The Dark Knight Rises 8 Years: Active or Retired?

[Nevincer]

Wow, it's hard to believe that people misunderstood the ending of TDK to this degree.

Indeed.

 

[SpideyFan866]

How can Batman be the villain Gotham needs him to be when he's still out heroing like he was before, NOT killing and operating by the same Modus Operandi.

I mean, that would look highly suspicious on the part of Batman and Gotham PD. Or perhaps thats that point and reasonable scrutiny and suspicions will have built over the years of the events surrounding the day of Harvey Dent's death and his death itself.

 

[Broker]

How can Batman be the villain Gotham needs him to be when he's still out heroing like he was before, NOT killing and operating by the same Modus Operandi.

Bearing in mind Dent's crusade and the faith placed in him, he needs to be seen as the hero and therefore someone must take the responsibility for his crimes. Batman is, in his own words, "whatever Gotham needs me to be." If he must be seen as a cop-killer in order to ensure that Dent's reputation remains intact and to give Gotham a chance to have faith, then so be it.

Perhaps some are suspicious, perhaps some may believe he had cause, perhaps some thought that it was collateral damage, but it is clear that the intention here is that Batman is seen to take on Dent's crimes - become a scapegoat - in order to help Gotham long-term.

 

[Pwz414]

Inactive.

It seems clear to me that the agreed upon deception works and the city no longer needs Batman. He becomes the figure which the city galvanizes itself against. Bruce may go for a stroll now and then to give the police a glimpse at the ghost they're chasing, but...

I think the gunshot and fall really messed him up. I think he stopped training. I think he’s incredibly grief stricken and depressed. On the same token his dream of a clean Gotham has been fulfilled and that's keeping him alive. The fire will rise and an out of shape, emotionally weak, Bruce Wayne will be handedly defeated by Bane. I think Alfred knew that Bruce’s defeat was inevitable. He saw how close to the edge the mob had taken Batman at the beginning of TDK. “Know your limits, Master Wayne.” He knows Bruce only accomplished what he did through sheer determination and peak conditioning, both of which are now gone. Hence this line: "I swore to them I'd protect you, and I haven't." I'm betting this conversation takes place just prior to or early in the Batman's initial return.

I think his defeat will lead to imprisonment and the furthering of Bruce’s despair. While imprisoned Bruce’s kindling fire will somehow be ignited. His fire will rise, and Bane will get ***** slapped out of Gotham when he meets the unstoppable force of will that is the Batman.

 

[Pwz414]

Also worth mentioning may be the copycats. Those who saw Batman in action may know he would not kill cops. They could be those with undying allegiance to the Batman. I don’t know, just a thought.

 

[Gold Samurai]

I think Batman was still active after the events in TDK, but his appearances became less and less frequent, until he finally went underground completely.

Until he finally becomes a legend/myth in the public's minds

Bane comes to gotham

Dark knight returns but gets beat by Bane

Dark Knight rises

 

[Laderlappen]

Im convinced that he is retired. It feels more interesting from a story perspective to have him forced back. Plus if it takes place 8 years after, we wouldnt see what he did that period as Batman anyway. I think that people arent up for the idea of Bruce being Batman in a semi-short time because of how old the comic book is.

Also the dialogue in the teaser!

 

[Fudgie]

So obvious he's still active.

 

[jonnywhc]

Like I posted another thread -

"Merchandise manufacturer Hot Toys published an earlier synopsis that will accompany its collectable action figure of Bane.

That version stated:

The Legend Ends. The terrorist leader Bane will arrive in Gotham City, pushing it and the police force to their limits, forcing Batman to resurface after taking the fall for the Joker's crimes."

Even tho I think "Joker's" should be replaced by "Dent's", I believe he's been out of action IN the suit as Batman, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been doing things secretly as Bruce now and then.

 

[Pwz414]

So obvious he's still active.

Really, would you enlighten all of us dimwits as to why it is "so obvious"?

 

[Frodo]

I used to think he would be active , but the more info that comes out the more I think he's been retired. However, I'm still not so sure of the theory that he retired right after TDK. It may be he was Batman for a bit afterwards. After all it has been 8 years, so it we don't know what year the Harvey Dent act was passed ,or when Bruce retired. We know there's a completed Batcave so , its unlikely that Bruce stopped "cold turkey" a day after the end of TDK.

 

[MrWayne]

I used to think that the scenes where we see Bruce with a cane could possibly be weeks or a few months after TDK and he was using a cane due to the gunshot and fall he took. But then seeing Selina & Miranda in those scenes kinda threw me off so idk anymore...

 

[LegendInMyMind]

There's really no way to be 100% sure one way or the other, but I don't see the point in having a Batman that's "semi-active" and eventually goes "underground completely" like some here have suggested. Why would he do that?

To me, it's obvious that he's been retired for these 8 years. Retired, not quit. He didn't just give up. He won. THAT was the point of TDK. His mission was to what? To deliver the city back to the people of Gotham, and he did just that by keeping Dent's reputation intact, which basically eradicates the organized crime in the city. To stay active after that, wanted for murder and all, would be fairly pointless.

The police DO NOT have to prove Batman is guilty until they catch him. To expose himself to that risk by staying active for essentially no reason (this isn't a universe where the Riddler is active and Mr. Freeze is running amok after all) wouldn't be a very compelling way to handle what comes after the ending of TDK. What is compelling is to have a Bruce Wayne who's chomping at the bit, essentially, to get back out there.

In TDK he's looking for a reason TO NOT BE Batman anymore. In TDKR, he's looking for a reason TO BE Batman. Fairly sure that's quoted from someone.

 

[Nevincer]

I wonder if this'll be answered by the final trailer.

 

[LegendInMyMind]

I wonder if this'll be answered by the final trailer.

Probably won't be answered until we see the movie. Surely those 8 years will be explained in some way.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

In TDK he's looking for a reason TO NOT BE Batman anymore.

and neither lived up to expectations. Rachel is gone, Harvey is gone, Bruce is a broken man. Alfred warned him about the cowl consuming him in BB but he still had hope in the ideal of Rachel and later Dent, seemingly the true hero to deliver Gotham from distress. Nothing will stop him from wallowing in guilt and being lost inside the Batman now.

 

[LegendInMyMind]

Nothing will stop him from wallowing in guilt and being lost inside the Batman now.

Except for the fact that to do so could be detrimental to the city. The city needs Batman to lay low, that's what I'm saying.

and neither lived up to expectations. Rachel is gone, Harvey is gone, Bruce is a broken man. Alfred warned him about the cowl consuming him in BB but he still had hope in the ideal of Rachel and later Dent, seemingly the true hero to deliver Gotham from distress.

Sometimes we get what we want, just not in the way that we want it. Dent HAS delivered Gotham from distress from a certain point of view (Obi Wan logic). And while I think Batman is basically like therapy for Bruce, he has to make the conscious decision to "retire". Like I said, his mission is accomplished, or so he thinks. Obviously Bane thinks otherwise. That's what TDKR will be. I believe that's how "being the hero Gotham needs" is gonna play out. He comes back when he's NEEDED. He is "whatever Gotham needs [him] to be" after all.

In TDKR, he's looking for a reason TO BE Batman.

I could've sworn I read that in an interview somewhere but I can't find it. Anyone else vaguely remember that from somewhere?

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

There's really no way to be 100% sure one way or the other, but I don't see the point in having a Batman that's "semi-active" and eventually goes "underground completely" like some here have suggested. Why would he do that?

Because he can't give it up.

To me, it's obvious that he's been retired for these 8 years. Retired, not quit. He didn't just give up. He won. THAT was the point of TDK. His mission was to what? To deliver the city back to the people of Gotham, and he did just that by keeping Dent's reputation intact, which basically eradicates the organized crime in the city. To stay active after that, wanted for murder and all, would be fairly pointless.

It may be pointless, but at this point it's all Bruce has to live for.

The police DO NOT have to prove Batman is guilty until they catch him. To expose himself to that risk by staying active for essentially no reason (this isn't a universe where the Riddler is active and Mr. Freeze is running amok after all) wouldn't be a very compelling way to handle what comes after the ending of TDK. What is compelling is to have a Bruce Wayne who's chomping at the bit, essentially, to get back out there.

I do think by the time of TDKR, he's given up, but I do think he has been Batman for the majority of the time in-between.

In TDK he's looking for a reason TO NOT BE Batman anymore. In TDKR, he's looking for a reason TO BE Batman. Fairly sure that's quoted from someone.

And in The Dark Knight he lost that reason to give up being Batman.

"Batman has no limits"
"You do sir"

In The Dark Knight we saw Bruce pushed over his limit, he couldn't take anymore after Rachel's death, Harvey's death and his incorruptible symbol has been tarnished. The Bruce psyche has retreated and all that is left is Batman, hence the stuck in a rut comments.


But, there's no real way to know until the film is out because there is evidence on both sides.

 

[LegendInMyMind]

I just honestly don't see it going any other way than Batman having been retired for 8 years.

I do think by the time of TDKR, he's given up, but I do think he has been Batman for the majority of the time in-between.

That's a complicated route for essentially achieving the same goal, and it also seems like Batman just eventually realizes he should lay low. I think he'd know it immediately. He doesn't make his life about him, that's a defining characteristic. He's a complete altruist. If being Batman is like breathing to him, he's willing to suffocate for Gotham's sake. He's basically stated as much.

And I'm a firm believer that, in these situations, the simpler path is best. I know Nolan's not "simple" but that's not what I mean. What I mean is that it's more compelling, to me at least, to have an 8 year gap with zero Batman-presence whatsoever. I just think it puts Bruce in a far more interesting position at the beginning of the film, a la TDKReturns.

 

[TX85]

I sure hope he's been active But I'm guessing..Inactive!

 

[Laderlappen]

I do think by the time of TDKR, he's given up, but I do think he has been Batman for the majority of the time in-between.

Thats the ***** way of doing the retirement storyline. Do it all the way, or not at all.

 

[Dark Raven]

I'm of the opinion that for 8 years, Bruce Wayne has been sitting on his ass getting fat, but only suddenly decided to get into shape because a) Bane hands his ass to him, and b) he wants to impress two lovely ladies and thinks they'll appreciate the less obese version of himself.

Bruce obviously doesn't want to continually reminisce on his glory days like so:

 

[Renegade5150]

Active. But not alot. I reckon he operates as Batman from Wayne Enterprises in the city, and takes out local scum. He wont be seen in any vehcles either, he'll do local work to save being seen via transport.
He will by day be at Wayne Manor and working on the batcave, new veichles such as "The Bat"....

 

[Pwz414]

That's an interesting opinion, renegade. Nolan has never used the ego divide within the Batcave. I don't see him using it, but if he did this would be an interesting place to start. Maybe Bruce will tell Alfred he's to address him as the Batman while they are in the cave? Alfred will be like, "Are you nuts?"

 

[Naked Shia]

That's an interesting opinion, renegade. Nolan has never used the ego divide within the Batcave. I don't see him using it, but if he did this would be an interesting place to start. Maybe Bruce will tell Alfred he's to address him as the Batman while they are in the cave? Alfred will be like, "Are you nuts?"

Haha, I wrote something like that in my fan fiction "Gotham Soul", which I wrote back in 2009. They were in the cave, and Bruce talked to Alfred using his bat voice. Also, Bane was the main antagonist.