Batman 3 fanscript..read before bashing!

[Dark Sentinel]

now, before you guys bash me, let me say that the only reason I'm posting it here is because I always come here, and I know that since you guys are just as much of a Batman fan as I am, i feel really proud of this and wanted to share it with you. And yes, I also wanted criticism. That's beside the point! The point is, is that I started writing this just for fun, but it turned into it's own monster all on its own. This is the first seven pages of it. I'll post more if thats agreeable with everyone. So, enjoy

GOTHAM CITY ​

BLACK. GREEN SMOKE fills the screen, gradually taking shape as the BAT SYMBOL. It grows, filling the screen.

INT. MEDICAL WING, ARKHAM ASYLUM

We ZOOM IN on a hospital bed. The faint BEEPS of the EKG machine echo in the silence. Lying in the bed is the prone body of HARVEY DENT, a bandage covering the grotesque damaged LEFT SIDE of his face.

JIM GORDON is hunched over in a chair beside Dent’s bed. He hasn’t slept for days. A five o’clock shadow accompanies his moustache. His hair is ruffled.

BATMAN (V.O.)
You’ll condemn me. Set the dogs on me.​

GORDON (V.O.)
No, you can’t. You’re not.​

BATMAN (V.O.)
(interrupts)
I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be.​

JIMMY JR. (V.O.)
He didn’t do anything wrong.​

GORDON
He’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now...a dark knight...​

A NURSE enters the room, walks over to Gordon and gently touches his shoulder.

NURSE
Commissioner? You’re wife called, sir. She’s worried.​

CUT TO:​

EXT. LOWER FIFTH AVENUE - NIGHT

The BATPOD swerves between HEAVY TRAFFIC. Behind it, police sirens fill the air.

BATMAN glances behind and flips a switch on the Batpod’s control panel. Two small spheres shoot out from behind it and DETONATE, filling the air with THICK SMOKE.

COP CAR – CONTINUOUS

COP
Dammit!
(on radio)
Obstruction! All units! He’s deployed smoke bombs, move around them!​

COP 2 (O.C.)
We’re right next to him, we got him.​

BATPOD – CONTINUOUS

Batman glances over to see a second cop car with two officers in it. The passenger cop raises a shotgun while the driver turns on the bullhorn.

DRIVER COP
Batman, pull over right now! We will shoot!

Batman hits the brakes and the Batpod swerves onto an exit ramp under construction.

DRIVER COP
S***!

CUT TO: ​

INT. BAT-BUNKER

The Batpod SCREECHES to a halt. Removing his cowl, BRUCE WAYNE collapses onto the concrete floor. ALFRED rushes over as a medical table rises with a HISS from the floor.

Alfred grimaces as he lifts Wayne onto the table.

ALFRED
Took quite a fall again, did we, Master Bruce?​

WAYNE
(weak)
More than you know, Alfred. Did they...​

ALFRED
I believe you lost them, sir. For now.​

Alfred begins removing Wayne’s Batsuit. Underneath, his right side is bruised and bleeding. Wayne’s breathing is heavy.

ALFRED
Looks like a couple cracked ribs, sir. We’ll need to splint them. And you’ll need to rest for a few days.​

WAYNE
No time. I need...I need to...​

ALFRED
Doctor’s orders, Master Wayne.​

FADE TO:​

INT. GORDON’S OFFICE – MORNING

It’s early. Gordon is poring over papers on his desk. A large file box labeled “BATMAN” sits on the left side. Gordon removes his glasses and SIGHS heavily. In the background we hear a GCN reporter:

REPORTER (TV)
Despite the Gotham PD’s best efforts over the past six months, Gotham citizens continue to report sightings of the Batman all over the city. This leads to the question as to whether or not the police is truly trying their best to stop the vigilante’s activities...​

Gordon’s door opens, and DETECTIVE GERARD STEPHENS pokes his head inside.

STEPHENS
Hey, you got a call.​

GORDON
Can you tell them to leave a message?​

STEPHENS
Jim, it’s the mayor’s office.​

Gordon grabs his jacket and follows Stephens out of his office.

INT. CITY HALL, MAYOR GARCIA’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS

Mayor ANTHONY GARCIA taps a pencil on his desk impatiently. His door opens and Stephens enters, followed by Gordon.

GORDON
You wanted to see me?​

GARCIA
(to Stephens)
Thank you, Detective. You can go.​

STEPHENS
Sure thing, Mayor.​

GARCIA
Gordon, please. Take a seat.​

Gordon nods, and as he pulls up his chair another MAN enters Garcia’s office. Dressed in a dark green suit and pants, white shirt and black-gold tie and sunglasses, which he removes. He looks up and smiles at the Mayor.

NASHTON
Sorry, I hope I’m not too late.​

GARCIA
Not at all, Mr. Nashton. Please, take a seat.​

NASHTON
Of course.​

GARCIA
(to Gordon)
Commissioner Gordon, Special Agent Edward Nashton of the FBI. I’m assigning him to the Batman case.​

GORDON
Excuse me? Mayor, with all due respect, I wasn’t informed —​

NASTON
That your investigation hasn’t made any headway in the apprehension of a dangerous and, obviously, psychopathic vigilante in six months? I hardly doubt that that needs informing, Commissioner.​

GARCIA
Jim, this was a last-minute decision. I wish I could have informed you earlier but we really didn’t have the time.​

GORDON
Clearly.​

GARCIA
(ignores)
Agent Nashton is a criminal psychologist with the Bureau. He’s agreed to come to Gotham to assist in Batman’s capture.​

GORDON
You make it seem like he’s some kind of animal, Mayor.​

NASHTON
In my experience, people with delusions of grandeur and other similar behavioral patterns often disregard normal social parameters with, as Mayor Garcia so aptly put it, an animalistic mentality. Quite frankly, I believe-​

GORDON
(interrupts)
That you have absolutely no idea who you’re dealing with here. And I’m not talking about just the Batman, Nashton.​

Nashton leans back and begins polishing his sunglasses.

NASHTON
Destruction of property, assault and battery, unlawful use of force, prowling, and five counts of murder...no, I guess not.​

GORDON
(frustrated)
Alleged murder. Mr. Mayor, I’m sorry but I will not work—​

NASHTON
Commissioner, with all due respect. I’ve studied men like the Batman before. I know them very well. While I cannot identify him at this time, that is not the reason I was brought into this investigation. If you need to catch a criminal, then you need to think like he does. As...adept as your department is, I must say that you still think like a police officer: a man who upholds the law. The Batman is taking the law into his own hands, utilizing his own excessive brand of “justice” on perceived criminals. So, whether you agree or disagree, Commissioner, you will need my help.​

EXT. CITY HALL – CONTINUOUS

Gordon steps outside, adjusting his jacket. A few more people exit, Nashton among them. He stops beside Gordon and pulls out a pack of cigarettes.

NASHTON
Smoke?​

GORDON
Haven’t had one in years. What kind are they?​

NASHTON
(lights up)
Menthol. My favorite. Try one?​

Pulls one out of the pack, handing it to Gordon. Gordon eyes Nashton, then takes it.​

NASHTON
I feel I must apologize for my decorum. I don’t mean to come across as condescending. I’ve gone over your record, Commissioner and I must say, it’s quite exemplary.​

 

[Jodo]

Sounds good to me, LOL.

 

[Grommers]

I liked it till the last scene, Nashton did not really feel like Nashton to me . The first part was really good though.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

How so, Grommers? I think once you read part 2 (will be posted soon) you'll see that Nashton is more of a manipulator than you thought, and that Gordon trusts him about as far as he could throw him

 

[Dark Sentinel]

OK, here's part 2. Enjoy​

GORDON
Thank you.
(lights up, inhales)
Not too bad. What brand are they?​

Nashton smiles, and holds the GREEN PACK up for Gordon to see.

CUT TO:​

EXT. SKYLINE - DAY

Moving over the skyline of Gotham City, closing in on the Wayne Enterprises Building.

INT. FOX’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS

LUCIUS FOX reclines in his chair, reviewing budgets. WAYNE enters.

WAYNE
Lucius, we need to talk. Downstairs.

Fox nods. They move to the false bookshelf and enter the elevator hidden within.

INT. APPLIED SCIENCES

FOX
What is this about, Mr. Wayne?


WAYNE
How many more Tumbler prototypes do you have in storage?


FOX
About 3, why?


WAYNE
I need to use another one. The Pod works fine, don’t get me wrong, but with the situation nowadays—


FOX
You mean Batman’s reputation as a psychopathic madman?


WAYNE
(glares)
Yes, that. With the situation nowadays, I can’t afford to be too exposed. Any chance you could take it out of storage for me?


FOX
I think so...same paint job as last time?


WAYNE
(smiles)
The blacker the better, Mr. Fox. Also, about the suit...


FOX
(slyly)
I was hoping you’d mention it.


WAYNE
Why?


FOX
Follow me.​

Wayne follows Fox to a storage container.

CLOSE ON: Fox opens it and pulls out a BLACK BODY-SHAPED CLOTH.

FOX
(continued)
You’re gonna love this. Nanofabric. It’s made as an undersuit, but this’ll fit snugly over your primary suit. Flame-******ant, too. And the nanofibers interlock to stop any knives, and provides an additional layer of protection against gunshots.


WAYNE
(examines fabric)
Not bad, Lucius. I like it.


FOX
And one more thing...actually, two.​

CLOSE ON: Fox opens another drawer and pulls out two full-length SCALLOPED GAUNTLETS with GLOVES. He hands them to Wayne.

FOX
I figured a redesign was in order.
(flips over right-hand gauntlet)
The right hand contains an onboard minicomputer with a build in sonar system. The screen is fiber-optic and thus flexible.


WAYNE
And the left?


FOX
(blank stare)
It’s just a gauntlet, Mr. Wayne.


WAYNE
Oh. Right. And about the Tumbler backup...


FOX
I’ll have it shipped. But you’ll have to pay for the postage and handling, I’m afraid.​

CUT TO:​

INT. GORDON’S OFFICE

Gordon’s desk is still strewn with papers and files. His secretary, SARAH, pokes her head through his door.

SARAH
Commissioner? Your five o’clock is here.


GORDON
Bullock? Send him in.​

ANGLE BEHIND: A scruffy, somewhat heavyset man in his early 40’s enters. No jacket, so his GUN HOLSTER is visible. A cigarette is tucked behind his ear.

GORDON
(continued)
Sergeant Harvey Bullock, Homicide Unit.


BULLOCK
That’s me. What can I do for ya, Gordon?


GORDON
You worked with Dent in Internal Affairs before he was elected to DA, correct? From what I read here, you were pretty good at it.


BULLOCK
Look, Jimbo, the only reason I was so good at it was because I was once a mob-copper. Takes one to know one right? Turns out we even had the same partner.


GORDON
Flass.


BULLOCK
Yep. I worked the beat with that son of a ***** before Loeb transferred me to Homicide. Saw what really went down, cleaned up, haven’t touched one dirty bill since.


GORDON
Good. Well, I’m reassigning you again. To Major Crimes.


BULLOCK
MCU? You kiddin’ me Commissioner?


GORDON
Afraid not. You’ll be working with my former partner, Detective Stephens. We still have some bent cops working in there. I need you and Stephens to weed them out.


BULLOCK
Hey, Jimbo, if there’s one thing I pride myself on, it’s cleaning **** up. So where’s this Stephens guy, anyway?



GORDON
Waiting for you at MCU. Also, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we’re going to be having some FBI help on the Batman case.


BULLOCK
I heard. Some psychoanalyst right?


GORDON
Edward Nashton, that’s him. I don’t trust him.


BULLOCK
(smirks)
And you want me to keep an eye on him, right?


GORDON
(smiles)
I think you and I are going to get along just fine, Sergeant.


SARAH
(interrupts)
Sir? Sorry, sir, but there’s something going on at Pasquale’s. I’m on the phone with Montoya right now.


GORDON
What is it? What’s going on.


SARAH
(shocked)
It’s...Pasquale, sir. The owner. He’s been murdered.


GORDON
(grabs jacket)
Bullock. With me.


BULLOCK
Gotcha, Jimbo.​

CUT TO:​

EXT. PASQUALE’S BISTRO – NIGHT

Gordon and Bullock pull up to PASQUALE’S BISTRO. An AMBULANCE and EMT crew are already on scene, as well as several Homicide cops. One of the detectives, RENEE MONTOYA, approaches Bullock as he and Gordon exit the car.

BULLOCK
You got here pretty fast, Renee.
(lights cigarette)


MONTOYA
Well they say women are better drivers, Harvey.
(notices Gordon, nods)
Commissioner.


GORDON
What do you have for me, Detective?


MONTOYA
Homicide, sir.


GORDON
I gathered that. Details, Montoya.​

Gordon, Bullock, and Montoya walk past the yellow tape and a barrage of reporters. Cameras flash all around them as cops try to push them back. Montoya has to shout above the commotion.

MONTOYA
The victim was stabbed with a carving knife in the kitchen. CSI found no prints on the blade or handle.


BULLOCK
So the guy obviously knew what he was doing.


GORDON
Obviously, thank you Sergeant. Is the body still on scene?


MONTOYA
Yes, sir.


GORDON
Let me see it.​

CUT TO:​

INT. PASQUALE’S BISTRO, KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

Montoya, Bullock, and Gordon enter the kitchen.

MONTOYA
This way.​

Back near the walk-in freezer, the heavyset body of PASQUALE CALIOLO, mid-30’s, is propped up against the back wall. There is a BLOODY WOUND on his chest, but no knife. A CSI hands Montoya an evidence bag, the knife inside.

Gordon takes a pair of GLOVES from the CSI and kneels down beside Pasquale.

GORDON
There doesn’t appear to be any bruising on the neck area...


BULLOCK
Maybe the killer snuck up on him. Joker-style, maybe?


GORDON
Except that’s not his style. Plus, the Joker’s still being held in Arkham.


BULLOCK
(huffs)
Screw therapy, Jimbo, just give him the needle and be done with it.


GORDON
Can we get back to the matter at hand, Bullock?


BULLOCK
My bad...sir.​

Gordon returns to examining the body.

ANGLE ON: Looking closer, Gordon notices a slip of GREEN PAPER sticking out of Pasquale’s chef jacket.

GORDON
Tweezers.​

Gordon takes a pair of tweezers and removes the slip of paper from Pasquale’s jacket. It’s folded.

CLOSE ON: Gordon opens the slip of paper. There’s writing on it.

GORDON
“How do you make gold purer than it already is, and where can you find it’s opposite?”


BULLOCK
Well what the hell does that mean?


GORDON
(calm)
Excuse me. I have to make a call.​

EXT. PASQUALE’S – REAR ENTRANCE

Gordon walks down a back alley and dials a number on his cellphone. Holding it up to his ear, he lets it RING three times before hanging up.

While waiting, Gordon pulls out a cigarette. He lights it up, and takes a few puffs. Suddenly, he here’s a faint WHOOSH behind him. Gordon doesn’t turn around.

BATMAN
This is too exposed. Just be glad I was in the area.


GORDON
I’m sorry, I had to. Take a look at this.
(hands Batman the paper)
Pasquale Caliolo. He was murdered tonight in his own kitchen. The killer left this on the body.


BATMAN
A riddle?


GORDON
That’s what it looks like to me.​

 

[BLU8]

I like what I'm reading so far! Keep it up!

 

[Dark Sentinel]

Thanks Blub, for those that know, I decided that Pasquale would be a nice nod to the virals..plus I think it'll be nice to see Stephens and Bullock working together. I liked Stephens' character in TDK, he had that "cleaned up Bullock" aspect going for him. And I think that shot of Gordon, Bullock and Montoya together will be just awesome, if the right actors are used. I'm thinking Moon Bloodgood for Montoya and probably Ray Winstone for Bullock. Part 3 coming later tonight or tomorrow

 

[Jodo]

I'm also enjoying it, keep 'em coming!

 

[Dark Sentinel]

Part 3. I have to say, I really like how this next bit turned out

CUT TO:​

EXT. SAINT SWITHUNS CATHOLIC CHURCH - BAPTISTERY – CONTINUOUS

FATHER ERCOLANI staggers onto the stone steps of the church. His head is bashed and bleeding.

CUT TO:​

PASQUALE’S – REAR ENTRANCE

Gordon takes another puff of his cigarette while Batman looks over the paper.

BATMAN
That thing’s going to kill you, Commissioner.​

GORDON
I know, I know! Have you figured it out yet?​

BATMAN
Maybe.​

SAINT SWITHUNS CATHOLIC CHURCH - BAPTISTERY

CLOSE ON: A pair of POLISHED DRESS SHOES stride calmly down the stairs.

ERCOLANI
(desperate)
Please...don’t...mercy...​

PASQUALE’S – REAR ENTRANCE

BATMAN
How is gold purified?​

GORDON
What?​

BATMAN
It’s not a riddle, it’s a question, Commissioner.​

GORDON
(confused)
Uh...I don’t know!​

BATMAN
You smelt it.​

GORDON
Smelt?​

Batman nods.

SAINT SWITHUNS CATHOLIC CHURCH - BAPTISTERY

VOICE
Hmm, that reminds me...what do you get when you subtract mercy? I’ll tell you, Father...merciless...​

ANGLE ON: A GOLD CANE comes into view. The cane’s handle, which is black, is shaped like a QUESTION MARK (?). The man raises the cane above his head as Father Ercolani cowers in fear.

PASQUALE’S – REAR ENTRANCE

BATMAN
You douse it in heat. In fire. You purify gold by literally giving it a baptism by fire.​

SAINT SWITHUNS CATHOLIC CHURCH - BAPTISTERY

ANGLE OPPOSITE: The cane SWINGS DOWNWARD, and we hear the sickening THUD of metal on flesh. The cane comes down THREE more times, each time harder than the last.

Finally, Father Ercolani goes limp. The man lights up a cigarette and takes a few puffs. Then, he takes the ember and TRACES a ? mark on Father Ercolani’s cheek.

CUT TO:​

PASQUALE’S – REAR ENTRANCE

CLOSE ON: Gordon’s expression changes from one of confusion, to shock.

GORDON
Oh, God.​

BATMAN
Exactly. Let’s go.​

CUT TO:​

SAINT SWITHUNS CATHOLIC CHURCH - BAPTISTERY

ANGLE UP: (from bottom of baptistery) Father Ercolani’s body SPLASHES into the water and floats lifelessly.

CLOSE ON: The priest’s murderer turns to walk away.

MAN
Oh, almost forgot.​

He pulls a slip of paper from his jacket and tacks it onto a nearby tree. Twirling his cane, he whistles as he walks down the street.

PAN OVER: Just as he leaves the scene, Gordon’s SEDAN screeches to a stop. Gordon gets out and pulls out his gun. Batman DESCENDS on the scene just as Gordon enters the baptistery.

GORDON
(whispers)
Stay in the shadows! If you’re seen with me it’ll implicate us both.
BATMAN
Do you want my help or would you rather arrest me now?
GORDON
Where’s the body? I don’t see a body.
BATMAN
The baptistery...​

Batman swoops over to the baptistery and after a second, lifts Father Ercolani’s head out of the water.

GORDON
Father Ercolani...Monsignor of Saint Swithuns. Looks like he was beaten to death.​

BATMAN
Take a closer look, Gordon.​

GORDON
What?​

CLOSE ON: Gordon leans in, and in the light sees that Ercolani’s head is dotted with several ?’s.

BATMAN
Apparently the killer wanted to let us know...​

GORDON
That we were too late anyway.​

CUT TO:​

INT. WAYNE’S PENTHOUSE – DAY

Wayne sits in front of his flatscreen TV, watching the news.

GCN REPORTER
Monsignor Giuseppe Ercolani, parishioner of Saint Swithuns Catholic Church in Harrow, was found dead last night by Gotham City Police. At this time details are not forthcoming, but it is suspected that foul play was involved...​

ALFRED
No news of Batman’s involvement, sir? That seems a bit surprising.​

BRUCE
How so?​

ALFRED
Did not Batman and Commissioner Gordon have an arrangement?​

BRUCE
An unspoken one, yes. But even Gordon understands that, if anyone can help him, it’s Batman. Do you have today’s roster?​

ALFRED
Right here sir. All of the good Commissioner’s new additions. One of them is very interesting.​

BRUCE
(flips through papers, muttering)
Bullock, Montoya...reassigned to MCU...Stephens...Edward Nashton? ​

ALFRED
(smug)
As I said sir, very interesting. Mr. Nashton, or should I say “Special Agent” Nashton was brought in from the FBI by the Mayor himself. ​

BRUCE
I can see why. Criminal psychologist...specializes in apprehension and...what?​

ALFRED
I believe that’s right sir. ​

BRUCE
“Intuitive criminal understanding”...no wonder Garcia brought him in.​

CUT TO:​

INT. GCPD HEADQUARTERS – GORDON’S OFFICE

Gordon, again at his desk. Photos of the ERCOLANI MURDER all along his desk.

Gordon looks up. SHOUTING from beyond his office door. The door opens, and Bullock enters, DRAGGING Nashton by his tie into the room.

NASHTON
(furious)
Do you have any idea who I am?! I am a Federal Agent you piece of ****! You’re committing a federal crime right now, and if you want to keep your ****** job you will unhand-​

GORDON
(pleasant)
Ah, Edward. Glad you got my message.​

BULLOCK
Sit. ​

Bullock shoves Nashton into a chair across from Gordon.

NASHTON
Do you know what a phonecall is, Gordon?​

GORDON
I needed to see you immediately, Edward. It’s important.​

 

[ALittlePush]

I like it so far. Hope you post the next bit soon. Who have you casted as Riddler and Bullock?

 

[Dark Sentinel]

for Riddler, i honestly don't know. my frontrunner is Ewan McGregor so far. but for Bullock, it's Ray Winstone or bust he's perfect

 

[Indrid Cold]

Epic writing Sentinel, my only drawback on your characterizations is Bullock. perhaps he's gruff but not that gruff in front of Gordon, he comes off more like a parody cop. Other than that one tiny thing, this script is top notch.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

Thanks BBJ.. yeah Bullock is a little shifty, I kinda wanted to go for a more faceted approach to his character, where he's one way around Montoya (his old Homicide partner), Stephens (Gordon's MCU partner) and Gordon himself. he knows that Gordon is the commissioner so he's gotta be somewhat appropriate around him, but the gruff still manages to get through, which makes for some really good interactions between the two. but I really can't wait to see Bullock work with Stephens, he was my favorite minor character from TDK and has that "clean Bullock" vibe to him, so it'll be interesting to see how they mesh. Don't know exactly how Montoya's gonna factor into it, but I'm sure it'll be cool and fun and interesting..Moon Bloodgood for Renee anyone?

 

[Dark Sentinel]

Look at the way Winstone played Mr. French in the Departed..in front of Nicholson he was almost a softie..when Leo was tagging along however, he'll smash your head in haha..that's how I envision Bullock, and why I picked Winstone for him

 

[Indrid Cold]

I dunno why but for some reason I'm picturing Michael Chiklis for Bullock...perhaps cause he played "The Commish" on T.V.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

eh, Chiklis maybe..I've always pictured Bullock as dirtier, a little more grungy than Stephens, which is why I keep thinking Winstone. but then again I'm just writing the script haha..by the way expect part 4 in the next couple days..the real world has been preventing me somewhat from working on the script...damn the real world haha