The Dark Knight Rises Batman: To "Die".. or Not To "Die:?

[Nevincer]

Without getting supernatural or sci-fi, Bruce Wayne has to die at some point. Whether it's in the movie or not, it doesn't bother me. Batman the symbol can live on with new people taking up the role...like those posers in The Dark Knight who really sucked at it.

This.

 

[redfirebird2008]

I personally think it would be premature and a poor storytelling choice to have Batman die in the third movie.

Just look at the stories Chris Nolan has been telling about Batman the past two films. The first was the very beginning of Batman, so much so that "Batman" isn't actually created until halfway through the film. TDK was Batman learning the ropes, and finally getting an inkling that he might be doing this forever.

But despite that, Batman is still learning. Even after TDK! He's just wrapped his head around the fact that there are villains that will come at him that aren't normal criminals, that he can't understand. This isn't a seasoned Batman yet. We're still in his early years. We're still essentially in an origin story. Killing off Batman when he's still learning just doesn't make sense with the stories Nolan has been telling.

His Batman is still very much the "Year One/Long Halloween" Batman. The crimefighter that's still learning, still coming into his own. Why would you kill him off before he can become fully established as the hero we know he will become?

I just don't think it would be a good idea.

The franchise is being rebooted after this film. I don't think you are getting the veteran Batman of the comics this time. Maybe the reboot will go in that direction.

 

[byte19]

As I said last night, it's all about context really. From what we're hearing, Bane sounds like he is going to be very hard to beat, so Batman may have to do a monumental kamikaze mission to take him down.

It could really be an epic scene given Nolan's vision, Zimmer's sound, and Bale's/Hardy's acting ability.

I like this.... most epic of epicness will happen regardless...

 

[Mako]

As I said last night, it's all about context really. From what we're hearing, Bane sounds like he is going to be very hard to beat, so Batman may have to do a monumental kamikaze mission to take him down.

It could really be an epic scene given Nolan's vision, Zimmer's sound, and Bale's/Hardy's acting ability.

Well said .

 

[weezerspider]

I'm 100% against Batman dying, it just isn't necessary.

Eh....It depends on the story. For example, before TDK was released and we had heard that Harvey died at the end, I was like "well that is kinda lame", but after seeing the film, there is no better way for his character arc to end in that particular story. We have no idea what Bruce/Batman is going to go through with when challenged against Bane. Batman dying may be completely necessary to this particular story. I'm not saying he is going to, but with the right story and the right reason for him to go, it would be a very dramatic way to end the trilogy. Of course, there are other great dramatic ways to end the trilogy as well, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Nevincer]

The franchise is being rebooted after this film. I don't think you are getting the veteran Batman of the comics this time. Maybe the reboot will go in that direction.

Agreed. I think people are somehow expecting that it'll be an Incredible Hulk-esque reboot, or maybe a bit like X-Men: First Class, where it contradicts and doesn't necessarily fit into established elements of the previous movies but they can still be used to sort of fill the void of previous history or future outcomings (in First Class's case).

But no, I don't think Nolan's story or any of it's elements will serve as an origin for a future veteran Batman trilogy, I think when they say reboot, they mean reboot, completely seperate entities. A reinvention of the mythos, not just the lens in which we see it

 

[Infinity9999x]

The franchise is being rebooted after this film. I don't think you are getting the veteran Batman of the comics this time. Maybe the reboot will go in that direction.

The thing I want to know is how much are they going to "reboot" exactly? Some people called Casino Royale a reboot, yet others treat it as a retelling of Bond's early days.

In some ways, X-men First Class is a reboot, yet it's still loosely connected to the continuity of X1 and X2.

Personally, I hope that they treat the Batman series like the Bond series after these first three films. If Nolan doesn't kill off Batman or do something radical that would demand a complete reboot (Alfred or Gordon dying, Batman being revealed to be Bruce Wayne etc). Then I hope they just start making movies set when Batman's already established. Leave the origin stuff alone and move on to other stories.

Like I said, a loose Bond-like continuity. That way, we could also have a wide variety of styles. The Bond comparison really works best here, because when you think about it, he's about the only other cinema character besides Batman who can have such varying styles of film. Batman should be the same way.

So just because they're "rebooting" doesn't necessarily mean Nolan will be doing anything to force their hand. It all really depends on exactly what they mean by a "reboot."

 

[byte19]

Eh....It depends on the story. For example, before TDK was released and we had heard that Harvey died at the end, I was like "well that is kinda lame", but after seeing the film, there is no better way for his character arc to end in that particular story. We have no idea what Bruce/Batman is going to go through with when challenged against Bane. Batman dying may be completely necessary to this particular story. I'm not saying he is going to, but with the right story and the right reason for him to go, it would be a very dramatic way to end the trilogy. Of course, there are other great dramatic ways to end the trilogy as well, we'll just have to wait and see.

good one... none of that "he can't die... I Won't Allow It!!!"
or "he can DIE for All I Care!!!" either.... be civil...

 

[Sith Scotti]

I could live with a TDKR ending where Bruce is outed so he fakes his death and goes underground with a revamped LOS with Selena as his first student.

 

[TheVerbos]

I have no problem with his potential death if they justify it and make it emotionally satisfying.

 

[Sith Scotti]

If he dies I will weeping like a baby . So for my sake I don't want it to happen . Though it could very well happen . I think either he or Alfred dies . I can't decide which way it will go.

 

[Jedm1991]

What would you guys say about multiple DKR endings shown randomly in theatres, one where he dies,one where he dont, and so on.

 

[Stillsberry]

What would you guys say about multiple DKR endings shown randomly in theatres, one where he dies,one where he dont, and so on.

I think that would be cool, but Nolan would never do it...probably.

 

[Nevincer]

What would you guys say about multiple DKR endings shown randomly in theatres, one where he dies,one where he dont, and so on.

Ridiculous. Unless the fake ending was done specifically at premieres and pre-screenings to hide the death, I could see that. A bit like how apparently there were some showings of Empire Strikes Back where Vader said "No, Obi-Wan destroyed your father..." I believe?

 

[weezerspider]

The thing I want to know is how much are they going to "reboot" exactly? Some people called Casino Royale a reboot, yet others treat it as a retelling of Bond's early days.

In some ways, X-men First Class is a reboot, yet it's still loosely connected to the continuity of X1 and X2.

Personally, I hope that they treat the Batman series like the Bond series after these first three films. If Nolan doesn't kill off Batman or do something radical that would demand a complete reboot (Alfred or Gordon dying, Batman being revealed to be Bruce Wayne etc). Then I hope they just start making movies set when Batman's already established. Leave the origin stuff alone and move on to other stories.

Like I said, a loose Bond-like continuity. That way, we could also have a wide variety of styles. The Bond comparison really works best here, because when you think about it, he's about the only other cinema character besides Batman who can have such varying styles of film. Batman should be the same way.

So just because they're "rebooting" doesn't necessarily mean Nolan will be doing anything to force their hand. It all really depends on exactly what they mean by a "reboot."

First Class WAS NEVER intended to be a reboot and it has been confirmed from Singer time and time again, its a prequel. That said, they could simply reboot it and start the new series with Bruce already as BATMAN. That is quite possible.

Also, if this trilogy is supposed to be somewhat grounded in our reality, as Nolan has tried to pull off, doesn't it make perfect sense for Batman to die in action? I mean, in real life, a crime fighter dressed as a bat can't keep this up forever. He constantly takes on multiple thugs at a time with guns, while he has nothing, but his bare fists. As Badass as that is, in the real world, the chances of a Batman type vigilante dying at an early age in battle is about 100 to 1.

 

[Infinity9999x]

Ridiculous. Unless the fake ending was done specifically at premieres and pre-screenings to hide the death, I could see that. A bit like how apparently there were some showings of Empire Strikes Back where Vader said "No, Obi-Wan destroyed your father..." I believe?

I've never heard that. I have heard that "Obi-Wan destroyed your father" was the dialogue the Darth Vader actor in the suit was given to tell Luke. Only Hammil and James Earl Jones were the ones who knew what was actually being said.

 

[Nevincer]

I've never heard that. I have heard that "Obi-Wan destroyed your father" was the dialogue the Darth Vader actor in the suit was given to tell Luke. Only Hammil and James Earl Jones were the ones who knew what was actually being said.

Oh, yeah, I got that mixed up. Sorry.

 

[Sith Scotti]

Multiple ending is ridiculous . So depending on which theater i go to , I ll get a different ending , bah . If you want a different ending .Save it for DVD and have a director's cut

 

[TheVerbos]

I agree. I don't want another 'wet feet' story. I want to see our heroes fully formed and ready to operate.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Multiple ending is ridiculous . So depending on which theater i go to , I ll get a different ending , bah . If you want a different ending .Save it for DVD and have a director's cut

Nolan doesn't believe in Director's Cut DVD's, so that won't happen. Neither will the multiple ending stuff.

 

[Sith Scotti]

Fact is we are getting a reboot which leaves 3 options.

1 Batman will die
2 Batman will quit as he feels no longer he is needed in Gotham.
3 He gets hurt badly or Bruce Wayne gets arrested

 

[Bads316]

Not to die. Would be my choice. As to what I think WILL happen I have no idea.........


........Just that nagging doubt is enough for me. The fact that it's a major possibility shows you how far Nolan and his Bat films have come. Going into the film spoiler free (as far as Bruce's fate goes) is going to make the last 30 minutes intense as hell.

It's ultimately Nolan's choice, maybe he sees it as only in death can 'Batman' becomes the legend he set out to be, maybe it's Nolan's main reason and desire for wanting to do this.

It is unprecedented - which makes it more likely IMO.

Just thinking about how dark and down everything is after TDK and then watching the teaser and it dawned on me that it's going to get even worse, added to the fact that Bruce might not make it - some serious dramatic weight being thrown around. It's Game of Thrones in Gotham baby!! Man oh man it's exhausting to even think about.

One thing I have no doubt about is that if there is ever to be a Batman death put up on screen - I wouldn't want anyone else other than Chris Nolan and Bale to do it.

 

[TheVerbos]

Fact is we are getting a reboot which leaves 3 options.

1 Batman will die
2 Batman will quit as he feels no longer he is needed in Gotham.
3 He gets hurt badly or Bruce Wayne gets arrested

A reboot doesn't necessarily imply any of those things.

 

[not_a_victim]

Exactly, which is why the Batman persona is so important.

"As a man, I'm flesh and blood I can be ignored, I can be destroyed, but as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting."
Batman as a symbol can't die, but Bruce, his iteration of "Batman", most certainly can and will The difference is if it's a sacrifice in the narrative or it's off-screen due to old age.

That's one of the problems I had with the ending of TDK. By the time he takes the blame for everyting that happened, he pretty much destroyed his "incorruptible" nature.
I'm not saying it's a plot hole, I just don't understand it.

 

[Sharkboy]

He doesn't have to die, He doesn't have to quit being batman, but seeing at this is the last of the nolan trilogy, I fully expect him to treat it as such and give us an ending with a sense the the story has ended or the world is finite.

I really don't think the ending is going to be him winning the day, giving a speech, then riding off into the sunset/posing at the sky to fight another day. I think this story will end in a way that another director couldn't simply continue the story as if nothing ever happened, but that is also possible to do without killing him off or giving up the mantle.