The Dark Knight Rises Batman 3: Where does the story go from here?

[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.

 

[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 ..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

 

[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.