teller.' In the comics, Bane figures out Bruce’s identity, whilst – in this new film – he seems to figure decipher the events of The Dark Knight, linking Harvey with his crimes. Reports suggest that Bruce and Bane seem to be mirror images of one another, and in this instance the contrast is clear: Bruce – like Alfred – hides the truth from others because he seeks to protect and comfort them, whilst Bane sees this as a hypocrisy and believes in the truth at all costs. This also differentiates Bane from previous villains in the series: Ra’s used misdirection and distraction to help destroy corrupt cities, whilst The Joker placed individuals within nihilistic head-games. Bane’s desire seems more straightforward: send Gotham into a frenzy and allow them to destroy themselves.
Bane - with allusions to socialist leaders like Che (who favored concepts of 'truth' and 'knowledge' over a supposedly blind and corrupt capitalist system) - may ironically serve as a figure of honesty, letting Gotham destroy itself with the knowledge of its own malice and corruption (hence the Harvey Dent pic). Bane may initially serve as a destructive force, telling some unwanted truths to the people - and Bruce himself. But, ultimately (and this is why I think Bruce will rise again), such knowledge can allow the people to grow stronger.
This is one of the reasons why I believe Bane will not destroy Gotham or break Bruce's back early in the film. Nolan needs to establish an order in Gotham (and Bruce's life), which is seemingly normal and healthy, but sick and self-deceiving underneath (Oldman mentioned something about the city being "seething" early in the story), hence allowing for Bane to easily disrupt that problematic and false order when Dent's crimes are uncovered.
Ra's and Thomas both valued the importance of compassion and reason, but Ra's - due to his grief and regret - twisted into a form of rage and moral absolutism, destroying those who got into his way of a new and different future. Ra's may have known Bane for longer, hence he is more influential (morally and ideologically) on Bane than Bruce (also Bruce also had the figure of Alfred in his life, who pushed him to grow out of his nihilism and anger to appreciate others). There are still questions over Bane and who he is, exactly: unlike The Joker, he is not an absolute character, hence (like Dent and the other villains) he would have human concerns and frailties. What are his frailties? What are his hypocrisies? He must have them (we all do), so is there an element about himself, his relationships or his political views that are self-deceiving and why?
If Tate is who we all thinks she is (Talia), then it is clear that she will be also wrestling with deception. Her father had mixed feelings towards Bruce (paternal affection vs. antagonism), so it makes sense that she may face a similar emotional struggle between her true feelings and her differing ideology. She will provide a clear contrast with Selina: whilst Selina is – on the surface – prickly and antagonistic, she is essentially kind-hearted whilst Talia’s benevolent exterior masks a hard and dark heart.
I suspect that Catwoman will present interesting reflections for Bruce, and that she will challenge him to grow and change into a mature and fulfilled man. Bane, too, will also force Bruce (and – by extension - Gotham) to rise up and acknowledge its dark past in order to push ahead into a hopeful future. In contrast, I think Catwoman will also perform this function, but in a much more positive and affectionate manner. Ironically, this could be Bruce’s deepest and most normalised romantic relationship (I also suspect that it will provide a contrast with Bane and Talia’s more troubling relationship). Remember: Rachel didn't now his secret throughout the first film and chose Harvey over him in the second film, so by giving him a genuine lover (Rachel was more of a good friend than anything else), it will provide him with a committed and loving relationship, hence accentuating his final achievement of a normal life even in strange circumstances.
Not exactly sure how John Blake fits into this story. Could Blake be like a younger Gordon – a young cop without all the baggage and compromises that comes with power and responsibility? Or is he also a villain, a sign that there are very few honest characters in this universe and that Bruce was astute in choosing Gordon as an ally?
Final point, and this has to do with The Joker. There has been a lot of discussion about his role within the film and whether the characters will mention him. I believe that some of the normal characters will discuss him and his role in almost-destroying Gotham, but I also think that Bane (or Talia) will reference him, as well. The League of Shadows have very different values than The Joker: whilst both figures attempt to destroy Gotham, they do so for very different reasons. The Joker is a nihilist who enjoys the destruction of others. Ra's, Talia and Bane seem more like absolutists (like modern terrorists), who value a natural order and are willing to do anything in order to re-construct the world into their order. In order to justify their actions against Gotham (nuclear device), they have to at least acknowledge how corrupt and disturbing Gotham is, and they may point to the presence of The Joker, who represents everything they despise (meaninglessness, nihilism, chaos, destruction). This is an interesting point: both Ra's (and by extension Bane and Talia)and The Joker are Batman's enemies, but they are so for very different reasons and ideologies. Therefore, it is necessary for The League to discuss their differences with the clown psychopath. Obviously, if Nolan had decided to include Joker in this new film, he would have constructed the film very differently with a different theme and character emphasis in regards to Batman (perhaps The Joker would have revealed Dent's corruption, but I doubt it, as - batshit crazy as he is - The Joker would have at least acknowledged his enemy's sacrifice and sought some other way to destroy him).
But – hey – these are just guesses and I would like to know whether or not any of you agree with these suggestions and/or thoughts ...