Batman 3: Where does the story go from here?

[batman497]

I thought it would be good to set up a thread for ideas on the third movie. Story arcs, villain etc after you've seen the dark knight. Post your ideas and discuss.

[jmc]

I think this topic should be brought up in a few days once more folks have seen the film, can I suggest folks be respectful to others and not post spoilers if they are going to answer.

But to answer the question, I have no idea where the story can go from here, the story has enough closure to end the series here but has enough of an opening to warrant a third film. After seeing the movie, part of me doesn't want a third film at risk of falling into to dreaded 'bad film three' category, yet the other part wants to see if Nolan can go one better.

[souvlaki]

I have to agree with jmc that it's probably better to wait until Friday before responding to this, because it's hard to answer this question directly without spoiling things. However, I will say the movie leaves enough things open ended to where there are definitely a few directions they could go in with the third film.

[starvingwriter]

I say the 3rd movie should start to show a larger shift from the primary criminals as being standard mafioso type mobsters to the dangerous sociopath "freak" criminals. The Dark Knight pretty much shows how the Joker has become a major figure in the Gotham criminal underworld, but there is still a certain mobster element that is prevalent. I think after the Dark Knight, you're going to have to see there is a definite change. The mob is no longer the power, now its the freaks.

[Steyin]

I posted this on the Facebook Batman group:

I was debating how to top TDK with another film in the series, and I think I came up with a reasonably good way to do so (in my head at least):

Roman Sionis / Black Mask
Penguin
Ventriloquist

I believe these three adress both themes of duality and mob involvement that run through the films. I believe having a film that sort of shows the re-rise of the mob with the freaks at the helm would be great. Have the Ventriloquist as an underworld gang leader struggling for power of a Gotham in the state its in after the Joker's arc, with Black Mask as the "rival". The Penguin can serve simply as an arms dealer, wearing the front of the classy night club owner; he is simply the middle man supplying the goods (should be simplistic enough in Nolan's world for the character).

As for Ventriloquist, given Heath's performance I don't think having a crazed split personality seems too far out there, and given the appearance/character of other villains, what would be more pyschotic than the Joker than a mob-boss dummy?

On the other side, Roman Sionis can start off as an established business man who is in heavy competition with Wayne Enterprises, who is dealing dirty behind the scenes. Throw in some bad luck and whatnot, then he becomes Black Mask and goes all out against an up and coming Ventriloquist as well.

The story can once again take a harsh toll on the character of not only Batman, but Bruce Wayne and others. I'd also leave it off with Black Mask becomming a background character who isn't a major force after the film, but whose presence is still known and active within Gotham.

As for actors:

Ventriloquist: Robin Williams
Penguin: Bob Haskins
Roman Sionis/Black Mask: perhaps Hugo Weaving

I'd also love to see the Riddler and Catwoman as they are the only other two characters I feel can be showcased somehow as villains, but I wouldn't know how to go about working them into this plot idea I've concocted. All in all I'd save them for another time.

Riddler: Ralph Fiennes
Catwoman: No idea really, Rachel Weisz?

I would also add Leslie Thompkins as a character finally, to give us some Bruce background to add to the Black Mask arc.

What do you people think?

[ross2287]

I posted this in the Batman - Villiian thread, but I'll post it up in here as well.

Now, I'm just typing this as I think, but here we go.

TDK ends with Batman as a fugitive. Meanwhile, Batman is still doing the whole superhero thing, just working even more in the shadows than before. I can't decide if he should still have secret meetings with Gordon.

So, the cops are looking for him and maybe the mob gets wind of this and they want in on the deal for immunity or getting out of jail time or something. A mob boss--could be made up for the purposes of TDK2 or could be one from the comics (Thorne, Penguin, etc)--could hire someone to find and kill Batman. This hired killer could either be Deadshot or Bane. Anyway, if the mob brings in Bane we could get an abridged storyline from Knightfall. Maybe not have Bane break Batman's back, maybe have him break his leg near the thigh or something. If it's Deadshot, have him shoot Batman in the leg. Whoever causes the damage and whatever the damage is has to get Batman out of the way for part of the movie.

While Batman is in a recovery state, things get even worse in Gotham. Batman is presumed dead and or captured by the police and public, but someone is running around pretending to be Batman. Gordon, wanting to investigate the new Batman, sets up a meeting with him (maybe with a new Batsignal). At the meeting, the fake Batman abducts Gordon. Turns out it was Two-Face (or it could be someone else if Two-Face is dead, which I don't believe) masquerading as Batman. So there is breaking news that Gordon has been kidnapped and Batman goes to save him, in a weak state.

I don't know, I just typed all that really fast, but I think it's one of the possibilities for TDK2.

[SpiderWill]

They should further explore the 'fake' batman angle. They start to multiply, and perhaps one of them starts doing a pretty effective job, but more along the lines of seriously wounding or killing criminals which goes further in turning the city against batman

Catwoman could be in it too so that batman can start developing a relationship with her but is hesitant due to the death of Rachel and because she is smitten with Batman, near the end she encounters the fake batman and he tries to kill her cause she's a criminal and the real Batman comes in and kicks his ass.

And maybe the guys name is Azrael.

[warren_sparta27]

I think that Black Mask should be in a third film, representing the 'Freaks' taking over the mob. Have him in competition with a normal mob boss, Maroni if he's still around? Rupert Thorne? Sofia Falcone? (I'd prefer Thorne).
I'd also have The Penguin trying to have a legitimate business front through the Iceberg longue, and possibly some other ventures. But have him selling mob secrets, and weapons to rival mob groups, double crossing both Black Mask and Thorne.
For this i'd show at the start Sionis' company being overtaken by Wayne Industries, and Roman killing his parents out of anger. Then Black Mask could also be a villain to Bruce Wayne rather than just Batman.
I know i haven't really thought about it a great deal, and there is alot missing but i think it could work as a part of the 3rd film. I'd also have another main villain, Two-Face/ Riddler/ Bane having their own storyline aswell. And maybe Catwoman as a love interest, new anti-hero?

[Gianakin_]

Batman's innocence being proven in the eyes of Gotham's citizens. His redemption and him assuming the position he now has in the comics: The protector of Gotham WITHOUT being considered as public enemy no1 (at least not by the citizens).

[returntovoid]

I think that Black Mask should be in a third film, representing the 'Freaks' taking over the mob. Have him in competition with a normal mob boss, Maroni if he's still around? Rupert Thorne? Sofia Falcone? (I'd prefer Thorne).
I'd also have The Penguin trying to have a legitimate business front through the Iceberg longue, and possibly some other ventures. But have him selling mob secrets, and weapons to rival mob groups, double crossing both Black Mask and Thorne.
For this i'd show at the start Sionis' company being overtaken by Wayne Industries, and Roman killing his parents out of anger. Then Black Mask could also be a villain to Bruce Wayne rather than just Batman.
I know i haven't really thought about it a great deal, and there is alot missing but i think it could work as a part of the 3rd film. I'd also have another main villain, Two-Face/ Riddler/ Bane having their own storyline aswell. And maybe Catwoman as a love interest, new anti-hero?

I agree.

[Grommers]

I'm really hoping for Bane as a secondary villain (like scare crow) and riddler as primary. riddler ends up, obsessive on who batman is, if hes a good guy or bad guy. He wears a green suit without a question mark (as much as this is trade mark i feel its to campy). The mayor hires him to try to stop batman and his "crimes" for murdering the people. however he has a different agenda, gaining access to all of city hall records, and starts black mailing people into doing bad things that he wants done, however there is almost no trace back to him, as bane is killing the people once they commit the act. and he leaves riddles with the people who died. He has a hate for gotham due to some tragic event, involving corrupt cops and his family.

The only problem is it would be hard to make this feel not campy. I feel leaving riddles behind in itself is campy. Bane is a serial killer, thats just massive of course. of course the first response is that he's the reason these people are doing all these bad things, but after they arrest him and they still happen, they start to gather that there all riddles etc.

All I know is I want the movie to end with batman being told that gotham is substantially safer.

[bbasher]

really the ONLY way for batman to redeem himself is if harvey two face is still alive somehow

[Dark Detective]

They introduce a character by the name of Reese. Mr. Reese = mysteries? Riddler?

[King Ruler]

At first I figured the Penguin would be a great villain for the series, but now after seeing TDK I don't want them to go back to regular mobster villains. Sure they can play a role, but as a primary villain....no. I feel TDK was also a way to set up the transition from mobsters to supervillains and madmen, and bringing the Black Mask or The Penguin into it wouldn't do it for me.

I want costumed freaks.

The Riddler does seem like a plausible choice as a new villain, and they even have a nice set-up. Obsessed with discovering the identity of the Batman, he targets Mr. Reese, getting info on his true identity. From there he can go about destroying his life piece by piece in the form of a game (similar to Matt Murdock's breakdown in "Born Again").

But when I think about it, I'd love for part 3 to include an all female villain cast. Now that his love interest is gone, he should be heartborken and more vunerable in my opinion. I'd like for them to include Catwoman with her "Batman: Year One" origin as maybe the primary one. Harlequinn wouldn't be bad either. Have her as a psychiatrist trying to diagnose the Joker while he's in Arkham, and then have her end up down his path of destruction and craze. Or instead, throw in Talia Al Ghul and Catwoman as the villains. That'd be great, if not ****ing hot.

But you know what I'd really like to see: Mr. Freeze done over. That'd be great. Or Bane would be nice. Matter of fact he'd be perfect. If they include him, they have to include the "Downfall" storyline.

If none of those ideas are used, I'd love for them to do "Dark Victory".

[Majic Walrus]

really the ONLY way for batman to redeem himself is if harvey two face is still alive somehow

Who says Batman redeems himself? Now the thugs of Gotham think that Batman is capable of killing them. That's a good thing. THe citizens of Gotham think he's capable of killing them. So they don't go out prancing around like Batman. That's a good thing.

I think it's all good.

[Darkly Dexter]

There's no way Batman will redeem himself. In the eyes of Gotham citizens, he killed the most pure and incorruptible person in the city.

[FlawlessVictory]

There's no way Batman will redeem himself. In the eyes of Gotham citizens, he killed the most pure and incorruptible person in the city.

Don't ever doubt Batman!!! :cmad::brucebat:

[elgato]

BATMAN III

Villains: Catwoman/Selina Kyle-Main antagonist (Tho she's not a villain, but an anti-hero, but what the hell, she can't kick Batman's ass as she licks his lips)
The Riddler-Supporting villain

PLOT
Contains spoilers After the events in TDK Batman's now an outlaw vigilante and the Joker's crime empire was just the beginning of the nightmare, mob work has ceased but the streets are now owned by the so called "freaks". Harvey Dent is dead and the city's hope has died along him, even the rich ones from Gotham city have suffered the consecuences, a vicious cat-burglar known in the underworld as The Catwoman has turned the caped crusader's life upside down, not only for Batman but also to his own alter ego. After Rachel's death Bruce has decided to re start his life, by meeting a beautiful woman, called Selina Kyle at a party. The GCPD and Jim Gordon get their own problems when a mysterious cop killer called The Riddler leaves a riddle on the body of his victims so the police can stop the next murder

Catwoman-Marion Cotillard
The Riddler-David Tennant

[timfalletti]

*Edit* Stupid post button.

[DeGenerate10]

I'm assuming who ever reads this thread saw this movie so if haven't don't read this post. Spoilers.

Batman didn't want Gotham City to know that Harvey Dent killed those people. That would ruin everything Harvey did before he was Two Face. Batman doesn't want to be redeemed IMO.

As for Batman 3. To me The Dark Knight was the Empire Strikes Back of the Batman franchise. Where can you go after Darth Vader tells Luke that he's his father? As in TDK where do you go in terms of villains after you see Heath Ledger's Joker. The man was the reason the city was in such bad shape. I don't know what they could do with the 3rd him but I have faith in Nolan to make it to the best of his abilities.

[timfalletti]

If you haven't seen TDK yet do not read my post!!!!!

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!!

***

So at the end of TDK, you have Batman taking the blame for the deaths of cops, mob bosses, and Harvey Dent himself. All the police force is after him. This movie is all about redemption.

No one can catch Batman, so the city goes a little crazy wanting justice and hires some outside help (The new DA perhaps does the hiring)

So, they hire a female assassin/great cat burglar...ie Catwoman.


Meanwhile, with the Joker behind bars, Millionaire Oswald Cobblepot takes the reigns. He wears tuxedo's everywhere he goes, and is given the moniker Penguin. He looks like the short stocky guy with a tophat from the comics. Also uses umbrellas as weapons. With all the mob money burned from TDK, he is the only one who can afford the luxury of being the boss. Other people want the title, so the Penguin starts killing mob bosses, and blames it on Batman.


Reese, (aka Mr. Reese, aka Mysteries?) knowing who Bruce Wayne is from TDK, goes a little crazy and starts dropping hints about who Batman is. Gotham doesn't believe him, and this makes him angry. (Also getting shot at in TDK doesn't help.) He sends a package to Wayne Manor with a riddle. The riddle leads to the television station getting blown up. Bruce keeps receiving riddles, and must stop the Riddler, Catwoman, and the Penguin.

Catwoman realizes Batman is trying to help, they make out, and she wants to feel redeemed for all the bad people that may have been good that she has assassinated. She then helps Batman solve a riddle that unintentionally backfires and kills the Riddler.

The final showdown is at a gala at the circus, Penguin kills the flying Graysons whose son (a young young young boy. Like 10 years old) is the only survivor.

It is revealed to Gotham that all this is happening to Batman, and they feel guilty for wanting his head on a platter. Batman wins, Penguin gets tossed in Arkam, you hear a voice (and it better sound just like Ledger) say, he got you too huh?). Bruce takes the young Dick Grayson under his wing, he asks Dick, why do we fall? He replies, "So we can learn to pick ourselves back up". Gotham loves its hero once again. Bruce feels redeemed.

Roll Credits. End of series. No more movies ever after this.

[elgato]

^ I like that

[FaT_tONle]

I want Penguin in there... even if it's a scarecrow type villain... i hate how these mobsters are just pawns... I get that's the way a lot of these mobster are portrayed but they should have more of a presence IMO. Penguin is a good villain for this. Riddler is also a good choice. But Penguin should have a small roll... for love interests... it HAS TO BE Selina Kyle.

[timfalletti]

Thank you ...thank you very much :)

[OwlBoy]

Batman should move into an apartment with Green Arrow....then wacky hi-jinks ensue

[timfalletti]

Batman should move into an apartment with Green Arrow....then wacky hi-jinks ensue

Plastic Man shows up as a recurring guest star.

[OwlBoy]

The Phantom Stranger as the grumpy landlord!

[Maresk]

Riddler next, totally.
Have him be closer to Paul Dini's Riddler, an extremelly intelligent man obsessed with puzzles, even make him some sort of consultant detective the mayor turns to to discover Batman's identity and/or capture him. Nygma, gradually obsessed with Bats as he finds in him a true challenge, not only discovers Bruce is Batman but also that he is innocent of the crimes. You can play with this around to have him gradually turn into a villain and also to clean Bruce of the murders without him interfering. Also have Selina Kyle now that Rachel's gone, or Talia if you want to tie the entire trilogy toghether.

[Buttons]

I'm sorry but this obsession with having Catwoman is lame. I don't want to see her at all in the next film. I want Harley Quinn facilitating the Joker's wishes from Arkham and Black Mask to threaten Reese for the identity of Batman and then he realizes its Bruce, his childhood 'friend.' Then chaos and blackmail ensues.

[MaJiN]

Riddler next, totally.
Have him be closer to Paul Dini's Riddler, an extremelly intelligent man obsessed with puzzles, even make him some sort of consultant detective the mayor turns to to discover Batman's identity and/or capture him. Nygma, gradually obsessed with Bats as he finds in him a true challenge, not only discovers Bruce is Batman but also that he is innocent of the crimes. You can play with this around to have him gradually turn into a villain and also to clean Bruce of the murders without him interfering. Also have Selina Kyle now that Rachel's gone, or Talia if you want to tie the entire trilogy toghether.

Could the Riddler work as a hacker. Kind of similar to the villain in "Live Free or Die Hard".

[chaseter]

Could the Riddler work as a hacker. Kind of similar to the villain in "Live Free or Die Hard".
Are you serious:huh:

[bo_carvalho]

The final movie, we all kno is just gonna be an all out VILLIAN fest to send this trilogy off with a bang.

here are some plot lines.


-With Joker now in Arkham, he meets Dr. Quinzel. They fall in love. She breaks him out and there ya go.

-Meanwhile, during the time Joker was in, Penguin has taken over the business. Funding all the mob familys. While killing them off, one by one.

-With a new character introduced in TDK (mr. reese = mysteries = enigma = Edward Nygma = the riddler) they should take that and run with it. With him knowing the true identity of batman. He becomes obsessed. he starts sending, the police and bruce, riddles. trying to lead the police to batman, but batman to himself (if that makes any sense). trying to blackmail bruce for money.

-with the joker back on the scene, and the penguin funding all the crime, they team up.

-So with batman on the run, occupied mostly by the riddler, crime rises. The people start looking for a hero. They need batman.

- the people need someone. batman comes back, not as a outcast, and goes after PENGUIN/ JOKER/ HARLEY.

-with the penguin being greedy, the jokers beliefs come out, he doesnt do it for the money. So Penguin vs Joker time. resulting in the penguins CAPTURE. (joker sets him up)

-batman then comes face to face with riddler. I dont know how it will come about, but everyone will find out the identity of batman. before the riddler is taken to arkham.

-then, another final showdown between Mr. J and batman. resulting in Harley's death. batman prevails. joker taken to arkham.



NOW THIS IS WHERE IT GETS TRICKY...

-with the people knoing his identity bruce doesnt kno wat to do. but people are still wanting to help and tend to not care about his true identity. You introduce dick grayson, with will lead to a ROBIN movie.


AFTER THE CREDITS WILL BE A CLASSIC SCENE IN ARKHAM, WITH ALL THE VILLIANS SITTING THERE.

PENGUIN/ JOKER/ SCARECROW/ RIDDLER....WITH MAYBE SOME NEW FACES. OR MAYBE A TWO FACE :)



GREAT TRILOGY!




THESE ARE THE LIST OF CHARACTERS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE..


hopefully the last character i mentioned isnt in it, but think about it, daniel craig would be insane :)


Phillip Semour Hoffman - Penguin

Joshua Harto - Riddler

Fairuza Balk - Harley Quinn

Daniel Day-Lewis - The Joker

Mr. Freeze - Daniel Craig




TITLE= BATMAN: ENIGMA




PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK. :)

[spideyman101]

I wouldn't mind Penguin so much in a future Bat film, if only he didn't have that ridiculous name... Oswald Cobblepot. Would it be possible to have his name changed... or just leave it Penguin... kind of like not giving Joker a real name...

[Superhero 101]

Here are my Choices
Riddler.
Return of Joker
Talia?

When can we Expect BATMAN 3? 2011 or 2012

[jmc]

When can we Expect BATMAN 3? 2011 or 2012

If and whenever Nolan feels like doing another.

[FaT_tONle]

I don't think it will make July 2011 since we have Avengers, Spidey, and Cap slated for 2011. Too crowded. Go for the November release... no Harry Potters... hopefully no Bond movies either. November 2011... 2012 is too far.

[FaT_tONle]

I'm sorry but this obsession with having Catwoman is lame. I don't want to see her at all in the next film. I want Harley Quinn facilitating the Joker's wishes from Arkham and Black Mask to threaten Reese for the identity of Batman and then he realizes its Bruce, his childhood 'friend.' Then chaos and blackmail ensues.

Even more lame... and heck I don't even want to get wrapped up with Batman's identity... Reese shouldn't be involved.

[spiderfan970]

I think A story similar to the overall plot of War Games would seem like a somewhat natural progression from what happened in TDK, in that different mobs (and new supervillain characters?) are called together by someone who doesn't show up to the location and a giant gang war ensues. Batman has to redeem himself and rally the cops to stop them all even though he's an outlaw. That seems like a good place to go...

And it would also examine that whole idea of Batman having too much power and what lines should not be crossed which was touched on towards the end of TDK.

I never want to see Harley or Talia, and I think it'd be best to move onto a new villain rather than bringing back Ras'. The way to make a third one work is to take it to another level just like TDK did, not to repeat ourselves.

I actually want to see villains that haven't been in any of the movies yet. I want to see other mob bosses that came in later like Rupert Thorne.

If Clayface were done as he originally appeared, as a man with a 'clayface' mask that went around in a trenchcoat, a big hat, and a giant knife, then I could see him working.

If they had Calendar man in a similar position to that of Long Halloween/Dark Victory I could see him working to some capacity in this series as well, obviously not as a main villain.

Black Mask is an obvious choice, though there is no way he could carry a movie on his own either.

Hugo Strange could work well, hell, Mad Monk and the cult could work too.

The only original villain I could take is Penguin as another mob boss, not played by Hoffman. I'd really like him as Calendar Man.

I suppose Riddler could work if we need more 'supervillain' esque characters...but I don't know. Maybe he could be the one to rally the mobs in my idea.

And somehow the main villain(s) have to be completely different from Ledger, because if they are at all similar to him they will pale in comparison.

And for the love of God, don't recast The Joker, actually at this point I'm not even sure we need another movie, The Dark Knight was so perfect, what else could we really do that wasn't already explored beautifully in that last installment to the series?

[LarBrd33]

Well I kinda assume that if you're reading this thread you probably already saw TDK. But just in case I'll wrap my entire response as a spoiler. This is only like my 2nd post. I don't wanna tick anyone off.

My thoughts:
http://hqmaniacs.uol.com.br/img/noticia/joshuaharto.jpg
Well after watching the second one... I think it's very possible that Reese turns out to be the Riddler. The guy has a motive (money), intelligence (was clever enough to solve the "Who is Batman" riddle by delving deeply into the money pit and finding pictures of the tumbler. Clearly a "riddle" solved), morally sketchy (tried to blackmail Wayne out of several million dollars), embarrassment (his attempt to blackmail was dismissed by Fox... plus his career is probably tarnished a bit from going on television and trying to expose Batman.... society hates him (people were ready to kill him and probably place some of the blame of the hospital bombing on him... even if not his fault).

He's the only person who claims to know Batman's identity and the movie ended with the public hunting Batman. How does he NOT play a part in the 3rd? Seriously... and I don't think NOlan would create a character with that much significance and power for the heck of it. I'm not sure how the 3rd one will play out, but if it involves the Riddler, I'm pretty much expecting that to be Reese. And honestly it would make sense for the Riddler to be an unknown character threatening Gotham for the greater part of the movie. If the film is done as a detective thriller then the ultimate reveal of Mr. Reese as the "mysterious" Riddler might not even happen until the climax.

I'd also expect some additional storylines though. If Nolan honestly perceives this as a trilogy then this will be the final chapter of his story. If that's the case, I wouldn't be shocked to see Talia introduced and Ra's Al Ghul making a "shocking" return towards the end (more twists... Nolan loves his twists. Every one of his movies has some kind of "twist" in it). You wouldn't need a Lazarus Pit to explain his return. The guy's a freakin master ninja. You don't think he could escape from a train? Be real. It's not like his body was found. The film could appropriately end with Liam Neeson making a return... since that relationship was a very important aspect of the first film and obviously a huge aspect of the comics.

Will Two-Face return in some capacity? Maybe. I dont' really think it matters anyways. We've seen what he has to offer as a character for the most part. If he's he's still riding the gimmick in the 3rd, so be it. But after watching the 2nd I kinda feel like Two-Face is to the Joker what Scarecrowe was to Ra's Al Ghul in BB. In other words... he's a 2nd string villian who could make a cameo in the 3rd.

Andwhile we're working on lots of twists and turns... maybe Reese is merely the perceived Riddler and it's revealed at the end that The Joker was behind it all. Who knows. But a tiny cameo from the Joker (even if just a shot of him cackling in his cell) would be nice. I wouldn't worry about being disrespectful to Ledger. Let Nolan make his trilogy.

My money's on mystery detective thriller for the 3rd.

(Random side note: I didn't like the idea of Catwoman until someone mentioned she could simply be a cat burglar in a tight leather suit hired by the mob. That'd be ok. But I don't think I'd base a movie on her)

[Hero_for_hire]

gggg

[Ollo]

This is what I'd like to see happen:

Batman goes into hiding and eventually a number of copycats start showing up around Gotham. Eventually it just becomes anarchy - somehow incorporating Catwoman or The Penguin in some manner.

In the meantime, Mike Engel becomes so obsessed over figuring out who Batman is/where he went that he becomes crazy trying to solve the puzzle.

Eventually Gotham realizes they need Batman, whether they like it or not.

[Dusty_Lane]

Shame Heath isn't with us anymore, because Joker could easily carry a sequel. I would have loved to have seen how a Nolanized Harley Quinn would have played off Heath's Joker, but that's rather mute now isn't it.

It's really hard to find villains that will actually be adaptable to this realistic format. There are so many great ones out there (Mr. Freeze, Clayface, Penguin, Poison Ivy, etc.), but they are just alittle too on the farfetched side. I see you guys keep throwing The Riddler's name around, but wouldn't the idea of a criminal sending Batman and the police on a wild goose chase be alittle too much like The Dark Knight. You don't wanna end up remaking the same movie. I'm really thinking that Catwoman and Black Mask are the two most adaptable.

Whatever happens though, Batman has to get back in good with the law and the public somehow.

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Shame Heath isn't with us anymore, because Joker could easily carry a sequel. I would have loved to have seen how a Nolanized Harley Quinn would have played off Heath's Joker, but that's rather mute now isn't it.

It's really hard to find villains that will actually be adaptable to this realistic format. There are so many great ones out there (Mr. Freeze, Clayface, Penguin, Poison Ivy, etc.), but they are just alittle too on the farfetched side. I see you guys keep throwing The Riddler's name around, but wouldn't the idea of a criminal sending Batman and the police on a wild goose chase be alittle too much like The Dark Knight. You don't wanna end up remaking the same movie. I'm really thinking that Catwoman and Black Mask are the two most adaptable.

Whatever happens though, Batman has to get back in good with the law and the public somehow.

For the last time, Penguin is adaptable! He's not a freak unless people write him as one.

[Dusty_Lane]

Another thing! I like The Riddler, but he's not a really a vicious killer. In order to make a good Nolan Batman villain you need to have either a sick, twisted, evil f'ck (ala Joker, Scarecrow), or tragic (ala Two-Face). Bane and Hush would just be too predictable for the fans to enjoy them in live action. Black Mask would be fine for a secondary villain, but as I saw someone point out above, it's doubtful he could carry a whole movie alone. I guess there's always Bookworm or Egghead. ;)

[Darkly Dexter]

Are you serious:huh:

yep, there is crazy people around here

[thedrizzle59]

i don't think the 3rd movie needs just one villain to carry it. I would like to establish multiple villains in the 3rd movie, none of witch really need origins just motives. Black Mask, Dead Shot, Riddler, Penguin, catwoman, and even the ventriloquist could possibly as a whole carry a movie together. (none of them team up, nor are any of them given lots of screen time. They just establish them selves in Gotham, and make the citizens realize that they need the batman to protect them and the city.

[P.F. Geraci]

Catwoman and The Penguin are not happening.

I really think that in the end, they were banking on using the Joker in the third film, that's why they kept him around. And unfortunately we now know that can't happen. And honestly, after seeing all the mayhem and chaos mixed with Heath's performance, there's really no villain that could top or at least carry on from The Joker, except for maybe Two-Face. And people can argue all they want, Two-Face is dead. This isn't Nolan giving an ambiguous ending as to whether or not Two-Face really is dead. He's dead. This is a case of an unfortunate event in Heath Ledger's passing that left them with very little option. If they really wanna go ahead with a third film, they should look into how Gotham Central handled their villains, in a realistic fashion. But in the end, I really question whether or not there should even be a 3rd film after seeing the events of TDK unfold. A lot of people are saying "Oh this and this and this is unresolved and Batman needs to clear his name." No, Batman doesn't need to clear his name. He doesn't want to be loved. He doesn't want to be considered a hero. He doesn't care if he has the heat of the murders on him. The ending of The Dark Knight doesn't necessarily set up for a third film but for an unsaid mythology of Batman, the vigilante that will do what it takes to protect Gotham City. I can look at the end of the film and know that Batman lives on in this universe created by Christopher Nolan and be happy if there isn't another film.

[marukisu]

I think i should say before you read these i havent read the comics so my batman knowledge only comes from The adventures of Batman, Batman Beyond ,and the Justoce League cartoons.
So when you all read take that into consideration and give me respectful feedback. please and thank you:yay:

Also my ideas are a tad bit rsuhed but i feel the overall direction is there.


Storyline #1

The Joker And Harvey dent are in Arkham and Batman still goes about his superhero duties. One night he is informed about a theif who will strike at the museum trying to steal a prized jewel. Batman catches the theif and it is a woman in a cat costume. seeing her as a little threat he tries talking her into an arrest but she fights him and she flees.

The Ridller is also included in this story and is the equivilant to The Joker's sadistic comical violence with his riddles and traps around gotham. ihavent really thought how to introduce him but on paper the ridller is basically like jigsaw from saw only his traps are a bit more toned down and it is up to batman more so than the person in the trap to get out.

later on in the story selina and batman fall for eachother but it is more of an unspoken love. So she ends up helping him to take down the ridller in the process however she is used as bait and is captured by The ridller. In the finale it comes down to a game ogf wits an intelligence in order for him to free catwoman and batman is succesful however the Riddler's pride is hurt and tries to activate a trap that owuld kill her. Batman stops him and rescues her. She is grateful but batman tells her has to turn her in for the crimes shes commited.


Storyline #2

(This is my idea for a trailer alluding to what the story might be)

A woman is walking down a simple black and white checkered hallway in a business jacket and a skirt with heels.Her blonde hair is pinned up with clip and she is wearing glasses. The lights in the celing are flickering due to bad lighting. while shes walking shes also holding her purse on her shoulder and a clipboard in another.

man #1: This man is crazy and created a crime movement that swept this city off of its feet.And his killings are so sadistic.I dont think even you can help him

Mystery woman: Please, ive studied psychology for a few years and i think i know how to deal with his type.

man #2-Well heres your stop

they all stop in front of a door, and one of the men slides a keycard down a slot and te locks on the door are relased. One of the men held the door open for her and said. good luck.

She enters the room but her body blocks the person in front of her. (the camera at this point is solely focused on her and not on the person shes come to see.) She pulls up a chair and sits down

Mystery Woman: Good evening my names is Dr. Harleen Quinzel and your name is?

(The camera suddely slwoly shifts to the person shes talking to)

The joker: I have no name but you can call me The Joker.

(at this point the trailer fades to the title of the movie and afterwards it shows different clips enompassing what the movie will be about.)

The story will basically be about harley falling for the joker and eventually setting him free. in the mean time harvey dent has startedan organized crime mob in the underground which is reminiscent of the opposite law force that he tried to create to help Gotham. Upon Harley breaking The Joker, Harvey hears about this and how the woman who helped him may have intimate relations with him. In order to get revenge on the Joker for Rachel he targets Harley. the joker and harley however manipulate dent into causing chaos in the town by tricking him into using Gotham as their battleground to destroy the social order much like in The Dark Knight. Bruce Wayne is now cuaght between these three and has to stop their war.



The finale would include harvey injuring harley and an enraged joker battling two face to the death. With a sad harley locked up in Arkham the last few scenes would be her meeting Ivy and this would set up for anpther sequel in which they try to take over gotham.


storyline#3

During the process of trying to take over Gothamshe learns that the joker isnt dead and they team up as a trio however ivy is concerned with the abudsive relationship between Harley and joker. batman would notice this and use it to his advantage to make ivy turn on the group and help batman stop their chaos.

story line #4

The Scarecrow tried being good and a vigilante (as seen in The Dark Knight). seeing how easily how that failed due to The Joker , so he decided to re establish his mob. The gas that gave him the power to make people hallucinate however cannot be found anywhere in Gotham. upon his research to gain the hallucinating gas ,he sees that in a college in gotham, a botanical divison has the tools needed to create it. he sets of and meets the heads of the divison in the botanical company which are a professor and his prodigyPamela Isley. Pamela is skeptical to make this because she knows the damge it can cause but her professor convinces her into making it. Afterwards her professor says that he has a much more important expirement that can change humanity as we know it and it could only work with her. because she already has feelings for him it is easy for the professor to seduce her into doing the experiement. Little to her knowledge he plans to inject her with a posionus syrum just to see the side effects of it on the human body. She is quite familar with different toxins and refuses and tries to run away but he forcefully injects it into her and she pases out. he tries to take her to the hospital to get help but pamela goes in and out of conciousness until her heart finally stops. as he mourns her death by her bedside she quickly regains her conicuness and takes out her vengeful rage on him.


Im tried of typing so ill sum this up

Pamela and her Professor also has been trying to get several big companies to stop polluting the environment. at one point in the story pamela tries to sell Bruce on starting a fund that will help to do this but he declines and so she takes out her vendetta on Gotham's biggest industries and attempts to turn it into a floral paradise.

Also her and the scarecrow team up to do so. With his toxic gas and her expertise in the different aspects of botany they set out to make gotham their own.

In the movie version of ivy it should be noted that this version of ivy is able oto telkinetically control plants and she creates a syrum that gives her enough strength to go toe to toe with batman, Eventually she ends up betraying and killing the scarecrow with a kiss and sets out to make her own plans.

The Finale would include Bruce using her blood with a mix of other chemicals to cancel out her powers. and put her in jail.

Reasons Nolan should include these characters

Poision Ivy- A wonderful opputunity to create a beautiful floral CG wasteleand Gotham.
and she could be the first villian to have superpowers and bring a comic book feel to counterbalance the realism in the movie

The Riddler- A chance to make a vary smart villain that uses riddles that question morality and humanity. if done correctly it can be seen as more than a fantastic comic book adaptation. If the ridller was to follow The Dark Knight it wouldnt be hard to top its predecessor with intelligent moral ambiguities.

Harley Quinn- She can counterbalnce the Jokers more serious sadistic humor with her own style of love struck sadistic wacky humor.

[P.F. Geraci]

Really in the end, I think if they used the Riddler, he'll end up acting like a Joker clone basically.

[Venom 1988]

The Scarecrow tried being good and a vigilante (as seen in The Dark Knight). Uhhh what are you talking about? He was selling drugs to the other gang.

[marukisu]

Uhhh what are you talking about? He was selling drugs to the other gang.


But wasnt it a set up? because i thought the other guy in the batman costume was working with him to bust them. nd then when it was all over the guy in the suit said we wanna help or someting and Batman said "I dont need any help."

Anywhoo if im wrong you can change that part to this:

(Amazed by the mayhem the joker was able to cause inspirred The Scaredcrow to take over Gotham just as he did. Before he executed his plan he knew he had to get more of the hallucinating toxin that he had before.)

[Venom 1988]

But wasnt it a set up? because i thought the other guy in the batman costume was working with him to bust them. nd then when it was all over the guy in the suit said we wanna help or someting and Batman said "I dont need any help." No it wasn't a set up. The Batman copycats were on there own, hence why Crane said to Batman "Not my diagnosis" referring to the copycats saying they weren't his.

[DeGenerate10]

No it wasn't a set up. The Batman copycats were on there own, hence why Crane said to Batman "Not my diagnosis" referring to the copycats saying they weren't his.

I believe Crane was saying Batman NEEDED help as in mental help.

[marukisu]

No it wasn't a set up. The Batman copycats were on there own, hence why Crane said to Batman "Not my diagnosis" referring to the copycats saying they weren't his.


oh ok lol well then the part that i changed read that first and then mesh it with the latter half of my story.

btw what do you think of my srotylines?

[Venom 1988]

I believe Crane was saying Batman NEEDED help as in mental help.
No Crane was basically saying it wasn't his diagnosis to Batman to inspire copycats. Basically a don't blame it on me sort of thing.

[ross2287]

No, I'm pretty sure Crane meant Batman needed mental help.

[RickO'Connell]

I guess in a sequel one thing Batman will have to do is "answer for the laws he has broken" & all of that other stuff. Unless he makes some kinda teleporter to escape the scene of a crime quickly lol

[CinematicESP]

My thoughts...

Honestly, I think Nolan's series can end with TDK. We have the Joker saying that he and Batman will continuously fight to a standstill forever. Even if Heath were alive, we wouldn't really need to see another fight against the Joker, because it would inevitably end the same way, a standstill. And it's going to be impossible to top the Joker, not only because of Heath's mindblowing performance, but because the Joker is a force of nature. He's the biggest villain Batman will ever face. There's something so satisfyingly tragic about the way TDK ends with the idea that the two will be locked in a philosophical battle as long as they both exist. I just feel like any other villain after that will seem like "villain of the week," or "just another case" for Batman to sort out, which would cheapen what Nolan has created already. I say they just wait a few years and re-invent Batman all over again will all new faces.

That said, if anyone can come up with something to top that masterpiece I just watched, Nolan's the one to do it, so I suppose I'll just wait and see.

[marukisu]

My thoughts...

Honestly, I think Nolan's series can end with TDK. We have the Joker saying that he and Batman will continuously fight to a standstill forever. Even if Heath were alive, we wouldn't really need to see another fight against the Joker, because it would inevitably end the same way, a standstill. And it's going to be impossible to top the Joker, not only because of Heath's mindblowing performance, but because the Joker is a force of nature. He's the biggest villain Batman will ever face. There's something so satisfyingly tragic about the way TDK ends with the idea that the two will be locked in a philosophical battle as long as they both exist. I just feel like any other villain after that will seem like "villain of the week," or "just another case" for Batman to sort out, which would cheapen what Nolan has created already. I say they just wait a few years and re-invent Batman all over again will all new faces.

That said, if anyone can come up with something to top that masterpiece I just watched, Nolan's the one to do it, so I suppose I'll just wait and see.


I dont think it should end with The Dark Knight. Batman has a universe that has alot more story that is dying to be tapped into. if Nolan doesnt want to continue i vote joss Whedon to pick up where he left off just so long as he tones down that "classic Joss Whedon wit and humor" and keeps it realistic while adapting villians nolan would not.

[DeGenerate10]

No, I'm pretty sure Crane meant Batman needed mental help.

Exactly. But what do I know

[Poeman]

they gotta make it so they bring back The Joker...seriously the resolution between them 2 was barely satisfying...

3 jokers for 3 movies...can it work?

if not
A riddler movie...with a small penguin (mob boss) role

[joker_in_the_pa]

Really in the end, I think if they used the Riddler, he'll end up acting like a Joker clone basically.

i totally agree with you:brucebat:

...to be honest it would be interesting to know what nolan was really thinking on doing the movie...obviously by putting a character like mr. reese and giving him a lot of "camera time" it was 'cause he was thinking in something for him and the joker, unfortunately what happen to ledger is a shame and a tragedy... and not only 'cause i would love to see him in a third movie, but we are talking about a person, a really REALLY talented person, that gave us one of the best villains ever in a movie...thank you...:woot: really :D

...anyway we are talking about nolan...he and his team are genious, and by seeing TDK yesterday i know that he can give a possibly third one movie a really interesting twist...AND I DONT THINK THAT BY THE SUCCESS TDK IS SURELY GOING TO BE the warner bross are not going to let nolan just do 2 movies...

...or will they hire someone else if nolan quits for a third one?? :csad:

i certainly hope not

[batman497]

Okay first off I liked the movie I liked begins better but that is another topic. Now two-face, his birth, intentions and the length of time he has in the movie are bad. I truly believe this is nolan's last because I assume he combined the original treatment goyer gave him for two sequels to one. So that being said I think he wanted to get it all out there. Now where he went wrong.
1. Harvey needed more motivation. It was too simple. To believe the joker would just convince him that quickly is stupid.
2. Why would he target gordon? I get that ramirez was in his squad and he brought that up earlier but that wouldn't be reason to try and kill his family.
3. I get that his death provided the ability to fully show batman as the type of hero gotham needs but did we really need that? It's kind of summed up in him capturing joker and not killing him. We know that gotham needs a hero to do it and only he can.
4. 15-20 minutes of screen time is just not enough for a character with so much potential.This should be a character that continues to pester him because batman trys to see the good in him and always believes he can return to the person he used to be.

How this movie should have ended!
1. Batman captures joker just like he does in the movie without that lame sonar.
2. Joker does visit harvey. He still convinces harvey that others are responsible for rachel's death but instead of targeting gordon he targets batman, the mob and the corrupt cops. Targeting gordon really made no sense.
3. We see harvey take out maroni.
4. We see two face for the last scene in the bar when he says "half" and end movie!

This would set up a fourth movie with harvey killing mobsters, cops and trying to kill batman who he blames most considering batman saved him and not rachel, allowed the joker to go on his rampage when he could have killed him and he would have been convinced that batman was the most responsible having spawned freaks like the joker and himself. Now that would have been a sweet movie.

Now on to what could happen for a third. At some point we do need a female villain and I do like the idea of talia coming back for revenge. It ties the trilogy up neatly. I would also like some type of physical threat to batman.
Batman is on the run from th police. Gordon is commisioner and still meets with batman in private. A task force is set up to capture and arrest batman headed by sarah essen. Essen and gorodn are at each other's throats because he wants to protect batman but also develops feelings for her. Wayne manner is rebuilt with a fully formed batcave and the tumbler is back. Batman has re-doubled his efforts realizing that only he can stop the madness that has spawned. Alfred an bruce's relationship has become strained because his obsession has started to truly consumed him. Bruce begins to ignore any other semblance of life after rachel's death reignites his promise to his parents.
It the mountains the league of shadows are training for new attack on gotham. Led by talia with ubu at her side and a new member that is greater and strength and will then even bruce himself. Now I'm going to go out on a limb with bane! Sorry guys I now this is out there but folow me. Talia chooses bane as ras' heir and her lover. The league begins to infiltrate gotham as talia woos bruce. Bruce slowly begins to come back to earth with the help of alfred he begins to fall in love with her. Unexpectedly she falls in love with him as well. Seeing the weakness in her and jealous of bruce bane takes control of the league and begins to crush all the mob competition in the city. Which I would love to see penguin in charge of. When the mob is consolidated under bane batman must put his love aside to battle the most physical opponent he will face. Talia is stuck between her father's honor and loving batman but in the end she chooses her father. During the final confrontation batman faces off with bane but finds out who talia is when she betrays him. Batman is defeated and narrowly escapes death. Back at wayne manor a recovering batman realizes he can't win the battle alone.

New characters:
Harvey Bullock
Rene Montoya
Sarah essen
Bane
Talia
Penguin

I know this is a little comic bookie but I would love to see robin in some movie at some point. Not stupi dork robin but a hardcore younger batman. I think this would set this up well an also would be pretty entertaining.

[Arsh]

Some very interesting ideas here...

I'll be honest, I am not as well-versed in Batman lore as most of you. So, I don't have a huge knowledge of Batman's villains or possible storylines that a third film could be influenced by.

With that said, I loved The Dark Knight.

As for a third film...

Well, TDK left two possible openings for villains: Two-Face (who may, though it's doubtful, still be alive) and The Joker (who might not appear because they may not want to recast Heath Ledger).

The third film will probably have to deal with Batman having to be a social pariah, but Gordan probably working with him clandestinely. The Riddler may be an interesting villain, if... "Nolanized".

Whether they use the Riddler, or Two-Face, or some other villain, I think maybe they should avoid using The Joker. The way I think it would be an interesting way to end Nolan's trilogy would be the following:

Let's say Batman manages to become the hero that Gotham needs AND deserves, and he isn't exactly a social pariah anymore. He's dealt with the villain of the film. I think the way they should end the film should hearken back to Batman Begins. Batman should find a Joker card on the ground or on a body or hear news of an escape from Arkham. Because The Joker, while maybe not being in the third film, made an excellent point: They are destined for this.

While not showing The Joker, they should imply that he's out, and Batman will truly understand the menace as opposed to Batman Begins, where he simply stated that he'll "look into it".

I would also like to see Scarecrow make a comeback, for one reason: It'd be hilarious to see him get his ass kicked in all three movies. A funny running gag for a very dark series of films.

Maybe if they use Two-Face, they should end with him... actually making a decision not based on his coin, like at the end of 'A Serious House on Serious Earth', where he actually chose.

[TheScarecrow]

The movie should be "Batman: Redemption". It should be entirely about Batman trying to get back in favour with people and re-establish himself as a hero. Catwoman is a necessity and a fully-fledged Scarecrow should return (he needs to face someone from his past). We also need some villains we've never seen on screen before. I'd like either the Mad Hatter or the Ventriloquist. Both would be creepy under Nolan.

[Gianakin_]

No, I'm pretty sure Crane meant Batman needed mental help.

"I don't need any help"

"Not my diagnosis."

I agree with you.

[Gianakin_]

Really in the end, I think if they used the Riddler, he'll end up acting like a Joker clone basically.

Why? The Ridler has often been portrayed as a very serious man and I doubt Nolan would turn to the 50s' comics to get inspiration for his interpretation.

[Ammo]

Here's how I'd do it...at least with the Catwoman part of the storyline.

To start the movie, Bats is out there dealing with some "B-list" criminal (Firefly? Think the beginning of Lethal Weapon 4). Then he hears on his sonar about a burglary at a mob bank. He gets there as the criminal is leaving and doesn't get a good look at it, but leaves with a "cat-like scratch" on his armor, and a cathair as well.

Bruce is holding a fundraiser for some charity that deals with animals. Coming to introduce herself to Bruce is a new member of Gotham's elite. Miss Selina Kyle. Selina "got lucky with various stocks and holdings" (obviously a lie). Bruce is intrigued, goes on a date with Selina, takes her back to her apartment. As Selina is preparing drinks, Selina's cat Isis sits on Bruce's lap. Bruce notices the similarities of the hair. Takes one for examination in the Batcave. It matches, realizes Selina is Catwoman. He continues to date Selina and spy on her, but can't help but fall for her.

One night, Catwoman is stealing from the mob and she's backed into a corner, her life is in danger. Batman rescues her. Pivotal dialogue point...

Batman: "I know the mob has caused great injustice to Gotham, but stealing from them makes you no better, Selina."

Catwoman: "How do you know who I am?"

Batman: "I've tracked you for awhile. I understand why you want to fight the mob but this is not the way."

Catwoman: "You don't understand...I was an illegitimate daughter of Carmine Falcone. When my mother came to him for financial support, he killed her right in front of my eyes, had me dropped off at a relative's house far away so he wouldn't have to deal with me."

Batman: "No, I do understand, I grew up without parents too." *takes off his mask* "It's what drives me...that, and the losses I've endured since becoming Batman."

Catwoman: "Bruce" (a la HUSH)

They're not exactly partners, but Bruce realizes Selina won't last long against the mob in her current costume. Bruce asks Fox to make a "suit for a woman." Fox quickly realizes who it's for and refuses. Bruce takes matters into his own hands and builds a suit similar to his but cat-themed and for her talents.

In the finale, they each save each other's ass.

In the end, Bruce realizes they can't be together because she's "doing what's right on the wrong side of the law, and it's a line he can't cross." Catwoman is enraged and hopes that one day he can learn to trust her, a la Hush.

[bo_carvalho]

Why would he target gordon? I get that ramirez was in his squad and he brought that up earlier but that wouldn't be reason to try and kill his family.

Joker does visit harvey. He still convinces harvey that others are responsible for rachel's death but instead of targeting gordon he targets batman, the mob and the corrupt cops. Targeting gordon really made no sense.


Targeting Gordan made perfect sense. The first time that Harvey meets Batman. Harvey, Gordan and Batman are on the roof talking about Lau leaving to Japan.

Gordan is yelling at Harvey telling him that he couldnt keep Harvey in the loop about Lau bc he has Maroni'd men working in his offices. Harvey yells back and says how can you be telling me this when youre working with scum like Wuertz and Ramirez...(the same detectives who set up harvey and rachel later on)

so he blamed it on Gordan bc he knew they were crooked and he chose to do nothing.

[Spider-Man '92]

I think for the next mob leader (Falcone and Maroni) Scarface could be used. It gives us both a villain, and the mob leader that has been consistent in the movies so far.

[antonydelfini]

Here's my story outline for Batman 3

ACT 1
-Batman disrupts a weapon deal between the Gotham organized crime members and the Russians. Batman catches a glimpse of Oswald Cobblepot (a well respected Public Official, but known as the Penguin by the Mafia) while he is escaping with weapons from the warehouse. The Police, led by Gordon, arrives at the scene and chases Batman (Batman gave Gordon a tip about this weapons deal). A cop shoots Batman in the shoulder as he escapes from the police.
-A tired and wounded Batman gets back at the Wayne Manor, goes to the new Batcave, and takes off his top. Alfred sees the gun shot wound and tries to help his boss. Bruce says he can do it himself and angrily dismisses his butler. Bruce takes the bullet off his shoulder, and sees in a big computer the news from TV which shows the media, the politicians, Gordon, and the citizens crucifying Batman.
-There's a press conference for the newly elected Mayor of Gotham: Oswald Cobblepot. A charming and charismatic public official, the Cobblepot family, like the Wayne family, is one of the most prominent and well respected families in Gotham. Oswald (with a long nose, and a body that resembles a penguin) is the only son of James and Elizabeth Cobblepot (friends of Thomas and Martha Wayne), who both died when Oswald was still young. He now controls all the businesses of his dead parents. He then makes a speech about the the city getting better after the Joker's attack in TDK, and that Batman's presence in Gotham is diminishing because of the continued efforts of the police to stop the vigilante. He promises that he will use his position as the new mayor to rid the city of Batman, the mob, and the freaks.
-Lucius Fox is holding a stock meeting with the board members of Wayne Corp. Bruce arrives late for the meeting (he doesn't play the dumb playboy Bruce anymore, his current stress and isolation is causing his Batman persona to take over, and make Bruce always bitter and angry). Bruce ends the meeting forcefully and dismisses the board members.
-Bruce talks to Lucius about getting a new vehicle that can fly so he can escape more easily from the cops. Lucius tells him that he doesn't want to be a part of Batman's life anymore, and would want to focus on his job in Wayne Corp. This leads to an argument and then Bruce fires Fox from Wayne Corp.
-The Penguin holds a meeting with the organized crime families (Gazzos, Maronis, Vittis, Zuco, Skeevers). It is revealed here that the Penguin, being respected and trusted by Gotham, is actually an associate of the mafia. He is their representative, and their plan is to take over and eat Gotham from the inside, unlike the Joker who uses chaos and anarchy. They also talk about Batman, and that he is still dangerous even if Gotham no longer trusts him. Gazzo proposes to take his niece, Selina Kyle into the fold (a trained assassin called the Catwoman because of her affinity for cats and the suit she uses when on a mission) to kill the Batman. Umberto and Pino Maroni, sons of the late Sal Maroni, are tasked with collecting money from the businesses in Gotham.
-Gordon is at home interacting with his children, (this scene will reveal that Gordon is actually happy that he no longer needs Batman that much anymore, and that he trusts that the Mayor and his police force can keep Gotham safe without Batman).
-Umberto and Pino Maroni arrives at the newly established Grayson Circus. They tell the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson that all businesses in their area must pay them up. The Graysons refuse and tell the Maronis that Gotham is different now, that the politicians and the police are clean now. The Maronis threaten them and tells them to think about it.
-Batman talks to Gordon outside his home, with Batman telling him that he believes that he saw Cobblepot in the recent weapons deal (when in his Penguin identity, Oswald wears a long hat, a one piece eye glass, and has a cigarette in his mouth, and he acts differently). Gordon is surprised by this and tells Batman to get more evidence. A couple of Gordon's friends arrive and Batman disappears.
-The Joker is in Arkham Asylum, where he is constantly drugged and electrocuted for therapy. He is now always bullied and ridiculed by everybody (Jonathan Crane cameo!). His psychiatrist tells him that he and Batman are both becoming obsolete.
-The next day Bruce Wayne and Alfred visits his parents grave, Rachel Dawes' grave, and Harvey Dent's. Bruce cries and whispers and wishes they were still there for him.
-Scenes of Batman training himself aggressively (drowning himself, escaping from big metal chains, doing acrobatics,fixing his suit and other gadgets--- he has no other life now but Batman). This makes Alfred worried and when he tries to comfort Bruce, Bruce wouldn't let him.
-Cobblepot is in his mansion, Bobby Gazzo arrives with his niece Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman. Cobblepot flirts with Selina but she won't play with it. They get to business and talk about their plans to kill the Batman. Catwoman agrees to $10 million.
-Scenes of Batman raging on the underworld in his Batpod. He is asking everyone what they know about Oswald Cobblepot. One of the guys he is beating up tells him that Oswald will be present in a huge heroin deal at the pier tomorrow night.
-The next day, while Gordon is doing his paperwork in his office, he gets a visit from Oswald. Oswald tells him that he will pay Gordon $1 million if he and his men will capture Batman and if they are able to put organized crime to rest. Oswald is such a good and charismatic con artist that he makes Gordon that that Batman might be lying about Oswald, and that Oswald is really a crusader for justice. Gordon then sees an envelope in his desk. He opens it and it's a letter from Batman telling him about a possible drug deal at night at the Gotham pier where Penguin will be present.
-Bruce prepares his Batman gear and gadgets including the Batpod in the Batcave. Alfred advises him not to go to the mission since he is still wounded. Bruce ignores him and races on in his batpod.
-Batman arrives at the pier with mobsters everywhere. A big fight ensues. Catwoman also arrives at the scene and has a fight with Batman. Gordon and the Police arrives, and shoots at Batman. Catwoman gets shot and loses her consciousness. Batman places her in the batpod and a car (motorcycle) chase occurs between him and the police. Batman escapes and takes the unconscious Catwoman to the Batcave. She cleans her wound and takes out the bullet.
-Bruce tries to find Alfred and finds him in the living room with Dr. Leslie Thomas, a colleague and close friend of his father. She just came back from Metropolis to watch the premier show of Grayson Circus, and invites both Alfred and Bruce into the show.
-Catwoman wakes up in the Batcave and finds Bruce still in the bat suit. She asks Batman why he saved her, Batman says the police cannot be trusted anymore. Catwoman replies that she knows the reason Batman saved her, it's because he is longing for someone capable of rescuing him from his despair and loneliness. Catwoman flirts with Batman but Batman quickly sedates her. He then puts her inside his black Porsche and leaves her to an old abandoned house.

ACT 2 to be continued....

[ctmarvelman]

thought i'd throw in my thoughts (just give it a read, at least):

bane as the main villain (played by javier bardem), with riddler in a smaller role (played by joshua harto, "mr. reese"- mysteries)

have bane's origin be similar to the comic- he's finishing his father's murder sentence in jail, as his father died, and this weird south american country he lives in does things this way. he hears of this unstoppable force in gotham- batman- and makes it his life mission to defeat him- just to say he did, that he is the greatest, and to seize control of gotham from batman- this guy wants power. eventually he gets out of jail (end of sentence or breaking out... whatever)- he travels to gotham, and establishes himself as a big drug cartel lord (who conducts his drug business in his trademark mask) with his own brand of drug- a ridiculous rage 'roid that pumps up your adrenaline, making you stronger, faster, etc.- a valuable tool against batman, who is rendered a bit ineffective due to the cops being on his tail all the time. (through the movie, he would have lucius develop a sedative for this particular drug). using the money he makes from here, he begins buying up businesses especially those in competition with wayne enterprises, which is the biggest company (presumably) in the world, just so that he can say he beat out wayne enterprises (this man is driven to beat the best- physically, economically, mentally, etc.)-
all this leading to his establishing himself as a "legit" businessman in gotham.

meanwhile, mr. reese is held in police custody as an "accomplice" to batman (as he supposedly knows his identity). they are trying to get batman's identity out of him (as batman is on the run), but he refuses to give it up- batman (well, bruce) DID save his life... and he feels a bit of a life debt to batman. plus, he wants a crap ton of money.

gordon is conflicted throughout with having to hunt down his former ally, all the while having to deal with this new drug epidemic.

bane ends up making reese's bail (wayne doesn't, as he does not want to appear overly suspicious)... he hears this guy knows who batman is, and he wants to know. he initially employs reese, and then one night, at a business party, he gives reese a taste of the drug (which is highly addictive)- reese ends up being hooked, finally feeling powerful, and eventually, after reese is really addicted, bane withholds the drug from him, demanding the info of batman's identity. reese ends up giving it up of course, being the junkie he is- but of course, bane has to use a little physical persuasion, exerting his dominance.

thus begins bane's personal war against wayne and batman, setting his customers (re: adrenaline-enhanced junkies, who amount to a good number of the citizenry- a quarter perhaps?) on batman (as a spin on the breaking out of villains to wear batman down) before finally confronting him himself. i would like to think that, during all this fighting batman has to go through, he contacts lucius, asking him to contact reese and get him to do some espionage into his employer's (bane's) activities, dealings, etc. with promise for help with his addiction. this info would help batman to defeat bane. thus reese, or the riddler, is a bit of an anti-hero- a druggy who ultimately helps batman (this anti-hero angle reflects a bit on riddler's current status in the comics).


of course, id like to think also that there would be plenty of bruce and batman- bruce in the business end, and batman fighting against cops and junkies alike. it would end with reese, now recovered from his addiction, appearing on engle's show claiming to reveal the "truth" behind batman... but in fact revealing that the crimes batman has been condemned for are in truth the crimes of harvey dent (a truth he has pieced together), and that batman took the fall for it, and that batman was the one who took the city off the grip of bane's drugs, and provided the means to get off the addiction (the "antidote" thing lucius had been developing thru the movie)- revealing, in effect, that batman is gotham's true defender, and one the city can put faith in. harvey dent, however, was not evil, but was rather driven to madness by the loss of his loved ones and by the joker's influence (though this leaves a hole- what of the criminals Dent put away? unless of course bane bought them out of jail, and now they are in jail again for completely different crimes- drug addiction and conspiracy against the state with bane- and so their original sentence is inconsequential). as for the identity of batman- that is one riddle he will not give up.


thats my two cents anyways.

[NinjaTurtleFan]

First, off I think they should sample bits of "Dark Victory", "No Man's Land", with maybe stuff from "Arkham Asylum" and "Long Halloween."

If Two-Face is alive I would have him come back persuading mobsters or The Freaks to teamup with him and takeover the city. Harvey Dent seemed like he could rule Gotham as a kingdom and he'd take from Bruce the keys to his kingship. Both Gordon and him called him, The White Knight but Harvey's mind snapped; with Rachel's death and Joker's proposal, he became a vindictive, remorseless, rancorous avenger. A man so consumed by rage that his only option was allowing the coin to decide what was morally right and wrong; his lawful mind completely burned away with his face.

With Batman a fugitive, it'd make it easier for Two-Face or an imposing mafia family to come moving in. Gordon would then see his city would need it's hero even though he promised he'd hunt down Batman even though he doesn't want to and is the only one who knows Batman did not kill anyone. When Gordon would see that the city is too far out of hand and needs someone to pull it out of the burning rubble he and the city would have no choice but to put their faith in and ally themselves with Batman.

When the cops and Batman would soon become one the mob would then turn to Two-Face or whoever to help them out. Gordon knows deep down he'd either have to arrest Batman after he took down the mob and the new villains or he'd have to come clean about Dent's death and tell the public it was Dent who killed those cops. Or in a twist, Gordon would go to jail and thus keep it where Batman would be Gotham City's watcher and protector.

That's one scenario, another one would be the mob has come back in under the leadership of Alberto Falcone as one mafia taking over for his father, Roman Sionis taking over as another, and Rupert Thorne as the last. Rupert however has a hit man for hire named Bane, while the other two rely on a mysterious man named "The Penguin" for weapons, information, and other supplies. Little does the two know that Penguin is an opportunist, an idealist, who is using both so once both have scrubbed each other out he can move in and hog all of Gotham for himself. Oswald Cobblepot in the daytime is a philanthropist and a respected businessman. He owns a legitimate club called "The Iceberg Lounge" and does not mind flittering his money away giving back to the community. Distributing his wealth, showing humanity and goodwill towards men, and giving them plentifuls and endowments of charity and generosity. But it is a ruse, a white-lie, by night he is an arsmdealer selling weapons to the highest bidder. An 'auctioneer of death' who would rather let other men start wars than him start one of his own.

His latest weapon would be an umbrella that can both turn into a sword and a machine gun. Scarecrow would show up in a cameo doing his drug-dealing again wondering if he could use the umbrella as a way where he could transport his fear-serum to buyers without the cops wondering what he's selling or dealing. Scarecrow could also see the umbrella as a way of harnessing his fear-serum into a new kind of weapon. This would also be a reference to the comics with Penguin having an umbrella filled with gas.

The city would then be filled with blood. Gang wars and gang-related violence would sweep across Gotham. Families torn apart, loved ones caught in the crossfire, many dead---Gordon and his Department would be outnumbered and Penguin would relish in this but Penguin would just be paving the way for 'his boss' to move in and finish the job started by her father. That's right Talia and Penguin would've had this planned all along. The remaining mob families would kill each other off, Gordon and the GPCD would be powerless, Batman would be hailed as a criminal and wanted man, and the only one who could stop it would be Bruce Wayne himself, not as Batman, but as himself.

[NinjaTurtleFan]

First, off I think they should sample bits of "Dark Victory", "No Man's Land", with maybe stuff from "Arkham Asylum" and "Long Halloween."

If Two-Face is alive I would have him come back persuading mobsters or The Freaks to teamup with him and takeover the city. Harvey Dent seemed like he could rule Gotham as a kingdom and he'd take from Bruce the keys to his kingship. Both Gordon and him called him, The White Knight but Harvey's mind snapped; with Rachel's death and Joker's proposal, he became a vindictive, remorseless, rancorous avenger. A man so consumed by rage that his only option was allowing the coin to decide what was morally right and wrong; his lawful mind completely burned away with his face.

With Batman a fugitive, it'd make it easier for Two-Face or an imposing mafia family to come moving in. Gordon would then see his city would need it's hero even though he promised he'd hunt down Batman even though he doesn't want to and is the only one who knows Batman did not kill anyone. When Gordon would see that the city is too far out of hand and needs someone to pull it out of the burning rubble he and the city would have no choice but to put their faith in and ally themselves with Batman.

When the cops and Batman would soon become one the mob would then turn to Two-Face or whoever to help them out. Gordon knows deep down he'd either have to arrest Batman after he took down the mob and the new villains or he'd have to come clean about Dent's death and tell the public it was Dent who killed those cops. Or in a twist, Gordon would go to jail and thus keep it where Batman would be Gotham City's watcher and protector.

That's one scenario, another one would be the mob has come back in under the leadership of Alberto Falcone as one mafia taking over for his father, Roman Sionis taking over as another, and Rupert Thorne as the last. Rupert however has a hit man for hire named Bane, while the other two rely on a mysterious man named "The Penguin" for weapons, information, and other supplies. Little does the two know that Penguin is an opportunist, an idealist, who is using both so once both have scrubbed each other out he can move in and hog all of Gotham for himself. Oswald Cobblepot in the daytime is a philanthropist and a respected businessman. He owns a legitimate club called "The Iceberg Lounge" and does not mind flittering his money away giving back to the community. Distributing his wealth, showing humanity and goodwill towards men, and giving them plentifuls and endowments of charity and generosity. But it is a ruse, a white-lie, by night he is an arsmdealer selling weapons to the highest bidder. An 'auctioneer of death' who would rather let other men start wars than him start one of his own.

His latest weapon would be an umbrella that can both turn into a sword and a machine gun. Scarecrow would show up in a cameo doing his drug-dealing again wondering if he could use the umbrella as a way where he could transport his fear-serum to buyers without the cops wondering what he's selling or dealing. Scarecrow could also see the umbrella as a way of harnessing his fear-serum into a new kind of weapon. This would also be a reference to the comics with Penguin having an umbrella filled with gas.

The city would then be filled with blood. Gang wars and gang-related violence would sweep across Gotham. Families torn apart, loved ones caught in the crossfire, many dead---Gordon and his Department would be outnumbered and Penguin would relish in this but Penguin would just be paving the way for 'his boss' to move in and finish the job started by her father. That's right Talia and Penguin would've had this planned all along. The remaining mob families would kill each other off, Gordon and the GPCD would be powerless, Batman would be hailed as a criminal and wanted man, and the only one who could stop it would be Bruce Wayne himself, not as Batman, but as himself.

[NinjaTurtleFan]

First, off I think they should sample bits of "Dark Victory", "No Man's Land", with maybe stuff from "Arkham Asylum" and "Long Halloween."

If Two-Face is alive I would have him come back persuading mobsters or The Freaks to teamup with him and takeover the city. Harvey Dent seemed like he could rule Gotham as a kingdom and he'd take from Bruce the keys to his kingship. Both Gordon and him called him, The White Knight but Harvey's mind snapped; with Rachel's death and Joker's proposal, he became a vindictive, remorseless, rancorous avenger. A man so consumed by rage that his only option was allowing the coin to decide what was morally right and wrong; his lawful mind completely burned away with his face.

With Batman a fugitive, it'd make it easier for Two-Face or an imposing mafia family to come moving in. Gordon would then see his city would need it's hero even though he promised he'd hunt down Batman even though he doesn't want to and is the only one who knows Batman did not kill anyone. When Gordon would see that the city is too far out of hand and needs someone to pull it out of the burning rubble he and the city would have no choice but to put their faith in and ally themselves with Batman.

When the cops and Batman would soon become one the mob would then turn to Two-Face or whoever to help them out. Gordon knows deep down he'd either have to arrest Batman after he took down the mob and the new villains or he'd have to come clean about Dent's death and tell the public it was Dent who killed those cops. Or in a twist, Gordon would go to jail and thus keep it where Batman would be Gotham City's watcher and protector.

That's one scenario, another one would be the mob has come back in under the leadership of Alberto Falcone as one mafia taking over for his father, Roman Sionis taking over as another, and Rupert Thorne as the last. Rupert however has a hit man for hire named Bane, while the other two rely on a mysterious man named "The Penguin" for weapons, information, and other supplies. Little does the two know that Penguin is an opportunist, an idealist, who is using both so once both have scrubbed each other out he can move in and hog all of Gotham for himself. Oswald Cobblepot in the daytime is a philanthropist and a respected businessman. He owns a legitimate club called "The Iceberg Lounge" and does not mind flittering his money away giving back to the community. Distributing his wealth, showing humanity and goodwill towards men, and giving them plentifuls and endowments of charity and generosity. But it is a ruse, a white-lie, by night he is an arsmdealer selling weapons to the highest bidder. An 'auctioneer of death' who would rather let other men start wars than him start one of his own.

His latest weapon would be an umbrella that can both turn into a sword and a machine gun. Scarecrow would show up in a cameo doing his drug-dealing again wondering if he could use the umbrella as a way where he could transport his fear-serum to buyers without the cops wondering what he's selling or dealing. Scarecrow could also see the umbrella as a way of harnessing his fear-serum into a new kind of weapon. This would also be a reference to the comics with Penguin having an umbrella filled with gas.

The city would then be filled with blood. Gang wars and gang-related violence would sweep across Gotham. Families torn apart, loved ones caught in the crossfire, many dead---Gordon and his Department would be outnumbered and Penguin would relish in this but Penguin would just be paving the way for 'his boss' to move in and finish the job started by her father. That's right Talia and Penguin would've had this planned all along. The remaining mob families would kill each other off, Gordon and the GPCD would be powerless, Batman would be hailed as a criminal and wanted man, and the only one who could stop it would be Bruce Wayne himself, not as Batman, but as himself.

[thorstone]

Regardless of whether Two Face is dead or alive a new female lead must be introduced and I'm betting on Catwoman. Perhaps Shannyn Sossamon for this cat burglar.

If Two Face is dead then there is room for The Riddler (whom I envision as a lone bank robber rather than a supervillain like The Joker). I want a more mysterious Riddler rather than a spaz (as Jim Carey portrayed him). Someone suggested Ralph Fiennes for the part-- sounds like a good idea to me.

But the film needs a supervillain in order to top the danger The Joker posed-- someone tied to the mob, someone with a lot of goons. I can only imagine The Penguin taking up the slack in the plot. After TDK, I don't understand how they couldn't get whomever they desire to play The Penguin.

[samsnee]

If they want Catwoman, fine, but then no Penguin. It has to be one or the other. I think having both in the same movie again will put unfair comparisons to Batman Returns. TDK worked because Joker and Two-Face weren't in a movie together before.

[KniteYxSpydeY]

Here's how I'd do it...at least with the Catwoman part of the storyline.

To start the movie, Bats is out there dealing with some "B-list" criminal (Firefly? Think the beginning of Lethal Weapon 4). Then he hears on his sonar about a burglary at a mob bank. He gets there as the criminal is leaving and doesn't get a good look at it, but leaves with a "cat-like scratch" on his armor, and a cathair as well.

Bruce is holding a fundraiser for some charity that deals with animals. Coming to introduce herself to Bruce is a new member of Gotham's elite. Miss Selina Kyle. Selina "got lucky with various stocks and holdings" (obviously a lie). Bruce is intrigued, goes on a date with Selina, takes her back to her apartment. As Selina is preparing drinks, Selina's cat Isis sits on Bruce's lap. Bruce notices the similarities of the hair. Takes one for examination in the Batcave. It matches, realizes Selina is Catwoman. He continues to date Selina and spy on her, but can't help but fall for her.

One night, Catwoman is stealing from the mob and she's backed into a corner, her life is in danger. Batman rescues her. Pivotal dialogue point...

Batman: "I know the mob has caused great injustice to Gotham, but stealing from them makes you no better, Selina."

Catwoman: "How do you know who I am?"

Batman: "I've tracked you for awhile. I understand why you want to fight the mob but this is not the way."

Catwoman: "You don't understand...I was an illegitimate daughter of Carmine Falcone. When my mother came to him for financial support, he killed her right in front of my eyes, had me dropped off at a relative's house far away so he wouldn't have to deal with me."

Batman: "No, I do understand, I grew up without parents too." *takes off his mask* "It's what drives me...that, and the losses I've endured since becoming Batman."

Catwoman: "Bruce" (a la HUSH)

They're not exactly partners, but Bruce realizes Selina won't last long against the mob in her current costume. Bruce asks Fox to make a "suit for a woman." Fox quickly realizes who it's for and refuses. Bruce takes matters into his own hands and builds a suit similar to his but cat-themed and for her talents.

In the finale, they each save each other's ass.

In the end, Bruce realizes they can't be together because she's "doing what's right on the wrong side of the law, and it's a line he can't cross." Catwoman is enraged and hopes that one day he can learn to trust her, a la Hush.

And this is why you're not writing the movie. hahahaha. great hour's worth of exposition in selina's few lines.

[kongussion]

TDK was relentlessly bleak. I'm sure Nolan will want to wrap up his involvement in the franchise with some catharsis, a film with more hope. I would have liked the third to be set in Arkham, but with Ledger gone, re-casting is extremely dicey. Catwoman would bring some heart back into the franchise, and I like the idea of a powerful, politicized Penguin stepping into the void left by the Joker. The Penguin could position himself as the only option, a gangster who promises to keep the streets safe but controls everything, at the price of people's liberty. The people of Gotham would eventually rebel against him, and he would start to crush them... cue Batman's return to grace.

[jmc]

^ Good point there, I think a third film has to have a glimmer of light at the end, a sign that things are getting better, a sign that Batman may no longer be needed. I think Catwoman is part of that light, in fact I can see both Batman and Catwoman being each others ray of light. I can see Gordon finally getting Gotham under control and becoming the strong leader he started to become in film two, the series warrants a conclusion with a sense of hope.

[TheComicbookKid]

The Riddler-

A government official tasked with the job of finding Batman since Gordon is stalling on his front. Riddler comes close but Batman keeps outwitting him. Riddler eventually goes a little overboard and starts leaving puzzles (ie a fake criminal) to lure out the Batman.

Catwoman-

A thief that Batman is trying to stop while being hunted by the cops. She is actually making it much more difficult to do.

[ScarecrowMan666]

Well...I'm pretty sure Two Face isn't dead, and I believe he'll play a bigger role(as a villain) in the next film. If they must recast the Joker for this film, Daniel Day Lewis certainly looks the part. Can he be as psychotic as Heath? I highly doubt it. Now. Killer Croc should be introduced....and he should start offing people. Three villains sounds nice to me, being as it's the third movie. Naturally, Joker would probably play a minor role in this one since he was the main villain in TDK. It would be nice to see Scarecrow just randomly pop up again....though I must admit I crave more Scarecrow....he just didn't get the airtime he deserved. Penguin would be an awful choice for a villain, because he is and always has been pointless. The guy takes his name from an overweight flightless bird...come on. Danny Devito made The Penguin freaky and scary in Batman Returns, and that was the only case in which I liked him. The mobster aspect just doesn't attract me. I've never been a Catwoman fan, and after that god awful piece of garbage Halle Barrie did, I would think Nolan believes most people simply want to forget about the character for awhile. I'm sure once Mr. Nolan sees the box office results, he'll decide to make it a trilogy.

[cyrus02pso]

The Dark Knight Returns

Takes place in the future. Clint Eastwood as Bruce Wayne, Mark Hammil as the Joker. Through in a few others like man-bat and/or bane.

[PrinceOfKnaves]

I really want Scarecrow to be back, especially since Cillian Murphy is playing him, it'd be a horrible waste not to give him more screen time.

[Phoenix_Flare]

I think B3 should be an all out gang war/ global nuclear terrorism...now that Batman is on the run...Gotham becomes this breeding nest for gangs/mobs w/o Bats help how do the police deal with these gangs and try to restore order in Gotham? I think the truth about Harvey/Two-Face should be revealed, so that the ppl of Gotham can understand why Batman did what he did and realize that he is a true hero...

If Catwoman was in B3, I think Batman should encounter her in the outscurts of Gotham, instead of being a villian/ she's an anti-hero, she's the opposite of Batman, she steals/kills to make a living and to help the ppl less fortunate and explains her origin. It gives her a purpose than just be a common theif/assassin(?)...she helps him evade G.P.D, but as a twist she is emplyoed by Thorne who has given her orders to find Batman and kill him since he is the only who can stop whats going on in Gotham, but she soon realises her and Bats have things in common and she cannot bring herself to kill him instead they form an "alliance"

I think Harley Quinn would be a gre8 female lead...have her as the shrink @ Arkum who's been treating Joker(due to Heath's passing), off-screen Joker is doing to her what he did to Dent, he corrupts her mind and given her psychology background she becomes 10's worse than the Joker

Rupert Thorne should be the next crime boss introduced and maybe Blackmask since he's some what of a terrorist...

Basically all 3 factions are at war w/eachother, G.P.D, Gotham City and I'm thinkn Blackmask/Harley Quinn team-up(once they get rid of Thorne) turn to world terrorism if their demands aren't met

I don't think Catwoman/Batman should find out each other's alter-ego, it takes away their chemistry, mystery, and their "love" for one another, but their should be a scene( at the end of the film) where Bruce and Selina cross paths and get the vibe that they met before and the movie should end with Batman redemeaning himself and the ppl of Gotham excepting Batman as their protecter...

[Jawn]

Eh, I seem to disagree with most of the posters here, but I'll throw in my two cents anyway.

Its not that I don't like Catwoman -- she's a good character and all, its just that I do not want to see another romantic female lead so close on the heels of Rachel's death. Rachel's death should, in my opinion, haunt Bruce for at least one or two more movies before moving on to things like Catwoman. I could see Talia working, but not as a romantic lead, more as the daughter of Ra's who is intent on carrying on his work and finds an unrequited attraction to Bruce/Bats. However, it is the current dynamic of Bats/Catwoman that dictates that most likely a movie with Catwoman in it (portrayed faithfully to the comics) would result in some romantic encounter between them, which I would rather not see yet. The time will be right later.

Also, I don't want to see any gang wars. The mobsters' time is over, the Joker has changed things, the freaks have risen. This was a major part of The Dark Knight, and I don't really want to see this reversed. The Dark Knight starts off with a group of mob bosses, and slowly they all die off, leaving only the Joker (though its up for debate whether Maroni died or not, I believe he did). The only real "mobster" I'd be fine with seeing is The Penguin, because while he is a mobster, he is also one of the "freaks".

I would, however, much rather like the next movie to focus on the Riddler. The thing is, Riddler is not a "high-stakes" villain. He is not a homicidal maniac, he's an eccentric glory-seeker with obsessive compulsive disorder. That is mainly what separates him from the other villains -- he's NOT homicidal. Just think back to Knightfall when he arrives at a TV station strapped with "explosives". Robin takes him out because he realizes there's no way Riddler would pull something like that... the explosives have to be (and are) fakes. So, searching through this and other threads I've read some ideas I rather liked, and so strung together what I'd like see, adding a bit of my own as well.

Obviously, Batman is on the run. Riddler is a detective working for the GPD, but is confounded as Batman is constantly solving cases before he can, and he can't figure out who/where Batman is/lives. Suddenly, all these larger crimes begin being committed. Bruce's childhood friend, Tommy Eliot (who was introduced early in the film) is killed, there are robberies, arsons, perhaps the Graysons are killed, etc... but the way it is all done seems to be pointing to something else. Its all one big riddle. Perhaps the Arkham inmates are sprung (though I'd rather not see that again because it has been done in BB). But it seems the person behind everything is pulling strings and manipulating others into doing his work. Perhaps he has Firefly doing the arsons, Deadshot doing the killings, etc... The audience is obviously lead to believe the Riddler is behind everything, but then comes the Nolan twist when we find out it was Tommy Eliot (that is, Hush) the whole time. Riddler knows who is behind everything, but won't reveal it when Batman questions him, he just taunts Batman because he finally came out on top. Perhaps then the Riddler "confesses" to all the crimes (even though he did not commit them), thus making himself "bigger than Batman". All the crimes were an attempt to wear Batman down to the point where he can be destroyed. Perhaps the climax would occur when Hush attempts to kill Riddler in Arkham and Batman has to save him.

With that story, the stakes would be higher, and I think it fits the Nolanverse rather well. Just my two cents though.

Oh and I left out the part that would get me the most hate, but I think that since this would be a direct sequel to TDK, that Batman would gradually get darker, more violent, until he saves an 18 or 19 year old Dick Grayson from corrupt police trying to cover up his parents' murders by killing Dick. Dick's presence in Bruce's life would be what stops him from being consumed by the darkness, and helps him focus. Dick wouldn't even have to don the cowl, he could work as an assistant to Alfred or Lucius, or fill an Oracle-like role, feeding Batman information from the cave. And if he does have to don the cowl, I wouldn't have him going out and fighting crime, just working as a scout doing surveillance and report jobs to save Batman some needed time while trying to figure out who is behind it all. Batman could do all the fighting himself. However, I also think the plot I put forward could work without Robin (though the fanboy inside me would love to see a Nolan Robin).

[FaT_tONle]

Riddler or Bane... Ventriloquist as a hitman... and Catwoman... take one from Schumacher... one from Burton... and Rupert Thorne as the new mob boss and the most intimidating one we have seen thus far.

[Matt]

I actually think it is time for Robin. Call me crazy, but I think it can work. Do it like Dark Victory. Batman believed in Harvey Dent, he lost him. He is now isolated from Jim Gordon, he can trust no one. Timing is perfect for Robin.

[ray243]

No robin...how often do you make a film where batman has to handle almost everything by himself? No alfred as well...make alfred seriously injured...

Hell..the only time that happened in the comics...is in the 1940s.

The next film can be EVEN darker if they make batman doing almost everything without much help.

A villian that constantly taking out batman's allies one by one...until batman is left TOTALLY alone will be nice.

And no robin because you are bascially asking another person to share the moral responsibility of being hated....

This batman has taken the potential hate against dent for himself...what makes you think he will let anyone share his responsiblity as well?


And if nolan make batman lose all of his allies one by one...I doubt adding a new ally is going to be a right action for batman.


The third film is going to start dark....very dark.

The dark knight started with a rather 'not so dark' tone at the beggining...until the ending...where it became darker and darker.


To top it off, make the 3rd film start in a very dark tone. Until the middle part, where the ray of light glows brighter. Not too bright...but back to how it was between batman begins and the dark knight.


This is a way to complete a triliogy.


And you guys have no idea how intimaditing batman can be...towards every criminal now.

The average joe and criminal will 'know' that batman has been driven 'insane' and is willingly to kill...


The no kill rule still apply for batman himself...but the villans don't know that. A great advantage.

[Lord Blackbolt]

As for the third I hope it goes in a couple of directions.


Since Bats is on the run from the law why not have him leave Gotham for the whole movie.

He can either run into Ras Al Ghul and his henchmen and try to stop them from taking over some other city.....OR.... have some other DC vigilante go after him like Green Arrow. Which would be awesome cause they are planning to do that Green Arrow Prison movie and what better way to spin off a Batman movie and have GA show up and do the Supermax GA movie they're planning.

[bwcfrog]

I would like to see the film open with Batman in pursuit of Two Face - after the opening scene where Batman looses Two Face, Alfred contacts Batman and tells him that Bruce Wayne is almost late for the opening ceremonies of the new Wayne Manor.

Upon arrival, fresh and clean - Bruce Wayne speaks in front of a crowd on the lawn of the newly rebuilt wayne manor - in the crowd is Selina Kyle, basically in the early stages of staking out the mansion for a future heist.

Next Batman is called away in a strange crime that seems to lead nowhere, we find him later in the new "batcave" analyzing evidence from the crime scene. Crime after crime lead nowhere - until finally Batman arrives on scene to find Two-Face tied up, basically hand delivered and a piece of paper in his mouth with a big "?" written on it.

The film should take the direction of The Riddler orchestrating several small crimes leading up to a huge detailed, baffleing crime that Batman struggles with, but figures out just in the nick of time to capture the Riddler and take him back to Arkhum Asylum.

I think it would be cool to have Batman go to Arkhum to "consult" the Joker (who could be protrayed by a heath ledger look alike) and the scene could be a very dark and shadowy one) and he could seek info on the clues he is finding at the crime scenes. Batman is so desperate and determined to solve the crimes, that he goes to the one person who may give him some insight on the insanity taking place around him - this leads him reluctantly to the Jokers High Security cell.

I see Catwoman as commiting multiple burglarys - all where she recruits high profile "helpers in the commission of the crime and kills them all immediately after - so she has the help she needs, but shares none of the loot. I dont want to see a love interest develop between them - at least not in this movie. And she should escape at the end - to show in future films.

LOTS of "meat" left out - but thats the storyline I would like to see in some form.

[DACrowe]

I'll keep it short.

This is Gotham's redemption and Batman's vindication film. While Batman doesn't save the city for good, it should end with things starting to get better and the city having hope for the first time since Harvey Dent's election. It should be a mob war that features new villains that are freaks but different from Joker (I'm thinking Riddler for example) and Catwoman could come in. Batman is alone and bitter after losing Dent and feeling guilt for his death.

He is tempted by her but cannot be with her. Things get so bad in Gotham in the third act the city turns to batman when they have nothing left (Gordon should bring back the bat-signal in a dramatic scene that begins the third act) and Batman saves the city from utter destruction at the end. I would say add Robin for redemption's sake and for Batman to realize he is not alone (and be able to refuse Catwoman's ideology), but I think Nolan will likely refuse that. But hey they denied Harry would become a Goblin as well. I think Robin a la Dark Victory could and should work.

[vicsage83]

In my opinion TDK ended on such a downer note that a possible 3-film should end on a higher note. However, introducing Robin seems to be out of the question by Bale and Nolan. Meanwhile, since TDK put Batman in the backseat while Joker and Dent stole the show I think it would be good to have the film focus on Batman more so than the villains.

So my plot goes like this, after TDK the freaks have taken over the mobs. Whereas previously the gangs were seperated by old-fashioned methods, now gangs are seperated only by the ruler on top, not by race or country of origin. The Black Mask runs his gang from his high-rise in downtown Gotham. The Penguin controls the docks from the Iceberg Lounge. The Mad Hatter controls the West End of Gotham, which of course includes the Gotham City Park. Finally, the villain known as Bane has single-handidly regained control over the Narrows. As well, some lower-tier villains are hired as bodyguards or assasins by the mob bosses. Most notably, Deadshot (More Squad-attitude than Gotham Knights) is hired by the Penguin. After the events of TDK, Batman is left to confront all of these villains by himself. Commish Gordon is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He wants to help Batman while the citizens of Gotham and many of his officers want to hunt him down. As his war on crime rages on, there becomes much less Bruce Wayne and more Batman. Bruce begins pushing away everyone who tries to help him, which in this film amounts to Fox and Alfred. However, as Batman is finally finishing off one of the gangs, most likely the Mad Hatter, he runs into someone else fighting the mob. As he tries to catch a glimpse of his face, Batman realizes that this man doesn't have one. So now Batman finally has an ally he can rely on when he's out fighting crime. Which leads to the ending in which Batman realizes that despite how he may have to cut himself off from humanity in order to protect Gotham, he will never be alone in making that choice.

Casting
Batman/Bruce Wayne - Christian Bale
Jim Gordon - Gary Oldman
Alfred - Michael Caine
Lucius Fox - Morgan Freeman
The Question/Mike Engel - Anthony Michael Hall

Black Mask - Ryan Phillipe
The Penguin - Phillip Seymour Hoffman
The Mad Hatter - Timothy Spall
Bane - Batista (I hate using wrestlers, but there's few people who can do imposing as well as he can, as well my Nolan-verse vision of Bane is one who uses his size to hide his great intelligence)
Deadshot - Matthew Marsden

[Sweetchuck]

I think as many have posted that it is time for the "Rise of the Freaks". Batman started it...The Joker turned it up to 11 (spinal tap reference) And here we are. Especially since Batman is on the run. Hes been slacking and in his and the mobs absence the "Freaks" have taken over. This gives the opportunity to show a bunch of minor villains like Penguin, Mad Hatter, Clayface, others. All of them control certain areas of the city. Nolan can use as many or as few of these "minor" villians as replacement for the Mob. But overall Penguin/cobbalpot is the slight leader.
Catwoman can simply be a cat burgular female who either gets caught stealing from Penguin or Bruce Wayne.
The main Villian can be The Riddler. He can either be the guy "Mr. Reese-Mysterious-enigma-riddler" from TDK. Or someone who finds out from him. I honestly prefer it to be the guy from TDK. He can basically start off leading Batman around on wild goose chases. And as he goes along gets more violent and angry. Leaving hints for Batman to find and publicly giving the public clues to Batmans identity. Batman must figure out his riddle before someone in gotham figures out who Batman is.
We can make the riddler end up being just as psychotic as the Joker. Just in a different way...
With this overall plot we can go for the detective angle and also go for the redemption of Batman angle depending on what he is trying to stop the Riddler from doing. Also the best thing about the riddler is that for most of the first 1/2 tp 2/3 of the movie he can be shown as behind the scenes and never even gettings his hands dirty. His main motivation is to tear down Bruce Wayne and get his recognition.

[King Ruler]

I believe Two-Face and Catwoman should be the lead villains for part 3, and possibly a third appearance by another "freak" like Riddler (or they can set up the stages for him in a possible 4th film). If anything, I feel that it is only right that part 3 follows "Dark Victory". It's only right. "Batman Begins" was "Batman: Year One" and TDK was "The Long Halloween".

But despite the fact they don't want to, Robin has to be included (if they go the route of Dark Victory).

[Spider-Fan]

TDK was essentially about chaos and anarchy. That said, the next logical step would be someone whose goals and plans are about order and structure. Thus, I think the main threat should be The Riddler. Make him a more serious villain (not goofy this time), and I think he is the way to go.

I would also put Catwoman into the film. We do need a new female lead, and Catwoman I think fits in well. Maybe she even is hired in the film by the Riddler (and somehow fits into his puzzle somehow).

[thorstone]

I want the Penguin to become the new mayor on the promise of riding the city of the Batman. I enjoyed how TDK jumps into the middle of things (that is how the third should begin).

I doubt Scarecrow will return.

If TwoFace is alive, he knows the identity of Batman.

[Brian2887]

Part 3 needs to be about Bruce rebuilding his life while Batman rebuilds his reputation and Gotham City.

A new love interest (Selina Kyle), Wayne Manor being rebuilt (with a rudimentary bat cave), and trying to be a hero to Gotham and maybe redeem Batman's name.

Meanwhile, we have philanthropist and childhood friend of Bruce, Roman Sionis, putting on a clean, beloved public face while running organized crime. Hell, maybe he's even the new mayor, or someone else in government.

Meanwhile, Selina Kyle is after him and the crime family for her own reasons, taking their money and maybe killing. Why? I dunno.. Isn't she connected to the mob family somewhere? Her father...? I'm no expert on the character.

So it's a dangerous triangle between Bruce, Selina, and Black Mask, featuring the Penguin as a British gun-runner and, maybe, Bane as Black Mask's loose cannon of a henchman.

[zenith16]

Part 3 needs to be about Bruce rebuilding his life while Batman rebuilds his reputation and Gotham City.

A new love interest (Selina Kyle), Wayne Manor being rebuilt (with a rudimentary bat cave), and trying to be a hero to Gotham and maybe redeem Batman's name.

Meanwhile, we have philanthropist and childhood friend of Bruce, Roman Sionis, putting on a clean, beloved public face while running organized crime. Hell, maybe he's even the new mayor, or someone else in government.

Meanwhile, Selina Kyle is after him and the crime family for her own reasons, taking their money and maybe killing. Why? I dunno.. Isn't she connected to the mob family somewhere? Her father...? I'm no expert on the character.

So it's a dangerous triangle between Bruce, Selina, and Black Mask, featuring the Penguin as a British gun-runner and, maybe, Bane as Black Mask's loose cannon of a henchman.
that would be great too bad both Nolan and Gary Oldman said no to having cat woman period in their movies. as well as penguin. And bale is shown to a degree agreeing. those villains are viewed as lame as Robin as they said. In this video interview
http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=307244

seriously though that is there for a reason. Don't know why it's missed by so many here.


I like the idea you have though.

[Drizzle]

I want the Penguin to become the new mayor on the promise of riding the city of the Batman. I enjoyed how TDK jumps into the middle of things (that is how the third should begin).

I doubt Scarecrow will return.

If TwoFace is alive, he knows the identity of Batman.

Too much like "Batman Returns".

[Venom 1988]

If TwoFace is alive, he knows the identity of Batman. Er how?

Part 3 needs to be about Bruce rebuilding his life while Batman rebuilds his reputation and Gotham City.

A new love interest (Selina Kyle), Wayne Manor being rebuilt (with a rudimentary bat cave), and trying to be a hero to Gotham and maybe redeem Batman's name.

Meanwhile, we have philanthropist and childhood friend of Bruce, Roman Sionis, putting on a clean, beloved public face while running organized crime. Hell, maybe he's even the new mayor, or someone else in government.

Meanwhile, Selina Kyle is after him and the crime family for her own reasons, taking their money and maybe killing. Why? I dunno.. Isn't she connected to the mob family somewhere? Her father...? I'm no expert on the character.

So it's a dangerous triangle between Bruce, Selina, and Black Mask, featuring the Penguin as a British gun-runner and, maybe, Bane as Black Mask's loose cannon of a henchman. love this idea

[Sloth7d]

For some reason I pictured Part 3 having something to do with Deadshot or Bane and Catwoman.

[SPIDERMAN117]

I feel the third film Batman will do something or stop someone and the city/cops will finally embace Batman once and for all

[screena]

hello, i have not been here for a while.

i live in austria, tdk hits our cinemas on the 21. of august, which sucks.

but i had the chance to view an english version two days ago...

...and i loved it.

still, people are a little bit overreacting when they say things like:"it can´t get better than this." or "it´s impossible to make an even better sequel."

it´s like saying:"led zeppelin is the best band ever, you can stop making music now, thank you."

the way the movie ended left a lot of great opportunities for the future.

my favourite choice would be the following:

go "strange apparitions"!!!

when i say that i don´t mean a 100% adaption of the book, but more like the way "year one" influenced "batman begins" and "the long halloween" influenced "the dark knight". it would be another classic reference.

it totally fits the loose ends of tdk and it would easily be as complex and good as tdk:

- you have batman on the run

- you have a public controversy going on wheter batman is a criminal or a hero

- you have rubert thorne who wants to become (or is) the new major of gotham and who wants to bring batman down

- you have corrupt police

- you have bruce still living in the wayne tower, but get a glimpse at wayne manor

- you have a new batmobile that fits the city better than a tank (like the lamborgini:cwink:)

- you maybe have deadshot, who would be a great and realistic villain

- you have hugo strange, another classic villain (first appeared in detective no 36 feb 1940), who was never featured on the big screen or on tv

- you can have joker cameos (maybe offscreen, just like in strange apparitions)

- and finally you have a new love interest silver st. cloud. by the way, scarlett johansson would fit the part perfectly and nolan filmed with her and bale before.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2688754764_fd3ce3c10b.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2688754854_c981852442.jpg

i think it would make sense, it just came to me because the showdown between batman and joker in tdk (visually) reminded me of that "laughing fish" showdown.

so what do you think?

[samebattime]

i really wanted to see a little more joker but it's doubtful with the the death of heath ledger. i would have liked to see harley quinn if the joker was brought into play as well. but it's all very doubtful.

i would like to see the riddler or penguin in the upcoming films. catwoman too would be nice to see.

[Phoenix_Flare]

Part 3 needs to be about Bruce rebuilding his life while Batman rebuilds his reputation and Gotham City.

A new love interest (Selina Kyle), Wayne Manor being rebuilt (with a rudimentary bat cave), and trying to be a hero to Gotham and maybe redeem Batman's name.

Meanwhile, we have philanthropist and childhood friend of Bruce, Roman Sionis, putting on a clean, beloved public face while running organized crime. Hell, maybe he's even the new mayor, or someone else in government.

Meanwhile, Selina Kyle is after him and the crime family for her own reasons, taking their money and maybe killing. Why? I dunno.. Isn't she connected to the mob family somewhere? Her father...? I'm no expert on the character.

So it's a dangerous triangle between Bruce, Selina, and Black Mask, featuring the Penguin as a British gun-runner and, maybe, Bane as Black Mask's loose cannon of a henchman.

Thankyou so much!!! I just read Catwoman's and BlackMask's history on wikipedia and their story would pay off well on screen and Roman Sionis' family has a history with the Waynes, so it would be good to include his parents in the 3rd film again... and Nolan and crew need to realise that Catwoman/Selina is the only true love for Batman/Bruce because the compliment eachother...I believe Nolan and crew have the power to make a powerful love story as well superhero action flick...

[kulescanny]

Perhaps, Nolan can alter the Riddler's character so as to make him a serial killer who leaves riddles with hints to his next murder (similar to se7en or zodiac). This leaves Gotham City in great peril and despair. Perhaps, the people of Gotham start to believe Batman is behind the murders. Meanwhile, Batman is still a wanted man and while he accepts some of the events which occur in TDK, he cannot accept being labeled a serial killer. Thus, he needs to solve the mystery as to who is behind these vicious murders. Similar to Silence of the Lambs, Batman and Commisioner Gordon need to consult with either Harvey Dent or the Joker in order to solve the mystery. Like se7en, the actor who portrays the riddler should not be revealed to us until climax of the film.

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Perhaps, Nolan can alter the Riddler's character so as to make him a serial killer who leaves riddles with hints to his next murder (similar to se7en or zodiac). This leaves Gotham City in great peril and despair. Perhaps, the people of Gotham start to believe Batman is behind the murders. Meanwhile, Batman is still a wanted man and while he accepts some of the events which occur in TDK, he cannot accept being labeled a serial killer. Thus, he needs to solve the mystery as to who is behind these vicious murders. Similar to Silence of the Lambs, Batman and Commisioner Gordon need to consult with either Harvey Dent or the Joker in order to solve the mystery. Like se7en, the actor who portrays the riddler should not be revealed to us until climax of the film.

I just don't see Riddler as a Zodiac, "Seven", "Silence of Lambs"-type serial killer. I see him more as an intellect who wants to be challenge for Batman. Calculative, impugent, calumniating, and always creating new schemes, puzzles, and riddles and ways to be a foible to Batman and his intellect. A "Saw"-rehashed villain is not what we need for Riddler. We need a mad bomber or cyber terrorist ala "Die Hard 4" or "Die Hard 3."

I came up with an idea where he could be a former NSA agent serving in Iraq or Afghanistan whom gets ambushed and taken captive. He is blindfolded and bagged every day; never seeing his captors' faces. He thinks he has been kidnapped by Al Qaeda but in truth he is a captee of the League of Shadows. All of this would be done in flashback of course; this would allow to bring in Liam Neeson back as Henri Ducard/Rahs Al Ghul. Plus, it'd allow the movies to feel complete.

Rahs was preparing a pupil to take up his mantle but Bruce refused and his training grounds was destroyed ("BB") so he is looking elsewhere to new sources to help him out. Scarecrow was his employee of transmitting his flower into a alkalinized and weaponized gaseous substance that could bring out it's effects in extreme doses. Riddler is his other employee or agent. Since Scarecrow failed and Rahs died, Riddler would be called on by an anonymous source to set in place Rahs' other idea. This would be using Edward Nashton or Nygma whichever Nolan prefers to call him's brain. Rahs took special interest in making sure they'd get him. Edward is good with decoding binary codes, computing and disecting data, and calculating out mathematical equations. He feeds Edward lies about his government, his country, Gotham City, etc. basically brainwashes him. Edward finally succumbs to the idea that his government betrayed him and left him for dead and Rahs even pulls a card saying that it was him and his League who saved him from Al Qaeda, even though Al Qaeda never was the one who captured him but was infact---The Demon's Head.

Rahs tells him that when the time is right he'll contact him again with further information. A year or more passes and of course we get "TDK." After, the events of "TDK," Edward is contacted by Talia over the phone and they begin their operation. Using cyberterrorism, Edward hacks into the mainframe of Gotham shutting down utilties, electricity, water, etc. basically starting a fire-sale via "Die Hard 4." There's mass panic and people start turning on each other just as Rahs and Joker predicted they would. Since there's no electricity either, Edward hacks into Arkham's computers and opens up the jail cells to the inmates. Now, the freaks and animals have taken over Gotham. Bruce out on the run must then be called in from Gordon to foil the Riddler's plot and find out who is his mysterious employer.

[xwhysoseriousx]

Riddler next, totally.
Have him be closer to Paul Dini's Riddler, an extremelly intelligent man obsessed with puzzles, even make him some sort of consultant detective the mayor turns to to discover Batman's identity and/or capture him. Nygma, gradually obsessed with Bats as he finds in him a true challenge, not only discovers Bruce is Batman but also that he is innocent of the crimes. You can play with this around to have him gradually turn into a villain and also to clean Bruce of the murders without him interfering. Also have Selina Kyle now that Rachel's gone, or Talia if you want to tie the entire trilogy toghether.

I was actually thinking about something more along the lines of a "Dexter" type Riddler. That would be badass.

[Lightning54SC]

Id do the multi villain gang up

[Lone]

I'm gonna quote myself from another thread:

After the outstanding performance by Heath as the Joker, any other villain would seem like a step down...

If there is a part 3, I think the Black Mask would be the way to go...and introduce Dick Grayson. The whole "Batman needs Robin to keep himself from sinking further and further into darkness" type thing. I'm pretty sure part 3 is gonna be a redemption type story so introducing Grayson would work.

This is all IMO of course.

To add to that, when I say Dick Grayson, I do not mean Robin. That way, once Nolan is done with his trilogy(hopefully), the door would be opened if the next director decides to take the Robin or Nightwing route. I'm thinking skip the Robin phase and go straight to Nightwing.

[strikezone89]

anyone else think mr.reese from this movie will play some sort of role in the next bat flick? since he made it public that he knows batmans true identity?
plus the third one is going to have batman redeem himself to the public. Im guessing well see more joker in the third with just a replaced actor and im not sure what else.
well just have to wait and see
im still saying 2face is in arkyham and gordan and batman made him look like he died to keep his reputation and so gotham has a "face" to look up to

[Twin723]

BRING BACK SCARECROW somehow. Cillian Murphy is great..

[GhostPoet]

The most logical choice will be that The Riddler will show up on the scene...and it will be a problem too big for the police...Batman will be the only one who can stop him, thus redeeming himself.

[BobJM]

The more I'm thinking about it, the less I like the idea of introducing Riddler as a main villain. If anything, he should play a part like in TLH or DV where he is contacted by people to learn about murders or gang actions.

I'd rather see Black Mask and Penguin caught in a mob war, with Catwoman thrown into the mix.

[UltraHypnotic]

The Riddler is a narcissistic, egomaniacal, detail oriented genius with a compulsive disorder. He would be perfect in Nolan's Bat world. He would be great as the main antogonist or a minor one. If he's the main, he can be like Jigsaw. Placing people in death traps where they will have to use their minds to get out of them. Gordon, who still secretly goes to Batman for assistance, asks him to look into the matter and see if he can find these missing people. After Batman saves one by easily solving one of the Riddler's riddles, The Riddler becomes intrigued and sees the Bat as a challenge and makes each trap deadlier and each riddle harder to solve. Eventually, Batman learns who the Riddler is by finding the comonalities between all his victims and what he is really after.

If he's just a minor antogonist, he can be a consultant hired by the mob families to figure out who some new person is who is taking over their territory. This person could be the main villan. Say Black Mask.

[GhostPoet]

Now...I realize that the Bane of the previous Batman film which will go un-named put a poor taste in everyones mouth....but what about The Riddler AND Bane? Or should they just stick with one villain only?

[UltraHypnotic]

One villan only. And if there are two, keep the second villans part minor.

[kulescanny]

The Riddler is a narcissistic, egomaniacal, detail oriented genius with a compulsive disorder. He would be perfect in Nolan's Bat world. He would be great as the main antogonist or a minor one. If he's the main, he can be like Jigsaw. Placing people in death traps where they will have to use their minds to get out of them. Gordon, who still secretly goes to Batman for assistance, asks him to look into the matter and see if he can find these missing people. After Batman saves one by easily solving one of the Riddler's riddles, The Riddler becomes intrigued and sees the Bat as a challenge and makes each trap deadlier and each riddle harder to solve. Eventually, Batman learns who the Riddler is by finding the comonalities between all his victims and what he is really after.

If he's just a minor antogonist, he can be a consultant hired by the mob families to figure out who some new person is who is taking over their territory. This person could be the main villan. Say Black Mask.

this is the idea i had in mind. i think it'll be quite interesting.

[keithnoir]

I think the 3 film, if they decide to make one could deal a lot with maybe the unmasking or the fall of batman that causes gotham to start taking matters in their own hands and not just stand by.

Batman Begins showed what it took for Bruce to become batman (His rise)
The Dark Knight just showed why he is needed and his abilities. (Defined him)
The Next Film could be the end to batman either in death or identity (The fall)

But I dont want his fall to be giving batman up, maybe he will need to regain Gothams trust by giving batmans life.

[OwlBoy]

They won't let Morrison kill him because of the film, I don't think they'd like Nolan kill him in the film.

BB was the rise, TDK was the fall the next one will have to be the redemption

[giggs11uk]

I agree BB3 has to be a story of redemption.

Mr. Reese has to be dealt with in some capacity. He knows who Batman is and he admitted that on Gotham Tonight. So now that the police are in FULL pursuit of the Batman people are going to demand answers from this guy

He doesnt have to be the Riddler but he does have to be dealt with in some way

[NinjaTurtleFan]

I agree BB3 has to be a story of redemption.

Mr. Reese has to be dealt with in some capacity. He knows who Batman is and he admitted that on Gotham Tonight. So now that the police are in FULL pursuit of the Batman people are going to demand answers from this guy

He doesnt have to be the Riddler but he does have to be dealt with in some way

What about Engel? Did Joker kill him? I want to know what happened to him.

[christpunchers]

What about Engel? Did Joker kill him? I want to know what happened to him.
Probably we can assume he is dead.

[Twin723]

Probably we can assume he is dead.
Wasn't he one of the hostages on the last scenes in the final confrontation between Joker and Batman?

[Venom 1988]

Yea he was, he was the first hostage Batman unmasked and realized the hostages and thugs were switched around

[Twin723]

Yea he was, he was the first hostage Batman unmasked and realized the hostages and thugs were switched around
Yeah.. So he is still alive then.

[Equinox]

Goyer and Nolan have already discussed the theme for Batman 3...

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/07/21/exclusive-david-goyer-says-he-knows-the-theme-for-batman-3/
God, Make it happen please!!! :brucebat:

[hegele]

ok, ok, ok. Here is my version of the third film (villain/threat wise)....

I really like this idea, in fact, i think this is a great way to cap off the trilogy...

villains
Maybe the villains will be: The Riddler, Clay-face, Two-face and The Joker

synopsis
The movie is in the tone of the Silence of the Lambs, more of a detective mystery (Long Holloween) than the action heavy TDK because the villain isn't about anarchy, just psychological intimidation to the citizens of Gotham and even more so to Gothams finest/public officials. Why? Because he likes the attention, not because he likes chaos. It starts off with murders. Security cameras capture the murders of random citizens all around the city done by city officials and notable public figures (The Mayor, Gordon, even Bruce Wayne). Some of the murders are seen to be done by members of the remaining mafia (who kill off other mob families), this leads to a mob civil war, practically wiping out organized crime in Gotham for good. Each murder scene has a riddle, taunting the police. The GCPD has turned into a frenzy, and with the city against Batman, they have little help to turn to, most of the cops are finding it increasingly hard to trust each other after the events in TDK and even more so after witnesses and cameras capture their own as perps in the murders. They begin demanding answers as the evidence of the murders have leaked out to the GNC, where Mike Engle has soaring ratings on Gotham Tonight by showing the tapes without explanation as to how the station obtained them. The GCPD get furious with the show when it leaks restricted evidence to the public. Batman tries to beat answers out of Engle, Engle says they are sent in the mail with riddles in each package (a sypher like the Zodiacs), after figuring out the cipher, it gives Batman the name of a theatrical actor, Basil Karlo and we find that with the use of waxed prosthetic applications and careful study on the subjects, he is in fact the one behind the murders. He confesses to it all without any motive given. His face is constantly peeled and bruised due to the waxed applications. The GCPD flaunt the capture to the public, trying to ensure the city is safer, headlines in the paper read "CAUGHT: The Clay-Faced Killer". Everything settles down. Then another riddle turns up at the door of the GCPD with a video tape. Before we know it, the murders start again. This time though, the tape left behind shows what looks like Harvey Dent committing a murder of an accused crooked cop, only this Dent has scars across half of his face. He tosses a coin in front of the camera to determine the fate of the officer. Batman and Gordon consider how many officers knew of Dent's specific fate and more importantly, his method of “fair” justice. Who could have leaked it to another 'clay-face killer', the one still leaving the riddles? More importantly, how is it that this clay-face is capable of recreating Dents appearance perfectly (the prosthetic applications from the first clay-face killer were detectably phony at close inspection). Gordon makes a confession to Batman... Dent was only unconscious when he fell, leaving him in a coma. Gordon, keeping it tight lips with the few that knew, placed him under the psych ward at Arkham. Gordon confesses that Dent just woke from the coma a week ago. Bat’s is not happy about the secret. Gordon tells him he couldn’t reveal it to him because he was afraid that Batman would try to get involved with Dent in an attempt to show Harvey a righteous path (and to clear Batman’s own name to the public) and the few loyal cops that knew of Harvey’s existence might turn on Gordon for if they find out he’s still in cahoots with the Dark Knight. At this point Gordon could not gamble with his men’s trust. Batman thinks the coincidence might be too much to ignore, so he confronts Dent at Arkham anyway. They have philosophical discussions on justice, Dent claims he hasn’t left his cell. This is confirmed by his psychiatrist. The tape of Dent murdering the cop leaks out to Gotham Tonight, after the cities martyr is seen in the video murdering an officer in what he calls “the court of true justice”, The city goes nuts. Another clayface killer mocking the cites symbol of hope. The new clayface killer, now called “The Two-Face” cop killer continues to make video tapes of police murders. The killer explains how each officer participated in something corrupt before flipping a coin to determine their fate. Some survive the flip, others don’t. All leak to Gotham Tonight. The survivors have little recollection aside from being bashed on the head unconscious before filming. Each surviving officer has a one letter code written on their chest. Gordon is forced to fire the survivors for the sake of public perception after the very accurate evidence presented by Dent. The city is burning. Gotham’s finest are slowly quitting, the remaining few believe an insider on the force is leaking the evidence to this “fake Dent”. Cops can no longer trust their own, and because of this, Gordon can trust nobody but Batman. The citizens lose hope in almost everything, everyone every night becomes glued to Gotham Tonight when “Harvey Two-Face” demands that the “court session of true justice” as he likes to put it be shown live on Gotham Tonight or else there will be no flip of the coin for a chance for the officers to survive. The show becomes a sick reality program and rating are up. Bruce begins to think that maybe the Joker was right, maybe deep down everyone is like him. Gordon tells Batman that every officer being captured are officers that were tried by the actual Harvey Dent years ago when he was still a front running Internal Affairs officer, and that all of them were not convicted. Batman interrogates the real Dent, but when confronted, he sees more and more of the Harvey he knew. He wants to believe Harvey’s therapy is working. The psychologist continues to disprove the idea that Harvey ever left Arkham, backing it with video evidence. After the next officer survives, Batman takes account the latest symbol and figures out the riddle. It leads back to Engle. Batman finds Engle. Engle confesses. He is the man behind the riddles and the videos, but he is not “The Two-face killer”. Engle is clearly psychotic; he did it all for Gotham’s attention, both on him in the studio, and the mystery he created. And now he has the attention of Batman, who he got the city to hate on his program by persisting a theory that Batman became the Two Face killer, murdering the cops that insisted the city turn to hate him. He presents Batman with a riddle (one I haven’t written yet) and it all comes back to Arkham…

The clues comes together… Engle’s riddle explains everything. We find out that Harvey’s psychiatrist let Harvey out every night to commit the murders. Harvey agreed to leave the riddles on the survivors in return for getting justice on the police force that destroyed his family. The execution might have been done by this “Riddler” (Engle) but its birth came from none other than The Joker. Engle explains that he got an exclusive interview with the Joker after he was captured, The Joker offered him a chance to be infamous. He told him where to find the remaining money he took from the mob and to offer half to Basil Karlo, the clay-face killer, an actor he knew from “back when” who was clinically insane and would do anything to get out of dept. Engle agreed in exchange for the other half and the “exclusives of what was to come”. All it took was an almost Stockholm syndrome- like relationship Dent’s shrink, Harley Quizno had with The Joker. Batman, after hearing this from Engle (we see it in Nolan esc. Flashbacks kind of like The Prestige), Batman rushes to Arkham. He moves to the Jokers cell. He finds Dr. Quizno, hung by the next, with a fresh chiseled smile dressed up with black eyes, white and red paint on her face, like The Joker. “HA HA HA” is smeared everywhere in the cell with her blood. He moves to Dents cell. Dent taunts Batman “I did what was fair. If Gotham wasn’t afraid to live in a city that is truly fair, it wouldn’t have needed you”. Dent explains that Engle offered him a chance out for good but being a man of “justice”, he flipped and lost the toss, so he came back every night. Harvey gives Batman a note left by The Joker addressed to him. It reads of how they are they are two freaks now destined to battle for the sanity of Gotham and now that the city hates both of them, Gotham has nothing left but extinction. Gordon comes too. He states in a public address along with the Mayor that The Batman solved the murders. The city demands answers about the “Two-Face” killer, Gordon says that Harvey has always been dead, and that the killer was another “Clay-face” that has been arrested. The spirit of Gotham resides now on Batman. He is the hero the public should have seen all along. Bruce comes to terms with it and decides he can never hang up the cape.

Themes
Redemption but at a cost. Batman becomes the only thing Gotham trusts, Bruce knows that because of this, he can never quit.

Might need a few fixes but I think a murder mystery like this would be the best way to go. … Sorry for the long post!

[L0ngsh0t]

I would like to see Bane done right

being he is the strongest batman villains and one of the smartest i think he would pose the biggest threat outside of the Joker

[Frodo]

*Batman is hated by the public and the cops
* Batman and Gordon's friendship is put on the line with the addition of Sarah Essen
* Catwoman wants her own revenge on the remaining members of the Falcone crime Family including the new hot head who runs it Tony Zucco
* Selina Kyle comes from the narrows and has a similar origin to the one she had in Year One
*Two-Face in continues his reign of revenge angst the cops and the mob

[L0ngsh0t]

I don't know if I like the idea of Dent returning, it would be an injustice to how they ended TDK to bring him back unless it is done flawlessly

[luke1234]

the story doesnt go anywhere lol, its too hard to come up with a story as good as the one we just witnessed

[keithnoir]

What about Engel? Did Joker kill him? I want to know what happened to him.

Engel is still alive, batman was able to realize the Joker dressed up the hostages because he Recognized Engel. unless you see someone die, dont assume. He is a minor part of the film anyway.

It is unsure of what gotham is going to blame batman for.
If they think he killed dirty cops, that is one thing.... But if they are assuming he killed dent,
how is it possible for Batman to be trusted ever again? He would no longer be able to come out in plan sight.
What it does it make every criminal and citizen worry if batman will kill them now..
But is the point of batman to bring fear in the scum, or to anyone?
The way a 3rd film could work is if the new villain some how found out batman is still not able to break is code.

the story doesnt go anywhere lol, its too hard to come up with a story as good as the one we just witnessed

Even thought I do see this as the major film in the batman series, don't think Nolan can't out do himself again...
Look at the progress that was made from the first film to the second. A 3rd film if it was a different theme but equality as good would work great to end it. Nolan could just do it for the hell of people saying he can't.

[Art Damage]

At first, I thought the story should just end with TDK but now I'm very excited to see the story continue with a third film. But at the right points....

-No more Two-Face. The man Harvey Dent is dead, as should be the freak accident known as Two-Face.

-No Joker in the third movie, re-casting him would be a terrible, terrible move as this role was Heath's last amazing performance. Anything else would be underminded.

I see the third film being about redemption and everyone accepting Batman. But who should the villian be....

hmmm...

[NinjaTurtleFan]

So, Engel was one of the hostages in the penthouse? Wow, totally missed it.

[Spider-Fan]

Trying to replace Ledger would lead to it being a doomed role for BB3. People would compare it to Heath, and would result in already negative opinions about the movie despite its good qualities.

[Huber31]

Two things: A redemption theme as we now see Batman being hunted, even though the Commissioner is not avid in finding his prey. If this does close out the trilogy, then redemption has to be the underlying theme.

That being said, I still believe Dent plays a role in the third movie. I envision three "villians"; Riddler, Catwoman, Two-Face. My reasons for this are as follows:

1) Riddler (my $.02, Steve Buscemi). Oldman already tossed the name out there as already having this character in line. The riddler-esque ARG from the viral was used by the Joker; I am not sure mainstream moviegoers that shelled out 155 million were part of the ARG. Having an ARG in an dof itsel fbrings about the need/notion for riddles/clues/games and the like. What other character can be its focal point? Imagine the little ?s scatterered around an about at comic-cons. Heck, even subtlety like "Edward Nygma, PI" ad in the classifieds on the Gotham Times would cause a groundswell.
I agree with postings throughout that the ultimate Riddle is who is Batman and this character being the "heavy" villian.

2) Catwoman (My $.02, Kate Beckinsdale (sp?)). Love interest door is open and the notion of Batman being torn between affection and the person who has his affections. Even this character could be redeemed into an anti-hero ala the current comic storyline.

3) Two-Face. At some point, he makes an appearance; assisting with the redemption of Batman. I do not think the director would go into as much support for the actor to not have him on for the two films.

The first movie laid the groundwork...it developed the Batman as vigilante. The second lit a fire under that groundwork; opened Batman's (our) eyes to the depravity of the world he chose to step into. This third movie needs ot focus on the detective; Batman as the ultimate problem solver/detective/Mensa member hero.

Just my thoughts....I welcome yours.

[Huber31]

Two things: A redemption theme as we now see Batman being hunted, even though the Commissioner is not avid in finding his prey. If this does close out the trilogy, then redemption has to be the underlying theme.

That being said, I still believe Dent plays a role in the third movie. I envision three "villians"; Riddler, Catwoman, Two-Face. My reasons for this are as follows:

1) Riddler (my $.02, Steve Buscemi). Oldman already tossed the name out there as already having this character in line. The riddler-esque ARG from the viral was used by the Joker; I am not sure mainstream moviegoers that shelled out 155 million were part of the ARG. Having an ARG in an dof itsel fbrings about the need/notion for riddles/clues/games and the like. What other character can be its focal point? Imagine the little ?s scatterered around an about at comic-cons. Heck, even subtlety like "Edward Nygma, PI" ad in the classifieds on the Gotham Times would cause a groundswell.
I agree with postings throughout that the ultimate Riddle is who is Batman and this character being the "heavy" villian.

2) Catwoman (My $.02, Kate Beckinsdale (sp?)). Love interest door is open and the notion of Batman being torn between affection and the person who has his affections. Even this character could be redeemed into an anti-hero ala the current comic storyline.

3) Two-Face. At some point, he makes an appearance; assisting with the redemption of Batman. I do not think the director would go into as much support for the actor to not have him on for the two films.

The first movie laid the groundwork...it developed the Batman as vigilante. The second lit a fire under that groundwork; opened Batman's (our) eyes to the depravity of the world he chose to step into. This third movie needs ot focus on the detective; Batman as the ultimate problem solver/detective/Mensa member hero.

Just my thoughts....I welcome yours.

[hegele]

In addition to my synopsis a few posts up, the film will end with a scene where Alfred encourages Bruce to socialize, since Rachel's death he has been noticeably absent from the public eye. He arranges a date with Selina Kyle. As they meet, Selina says she has a surprise, she takes him to the opera, the same Opera House as you know what. "I hate operas..." Bruce says, but he goes with her anyway. While they watch a love story unfold, triggered by the epic romance on display, Bruce gets flashes of Rachel and him, flashes that span their entire life together, very similar to the flashes of the bats in Batman Begins, the flashes are not quick but haunting accompanying the love piece and just like in Batman Begins, he excuses himself for some fresh air. In the rush to leave quickly he sneaks out the back alley. He stands. Still. Realizing where he is. Realizing how he got back to this spot. realizing just how alone he really is. he falls to the ground and weeps. roll credits.

It would be a nice motif to bring the trilogy full circle.

[jp307]

IMO Black Mask would fit perfectly in the next movie.

"As a child his family was friends with the waynes but secretly hated them. Black Mask (Roman Sionis) eventually kills his parents because they didnt approve of his relationship with a girl(Circe). He takes over the family cosmetic business but the business starts to decline so Bruce decides bail them out as long as Roman agrees to allow Bruce replace them with his own board of directors. Eventually Black masks decides to get revenge on Bruce by kidnapping wayne enterprise employees and killing them one by one by putting masks on their faces and coating them in the deadly make-up once made by his cosmetics company."

This would eventuallly make Bruce bring batman out of hiding to go after Black Mask and his gang.

Catwoman/Selina would also be a good fit seeing as how rachael is gone and would work perfectly as a love interest in both Bruce and Batman

[BobJM]

Catwoman would work well in BB3 because she not only fills the "love interest" role, but she walks on both sides of the law, tempting the Dark Knight in ways he's never been before he crossed her path.

He is attracted to her, but recognizes her choices and therefore can't bring himself to be with her. She seeks justice as he does against the mob lords who prey on Gotham City, but their way of doing things keep them apart, yet also manage to bring them together.

[Minus Shock]

Im working on an outline right now... I have a little research and tweaking to do... but here is what I figure

- With Batman taking blame for the murders of 5 people, the mobsters are now scared of him. He still lurks around Gotham, and that's enough to deter them from breaking the law (mostly).

- With the outrage that Joker caused, more and more "freaks" take charge. Joker was the example and the inspiration to them. One thing I always felt was interesting was in the cartoon Arkham seemed as if it was on the outskirts... in Nolan's verse it's in the Narrows. Since the events of Batman Begins weren't really resolved, I figure a great opportunity to build a better, more secure Asylum. With Joker and Two Face some of its first tenants. Still there are many loons in the narrows, and loons that hadn't been caught that feel its their time to rise.

- With the mob deteriorating someone like the Ventriloquist could easily become prosperous. Same could include Penguin.

- Riddler for me seems like a must for this movie. He's not as malicious as Joker, but probably equally maniacal.

- I could see Killer Croc working for Penguin or Ventriloquist pretty easily, though its doubtful Nolan would go that route, but hey, it'd be different. Not to mention it could easily be made before Spider-man 4 and the rumors of the Lizard, so no worries there.

- It is an essential part of my outline that Two Face and perhaps even the Joker get broken out of Arkham. This will vindicate Batman to the public, though it will likely crush Gotham's moral, and turn its citizens against the justice system. Why would they make them turn on Batman? Its something that could never really be explained to them, and something they would never understand, but it will be essential. The benefit is now at least Batman and Gordon can work closer together. I still think they have private secret meetings.

The Dark Knight was very much a Crime/Drama story. Which played extremely well. I think the third needs to be as close to a war movie as you can. Not like Saving Private Ryan, but just chaos, confusion. Mass casualties.

I know it is unlikely to see any crossover's directly, but it would be nice to hear talks of Wayne Enterprises and Lexcorp, or even Queen Industries working together. I would like to see Wayne become less of a playboy and more of a public figure, doing things for the community. Not ditch the playboy role all together, just more involved and aware, the events of Dark Knight would make that incredibly easy. Wayne could rebuild the hospital, hell rebuild Arkham, use Wayne to benefit Batman.

As I said, Im working on a pretty solid outline right now that will demonstrate and explain
my ideas better, just thought I would give an example in case anyone see's where I'm going and has any ideas or suggestions to improve my idea.

[az824]

anyone feel there is a drastic/desperate need for a female villain? i hate the sausage fest in this verse and with u-know-what i really want there to be a female villain, preferably catwoman.

[Ratatat]

Bane=Cheesy! NO BANE IN THE NEXT ONE!

[stej247]

Hey guys,

This is my first time posting here since Begins came out, but I've been following TDK on this boards for quite a while now, since the viral marketing started. Anyway, I just caught the movie today, and alot of these ideas are fantastic, but this is how I legitimately see a third movie going down:

Basic Plot - The whole redemption theme everyone has been talking about is spot on in my opinion. With the cops and the mob (most likely) hunting Batman, it's not that hard to imagine that the GPD and the mob could possibly work together to take him in. Many people in the GPD now believe that Batman killed several of their fellow cops, so it's not hard too assume they would break the rules for revenge. Unfortunately for them, this IS Batman we are talking about, the same guy who took down a force of nature called the Joker that neither the police or the mob could control. Basically, they need help. They need get somebody of equal skill, intelligence, detective savy, and personal drive as Bruce Wayne. Enter...

Bane: Hear me out. Forget about the venom, and forget about "Knightfall." DEFNINATELY forget about Batman & Robin. Bane is simply an assasin, with a world-class reputation for those people, like the mob, who would need an assasin for hire. He has olympic level atheletic ability that is enhanced with your everyday steroids. He is also brilliant. Smarter than Bruce even. Think of an un-insane Joker, with an IQ of 300. He is hired by the mob and, off the books of course, the police to remove Batman. Gordon gives Batman the heads up, and Bruce/Alfred/Fox do their research on Bane. Bruce realizes that if anyone were capable of finding him and killing him, Bane is the man that could do it. However, this IS a Christopher Nolan movie (I hope!), and there must be twists...

Un-known to Bruce, the mob, and police, however, is Bane's affiliation with of The League of Shadows. In particular, the daughter of Bruce's mentor, Talia al Ghul. In my opinion, a romantic relationship by itself would not be sufficient enough to tie Bane with Talia and TLoS. But, what if Bane was Ra's' first student/"heir apparent", just prior to Bruce? He could have gone through superior training than what Bruce had gone through. He could have also failed Ra's in a similar way that Bruce had. Say, for instance, that Bane was too good of a student for Ra's to handle. Bane could have tried, and failed, to kill Ra's and take control of the League from him. Upon failing, he manages to escape and takes up a new identity, while still being tied romantically with Talia.

With Ra's and much of TLoS now dead at the hands of Ra's "true" heir, Bruce/Batman, a situation is created with TLoS and Bane very similar to that seen with the mob and the Joker in TDK. Talia, the interm leader of TLoS, wants to avenge her father and finish the job he started. Bane learns this, and manipulates Talia into thinking that wants to help her. His true motives, however, are to remove Talia and take control of TLoS and, of course, to break the man that became Bane's replacement to Ra's: Bruce/Batman.


**Ok ok, I know this is long and sort of out there (I more or less re-wrote Bane's backstory), but so far what do you guys think? I think that numerous parallels could be drawn between Batman and Bane, among other things. Plus, the re-introduction of TLoS would bring the trilogy full circle. I got work in the am and need sleep asap, but I'll be back with how I fit in the "redemption" theme if enough people like this concept. Thanks!**

[ZombieBatman]

Ok Here's my idea for the third movie:


Working Title: Batman:The SUperhero.

The film begins with Batman on the run from the cops, this starts to piss Batman off, so he kills the cops chasing him. Early in the film Gotham City is under attack by the supervillains, The Riddler and The Penguin, Batman takes care of this threat really quick though as he just uses the flamethrower in his new tricked out Batmobile to kill them.

We get some shots of the newly completed Wayne Manor, where Bruce Wayne hosts neon disco parties every week.

Early in the film Batman has some bad dreams where he discovers it wasn't Joe Chill who killed his parents, it was the Joker!!!! So Batman goes to Arkham Asylum and pops the Joker in the ass with a shotgun. Revenge at it's finenest.

In this film Commisioner Gordan doesn't do much of anything and just bumbles around like an idiot, so Batman adopts Gordan's two kids and makes them Robin and Batgirl.

At this point of the movie Batman starts to think that the movie could be worse then Batman and Robin so he retires.

Now here's the big plottwist, not only did Two Face survive the fall at the end of TDK, but Racheal is alive to. The warehouse she was in was a meth lab, and a combination of meth, poison ivy and the explosion transformed her into the super powered Poison IVY!!!! So Two Face and Poison Ivy team up and try and become the evil king and queen of Gotham City and maybe the world!

Since Racheal knows Bruce is Batman, they break into the Batcave and destroy everything.

The next day Bruce desides he has to be Batman again and he goes down to the Batcave and finds it destroyed, but a super awesome Bat suit with nipples and a super awesome Bat plane appear out of nowhere for Batman to use.

Batman flies to Twoface and Poison Ivy's secret headquarters and has a huge battle with them. This battle is just huge and has a ton of CGI and cheesy one-liners. Eventually Batman wins and order is restored in Gotham. Now Batman is a hero again.

After the credits role, Batman returns to the Batcave, where Superman (played by Samuel L Jackson) is waiting for him. Superman says, "You didn't think you were the only super awesome super hero out there did you? Well we're all starting a league and you better join otherwise your ass is gonna be grass."


END GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME!

So what do you think?

[Harvey Dent Jr.]

If you haven't seen TDK yet do not read my post!!!!!

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!!

***

So at the end of TDK, you have Batman taking the blame for the deaths of cops, mob bosses, and Harvey Dent himself. All the police force is after him. This movie is all about redemption.

No one can catch Batman, so the city goes a little crazy wanting justice and hires some outside help (The new DA perhaps does the hiring)

So, they hire a female assassin/great cat burglar...ie Catwoman.


Meanwhile, with the Joker behind bars, Millionaire Oswald Cobblepot takes the reigns. He wears tuxedo's everywhere he goes, and is given the moniker Penguin. He looks like the short stocky guy with a tophat from the comics. Also uses umbrellas as weapons. With all the mob money burned from TDK, he is the only one who can afford the luxury of being the boss. Other people want the title, so the Penguin starts killing mob bosses, and blames it on Batman.


Reese, (aka Mr. Reese, aka Mysteries?) knowing who Bruce Wayne is from TDK, goes a little crazy and starts dropping hints about who Batman is. Gotham doesn't believe him, and this makes him angry. (Also getting shot at in TDK doesn't help.) He sends a package to Wayne Manor with a riddle. The riddle leads to the television station getting blown up. Bruce keeps receiving riddles, and must stop the Riddler, Catwoman, and the Penguin.

Catwoman realizes Batman is trying to help, they make out, and she wants to feel redeemed for all the bad people that may have been good that she has assassinated. She then helps Batman solve a riddle that unintentionally backfires and kills the Riddler.

The final showdown is at a gala at the circus, Penguin kills the flying Graysons whose son (a young young young boy. Like 10 years old) is the only survivor.

It is revealed to Gotham that all this is happening to Batman, and they feel guilty for wanting his head on a platter. Batman wins, Penguin gets tossed in Arkam, you hear a voice (and it better sound just like Ledger) say, he got you too huh?). Bruce takes the young Dick Grayson under his wing, he asks Dick, why do we fall? He replies, "So we can learn to pick ourselves back up". Gotham loves its hero once again. Bruce feels redeemed.

Roll Credits. End of series. No more movies ever after this.

It could work. The whole Catwoman theme could work with her affiliation with the Falcone family from the comics. Now the final showdown at a circus feels very "Batman Forever"-ish. But I do like. End the trilogy with a Robin hint.

[Art Damage]

http://nolan3rdbatman.blogspot.com/

New blog I made if anyone is interested to visit and check it out. Not much right now, but once more information has come out..I'd probably get more.

[Eagle_23]

I agree completely w/ Huber31. Exactly what I would like to see, plus I never thought of it but Steve Buscemi would make a perfect Riddler imo. Though I also think instead of the Riddler, Black Mask would certainly work too. Either or but definitely include Catwoman and Two Face regardless. Or maybe include Talia al Ghul in some manner INSTEAD of Catwoman if Nolan/WB are against bringing Catwoman to the big screen. I also like the idea that some people have mentioned in having Bane make an appearance as a hitman.

[Shabonkerz]

I don't know exactly what kind of theme the third one will use, however, I do feel that the Riddler is quite fitting for the third one.

Of course, the Riddler will have to be, just as the Joker was, quite different from the comic book version. Nolan and Co. would likely:

1. Replace the whole green outfit with a regular black suit.
2. Remove the mask. Just use the John Lennon style glasses.
3. Keep the cane.
4. Decide what do with the hair. Short if you want to go the proper route, but I prefer long hair.
5. Use a British actor for the role preferably.
6. Use a different hat.
7. Make the Riddler an intellectual and well-versed in the philosophical.
8. Make the Riddler be some kind of computer hacker, social engineer, etc

The story would be along the lines that the Mob is broke and the Riddler is able to siphon Wayne Enterprises's funds and employs the work of the mob. This is achieved by a computer virus of sorts that siphons not only Wayne Enterprises but also the funds of all of Gotham's businesses. Businesses close and people lose their jobs and begin to panic. Even Batman cannot afford new gadgets. The Riddler and the mob buy off public officials like in Batman Begins since their income will be low and otherwise their job would be more dangerous. The Penguin is introduced simply as an arms dealer that the Riddler and the mob purchase from with their newly acquired funding. So on and so on. The main point would be that the Riddler is attempting to destroy Gotham and Batman financially. Just as there weren't many jokes in TDK, there won't be many riddles in the third. I would also suspect that the Riddler does not reveal his identity to the public as the Joker did, and exploits that when entertaining Bruce Wayne with intellectual discussions.

[souvlaki]

Of course, the Riddler will have to be, just as the Joker was, quite different from the comic book version. Nolan and Co. would likely:

1. Replace the whole green outfit with a regular black suit.
2. Remove the mask. Just use the John Lennon style glasses.
3. Keep the cane.
4. Decide what do with the hair. Short if you want to go the proper route, but I prefer long hair.
5. Use a British actor for the role preferably.
6. Use a different hat.
7. Make the Riddler an intellectual and well-versed in the philosophical.
8. Make the Riddler be some kind of computer hacker, social engineer, etc


Why on Earth would you think this would be a good idea? You might as well just suggest they create an entirely new character. You pretty much took away everything that makes the Riddler look like the Riddler.

[souvlaki]

And for the record, minus the scars, and using make-up instead of being perma-white, Joker looked identical to his comic book counterpart. Anyone that suggests someone wearing a green suit and derby hat is unrealistic really needs to re-evaluate their interpretation of what realistic means, and what it means to Nolan with these films.

[Shabonkerz]

You forgot that the Joker had shorter hair and it was well kept, and his suit was much cleaner. Not to mention his pants were usually striped or something and the knives thing was a fairly major addition. Heath's face didn't allow for the comic book version of the Joker either. Usually the Joker has a fairly long face. The reason the Joker was so great in TDK was that it was different, and more realistic, yet it kept the core of the character.

The look isn't everything about the character, so no, it wouldn't require creating a new character. Also, I didn't take away everything that looks like the Riddler. The glasses, and the cane are still there. He would still be the obsessive-compulsive intellectual.

[BobJM]

Riddler definitely needs his green suit though. I don't mind the removal of the bowler hat, but don't take away his suit.

[souvlaki]

You forgot that the Joker had shorter hair and it was well kept, and his suit was much cleaner. Not to mention his pants were usually striped or something and the knives thing was a fairly major addition. Heath's face didn't allow for the comic book version of the Joker either. Usually the Joker has a fairly long face. The reason the Joker was so great in TDK was that it was different, and more realistic, yet it kept the core of the character.

The look isn't everything about the character, so no, it wouldn't require creating a new character. Also, I didn't take away everything that looks like the Riddler. The glasses, and the cane are still there. He would still be the obsessive-compulsive intellectual.

It depends on which interpretation of the character you are talking about. His hair length has changed depending on who is drawing him. Heath's facial structure and a few pin stripes on his pants is one of the lamest arguments I've heard against the Joker looking like the Joker. I mean, everything you are talking about as far as the way the Joker looked and dressed are petty and small things, but what it comes down to is the Joker still had green hair, a white face, red lips, and a purple and green suit. Noone is going to look at the guy and confuse him with any other character. What you are talking about is putting the Riddler in a regular business suit, taking away his hat, mask, and for God's sake you are even talking about taking away his riddles. I'm sorry, but there is a difference between hair length, and a dirtier suit, and putting a hacker in a business suit and calling him the Riddler just because he has a cane. There is nothing in your idea that is sticking to the core of what the Riddler is about.

[souvlaki]

Riddler definitely needs his green suit though. I don't mind the removal of the bowler hat, but don't take away his suit.

Yeah, I can take or leave the hat... but seriously, the green suit? This reminds me of all those stupid arguments after BB came out about how Nolan would never put the Joker in a purple suit because it's unrealistic. Yes, because different colored suits is something you don't see in every day life.

[BobJM]

lol

[souvlaki]

And what is all this talk about the Joker not being funny, and not cracking jokes? I can't think of a single scene he was in where there wasn't at least one moment that had the audience in my theater cracking up. He may not of been doing stand-up comedy, but the guy was hilarious.

[Denny67]

I think something Knightfall-ish would be the next natural progression. They can get Bane into it by advancing the timeline a year or two. Two-Face is running the underground crime world and put a hit out on Batman. Killer Crock and Deadshot can have quick appearances failing to collect then enters Bane. The idea would not be breaking his back but his sprit. Endurance even though many hate and are hunting you. He made the choice in TDK now his conviction of that choice will be put to the test.

I could also see a Catwoman, Mr. Freeze storyline being very appealing as well. Here is it would be along the lines of temptation. His one shot at love with a woman who lives a similar lifestyle.

[Quinzel]

They should do Hush eventually. Not soon though. Like in the Distant future.

It's a bombardment of villians.

[seblopez]

These are my conclusions on this:
- You can't use the Joker again because no other actor could successfully replace Ledger. No matter how good, comparisons would bring him down, plus using the same villain two films in a row just wouldn't work.
- No other major villain can reach the level of this Joker. Whoever is used, it cannot be as wicked as this Joker was, and the whole movie would be considered inferior. I loved deVitto's Penguin, but it can't be used again. Two Face is dead. And I really see no way to make The Riddler work at this level, no matter how it is portrayed or by whom.
- The more obscure villains probably wouldn't appeal to a mass audience that never heard of them, and I doubt the producers would take such a risk.
- Without a primary villain that can be nearly as twisted, complex, and credible as this Joker was, there is no point in another Batman movie.
- In conclusion, I strongly believe there should not be a direct sequel to TDK

What would be my alternative?

A Justice League Film, if anything because we need a JLA to set the grounds for a Dark Knight Returns. That's the movie I would like to see.
With different (older) actors for Batman, Joker and Two-Face.
Both JLA and TDKR could be considered as separate from the current movie chronology, since there wouldn't make much sense for all of the super-heroes to just appear in this Batman's context (that would also resolve the issue with Two-Face being dead). In fact I think that's the case with the JLA movie in development.

[LastSunrise1981]

Personally I think the third film should introduce Bane. The theme of escalation should continued to be explored due to the villain concepts and the possibilities.

I think it would be great to see a TRUE Bane depiction on the big screen and have him break down the walls of Gotham releasing Joker(If Nolan filmed any additional footage with Heath), Scarecrow, Zsaz, Two-Face(If Nolan decides to bring him back, however, if he's dead leave him dead), and so forth.

[Spider-Fan]

The Joker already gave us the chaos/anarchy in Gotham stoyline. The only difference is that they fought for Gotham's soul, while Bane and Bats would fight for ownership. Still, I feel too similar.

[wellsy]

With regards to The Riddler, I'll admit to not having much (if any) knowledge of the comics. However, that said, I'd imagine him as someone who really likes to masquerade. He presents an image; genteel, almost aristocratic in his manners and conduct. This stands him in stark contrast to Batman and The Joker, and I'll tell you what, a bit of theatricality on The Riddler's part would be truly amazing and could very easily top The Joker (I won't say it will, mind you, but it can - there's no doubt in my mind it's possible).

I've got a few ideas that I'll flesh out and post later.

[Tel Aviv]

I'd like to hear these ideas, that interpretation of The Riddler sounds mighty interesting.

[Fanticon]

Well...Batman needs to win back the trust of the people of Gotham. If he continues to fight crime at the risk of being tracked by the Police it would make for some exciting moments. But what they really need to do is give Wayne some damage control...so far he's been reckless and causes more damage than the actual crimes being committed. He's race against time with the Joker called for desperate measures though...

As for a next villain...its gonna be hard to come up with something as clever as TDK...but I think they need to bring Goyer back in to contribute otherwise the Nolan brothers will find themselves a little lost in all the comic lore needed to drive the next story...and no disrespect...especially after the loss of Heath, I'm sure the Joker was in mind for the third and its just tragic...but now its almost unimaginable to have a third film without him. So...anyones guess is as good as the filmmakers.

[Shabonkerz]

It depends on which interpretation of the character you are talking about. His hair length has changed depending on who is drawing him. Heath's facial structure and a few pin stripes on his pants is one of the lamest arguments I've heard against the Joker looking like the Joker. I mean, everything you are talking about as far as the way the Joker looked and dressed are petty and small things, but what it comes down to is the Joker still had green hair, a white face, red lips, and a purple and green suit. Noone is going to look at the guy and confuse him with any other character. What you are talking about is putting the Riddler in a regular business suit, taking away his hat, mask, and for God's sake you are even talking about taking away his riddles. I'm sorry, but there is a difference between hair length, and a dirtier suit, and putting a hacker in a business suit and calling him the Riddler just because he has a cane. There is nothing in your idea that is sticking to the core of what the Riddler is about.

The lame argument was intended, by the way. I was just trying to show that yours is the same argument witht he Riddler substituted in for the Joker. I guess you missed that. I'm sorry if your argument is the lamest you've ever heard.

The Riddler will have to look different, just like the Joker had to look different. What direction is necessary depends on the character. The Joker is wild and insane, thus he was changed to look more wild and insane. The Riddler is more gentlemenly and highbrow, thus his look should be changed accordingly. And for God's sake, I'm not talking about removing his riddles, just reducing them so that the movie isn't one whole riddlefest. Riddles take time and thought to solve, and we can't just have 20 riddles throughout the movie with Batman spamming the pondering pose on the screen instead of kicking ass. The outcry about the Joker not being permawhite was huge, and I imagine that the Riddler's suit color is far from that much of a controversy. Not to mention, Ra's al Ghul was way different too.

The computer hacker thing was just a suggestion and it is only really relevant to the story I proposed. You could easily swap in someone who plays the markets.

[Katsuro]

The lame argument was intended, by the way. I was just trying to show that yours is the same argument witht he Riddler substituted in for the Joker. I guess you missed that. I'm sorry if your argument is the lamest you've ever heard.

The Riddler will have to look different, just like the Joker had to look different. What direction is necessary depends on the character. The Joker is wild and insane, thus he was changed to look more wild and insane. The Riddler is more gentlemenly and highbrow, thus his look should be changed accordingly.

Huh? You're equatng some scars and pinstripes to getting rid of Riddler's green suit. That's a far bigger change than anything they did to the Joker. In fact, this Joker looked almost perfect, at least when he was in full make-up and his purple suit. You get rid of the green suit and he's not even recognizable as the Riddler.

And again, why do people assume that colored suits are too outlandish for Nolan or something. Everybody thought Joker wouldn't wear a purple suit, but he did. Riddler, if he's in the next movie, will wear green.

[thorstone]

Er how?

It doesn't take much to deduce that Bruce Wayne is Batman when he shows up to give him self up at the press conference-- and to make it even more clear, Batman repeats what Dent told Bruce Wayne at the dinner about living long enough to see yourself become the villain.

The video interview with Christopher Nolan just reminds me however that TDK was made with the intent of it being a complete film (with all ends tied up). In other words, Nolan may not feel TwoFace has any purpose in coming back.

The Riddler seems to be what people most want to see (more than the return of TwoFace and more than another supervillain in the vain of The Joker whom over the course of the film transforms into a terrorist).

[bwcfrog]

Everyone is debating the credibility of an attempt to have Nolan use the Riddler in the next film. Take the hat, leave the hat, suit, no suit, cane, no cane - One thing that I am convienced of after seeing TDK is....

Christopher Nolan can make it work - and there is NO WAY IN HELL they wont at least attempt a 3rd film after the load of cash they are making off this one. Even if it is a colossal failure - it will be made....and I would bet money it will be pretty darn entertaining. I dont think it will hold a cnadle to TDK, but I wouldnt count Nolan out just yet. He has impressed us all with two films in a row.

Why not a 3rd?

[NinjaTurtleFan]

So, it's been since opening day that I last saw the movie and after seeing "The Dark Knight" I've been thinking about themes and villains for the third film. No, I am not a screenwriter for Nolan but I am going to college for screenwriting so you could consider me a screenwriter nonetheless. Christopher Nolan has created a Gotham City and world that is more realistic and more like ours; along with the city his villains are no longer fantasy-filled but have been given accomodations or changes to fit in the realm he has created.

In the end of "The Dark Knight", we see Bruce disguised as Batman running away from Gordon; being hunted relentlessly by Gordon. Both of them don't want this but Batman does not want Harvey's image to have been tarnished. He wants to see Harvey die a hero and a redeemed citizen of Gotham but both know the truth that he is not a hero. So, Batman accepts responsibility for Harvey Two Face's actions and is labeled as a murderer.

After, that scene you start thinking about possibilities or roads leading to the next oasis. If "Batman Begins" was the rise than "The Dark Knight" was the fall and this one would have to be about redemption; regaining the public's trust and establishing that Gotham City does indeed need him.
If anything Batman and Gordon will have to either disspell that Harvey was indeed the gunman and killer responsible for the deaths of two cops (I'm not sure if he killed Ramirez or Maroni though) or they'll have to keep it a secret to their graves and Gordon will just have to make the people see that they need to trust him and their police department to do the right thing. This would of course create some backlash but when the city is underseiged by Freaks, the mob, and other villains---they'll soon turn to the man they once loved but fear now.

So, onto villains and how they would fit or be interpreted into Nolan's world.

THE RIDDLER:
I've read on the forums on the net that some people would prefer Riddler be a "SAW"/"Sev7en"/"Silence of the Lambs"-type serial-killer who sets up traps and kills his victims if they didn't solve the puzzles fast enough. While this is an interesting concept to take Riddler's character, to me it just doesn't fit him. Riddler isn't some mass-murdering coldblooded killer like The Joker. The Riddler is an intellectual, a brilliant mind who wishes to challenge the world to his whims. Rahs Al Ghul was about destroying a decayed humanity; Joker was about inserting a bit of anarchism and chaos into society.

I just don't see Riddler as a Zodiac, "Seven", "Silence of Lambs"-type serial killer. I see him more as an intellect who wants to be challenge for Batman. Calculative, impugent, calumniating, and always creating new schemes, puzzles, and riddles and ways to be a foible to Batman and his intellect. A "Saw"-rehashed villain is not what we need for Riddler. We need a mad bomber or cyber terrorist ala "Die Hard 4" or "Die Hard 3."

I came up with an idea where he could be a former NSA agent serving in Iraq or Afghanistan whom gets ambushed and taken captive. He is blindfolded and bagged every day; never seeing his captors' faces. He thinks he has been kidnapped by Al Qaeda but in truth he is a captee of the League of Shadows. All of this would be done in flashback of course; this would allow to bring in Liam Neeson back as Henri Ducard/Rahs Al Ghul. Plus, it'd allow the movies to feel complete.

Rahs was preparing a pupil to take up his mantle but Bruce refused and his training grounds was destroyed ("BB") so he is looking elsewhere to new sources to help him out. Scarecrow was his employee of transmitting his flower into a alkalinized and weaponized gaseous substance that could bring out it's effects in extreme doses. Riddler is his other employee or agent. Since Scarecrow failed and Rahs died, Riddler would be called on by an anonymous source to set in place Rahs' other idea. This would be using Edward Nashton or Nygma whichever Nolan prefers to call him's brain. Rahs took special interest in making sure they'd get him. Edward is good with decoding binary codes, computing and disecting data, and calculating out mathematical equations. He feeds Edward lies about his government, his country, Gotham City, etc. basically brainwashes him. Edward finally succumbs to the idea that his government betrayed him and left him for dead and Rahs even pulls a card saying that it was him and his League who saved him from Al Qaeda, even though Al Qaeda never was the one who captured him but was infact---The Demon's Head.

Rahs tells him that when the time is right he'll contact him again with further information. A year or more passes and of course we get "TDK." After, the events of "TDK," Edward is contacted by Talia over the phone and they begin their operation. Using cyberterrorism, Edward hacks into the mainframe of Gotham shutting down utilties, electricity, water, etc. basically starting a fire-sale via "Die Hard 4." There's mass panic and people start turning on each other just as Rahs and Joker predicted they would. Since there's no electricity either, Edward hacks into Arkham's computers and opens up the jail cells to the inmates. Now, the freaks and animals have taken over Gotham. Bruce out on the run must then be called in from Gordon to foil the Riddler's plot and find out who is his mysterious employer.

This to me sounds like something Riddler would do. As Edward though you could have it where he is a detective for the GCPD like the current comics. In the current comics, Edward has gone legit but every once and awhile that slimey, crafty Riddler-side of him comes out. To me if Batman is gone and a fugitive this would allow the Freaks and mobs to take over and become a tougher/bigger threat than before. Edward would pretend he is a good guy but Batman would be snooping on and would learn he is not who he says he is and would discover his plot. By bringing Talia in too, this would make Bruce have to decide whether he'd make the choice (after all Bruce refers to Talia as his "beloved" in the comics) of saving Gotham or become what he feared he wouldn't become all along---a villain by joining her.

Casting Ideas: Ewan McGregor, Jude Law, Paul Bettany, Casey Affleck, or David Hyde Pierce.

THE PENGUIN:
Nolan feels Penguin is a villain that would not work in his trilogy. I beg to differ. Forget about the freakish, raw-fish eating, living in raw sewage, and nose-biting Danny Devito Penguin from Burton's "Batman Returns." Penguin in truth is a very respected businessman in the comics. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot is in truth a man trying to repair his family's sullied, lustered name. But despite owning a respected nightclub called the Iceberg Lounge, he is also a man who is known through the underworld in closed circles. The easiest way to use Penguin is making him a man who has a snork-like nose, slightly obese, and has a bit of a waddle. No cackling laugh or webbed-hands. He is not made to be creepy.
The second thing is make him an armsdealer or contact to the imposing mob families. He could be selling them firearms but also he could be selling them umbrellas (one that has a sword, the other that is a machine gun or shoots out gas).
Casting choices: Bob Hoskins, Timothy Spall (Wormtongue from "Harry Potter"), Alfred Molina, or Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

CATWOMAN:
Catwoman is another easy villain. Start her out as Selina Kyle, Bruce's love interest and arm-candy but gradually we start to learn that she is behind the robberies/slayings of mob families. Bruce is then put in a situation where he either breaks the law and makes it his personal mission to keep her safe and be with her or by movie's end arrest her for her crimes.

Casting breakdown: Charlieze Theron, Angelina Jolie, Kate Beckinsale.

MR. FREEZE
Mr. Freeze is harder character to use in Nolan's world but if there were ways around it than the first way would be to incorporate Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's brilliant work seen in the "Batman: The Animated Series." Before turning into a cold, blackhearted killer, Fries was a loving husband trying to save his wife from an illness. Cryogenically freezing her, he thought he could vault the illness from reaching his wife's body faster.
When the board got ahold of what he was doing he was shut down and accidentally fell into some contaminants and chemicals and genetically altered his skin causing him to need to wear a suit that would remain cold to keep his vitals and heartbeat up.

The way I see it as you keep this idea but what if instead of him being a man who gets his DNA restranded what if instead he already suffers from a disease where he is impervious to both pain and heat. In reality, there is such a disease.

Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA) which is a rare genetic disorder that makes people unable to feel pain, heat, and cold. This untreatable disease is caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts the development of small nerve fibers that transmit these sensations to the brain.

I would have it where Fries cannot be around heat or in high temperatures; he always has to be in lukewarm, mild, or cold temperatures or else he suffers from siezures and his body shuts down on him. Thus, Bruce feels assigning him to cryogenics would not only let him be around his work but would also make it possible to live. When Roman Sionis takes over as a separate wing of Wayne Enterprises, he tries to shut down Fries' department and orders him to pack up his stuff and forgetting about treating his wife's illness.

Roman turns up the temperature on him and causes Fries to collapse than he unplugs the cryogenic chamber Fries' wife is being held in. Fries' only hope is to live in his suit. The rest of the movie he'd get revenge on not only Roman, Wayne (whom Roman said was the man who told Roman to tell Fries that he was fired), and others at Wayne Corp. and Wayne Enterprises while aos on Gotham.

His suit can be explained as an armored divers suit with two tanks filled with liquid nitrogen keeping his body at the right temp. His red eyes would be heat-seeking goggles. His freeze gun could be just a a gun that shoots out liquid nitrogen freezing anything or anyone in it's path.
Amd this would work too because then you'd be setting up Roman Sionis for a future movie. Roman is Black Mask, a man who wears a black skull mask on his face and is a gangster.

Casting ideas: Ben Kingsley, Patrick Stewart, or Tobin "Jigsaw" Bell.

BANE:
Another difficult villain that anyone could easily get around. I would have it where instead of being the bumbling boob from Schumacher's God-awful "Batman & Robin" be a steroid-pill-popping freak. So, gone would be the tubes pumping fluid through his body to cause him to grow stronger and faster. Here he just be a muscle-bound assassin or hitman for hire. I'd still keep it where he is from Brazil and a former inmate turned governmental experiment but otherwise I think he is doable. Plus, he is the guy who broke not only Batman's back but also his spirit and willingness to keep going.

Casting choices: Batista, The Great Khali, or Tyler Mane

POISON IVY
I would have it where she is a radicalist-environmentalist who is mad because she finds out that Wayne Enterprises has been dumping toxic waste into the river or is going after them for finding out that they've been responsible for cutting down trees in the rainforest to make a sawmill and logging company. An ecoterrorist she'd stop at nothing to make sure no living plant or animal would die from 'evil corporations.'

Casting choice: Eva Green ("Casino Royale") or Angelina Jolie

HARLEY QUINN
Since Heath Ledger sadly won't be returning as The Joker, the way I see it you could either bring in a voice-impersonator to imitate Heath and have him behind closed doors talking to Dr. Harleen Quinnzel and convince her to become an 'agent of chaos' like him or we just meet Harley and her backstory is given to us by her. This way she'd continue on Joker's legacy.

Casting choices: Kristen Bell, Zooey Deschnael, Reese Witherspoon, Brittany Murphy, or Anne Hathaway.

DR. HUGO STRANGE
Strange is a psychiatrist at Gotham's Arkham Asylum who is obsessed with not only criminology and the criminal mind but also with Batman. The way I see it he could be an accomplice for Joker's escape in a chance to meet the Batman later on.

Casting choice: William Hurt

KILLER CROC
Waylon Jones use to be a circus-performer performing in a freakshow but when he saw that he was not being hailed for his performance but just admired/scoffed for his skin-disease he left the circus and ended up becoming a killer/cannibal.
Suffering from a medical condition Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vZW4ud2lraXBlZGlhLm9yZy93aWtpL0VwaWRlcm 1vbHl0aWNfaHlwZXJrZXJhdG9zaXM=) that caused him to grow progressively into the likeness of crocodile (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vZW4ud2lraXBlZGlhLm9yZy93aWtpL0Nyb2NvZG lsZQ==). In the comics his intelligence level has varied from competent schemer to berserk monster.

In his original appearances, he resembled a powerfully-built man covered entirely in green scales. However, his disease has slowly robbed him of all identifiable human traits.

Killer Croc is afflicted with what seems to be some form of regressive atavism (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vZW4ud2lraXBlZGlhLm9yZy93aWtpL0F0YXZpc2 0=), meaning he has inherited some of the traits of ancestral species of the human race. His skin has hardened to the point where it is invulnerable to most forms of abrasion and even high caliber weapons fired from a distance. He possesses super strength, able to rip a large bank vault door right off its hinges with ease. He has superhuman regenerative powers, able to heal even lost limbs.

While this all of a stretch for Nolan's world, the skin-diseased/covered in scales Croc sounds better than the dinosauric, crocodillian Killer Croc which is way far-fetched and out there for Nolan.

Casting choice: Ron Perlman

THE VENTRILOQUIST
Arnold Wesker is a timid man who looks alot like Paul Schafer/"Curb Your Enthusiasm's" Larry David. A former stand-up ventriloquist he later turned to crime. I would have it where he is one of the new mob bosses of Gotham. Except he's not the one running the show, it's Scarface, his dummy. The gangs all play along with it but they think Arnold is whacko who should get whacked. The gangs view him as they viewed The Joker. A guy who brings in money for them and is a bit 'out there' but is a valuable asset whom one day they'll take care of.

Casting choices: Robin Williams has worked with Nolan before and he is a master of impressions. He could play both the shy, meek Wesker and also be Scarface's voice, a dummy who has violent outbursts and looks like Al Capone. If not Robin than I would have John Lithgow or Larry David himself. Both of course couldn't provide the voice so Al Pacino or Deniro could be brought in as the voice of Scarface.

The key to me would be to have it where Wesker isn't really good at ventriloquism. We see his lips move alot and he just plain out sucks but with Scarface he is a scary individual. A man tormented by his own creation/imagination.

FIREFLY
To me Firefly would work as an opening credits villain. He's not that hard to do too. Armed with a flamethrower and a jetpack, you got yourself a pretty badass villain. Add some Boba-Fett-esque wristrockets and you got yourself Firefly.

Anyone can play this part too.

MAD HATTER
Last but not least is the Mad Hatter. Jervis Tetch is a man obsessed with "Alice in Wonderland;" so obsessed he even quotes lines and sentences from the book. Instead of having him be someone who is interested in mind-control like "BTAS" I would keep the part where he is a stalker. You could either have it where like "BTAS" he is obsessed with attracting a colleague of his and he stalks her or you have it where he is a cosplaying/roleplaying fetishist who stalks eighteen-year-old blondes or younger and takes him back to his basement or what he refers to as "Wonderland" and has his way with them. Nolan could even go darker and make the guy someone who is into child molestation or rape if he wanted to.

Casting Choice: Andy "Gollum" Serkis.

[CinematicESP]

Paul Giamatti as the Ventriloquist! Though I don't think he should be used in Nolan's films...

[marty mcfly]

I just don't think the Riddler would work in this world. To have him be interesting and not campy, he would have to be a bad photo-copy of the Joker. Crazy, and always laughing etc. It would be interesting if he was leaving really complicated riddles that Batman couldn't solve, and people dying as a result. But still, why would he leave riddles? We can't go with the same old "dog chasing cars" mentality. Most villains need a reason to be a villain. Obviously, Mr. J is different in many many ways.

I also can't see them bringing in Catwoman. I just don't think it would be taken seriously.

If they bring in a new love interest I think it should be Talia. There are a lot of good story possibilities with that.

I also don't think they should bring the Joker back. It would be a crime for anyone to try to duplicate what Heath did. They would fail. Epic fail.

As much as I like the freak villains in the comic/cartoons, I just don't think any of them could work in this world. Yeah, the Penguin could be a mob-type character. But he wouldn't be a penguin-man. He would just be a short guy with a pointy nose and a top hat. He would be a comic-nod more than a character.

So really, I'm out of ideas.

[marty mcfly]

What if, much like Batman inspiring copy-cat Batmen, the Joker could inspire copy-cat villains. Could that be the start of the Riddler? Maybe he begins as a copy-cat, and when he starts to leave calling cards, he does it in the form of riddles?

Its gonna take some real creative mo-fo's to figure out how to top this movie. Because Joker is the best villain in the series. And unless they bring Ra's back for the ultimate ninja showdown, I don't see any other villain topping Heath's Joker.

Though, if Ra's came back, it would really tie things together. With the story of Batman's redemption with the city, and tying up loose ends. Everything would come full circle, which is classic-Nolan. Could Ra's come back? COULD he be immortal. COULD his methods be... supernatural...?

[Yurka]

Anyone have the link to the article where Goyer talks about part 3?

[DoesItDepressU]

Anyone have the link to the article where Goyer talks about part 3?

“I think that’s the scariest thing – to think, could we come up with a third movie that was as good as the first two? Can we top ourselves?” screenwriter David Goyer asked aloud, almost rhetorically, in a recent conversation with MTV News. “Doing it a third time would be a big proposition.”
Make no mistake about it, though, a third film HAS been discussed, Goyer confessed, revealing that, while nothing is concrete, both a villain and a theme have been bandied about.
“We’ve only talked loosely about it, though, Chris and I,” Goyer said.
Interestingly, it’s the theme, and not the villain, that most interests me, especially given how the latter seems inexorably tied to the former in this new modern Batman universe. (Fear the predominant issue in “Begins” precipitating the introduction of Scarecrow, escalation in “Knight” (http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1557699/story.jhtml) similarly calling for The Joker.
The fact that Goyer has a theme he wants to keep in mind for a possible “Batman 3” means he also has a direction, a crisis, and, yes, a villain.
So what is it?
“I have one,” Goyer said laughing. “But I’m not going to tell you. Chris is very particular about that.
“I do think, though, that if there’s not a third film – these two movies stand on their own,” he added. “I think it could go either way.”








http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/07/21/exclusive-david-goyer-says-he-knows-the-theme-for-batman-3/

[boywondernerdDC]

i don't think catwoman would work, especially after rachel dying, there would be no way bruce would date someone for real after that, and if she was just arm candy at one or two parties it wouldn't make sense for him to just know she was catwoman, plus after Halle Berry....

[BobJM]

They don't have to be "seriously dating" in BB3. She can simply bump into him during several parties, enticing him with her mysterious and sultry behavior.

Their relationship would be played out, for the majority, during their time as Batman and Catwoman.

[Dark Sentinel]

Here's how I imagine the third movie beginning (i call it "The Batman")

EXT. BACK LOT, 250 52nd STREET BUILDING, NIGHT

As BATMAN runs off into the night, COMMISSIONER JAMES GORDON clicks a POLICE RADIO.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING

An officer holds his German Shepherd in check.

GORDON (O.S.)
Harvey Dent is down, I repeat, Harvey Dent is down. Pursue the Batman, PURSUE THE BATMAN.

OFFICER
OK, let's go! Let's go!!

Batman jumps on the BATPOD and the vehicle ROARS to life just as we hear BARKING close behind him.

BACK LOT

Gordon pulls out his cellphone and dials a number.

GORDON
This is Commissioner Gordon...I need a secure medical transport unit at 250 52nd Street immediately. Top priority.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET

Waiting in a squad car, police officers' radios crackle to life.

DISPATCHER
Attention all units, Batman sighted on Lower Fifth, pursue and arrest.

The squad car RUMBLES to life, and the SIRENS WAIL as the cop car zooms down the street.

CUT TO:

INT. ARKHAM ASYLUM

Gordon enters the medical facility just as EMTs bring in a BODYBAG. They set it on a gurney and unzip it, revealing HARVEY DENT. An ELDERLY MAN, DOCTOR LEHMAN, walks over and begins examining him.

GORDON
Please tell me he has a pulse.

DOCTOR LEHMAN
It's faint, but it's there, Commissioner.

GORDON
Get him on life support, I want him alive.

LEHMAN
Sure thing, Commissioner.


Maybe i'll write a fanscript, who knows? Lemme know if you like

[souvlaki]

The lame argument was intended, by the way. I was just trying to show that yours is the same argument witht he Riddler substituted in for the Joker. I guess you missed that. I'm sorry if your argument is the lamest you've ever heard.

The Riddler will have to look different, just like the Joker had to look different. What direction is necessary depends on the character. The Joker is wild and insane, thus he was changed to look more wild and insane. The Riddler is more gentlemenly and highbrow, thus his look should be changed accordingly. And for God's sake, I'm not talking about removing his riddles, just reducing them so that the movie isn't one whole riddlefest. Riddles take time and thought to solve, and we can't just have 20 riddles throughout the movie with Batman spamming the pondering pose on the screen instead of kicking ass. The outcry about the Joker not being permawhite was huge, and I imagine that the Riddler's suit color is far from that much of a controversy. Not to mention, Ra's al Ghul was way different too.

The computer hacker thing was just a suggestion and it is only really relevant to the story I proposed. You could easily swap in someone who plays the markets.

Let's see here...

Green hair? Check. White face? Check. Red lips? Check. Purple suit? Check. You are equating a change made to his origin to a major change in his appearance. I am well aware of the perma-white argument. But make up or no, his face is still white, his lips are still red, and his hair is still green. Your ideas for the Riddler are not comparable to the changes made to the Joker. Not even close. Noone is going to look at Heath Ledger and mistake him for someone else. But I guarantee if you show a picture of a guy with long hair, a business suit, a cane, and John Lennon glasses, and ask him who he is not one single person is going to say that is the Riddler.

And I have to ask, if the suit being green or not is far from a controversy, why change it? It's the most identifiable thing about the Riddler's wardrobe. You are associating two things with his appearance that are more or less irrelevant. Noone that thinks of the Riddler immediately thinks of his cane, or his glasses (which are a relatively new thing too, mind you). They think of his green suit, his question mark tie, and his hat. I just don't get why you would take away the one thing that is automatically identified with the Riddler (the color green) just because you think it makes more sense in Nolan's movies (which it doesn't). I can even understand an argument being made against a question mark tie, or even the hat, but the green suit? Please. There gets to be a point where this hyper-reality argument just flat out makes Batman, and his villains boring, and drains away anything that makes the character interesting. And it shows me that some people have absolutely no understanding whatsoever what Nolan means when he says his Batman exists in a realistic universe. Just because his universe is a little more realistic doesn't mean he likes to take away everything about the aesthetics of a certain character that makes them interesting. The characters still look and act like the characters they were intended to be. Riddler is easily the second easiest character (behind the Penguin) to adapt to the screen without making major changes to the looks of the character that might be deemed as silly. I mean, all you need to do it give the guy a green suit, a green or purple tie, a black dress shirt, a cane, and a hat and there is the Riddler. If Nolan cant even do that correctly he has no place directing a Batman film. Luckily for us he has more common sense than a few people posting on these boards, and knows how to keep the essence of a character's looks without making them look silly. That is the whole point of his stance on realism. He adapts these characters as closely as possible without making them look silly on the big screen. Please explain to me what is silly about a green suit, because I just don't get it.

[Doc Samson]

Let's see here...

Green hair? Check. White face? Check. Red lips? Check. Purple suit? Check. You are equating a change made to his origin to a major change in his appearance. I am well aware of the perma-white argument. But make up or no, his face is still white, his lips are still red, and his hair is still green. Your ideas for the Riddler are not comparable to the changes made to the Joker. Not even close. Noone is going to look at Heath Ledger and mistake him for someone else. But I guarantee if you show a picture of a guy with long hair, a business suit, a cane, and John Lennon glasses, and ask him who he is not one single person is going to say that is the Riddler.

And I have to ask, if the suit being green or not is far from a controversy, why change it? It's the most identifiable thing about the Riddler's wardrobe. You are associating two things with his appearance that are more or less irrelevant. Noone that thinks of the Riddler immediately thinks of his cane, or his glasses (which are a relatively new thing too, mind you). They think of his green suit, his question mark tie, and his hat. I just don't get why you would take away the one thing that is automatically identified with the Riddler (the color green) just because you think it makes more sense in Nolan's movies (which it doesn't). I can even understand an argument being made against a question mark tie, or even the hat, but the green suit? Please. There gets to be a point where this hyper-reality argument just flat out makes Batman, and his villains boring, and drains away anything that makes the character interesting. And it shows me that some people have absolutely no understanding whatsoever what Nolan means when he says his Batman exists in a realistic universe. Just because his universe is a little more realistic doesn't mean he likes to take away everything about the aesthetics of a certain character that makes them interesting. The characters still look and act like the characters they were intended to be. Riddler is easily the second easiest character (behind the Penguin) to adapt to the screen without making major changes to the looks of the character that might be deemed as silly. I mean, all you need to do it give the guy a green suit, a green or purple tie, a black dress shirt, a cane, and a hat and there is the Riddler. If Nolan cant even do that correctly he has no place directing a Batman film. Luckily for us he has more common sense than a few people posting on these boards, and knows how to keep the essence of a character's looks without making them look silly. That is the whole point of his stance on realism. He adapts these characters as closely as possible without making them look silly on the big screen. Please explain to me what is silly about a green suit, because I just don't get it.

Good post, but IDK, the Riddler was always kinda ridiculous to me, and it's not just his suit I'd be worried about. If you think about it, most of what the Joker did in TDK would be very similar to the Riddler, setting up elaborate traps that Batman would have to race around and stop. Only difference is it's in a Riddle, and once Batman gets a hold of him, he'll kick his ass within 10 seconds. Riddler's never been that dangerous of a villain in almost any incarnation, and has recently, in the comics at least, been reduced to a minor character much like the Penguin. Yes these guys are easily adjustable to Nolan's world, but after Ras, Scarecrow & the Joker, they're also a lot more dull and bland. The Riddler tries to outsmart Batman, but he's not the type to kidnap a fake Batman and cut his face, or try to vaporize the whole water supply, or even give the audience a cool visual with a fear toxin. No....Riddler is none of those things, and if he were to be used, I'm interested to see how they plan to use him as a force, rather than a nuisance

[Gianakin_]

If you think about it, most of what the Joker did in TDK would be very similar to the Riddler, setting up elaborate traps that Batman would have to race around and stop.

I'd argue that Joker didn't set up elaborate traps, just deceptive ones. The Riddler uses puzzles and riddles, the Joker switched addresses and forced choices. They're not really similar.

Now, the Joker viral marketing? Yes, that was more Riddler-ish.

[returntovoid]

***Edit***

[wikum]

Ok I haven't seen one of these threads yet (maybe they have all been deleted) so I thought I'd take the liberty of making this one. I posted this in this forum rather than one of the other ones as it is likely to contain spoilers for both previous films.

How do you follow up from The Dark Knight?

How do you top it? Do you even bother? Why not just finish it here?

The Dark Knight ends with Batman on the run from the police....and has been declared a wanted man for the murders of five people. Harvey Dent is apparently dead and The Joker has been imprisoned.

So let's make some lists of some of the possibilities (If I miss anything or anyone out mention it and I'll add it to the thread):

Who is contracted to return in the sequel?:

Bale (Batman)
Oldman (Gordon)
Caine (Alfred)
Freeman (Fox)

Other characters who could possibly return:

Ramirez
Reese
Mayor
Scarecrow
Engel

Let's assume these characters won't return:

Ra's Al Ghul (Dead)
Harvey Dent/Two Face (Dead)
The Joker (Ledger's death)
Flass (Fear Gas)
Falcone (Fear Gas)
Maroni (Most likely dead)
The Chechen (Dead)
Lau (Dead)
Weurtz (Dead)
Loeb (Dead)

Major and minor rogues that are likely to be thought of by Nolan and the rest of his crew:

Catwoman
Riddler
Penguin
Bane
Black Mask
Mad Hatter
Freeze
Ivy

Batman's Arsenal:

Does the Tumbler return? Or do we get a new Batmobile?
Bat Pod?
Bat Boat?
Batwing?

Any other cool gadgets from the comics that would work in a realistic fashion?

So my question to you guys/gals is simple: If you were writing the next Batman film....which route would you take?


A couple of quick thoughts on where I think you could go from here (I'll elaborate on them at a later date):

Batman has gone in to hiding. Have a new guy imitate Batman.....but not like the C.F.B. Someone that can do it WELL. Something similar to Azrael with a twist.... make him a bad guy....using his status for money/power/destruction....forcing the real Batman to come out of hiding and clear his name once and for all.

Or you could just have a film that ties into the same theme as above using absolutely loads of characters from Batman's rogue gallery creating all out war in Gotham....each of them fighting for control and power. Throw Selina Kyle in there a heroine....maybe someone more like an anti heroine....trying to take over from where Batman left off.....until she is overwhelmed by all the chaos. With Bruce looking on he decides that he has to don the mask once more to clean up the city.... ect ect.

This is stuff I'm just making up off the top of my head....but I'd love to see what you guys make of it too.

[DoesItDepressU]

Good post. But there's a forum devoted to Batman Begins Sequels.

[wikum]

Good post. But there's a forum devoted to Batman Begins Sequels.

I KNOW. but this is likely to have spoilers in it so it's not fair for the people who haven't seen The Dark Knight.

[the maddie]

Anyone notice the Catwoman reference when Fox was talking about the new suit specs? Something along the lines of it being able to stand up against a cat... just a little something i noticed. I love the Nolan-verse's dialogue, it assumes that you're an intelligent viewer.

[DARKMETHOD]

i just heard this famous hollywood insider reporter on 'the woody show' this morning saying that christopher nolan has told WB that he wants to do a thrid film but wants angelina jolie to play catwoman.

so 3 great things in this (if it's true), we get a 3 film, catwoman is the villain(according to the reporter) and Mr. Nolan is back.

if anybody listen's to the woody show and knows the guys name, he is pretty much right on. but ofcourse this early after tdk, first take it with a grain of salt until we get some good facts.

[ctkwilson]

OK, I will play along.

My idea. We start in a Gotham that now has seen a drastic turn around. Organized crime has all but been eliminated. Most of the corrupt cops have been eliminated from the force. The need for batman has faded away and the search/hunt for him has also faded.

But all is not good in our fair city... There is a new, darker force on the horizon then anyone could have imagined. Joker is now in Arkham, but has had contact with someone from the outside (we don't see Joker, but this is discussed between Gordon and Batman).

There is a new resident in Gotham that has gained acceptance from the people and uses his/her new found power to corrupt the city beyond anything the residents had experienced before. When the people reach out to batman for help, he at first refuses. When the new force targets batman to eliminate him to increase their power, batman is left with no choice but to fight back.

By the end of the movie batman has regained his status as a hero in Gotham, even though the man, Bruce Wayne will be forced to deal with the death of another person close to him.

[Paradyme]

I really don't know what they are going to do with this next movie but to be honest I only see Nolan using one character and that's Riddler. I don't think it will be as nearly as action packed as this previous installment and will in all probability be more of a mystery movie. Although I hope I'm wrong this is just what I'm visualizing at the moment.

[Mr Bungle]

The Riddler and Scarecrow

[DoesItDepressU]

Goyer and Jonah said that the list of rogues is very extensive beyond what has been portrayed on film. I think Riddler will be in it and Black Mask.

[RickO'Connell]

For the villian I want to see Nolan do Catwoman. Lets have a female villain for the third outing. Although there is no way in hell they will top the Batman Returns Catwoman Costume & I will always love Michelle as Catwoman but she can be topped

[Commodore Schmidlapp]

I know there's probably little chance, but I'd love to see the Black Mask in a Nolan movie. Pair him with the Riddler.

[wikum]

Goyer and Jonah said that the list of rogues is very extensive beyond what has been portrayed on film. I think Riddler will be in it and Black Mask.


After thinking about it for a while.... I'm pretty certain the sequel has to involve either Catwoman or The Ridder....just from a marketing standpoint. I mean....how can you go from having Two Face and The Joker to absolutely nobody worth caring about?

But is Catwoman really a villain? Or is she something in between? I've never viewed her as an out and out villain and I don't think any of the good carnations of the character have either.

Ideally I would love a murder mystery story involving The Riddler. Imagine Batman meets The Usual Suspects or Memento or Fight Club or any of those mind **** films. IT WOULD BE AMAZING! Maybe you could end up with something in between like Die Hard With A Vengeance....**** it....Jeremy Irons would make a great Riddler.

So you got your Riddler plot going on and then you could also have this at the same time...to quote myself from earlier:



Batman has gone in to hiding. Have a new guy imitate Batman.....but not like the C.F.B. Someone that can do it WELL. Something similar to Azrael with a twist.... make him a bad guy....using his status for money/power/destruction....forcing the real Batman to come out of hiding and clear his name once and for all.



Hell....you could even have the fake Batman employed by The Joker himself from inside prison...seeing as The Joker knows that Batman didn't kill those people he could take advantage of what he finds a "funny" situation and send a fake Batman on a killing spree.

[DoesItDepressU]

After thinking about it for a while.... I'm pretty certain the sequel has to involve either Catwoman or The Ridder....just from a marketing standpoint. I mean....how can you go from having Two Face and The Joker to absolutely nobody worth caring about?

But is Catwoman really a villain? Or is she something in between? I've never viewed her as an out and out villain and I don't think any of the good carnations of the character have either.

Ideally I would love a murder mystery story involving The Riddler. Imagine Batman meets The Usual Suspects or Memento or Fight Club or any of those mind **** films. IT WOULD BE AMAZING! Maybe you could end up with something in between like Die Hard With A Vengeance....**** it....Jeremy Irons would make a great Riddler.

I agree. If we look at this from a commercial standpoint you can see where they will go. One popular villain will be used and a love interest has to come into play simply b/c WB will want a love interest for the lead no matter what. That's probably the main reason why the character of Rachel Dawes was manufactured, I always felt it was a forced love interest.

So Catwoman is a convincing choice. The Riddler too could serve as a popular villain with great marketability. But I'm convinced that there will be a lesser known villain as well. The other situation would be a love interest who isn't catwoman but I personally don't see that.

[Night Walker SL]

What were the themes of these movies?

Batman Begins - Fear Vs Courage
The Dark Knight - Chaos Vs Order

I'm thinking the third film could be something like Life Vs Death?


I'm thinking lots of time should pass between TDK and the third film(maybe around 5-7 years) and they really should go the contagion route, since the league of shadows has splinter cells in gotham (they did infiltrate every level of the city's infrastructure after all). Talia and Ras should make a return and unleash a bio weapon attack on the city. this should be the movie where batman runs a gauntlet, facing off against scarecrow, two-face, joker, etc. perhaps alfred gets infected as do other characters in the film (i.e the flying graysons?). Catwoman can be introduced as an antagonist turned ally when it becomes apparent that stopping the mass death due to the virus is a priority, which of course can lead to a love interest.

[StorminNorman]

The Riddler is NOT a main villain. The guy is a fairly pathetic villain. You can't go from complete anarchy in the form of the Joker to...the Riddler. There is no escalation there. Hell - The Riddler doesn't propose half the threat the Scarecrow does.

That being said - I want to see the Riddler. I also want to see Mad Hatter and Catwoman and Black Mask and Scarecrow and Ventriloquist.

Basically the way I see it - after TDK all the organized crime heads have been taken out, either by Dent/Gordon or Two Face or Joker.

Who fills this new and even larger void? The Freaks. Costumed crazies are the new face of crime, a movement inspired by the Joker.

Mad Hatter is a pedophile rapist.

Black Mask, the Penguin and the Ventriloquist are mob leaders.

Scarecrow has his gang.

The Riddler is a petty criminal that uses riddles to frustrate and befuddle the cops.

For a while they work alone, isolated. The Cops and Batman have success against them. Crime, in spite of the new growing wave of insane criminals, is falling.

But then things change. It becomes apparent that these small time freaks are being manipulated by a force. A force that has a personal vendetta against Batman.

Take the Hush story line - and I would replace Talia Al Ghul for Hush. Include Catwoman as well, weaving her in and out of the story playing both sides of the law. She steals one nights, plays informant for Batman the next.

This, IMO, is the best way to take this story.

[Thythoutrust]

I don't even want to talk about it. It could easily end this way.... The only opening I saw seriously is that the joker didn't die but.... Heath is dead so... I mean you can't make a 3rd movie with no joker that wouldn't make any sense... Unless you get an actor that could show us another side of the joker maybe like they did with Rachel.... I guess that could work but they're not many actor capable of doing such thing...Seriously the only one I see right now is Johnny Depp...

[wikum]

Who fills this new and even larger void? The Freaks. Costumed crazies are the new face of crime, a movement inspired by the Joker.

They could pay mention to how much his chaotic games influenced their rise to power.



Mad Hatter is a pedophile rapist.

Black Mask, the Penguin and the Ventriloquist are mob leaders.

Scarecrow has his gang.

The Riddler is a petty criminal that uses riddles to frustrate and befuddle the cops.

For a while they work alone, isolated. The Cops and Batman have success against them. Crime, in spite of the new growing wave of insane criminals, is falling.

But then things change. It becomes apparent that these small time freaks are being manipulated by a force. A force that has a personal vendetta against Batman.

Take the Hush story line - and I would replace Talia Al Ghul for Hush. Include Catwoman as well, weaving her in and out of the story playing both sides of the law. She steals one nights, plays informant for Batman the next.

This, IMO, is the best way to take this story.


This is kinda what I had in mind in one of my ideas above.

I would prefer it if all the freak mobs are all battling to be the biggest mob in the city...rather than joining forces or anything.

I think Catwoman works best in the way we've both mentioned...no doubt about it. She doesn't really work as just a heroine or just a villain. She has more depth than that.

I do disagree with the Riddler comment. Yes...he is no match for Batman when it comes to physical abilities.....but he excels when it comes to the power of the mind. Of all of Batman's rogues....if there is one I think he would just hands down NAIL..it's the Riddler. A character that loves to manipulate minds being presented by a director that loves to do the same.

[Hotwire]

Just thinking about the different villians from the Batman series, there are only a few that work in the Nolan world. That being said, Bane is one of them. I can easily see Nolan working the whole story of Batman being broken, Jean-Paul Valley taking up the mantle, and taking things too far. Bring in Talia Al Ghul as a love interest, and have her heal Bruce via the Lazarus pool. Then, taking down Bane, and a Batman vs. Batman showdon to finish it off.

[Guinness_Man]

For me the 3rd fim can only go one way-The Dark Knight Returns inspired storyline. As far as Gotham's concerned Dent died a hero and with Gordon as commissioner I imagine there could be several years of peace and prosperity for Gotham. Batman is still on the scene for a short while cleaning the streets of any loose ends (while being chased by the police) but once the new age of prosperity for Gotham begins Bruce retires and the Batman disappears. Skip forward 15, 20 years and things have once again started to spiral out of control, The Joker has finally managed to escape Arkham and the madness begins all over again. Batman finally pulls himself out of retirement to save the day once again, confront his nemesis (he did say they'd be doing this for a long while after all) and finally clear his name.

Reasons why I think this could work:

They will find it very hard to top TDK. No villain will ever match Joker IMO. Riddler, Catwomen, whoever you want, they can't top Joker, anything else will simply feel anticlimactic and a poor way to end a trilogy.
If it's 20 years in the future they can recast Joker without it looking too out of place. I feel sorry for he poor actor that has to take up the mantle after Ledger, but at least the foundations have been laid and he'll have something to work off.
I'd still want Bale as Batman obviously, although some slight make up and prosthetics to make him appear older.

It will really bring the trilogy full circle in a perfect manner. Realistically Nolan will do no more than 3 and without Nolan, or Bale (who said he'll only do then with Nolan,) the franchise will not be the same. The Dark Knight is supposed to be one of the greatest Batman stories told, would be a fitting way to end this great trilogy.

The movie obviously wouldn’t be a 100% faithful adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns and it's likely that they'll have to alter the story significantly but I think the concept (in the future, Batman out of retirement, Joker v Batman for one last time) lays the foundations for a great final film and would produce something that has yet to been seen in a Batman film.

[solarfusion7]

I definetly wanna see joker back in the third, with the trial of the joker. Also i wanna see harley quinn and nightwing. I was thinkin they could jus skip robin and make nightwing a seperate vigillante. Which batman tries to make him stop says "you don't know what your getting into". But unspeakingly help each other out fighting crime. But as the villain I wanna see clayface. Because they made the police dept. of these movies. So that's why I wanna see clayface. But all together it should clayface, joker, harley quinn, & maybe riddler. Also they should kill fox (Morgan freeman).

[Gianakin_]

Why kill Fox?

[FaT_tONle]

Black Mask is lame... too much backstory required. It's a waste fo time... so many other organized crime lords they can use. Although I can't pinpoint who the best MAIN villain should be. Bane wouldn't work as the main guy. The only guy I can think of is Riddler. But we need a decent mob boss that is actually a threat to Batman.

[YiYaoYue]

Having Joker in the third along with Two Face would have worked, but with heath's death there really isn't an option to have a recasted Joker. It would ruin the film no matter how good the story and no good actor would put themselves in that situation to fill someone's shoes. So you will end up getting bad actors for Joker, so might as well just keep him in jail, get a heath look-alike to just show his face with CGI touch, no acting no talking.

Riddler in a lot of ways is like Joker, except instead of direct clues he gives riddles and instead of anarchy and enjoying being evil, riddler is an ego maniac who wants to prove he can out-smart batman. Possibly putting batman in bad situations to make batman the villain. Riddler has other people do his work... he's a mastermind who plans unlike the Joker. This could easily lead to a secondary character who does the dirty work like Bane whom can have a grudge against Batman and want some monetary compensation.

[lidiev]

The movie is in the tone of the Silence of the Lambs, more of a detective mystery (Long Holloween) than the action heavy TDK because the villain isn't about anarchy, just psychological intimidation to the citizens of Gotham and even more so to Gothams finest/public officials. Why? Because he likes the attention, not because he likes chaos. It starts off with murders. Security cameras capture the murders of random citizens all around the city done by city officials and notable public figures (The Mayor, Gordon, even Bruce Wayne). Some of the murders are seen to be done by members of the remaining mafia (who kill off other mob families), this leads to a mob civil war, practically wiping out organized crime in Gotham for good. Each murder scene has a riddle, taunting the police. The GCPD has turned into a frenzy, and with the city against Batman, they have little help to turn to, most of the cops are finding it increasingly hard to trust each other after the events in TDK and even more so after witnesses and cameras capture their own as perps in the murders. They begin demanding answers as the evidence of the murders have leaked out to the GNC, where Mike Engle has soaring ratings on Gotham Tonight by showing the tapes without explanation as to how the station obtained them. The GCPD get furious with the show when it leaks restricted evidence to the public. Batman tries to beat answers out of Engle, Engle says they are sent in the mail with riddles in each package (a sypher like the Zodiacs), after figuring out the cipher, it gives Batman the name of a theatrical actor, Basil Karlo and we find that with the use of waxed prosthetic applications and careful study on the subjects, he is in fact the one behind the murders. He confesses to it all without any motive given. His face is constantly peeled and bruised due to the waxed applications. The GCPD flaunt the capture to the public, trying to ensure the city is safer, headlines in the paper read "CAUGHT: The Clay-Faced Killer". Everything settles down. Then another riddle turns up at the door of the GCPD with a video tape. Before we know it, the murders start again. This time though, the tape left behind shows what looks like Harvey Dent committing a murder of an accused crooked cop, only this Dent has scars across half of his face. He tosses a coin in front of the camera to determine the fate of the officer. Batman and Gordon consider how many officers knew of Dent's specific fate and more importantly, his method of “fair” justice. Who could have leaked it to another 'clay-face killer', the one still leaving the riddles? More importantly, how is it that this clay-face is capable of recreating Dents appearance perfectly (the prosthetic applications from the first clay-face killer were detectably phony at close inspection). Gordon makes a confession to Batman... Dent was only unconscious when he fell, leaving him in a coma. Gordon, keeping it tight lips with the few that knew, placed him under the psych ward at Arkham. Gordon confesses that Dent just woke from the coma a week ago. Bat’s is not happy about the secret. Gordon tells him he couldn’t reveal it to him because he was afraid that Batman would try to get involved with Dent in an attempt to show Harvey a righteous path (and to clear Batman’s own name to the public) and the few loyal cops that knew of Harvey’s existence might turn on Gordon for if they find out he’s still in cahoots with the Dark Knight. At this point Gordon could not gamble with his men’s trust. Batman thinks the coincidence might be too much to ignore, so he confronts Dent at Arkham anyway. They have philosophical discussions on justice, Dent claims he hasn’t left his cell. This is confirmed by his psychiatrist. The tape of Dent murdering the cop leaks out to Gotham Tonight, after the cities martyr is seen in the video murdering an officer in what he calls “the court of true justice”, The city goes nuts. Another clayface killer mocking the cites symbol of hope. The new clayface killer, now called “The Two-Face” cop killer continues to make video tapes of police murders. The killer explains how each officer participated in something corrupt before flipping a coin to determine their fate. Some survive the flip, others don’t. All leak to Gotham Tonight. The survivors have little recollection aside from being bashed on the head unconscious before filming. Each surviving officer has a one letter code written on their chest. Gordon is forced to fire the survivors for the sake of public perception after the very accurate evidence presented by Dent. The city is burning. Gotham’s finest are slowly quitting, the remaining few believe an insider on the force is leaking the evidence to this “fake Dent”. Cops can no longer trust their own, and because of this, Gordon can trust nobody but Batman. The citizens lose hope in almost everything, everyone every night becomes glued to Gotham Tonight when “Harvey Two-Face” demands that the “court session of true justice” as he likes to put it be shown live on Gotham Tonight or else there will be no flip of the coin for a chance for the officers to survive. The show becomes a sick reality program and rating are up. Bruce begins to think that maybe the Joker was right, maybe deep down everyone is like him. Gordon tells Batman that every officer being captured are officers that were tried by the actual Harvey Dent years ago when he was still a front running Internal Affairs officer, and that all of them were not convicted. Batman interrogates the real Dent, but when confronted, he sees more and more of the Harvey he knew. He wants to believe Harvey’s therapy is working. The psychologist continues to disprove the idea that Harvey ever left Arkham, backing it with video evidence. After the next officer survives, Batman takes account the latest symbol and figures out the riddle. It leads back to Engle. Batman finds Engle. Engle confesses. He is the man behind the riddles and the videos, but he is not “The Two-face killer”. Engle is clearly psychotic; he did it all for Gotham’s attention, both on him in the studio, and the mystery he created. And now he has the attention of Batman, who he got the city to hate on his program by persisting a theory that Batman became the Two Face killer, murdering the cops that insisted the city turn to hate him. He presents Batman with a riddle (one I haven’t written yet) and it all comes back to Arkham…

The clues comes together… Engle’s riddle explains everything. We find out that Harvey’s psychiatrist let Harvey out every night to commit the murders. Harvey agreed to leave the riddles on the survivors in return for getting justice on the police force that destroyed his family. The execution might have been done by this “Riddler” (Engle) but its birth came from none other than The Joker. Engle explains that he got an exclusive interview with the Joker after he was captured, The Joker offered him a chance to be infamous. He told him where to find the remaining money he took from the mob and to offer half to Basil Karlo, the clay-face killer, an actor he knew from “back when” who was clinically insane and would do anything to get out of dept. Engle agreed in exchange for the other half and the “exclusives of what was to come”. All it took was an almost Stockholm syndrome- like relationship Dent’s shrink, Harley Quizno had with The Joker. Batman, after hearing this from Engle (we see it in Nolan esc. Flashbacks kind of like The Prestige), Batman rushes to Arkham. He moves to the Jokers cell. He finds Dr. Quizno, hung by the next, with a fresh chiseled smile dressed up with black eyes, white and red paint on her face, like The Joker. “HA HA HA” is smeared everywhere in the cell with her blood. He moves to Dents cell. Dent taunts Batman “I did what was fair. If Gotham wasn’t afraid to live in a city that is truly fair, it wouldn’t have needed you”. Dent explains that Engle offered him a chance out for good but being a man of “justice”, he flipped and lost the toss, so he came back every night. Harvey gives Batman a note left by The Joker addressed to him. It reads of how they are they are two freaks now destined to battle for the sanity of Gotham and now that the city hates both of them, Gotham has nothing left but extinction. Gordon comes too. He states in a public address along with the Mayor that The Batman solved the murders. The city demands answers about the “Two-Face” killer, Gordon says that Harvey has always been dead, and that the killer was another “Clay-face” that has been arrested. The spirit of Gotham resides now on Batman. He is the hero the public should have seen all along. Bruce comes to terms with it and decides he can never hang up the cape.

Themes
Redemption but at a cost. Batman becomes the only thing Gotham trusts, Bruce knows that because of this, he can never quit.

Might need a few fixes but I think a murder mystery like this would be the best way to go. … Sorry for the long post!



woww good story almost sounds believable

[batboy99]

Am i the only one who doesnt like the idea of Mad Hatter being a pedophile and a rapist? I mean, he's a creepy dude sure, but he doesnt have to have a thing for little kids. He has an obsession with Alice in wonderland. The girl he obsesses over doesnt have to be a child, she can be someone in her 20's...

[Spider-Fan]

The Mad Hatter would be a cult leader if I were going to make him more realistic. I have suggested this many times (really have got no response), but cult's brainwash people into their beliefs (I think this is faithful to the concept of mind control), and he could theme the cult after Alice in Wonderland. Plus, his henchmen would defy Batman out of extreme loyalty to the Mad Hatter.

Though I don't see this version of the Mad Hatter being a main villain. He'd have to be secondary. My bro and I came up with a Batman 3 concept where Riddler is the main threat (the brains), and the Mad Hatter's cult is involved in his plan and Catwoman would also be involved (possibly as his muscle against Batman).

In any case, the Riddler needs a serious approach and his plan I feel needs to be extremely complex (unlike that crappy BF movie).

[hegele]

woww good story almost sounds believable

thanks man

[Brooklyn Zoo]

The Mad Hatter would be a cult leader if I were going to make him more realistic. I have suggested this many times (really have got no response), but cult's brainwash people into their beliefs (I think this is faithful to the concept of mind control), and he could theme the cult after Alice in Wonderland. Plus, his henchmen would defy Batman out of extreme loyalty to the Mad Hatter.

Though I don't see this version of the Mad Hatter being a main villain. He'd have to be secondary. My bro and I came up with a Batman 3 concept where Riddler is the main threat (the brains), and the Mad Hatter's cult is involved in his plan and Catwoman would also be involved (possibly as his muscle against Batman).

In any case, the Riddler needs a serious approach and his plan I feel needs to be extremely complex (unlike that crappy BF movie).

You know, I can actually see the Mad Hatter being a pretty damn good villain if you take the Riddler ideas, and tweak it. Gotham needs a new face to help change things, and people can buy into the Mad Hatter's bullcrap, one of them being killing the Batman. Throughout the movie, his cult grows and they start doing worse things that force Batman to step in and the city to change it's tune. I'm not sure if he should be the major villain, but right now I can't think of how I'd fit someone like Black Mask, Riddler, or Bane in to make the story better.

[BobJM]

I'd have Mad Hatter hold a group of blonde teenage girls hostage for an opening sequence to reintroduce Batman to the audience.

The situation is purposely left ambiguous and perhaps later Gordon comments on Mad Hatter's status as a cult leader or something like that. Child molestation is too hardcore for a PG13 film.

[Mr.Jigsaw]

double

[Mr.Jigsaw]

These are some ideas that me and a friend came up with for Batman 3.....

1. Edward Nigma is an eccentric detective in the GCPD who becomes obsessed with Batman (possibly because Batman correctly solves a case that Nigma had said he solved).

2. Batman has retired (I know its cliche but give me some slack).

3. True to Joker's prediction freaks are now coming to Gotham, including some fighting for control of Gothams underworld (we were thinking of Bane and Black Mask).

4. A new group of men try to fill the void left by Batman and operate under the group alias Azreal. They have the discipline, talent, and equipment to rival Batman and unlike the copy-cats refuse to break the "no-kill" rule. However, as the war escelates they become more extreme. Never killing anyone personally they do resort to torture and kidnapping. Nigma also has put himself in the same position that Gordan was with Batman, and manipulates them to do more extreme things as a way to draw Batman out of retirement.

Opinions? (please dont flame if you disagree)

[ray243]

Just one friendly reminder.

In order for a villian to work and actually require batman to be there...you need another villian that is strong enough when he or she is faced with Competant police officers.


When the police is more 'realistic' and can actually solve crimes without needing extra help, then you will really need a vilian that he beyond the control of any real world police.


In BB, we have a town so corrupt that it is impossible for the police to function and to take down the mob.


Then there is also Ra's Al Gul, which is on the level of an terrorist...a massive spread of fear gas is something that even the best police force in the real world can't handle.


In TDK, there is the joker, who manage to outwit what any police force can do. Even when the police manage to take down the joker and put him in a cell, no one expects that the joker is capable for pulling such an escape.



Guys, think of a villian who is able to defeat any action a real police force can take.



The next film would need someone who is just as dangerous as Ra's or the joker...someone that only batman can take him down.

[Mr.Jigsaw]

Some more things me and my friend thought of..........

1. Bane is (at first glance) a drug dealer trying to get power in Gotham, his product has the effect of getting you completly wasted and temporarily increasing your strength. Bane besides being at peak fitness for a human also has a concentrated amount of the drug that makes him nearly superhuman (within the boundries of reality)

2. Nigma discovers the truth about Harvey Dent and threatens to expose his crime to the public as a way to draw Batman out. (Our idea was that he leaves an envelope at a crime scene with a question mark on it and inside of it is a Dent campaign sticker that says "I used to believe in Harvey Dent" and Dents coin.

[Mr.Jigsaw]

double post

[Conebone69]

If anything I'd like scarecrow to return

[YiYaoYue]

Apology if my idea is corny or doesn't fit the Batman mythos.

**** SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN DARK KNIGHT****




BB: Ra challenged Batman's ideals of not killing and Ra was trying to create a better world through wiping everyone out in the city (mass murder) by using Scarecrow's fear gas to turn everyone insane and delusional.

TDK: Joker challenged Batman's philosophy and existence, that Batman is a joke. Tries to do this by turning the city and everything good into something evil. This went both ways as Harvey showed Joker was right and the people on the boat showed Joker was wrong. Batman counters what happens with Harvey by taking the blame

3rd Film: A villain (i think Riddler) that will challenge Batman and Bruce Wayne at the heart (his loneliness) by framing Batman as the villain which then results in the city turning against him. A villain (Riddler) that is a schemer unlike Joker that frames Batman and tries to find the true identity to ruin Batman and be acknowledged as the mastermind. Batman reaches breaking point when he is constantly reminded what he has lost in his good friends (rachel and harvey)... only one he can trust is Goodman and Caine. However, Goodman has troubles of his own as the new D.A. replacing both rachel and harvey is breathing down Goodman's neck about his dealings with Batman which eventually leads to release of several criminals including Two Face. The city starts to follow Two Face as he convinces the public that Batman must pay for his crimes. The police squad Goodman is leading all believe Batman is responsible for all the deaths and crimes that insue. One of the criminals (catwoman) starts to cling to Batman by taking advantage of his moments of loneliness and they become attached. Someone of strength (Bane? Black Mask?) finds out catwomen's identity and uses her as bait (riddler leaves riddles to her location) then physically fight Batman (something we haven't seen yet). Batman saves catwoman, meanwhile the crime rate of Gotham skyrockets to anarchy and madness. Most of the cops are underhandedly allying (dealing) with the criminals as Two Face and the Riddler take control of the city. The people of gotham realize they need a hero, the D.A. realize Goodman was right and apologizes for her mistakes. The batman sign once against lit up the skies and catwoman agrees to help batman clean the streets of both new criminals and those released by the new D.A. and stop Riddler and Two Face. As the city returns to peace in fear of batman, catwoman tells batman that she only helped due to her gratitude of saving her and her thrill-seeking desires. She decides they have different paths and Batman warns her he will not hesitate to put her in jail like the rest of the criminals, but that is exactly what catwoman wants and smiles.

[Heretic]

I like the idea for Hush...

BUT, with some changes...

First of all, Hush would end up being Rutger Hauer from Batman Begins and The Riddler could be anyone for all I care. Reese, Engel, hardly matters to me...he's merely a stooge for Hauer anyway.

Second, Id only do the villian cycle of bad guys we've seen thus far...Joker, Zsasz etc but maybe bring in Catwoman for a small part, to be expanded upon if you need her in a future movie to fight Harley Quinn.

[Landfill]

If anything I'd like scarecrow to return
me too, but how?

[Minus Shock]

I think there should be a few aspects of "No Man's Land" mixed with some Dark Victory. I think Bruce Wayne should finally step up and be the public face that his dad was instead of being the billionare playboy.

I think the movie should take place about a year or little more after Dark Knight. I definitely think Mad Hatter can be used with some tweaking, Black Mask should be used (I will explain why) and definitely Hangman.

Now mind you I have a clusterufck of ideas and Im carving them down to form a linear story.

- Hangman begins killing cops leaving clues at the scene suggesting it is Harvey Dent behind it all. The Hangman is a former Gotham Police officer who finds out that Harvey Dent is in Arkham, He begins killing cops who know about Dents stay in Arkham leaving the clues for Batman.

- Black Mask is an employee of Wayne Enterprises who is personally let go for unethical work practices. This infuriates Roman Sionis sending him on a vendetta against Wayne.

- Firefly is used as muscle in the movie, a pyromaniac for hire. Doesnt play a terribly integral part of the story other than a scene where Black Mask falls out on a deal with Gary Lynns, and Lynns sets Roman's mask a blaze, causing it to bond and met to his face permanently.

- Riddler is the head of it all. He has always been more cerebral than any of the other villains, and strategically uses Hangman, Black Mask, Hatter, and Firefly to get Batmans attention.

- Talia Al Gul squeezes her way into the Gotham Police department and is one of the heads on the hunt for Batman (Knowing that Batman is responsible for her father's death, but she does not know he is Bruce Wayne). I think this will enable a possible date between the two which could give us a partial sample of what Catwoman would be like. I just feel Catwoman in any sense wont play an integral part of the story, other than love interest, and I dont think that is necessary, granted I just suggested a date scene with Talia and Bruce, but only for the reveal at the end to be that much better.

The Riddler uses muscle as pawns in a grander riddle for batman. Which causes Bats to be more present in the city than he would really like since the heat really isnt off him.

This enables Talia an opportunity by the end of the movie to get the drop on Batman.

As a result to The Riddler, or simply the Hangman "framing" Twoface they are broken out of the new Arkham (located on the outskirts of Gotham now as opposed to the Narrows) I also think even if its minimal Joker should make comments about how he told him (batman) so. I would even love if it was Harleen Quinnzel who breaks the Jokers Cell block out, which would include Scarecrow, Zsaz, Joker, and Two Face.

IT seems like a lot, and I am working on a treatment right now, so some of it may seem a little crude but it will be polished out. I definitely think in the beginning of the movie we need to see Bruce making up for his lack of Batman by taking care of the city during the day.

Since he cant prowl the rooftops as much as he used to, his batcave is equipped with the best in criminal tracking technology.

I would love to see him rebuild his wrecked Lamborghini into a new batmobile using Tumbler technology.

What do you guys think so far?

[Landfill]

it seems alright. i really would like to see the villains getting together and trying to take down the batman. all the villains that are established anyway plus a few more new ones like the riddler.

[Spider-Fan]

Some more things me and my friend thought of..........

1. Bane is (at first glance) a drug dealer trying to get power in Gotham, his product has the effect of getting you completly wasted and temporarily increasing your strength. Bane besides being at peak fitness for a human also has a concentrated amount of the drug that makes him nearly superhuman (within the boundries of reality)

2. Nigma discovers the truth about Harvey Dent and threatens to expose his crime to the public as a way to draw Batman out. (Our idea was that he leaves an envelope at a crime scene with a question mark on it and inside of it is a Dent campaign sticker that says "I used to believe in Harvey Dent" and Dents coin.

I like the idea of the Riddler threatening to expose the secret of Dent as a means to draw Batman out :up:

I agree on other posters of the freaks sort of taking over Gotham from the mob, but the Riddler should be the freak that is taking the most control with his elaborate plan.

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Am i the only one who doesnt like the idea of Mad Hatter being a pedophile and a rapist? I mean, he's a creepy dude sure, but he doesnt have to have a thing for little kids. He has an obsession with Alice in wonderland. The girl he obsesses over doesnt have to be a child, she can be someone in her 20's...

Well, while him going after little girls 8-12 would be creepier, I've also suggested in various talkbacks that he could go after eighteen-year-old blondes.

[BatJokerFace]

There is only one way (or list of ways) the third and last film can work:

1. Harvey Dent needs to be exposed. TDK ended with Batman and Gordon purposefully covering up Harvey Dent's crimes. This needs resolution.

2. The redemption theme needs exploration. TDK's fake Batmen, The Joker, and Rachel Dawes all pointed to one underlying question: Does Gotham need Batman? Batman would seem to make matters worse by attracting masked crazies to the city. Dawes also made a challenge in her note that Alfred burned: Does Gotham need Batman, or does Bruce Wayne?

So Batman needs to redeem his role -- to himself. He needs to believe in Batman again, at least in part because he put so much faith in Harvey Dent.

Also, a lot of villains just will not do for BB3. Mr. Freeze is too unrealistic. So is Poison Ivy, unless she's an eco-terrorist with no control over plants. Superman, Hush, and Clayface should stay out of it, too.
Here are some realistic villains who could actually further the plot:

Bane
Blask Mask
The Riddler
Catwoman
The Ventriloquist
Harley Quinn - who could be the equivalent of a fake Batman, someone imitating The Joker

I'm also of the opinion that a new, tough District Attorney who opposes Batman could marshal Gotham City against him and be an interesting addition to the cast. Maybe Ellen Yin?

[Ziggyman]

To me...Sound like 4 hour movie with loose ends still!

Though I do agree with you on some things...I don't think this is the only way a third film could work!

[Grommers]

I'm trying hard not to think that much about the third film and the direction it would have to go...why? because I would never of guessed the direction from begins to the dark knight this would go. And well, as the saying goes

"In Nolan we trust"

[I am vengence]

I'd like to see Killer Croc be the "muscle" in the third film. I know most of you think Killer Croc wouldn't fit in the Nolanverse, but it is plausible. Croc has the skin disease epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, which is quite real. Nolan could simply tone Croc's appearance down. It would be interesting seeing Batman face a foe that is more savage like an animal. I could see Gotham turning to Batman if Croc's killing spree was out of control. :brucebat:

[ShadowBoxing]

A very, very rough idea very open to criticism and changes...

Shadow of the Bat: Devestation

"No Man's Land"

Characters

Heroes
Batman/ Bruce Wayne (main) - Gotham’s hero and silent guardian. Batman is now both outlaw and hero who attempts to redeem himself against a backdrop of cataclysm in Gotham
Alfred Pennyworth - Bruce’s long time friend and oldest living “family” member. Alfred tries to encourage Bruce in all that he does.
Richard “Dick” Grayson - A boy who loses his parents due to an “accident” caused by Boss Zucco, taken in by Bruce to avoid having to fend for himself in the hell that Gotham has become.
James Gordon - Stalwart Commissioner of the GCPD. During the earthquake in Gotham he is forced to watch his entire squad get picked off one by one during the crisis.
Lucius Fox (minor) - CEO of Wayne Ent. who acts as crisis management, attempting to rectify the power and water shortages during the quake.

Villains
Two-Face (main) - Two-Face, throughout the movie, rises to prominence as the destroyed Gotham’s cities mayor, a position he takes by force using freed Arkham inmates. He appoints himself as if he is a Caesar to Gotham’s fallen Rome. Chance becomes to only law in Gotham: you live, you die.
Harleen Quinzel - Doctor who suffers from mental strain of her own. Allies herself with Harvey during the Earthquake
Victor Frees - Victor, in a way, is somewhat Two-face’s Alfred. An invalid who suffers from a strange case of Hypothermia, his body relies on liquid nitrogen and chilled oxygen tanks to survive. Eventually, after raiding Wayne Ent. he is able to convert his apparatuses into a liquid nitrogen gun (before this he carries a machine gun)
Ventriloquist - Ventriloquist lets a dummy named Scar-face speak for him, and carry out his murderous tendencies
Killer Croc (minor) - A monsterous inmate who escapes to the sewers during the Earthquake
The Joker (minor) - Warns Harleen of the impending Earthquake.
Zucco (minor) - A small time, low level enforcer who manages to avoid the police. He attempts to sell insurance to a circus for money, and when they refuse he causes an “accident” during one of their shows.

Basic Plot Outline

Act I

In the winter of the year following The Dark Knight, Batman has become an outlaw in the eyes of Gotham city, working to stop crime and prevent his own capture at the same time. He has once again moved back to his Mansion on the outskirts of the city, and has erected a massive batcave, complete with his sonar tracking technology. In his duel life, Bruce has become a respected philanthropist, and is trying to pick up where Harvey left off. What Bruce doesn’t know is that Harvey is still very much alive, or dead, depending on how you look at it. Two-Face has indeed survived, and has gone underground, enlisting the aid of the many criminals he was tried to lock away. Eventually he takes the Maroni families remaining allies by force.
The next in line, a half wit name Anthony Zucco, is kicked out by Two-Face. Zucco turns to a life of selling phony insurance policies to get by. Eventually he approaches a travelling Circus and attempts to strong arm the owner into buying, but it doesn’t work. Out of desperation, he attempts to sabotage the equipment. That night, at the performance, with Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle in attendance, the rope snaps and kills the flying Graysons, leaving their son without a father or mother. Dick was training to be their newest member. Bruce is very shaken by the event, but realizes that he cannot take care of the child, so he allows him to be placed in an orphanage. Zucco is caught by the police and taken into custody as well.
Later that night Batman meets anonymously with Gordon, Gordon passes along info on an escaped convict named “Waylan Jones” who he admits is a little too much for the cops to handle. Batman says he’ll trail him and see what he can do.
Meanwhile in Arkham, Harleen Quinzel eagerly awaits another session with her patient, the Joker. During a therapy session, Joker warns of an earthquake.
Batman finds himself trailing Waylan Jones throughout the sewer system. Eventually he finds him eating rancid meat with he has been storing for nourishment. Killer Croc, as he calls himself, ends up fighting with Batman. During the fight an earthquake rocks throughout the city, imprisoning both Batman and Killer Croc. Eventually Batman is able to hoist himself, and the unconscious Croc to the surface, but they find Gotham devestated. The Earthquake destroys all the bridges and tunnels, knocks the power and water out completely, leaving the city in chaos.
Ironically, throughout all of this, Wayne Manor survives basically unscathed.
A group of Gotham’s elite is gathered by Lucius Fox and the Mayor to determine how to quickly deal with this crisis, as the city descends into madness. On the otherside of this equation, Gordon doesn’t have the manpower to deal with the problem, and he convinces his forces to once again form an uneasy alliance with the Batman.
As if things couldn’t get worse Arkham is totally openned. Two-Face goes there with several gang members so he can use the freaks of Gotham to run the new Gotham of freaks. Joker refuses to leave, despite Harleen’s best efforts to convince him, saying he’d rather enjoy watching the outcome himself than being a part of it. Instead Harleen herself leaves, becoming a female Joker she names Harley Quin. With her joins the sickened Victor Frees and the murderous Ventriloquist.
Meanwhile, Bruce goes to inspect the remains of his Penthouse in Gotham, it is heavily damaged, but the sub-basement lair survived the earthquake, however it has been exposed. He and Alfred destroy the lair to cover up his connection to Batman. When they go to return to the mansion though, they find a young child attempting to steal the hubcaps off of Bruce Wayne’s car; it is Dick Grayson. Bruce realizes there is no way he can allow the boy to stay in this hellish nightmare while his home still has water, food, and electricity. Bruce takes him home.
Master Grayson is belligerent and hard to deal with, and Bruce’s life is now solely focused on saving Gotham. The boy frequently finds himself alone, or confined to certain areas on the grounds. Eventually he escapes.
Shortly after this, the Mayor is found murdered, and a note is stapled to his chest. The note is a document from IA, written by Harvey Dent, linking the Mayor to drug trafficking in Gotham City. Batman realizes Two-Face may still be alive. Gordon informs him that Zucco claimed Two-Face banished him from the mob weeks before his arrest. Zucco, however, escaped during the Earthquake.
Batman goes to find him. After a car chase with Zucco in the Batmobile through the tattered streets in Gotham, Zucco crashes in the remains of the Circus. Batman chases him throughout the Circus, but Zucco is eventually put down, by Dick Grayson, who knocks him out by swinging into him. Batman and Dick get into a verbal argument when Dick attempts to shot Zucco in the head with his own gun. Batman takes off his mask and reveals himself to be Bruce Wayne, telling Dick what happened to his parents. He tells Dick he’s not old enough to decide whether or not to “cross the line”, but Bruce says if he puts down the gun he’ll train him and when he is old enough he’ll let him finally decide who he will become: a hero or a villain.

Act II

Two-Face, Frees, Quin and the Ventriloquist break into Wayne Industries, taking Lucius, Mr. Reese and several others hostage. Two-face appoints himself Mayor and sets up a kangaroo court for all those who once led Gotham. The verdict is always determined by chance. Frees implores him to spare Lucius Fox, as they were once friends before his accident. Though he faces the court, Lucius Fox is granted life by a fortunate coin toss.
Lucius is horrified to see what has come to his friend Victor and even more horrified by the fact that he has become a killer, none the less, he allows him access to his tech. Victor confides in Lucius that his wife is dying of a unique disease and his research is what he is now. Victor is able to construct a liquid nitrogen gun and renames himself “Mr. Freeze”. Lucius promises that if Victor helps put an end to this madness, he’ll help him cure his wife, but Mr. Freeze says she is already dead.
Keeping the peace outside, Gordon begins to collapse under the strain. His forces have begun to fraction into those that support Two-face’s reign, and those who still wish to return Gotham back into what it was. Batman stays by Gordon’s side, although this seems to strain the ranks of the remaining police even more. Finally Batman tells Gordon his presence is doing more harm than good, and leaves Gordon.
As the power stays down, so do most of the cellphones, and Batman’s bat-sonar computer in his cave is rendered basically useless. He goes to Waynetower, but finds in ruins, forcing him to turn to good old fashioned detective work. As he searches the Applied Science division, which has been basically raided, he finds several files pulled on Victor Frees. Up in the board room, he discovers a list of names each labelled “innocent” or “guilty”, but the verdicts are random, as if they were determined by chance. There is one last name on the list that has not been tried: Bruce Wayne.
As he attempts to depart, The Ventriloquist shows up with several gang members and defecting police officers. The group has a standoff where Batman is forced to fight his way through. After a lengthily battle, Batman manages to disarm the henchmen and destroy Scarface. The Ventriloquist goes into shock. Batman is able to convince him to tell him where they are going.
Two-Face has made his way to Wayne Manor with Victor Frees, and Harleen Quin and Lucius Fox, Dick Grayson, and Alfred Pennyworth as the hostage. Gordon forms a permeter around Wayne Manor with his few remaining police forces, and Two-Face issues a statement to Gordon. That if Bruce Wayne doesn’t appear by 2 am, he will detonate charges he placed beneath Wayne Tower, forever descending Gotham into darkness and chaos. Batman agrees. Bruce shows up on his lawn by midnight and proceeds to turn himself over to Two-Face. After Harley Quin beats Bruce up with a baseball bat he is tied to a chair in his own living room. Dick starts to cheer as Harley beats up Bruce Wayne, saying he never liked the old guy anyways. Two-face believes the young child and allows him to join in. However, once Harley hands the bat to him he knocks her out with it.
Two-Face is enraged and holds a gun to Dick Grayson’s head. Lucius Fox turns to Frees, imploring him not to let such an atrocity go on. Frees hesitates as Harvey flips his coin, it lands scarred side up. Freeze shots as Harvey, hitting him in the chest, so Harvey shoots Freeze instead; killing him. This allows Lucius to escape. He cuts the lights in the mansion. Grayson unties Bruce and leads him to the elevator down to the cave. Two-face, however has captured Alfred, and makes him show him where Bruce went. Gordon witnessing the commotion from outside, goes in alone. He follows Two Face, who goes to the cave elevator, and they descend downward.
Two-Face appears in the cave as a maskless Batman stands alone watching. Two-face, of course, realizes who Batman is. Bruce tries to reason with Harvey and tell him he doesn’t have to do this. Harvey doesn’t listen though. He turns his gun on Alfred and flips his coin. Suddenly, Dick Grayson comes crashing down on top of Harvey before he can catch his coin. Alfred is freed. Two-face knocks Grayson against a wall, before he can turn his gun on the boy Batman tackles him.
The two end up in a battle of brawn and bullets. Smashing through Batman’s crime lab. Two-face grabs a batarang from the table and stabs Batman with it, causing him to fall backwards. Two face stands over him, aiming his gun at his head. A bullet nicks the top of Two-face’s skull, he falls. Gordon approaches, holding his gun. He gets Batman to his feet. Batman looks down at Harvey, who is still alive, despite the injury. He will be in comatose for the rest of his life. Gordon apologizes for Gotham taking Bruce’s parents and says his secret is safe. With Gordon, Lucius, Dick and Alfred, Batman finally has a complete family again.
The Mayor’s deputy steps in as Mayor, and with Lucius back at Wayne Tower power is successfully restored. As the lights flicker back on in Gotham, we see the silhouette of Batman step out onto a rooftop, he is shortly followed by Robin.

[ComicBookGuy37]

I'm writing my own fan-script of what happens next 'cos I want to fill the void soooooo badly. So far I'm up to the second scene, but at the minute, the film is called THE SHADOW OF THE BAT, and opens with a car chase involving two cops chasing Batman through the streets as he escapes on the Bat-Pod. It's set roughly eighteen months after the last film, and will feature the Riddler (who will be Jigsaw-ish in his actions), Black Mask (who will have taken over Maroni's territory) and Oswald Cobblepot (who will not be the Penguin at all).

I've also re-included the characters of Detective Ramirez (who is trying to redeem herself for what she did to Dent and Rachel in DK) and Detective Stephens (who, due to his hostage thing with the Joker, is now a firm "freak" hater, a la Bullock in the comic).

I also thought about the possibility of Bane being the major villain, but decided against it, because he's not really realistic enough for the Nolan version of Batman. However, I do feel that Batman needs to redeem himself in the eyes of the world, and that the villain must have the ability to take complete control of the city, so Batman can save the public and they can have so sort of faith restored in him.

Anyway, here's the start of my script for everyone to enjoy (or mock as the case may be)...some of the alignment is out of place ever so slightly.


THE SHADOW OF THE BAT
(By ComicBookGuy37)

Black. A low keening which becomes screeching that builds and builds until –

Green flickers through black as the screen bursts into life.

Clouds of reeling bats silhouetted against an electric green sky, bolting away from the camera, massing in the sky...forming a density the shape of an enormous bat-like symbol.

More bats mass, swamping the symbol, darkening the screen into –

Black. Distant sirens begin to blare. They seem to be coming closer and closer as –

The camera pans up from the black tarmac of the city streets. A man is moving through the shadows, dishevelled and greasy, a bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand. A drunk.

EXT. GOTHAM STREETS – NIGHT:

The drunk stumbles into the street, attempting to cross it. The sirens are becoming louder and louder as he moves, slowly.

There is a low rumble from up the street. The sirens are extremely close now. The drunk looks up to the end of the street. Something is racing forward at top speed.


DRUNK

What the-?

A vehicle comes screeching past him. It looks like a bike, only much bigger and more dangerous-looking. It’s the Bat-Pod. Atop the Bat-Pod is the masked figure of BATMAN.

As the drunk watches, the Bat-Pod picks up speed, and screeches around a corner, disappearing into the night. As the drunk looks on, two police cars round a corner, apparently giving chase.

INT. POLICE CAR – NIGHT:

Two cops sit in the car. One man, one woman. The man is bulky and has a cigar shoved between his lips – DETECTIVE STEPHENS. The woman is Hispanic, thin and is driving – DETECTIVE RAMIREZ.


STEPHENS

We’re finally gonna catch that son of a *****!

Ramirez twirls the steering wheel and the police car screeches around the corner after the Bat-Pod.


RAMIREZ

It doesn’t feel right. All the good he’s done for this city, and yet, here we are…chasing him.


STEPHENS

Look, sweetheart, if we were paid to judge a criminal by opinion rather than evidence then maybe I’d agree with you. But this Batman is a cop killing psycho.


RAMIREZ

Batman is not a killer! No matter what Gordon or anyone else says!


STEPHENS

That used to be enough for you, sweetheart. What’s the matter? Lost your faith in the good ol' Commish?


RAMIREZ

It's not a loss of faith. It's more a sense of confusion.

She turns the steering wheel, and the car swerves around another corner.


STEPHENS

Yeah...right...Listen, Gordon does know what he’s doing, sweetheart. I’m just glad he’s grown the balls to act against this nut job. Anyone who wears a mask is a criminal as far as I’m concerned.


RAMIREZ

That’s just ‘cos you’ve had bad experiences.


STEPHENS

The freak had me held hostage! And he blew up the entire station!


RAMIREZ

And let’s remind ourselves of how said freak managed to overpower you, partner. As I recall, you were the one who tried to rough him up.


STEPHENS

Let’s not point fingers, sweetheart. At least he’s locked up in Arkham with the rest of the lunatics.

EXT. GOTHAM STREETS – NIGHT:

The Bat-Pod races through the streets. Batman reaches forward and presses a button on the ignition. The Bat-Pod races towards the pavement, jumping up onto the pedestrian littered street.

INT. POLICE CAR – NIGHT:

Stephens chuckles.


STEPHENS

He’s struggling now. Look at him. He’s on the freakin’ sidewalk. He’s not getting away this time.

EXT. GOTHAM STREETS – NIGHT:

The police cars are gaining on Batman. He glances back for a moment, and then presses the button on the ignition once more, aiming for the wall of the nearest building.

The front of the Bat-Pod rises up, attaching to the side of the building. Batman presses another button, and the vehicle revs up the wall.

INT. POLICE CAR – NIGHT:

Stephens stares in shock, as the Bat-Pod races across the side of the building.


STEPHENS

Oh, my god! He’s driving on the wall!

He reaches towards a button on his door. The window opens, and he pulls out a gun, aiming it at the figure of Batman atop the Bat-Pod.


STEPHENS

I’ve got you now, freak.

Ramirez jerks the car, Stephens fumbles with his gun, and it goes off, missing the Bat-Pod completely.


STEPHENS

What the hell?

He looks ahead, the road is completely blocked.


STEPHENS

Jesus Christ!


RAMIREZ

I know, okay?


STEPHENS

He’s getting away!

EXT. GOTHAM STREETS – NIGHT:

Batman presses the button on his Bat-Pod again, and the vehicle launches away from the side of the building, landing atop a 4x4. He revs the bike and it zooms off through the streets.

[BatJokerFace]

What, that is complete crap, I'm sorry.

[BatJokerFace]

Not the comment above me, but the comment above it.

[ComicBookGuy37]

Well that cheers me up...not that mine is that great anyway

[ShadowBoxing]

Well that cheers me up...not that mine is that great anyway
This isn't a problem with yours so much, as with TDK maybe, but wouldn't Ramerez know for certain Batman didn't kill those cops, I mean she was held at gunpoint by the real killer, Two-Face, and he admitted to what he was trying to accomplish.

[ComicBookGuy37]

That is something I did not think of :eek:..but now I feel stupid for missing it :(

Thank you,
I will amend it!!!

[ComicBookGuy37]

It is now amended. And I will add in a confrontation later on between Gordon and Ramirez where she attempts to learn his justification for hunting Batman :)

[spideymouse]

It is now amended. And I will add in a confrontation later on between Gordon and Ramirez where she attempts to learn his justification for hunting Batman :)Then again, Ramirez isn't such the incorruptible cop Gordon thought she was. She could totally be hushed.

[spideyman101]

I think the theme for Batman 3 has already been laid out. Batman has taken the blame for Dent's killings and the GPD, under Commissioner Gordon, must now hunt Batman. To me, it's obvious who's the next villain.

The Riddler has always been obsessed with Batman's identity and is always willing to dangle the information in front of the cops, then yank it away when they reach for it, then leave them only a riddle. With the GPD hunting Batman I think this will give a good storyline, them trying to get info out of Riddler, so they can stop Batman. Batman trying to stop Riddler so he won't expose him.

In the Police Department there is something that is known as a Law Enforcement Scientist, they research new equipment for the police force and things of that nature. Here's my Riddler origin story:

Edward Nashton, Law Enforcement Scientist, is hired by Sergeant Harvey Bullock, newly elected head of the MCU (Major Crimes Unit), to come up with new and better technology for the GPD. The GPD has a contract with Wayne Enterprises, WE supplying the GPD plans for technology. Nashton notices the same thing Mr. Reese noticed in TDK, Applied Sciences has dropped off the map! Nashton asks Fox what's going on, he asks what he's hiding. Nashton then threatens Fox, saying that he'll figure out what he's hiding. After this Fox terminates the contract. Bullock is coming to Nashton in just a day, and he's got to have something to give Bullock, to aid in fighting Batman. Nashton breaks into Applied Sciences, using his genius, technological-know how. He changes the password to "enigmas" and then enters. He notices a tank-like vehicle that is similar to the Tumbler: however this Tumbler is sleeker than the last, and has more weapons on board. Nashton steals some equipment from Applied Sciences and goes back to his labs. Fox enters Applied Sciences and the alarm goes off. Him, being as smart as Nashton, hacks the password and learns it is "enigmas". He changes it back to what it was.

Meanwhile at Nashton's lab he looks at one of the devices he stole. It uses Fox's Sonar concept to locate Batman wherever he is. This sonar device hones in on a certain chip commonly used in Wayne Enterprises equipment: this is used so that if any of Fox's equipment is stolen he can trace it. Only problem, it picks up Batman as well, wherever he is. Bullock enters and Nashton tells him that he's still working on it, Bullock leaves. Later Nashton has discovered the way to get it to work. He notices Batman, on the radar, going towards Wayne Manor. It then hits him "Bruce Wayne is Batman!". Wanting to have the upper hand over the GPD, Nashton hides the device before Bullock returns. Nashton says he's lost the device. Bullock, in anger, fires him. Nashton, while leaving the labs, takes the sonar with him. That night Bullock, and a group of crooked cops kidnap Nashton and bring him to a warehouse. They torture him, with Scarecrow, and he becomes mentally insane...

part two will come later...

[elgato]

I am currently working on a script, in my free time

[iamsilvio]

The next batman film must must be a great detective flick. Just like the dark knight was aiming to be a great gangster movie, then the next one should be a great detective film.

[wellsy]

Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any to post my ideas for the sequel.

To start with, Edward Nigma is a wealthy Brit (possibly an aristocrat) who is, frankly, bored. He is well known as being someone who can solve any riddle or puzzle, and loves to show off this ability. He comes to Gotham in order to track down the (villainous) Batman, and takes pay from both the mob and the police department. He uses the persona of "The Riddler" in order to go about his work.

Now, as Mr Jigsaw said in this thread, and Sedorna said (even better) in the Riddler thread, I think it would be excellent for him to discover the truth about Harvey Dent, and he leaves riddles, anagrams, and others hints and clues to the GCPD revealing this fact. Gordon catches on very quick, and tries to tell Batman to get to the crime scenes before they do in order to keep the cover-up secure. In spite of this, however, a few clues eventually get leaked to the media, and speculation begins creating ambiguity with regards to the public perception of the Batman.

Now, I know I haven't really lived up to Sedorna's vision that Riddler prove that Batman was wrong to take the fall for Harvey Dent's actions, I don't want to really go deep into this myself (given that I'm only doing this quickly).

I'd mesh this story with that of Talia al Ghul seeking revenge for her father, working with Riddler in order to determine who is Batman. I could see the story being big enough to stretch over two movies, and as a subplot, the old mob could be attempting to rebuild itself (only to be knocked down comprehensively by the freaks and Batman), and attempts to extort money out of a travelling circus. When the circus refuses, the headline act, 'The Flying Graysons', is sabotaged, leaving their only son, Dick, an orphan. The performance had recieved a lot of publicity and had recieved sponsorship from Bruce Wayne.

Wayne himself is attempting to use his public persona to pick up the slack left by Harvey Dent, and is using the death of Rachel as an excuse to leave his playboy style behind and begin to become a philanthropist and a favoured son of Gotham. However, in spite of that, he is finding himself ever more distant on a self destructive course. He starts to fight with Alfred more (a la Batman Begins), doesn't see Gordon, and is beginning to go down the road to amorality that Two-Face had travelled.

Dick comes in courtesy of Alfred, and starts to slow Bruce's descent into moral ambiguity. When he discovers that Bruce is Batman, Bruce tells Alfred to get rid of him, but Alfred refuses, pointing out that Dick would otherwise become just another criminal unless given guidance, and that Bruce himself is struggling with a one man crusade against the whole world.

Initially, Robin would be his codename on the radio, and his presence continues to arrest Batman's slide into criminal status. At the end of the story, Robin can then be told to go meet up with Gordon to act as liason, since Robin is the character who is supposed to be seen. He'd be a messenger, and would only fight when he had stacked everything in his favour.

Those are my ideas for the third (and possibly fourth) films.

[Spider-Fan]

The next batman film must must be a great detective flick. Just like the dark knight was aiming to be a great gangster movie, then the next one should be a great detective film.

For a detective movie, who better than the Riddler :cwink:

[Rikxiepoo]

The next batman film must must be a great detective flick. Just like the dark knight was aiming to be a great gangster movie, then the next one should be a great detective film.

I agree. They should make it focus on the detective aspect, since he is on the run he has to be more secretive and more analytical to find and understand better any clues left behind. Plus with a villain like The Riddler or The Mad Hatter, he would need to study crime scenes more to find clues to their whereabouts or to decipher riddles.

By doing this they scale the film down from TDK (since obviously a terrorist threat like the Joker's in TDK cant be toped) while still keeping the film interesting because its more of a mystery-crime drama instead of an action-crime drama. They can still work action into the movie by introducing Bane to have a physical threat to Batman (like Raz was in the first film) while having a non-physical threat like Riddler or Hatter (like Scarecrow was in the first film).

There has to be some sort of love interest, so Selina Kyle or Talia has to be introduced. Either can add an element of action to the film since Selina can fight Batman as Catwoman and Talia has the League of Shadows at her disposal.

[iamsilvio]

Rikxepo you are genius. What you just mapped out sounds perfect. Ever thought about writing for hollywood before?

[Batman137]

No Robin. No Catwomen. Yes Riddler.

[Carmine Falcone]

Seriously, with TDK, we perhaps got the ultimate ''Batman versus a villain'' story. This is hard to top. There was so much at stake in TDK, I can't think of a badguy who'd do more damage to the city, or have a plan more threatening. A battle of wits with The Riddler would be enjoyable, but tame in comparison. That's why I think that the second sequel shouldn't be anything less than a revolutionary Batman Tale. That not only deals with the battle over ''The soul of Gotham'' but also about who owns the streets. You'll have all these groups fighting over Gotham's control. An army of freaks, or freaks with their own gangs, the remaining mobsters, Batman, and perhaps even ''The Sons of Batman''.
They could go so far with this one, I'm already excited for it.

[NinjaTurtleFan]

There is only one way (or list of ways) the third and last film can work:

1. Harvey Dent needs to be exposed. TDK ended with Batman and Gordon purposefully covering up Harvey Dent's crimes. This needs resolution.

2. The redemption theme needs exploration. TDK's fake Batmen, The Joker, and Rachel Dawes all pointed to one underlying question: Does Gotham need Batman? Batman would seem to make matters worse by attracting masked crazies to the city. Dawes also made a challenge in her note that Alfred burned: Does Gotham need Batman, or does Bruce Wayne?

So Batman needs to redeem his role -- to himself. He needs to believe in Batman again, at least in part because he put so much faith in Harvey Dent.

Also, a lot of villains just will not do for BB3. Mr. Freeze is too unrealistic. So is Poison Ivy, unless she's an eco-terrorist with no control over plants. Superman, Hush, and Clayface should stay out of it, too.
Here are some realistic villains who could actually further the plot:

Bane
Blask Mask
The Riddler
Catwoman
The Ventriloquist
Harley Quinn - who could be the equivalent of a fake Batman, someone imitating The Joker

I'm also of the opinion that a new, tough District Attorney who opposes Batman could marshal Gotham City against him and be an interesting addition to the cast. Maybe Ellen Yin?

There are loose-ends that need to be wrapped up but why did you leave Penguin out? He is realistic. Add a monacle, top hat or bowler hat, tuxedo, very Victorian or old English clothes, pointy-nose, and a bit obese and when he walks he waddles and you got Penguin. No webbed-hands, no bird-fetish, no cackling laugh, no over-the-top Burgess Meredith impressions.

I kind of think a new tough D.A. who opposes Batman would be interesting take but I think with Batman trying to redeem himself and regain the public's trust he already has the citizens already marshalling against him. They trusted him when he saved them from destruction on the boats but Gordon will tell them that Batman killed cops and Dent. This would then make the people question and distrust Batman's motives and loyalty. They'd see him as a vigilante and perhaps even a bad guy. They'd turn on him, the police would be after him, and once the city went to hell or 'No Man's Land' Gordon and the public would realize that the person who they decided to turn their backs on was the person they needed all along and Bruce would realize that one must rise, fall, walk across burning coals, and once gone through a baptismal fire he will ascend again as the shadow in the night, the watcher, the protector---Batman.

[TheVelvetOnion]

First of i just want to say i love the new batman movies, I wasnt a fan of Batman Tim Burton to Joel's verson the only thing i liked about them was Michael Keaton who played the role spectacular. But Bale is brilliant for this verson of the Batman stories.

Now i'm a bit of a visonary when it comes to story telling, maybe because i write alot and have a very overactive imagination. But i have been reading reports about who will appear in Batman 3 and what the story is about and as usual everyone wants there favourate character into the mix. But that doesnt always work... However after watching The Dark Knight i think its pretty clear where they are headed with Batman 3...

So here is what i think is going to happen.

> The Story Arch: FEAR
Something i have seen in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight which seems to be the recurring theme of the movie, Its Fear... In Batman Begins Bruce faces his fear and becomes The Batman, He faces against The Scarecrow who uses Fear as a weapon, Then we movie to The Dark Knight in which The Joker again uses fear to invoke chaos. The Two Ships, Batman having to choose between Rachael and Harvy. Bruce having to reveal himself to save the lives of others. So i think in Batman 3 Fear again will be a big factor, And i think the way Batman 2 ended Batman is now a criminal being chased by the police, The Batman will bring fear to the bad and the good of gotham just because nobody knows if Batman is fighting for the good or bad. They thought they had a hero but now they not to sure. I think the new villian of Batman 3 will use Fear as well and i think the whole Identity of The Batman will be a big question that someone has figured out the answer and goes about taking down the batman.

> The Joker & Harley Quinn
Now with the Joker we have a problem, he definatly will have a presence in Batman 3 but for obvious reasons i think they need to come up with another avenue, This of course is where Harley Quinn would come in. With the Joker locked up he would still have his followers. And the best way to show any of this is to have Harley Quinn liase with the new Mob Bosses of Gotham.

> Two-Face
Im still not sure how anyone would survive a fall like that but i think maybe it would be best to have Two-Face stay dead. His transformation into Two-Face was brilliant but i just cant see where he would go after The Dark Knight. I just dont think there is a story for him.

> The Black Mask
I thought alot about what The Joker said about Gotham deserving a better brand of criminal, The Mob is still going to be a presence but i think you're gonna need someone who will lead the mob in a new direction. And i think The Black Mask will play a good role in this.

> The Riddler
Now with the Riddler, he is the one you need in Batman 3 to keep the key elements alive, Batman needs new challenges in each movie and if you go from Ras Al Ghul to Scarecrow to Joker to Two Face i guess you need a villian to fight on a different level. I think again going with the Arch of the story having fear as the theme maybe The Riddler maybe not by name of The Riddler is someone who discovers Batmans True Identity and goes into partnership with The Black Mask. What would the Mob do if they knew who the Batman is, So what would Riddler get out of it, well his role would have to be something like revenge, you would need Bruce to be the reason for why Riddler is doing this. You dont want to fall into the same trap as batman forever with him. No instead you need to look at another avenue to his origin, Or maybe he is already The Riddler in the movie much like The Joker, there is no origin within the movie there is just his rain of terror.