The Dark Knight Rises Deacon Joseph Blackfire

[Lungrocket]

Just saw this...

http://www.**************.com/fansites/MCUsNewsStorys/news/?a=25028
"The Dark Knight Rises" Villain Possibility: Deacon Blackfire

Thanks to a user on IMDb who mentioned the idea of Deacon Blackfire being a villain in "The Dark Knight Rises", I have come to the conclusion Blackfire would indeed be perfect and very possible.

On IMDb a user suggested Deacon Blackfire as a good villain for Batman to contend with in the upcoming third Nolan Batman film, "The Dark Knight Rises", and it actually sounds plausible. Blackfire led "The Cult" in the comics that created anarchy all across Gotham City much like Ras al Ghul and The Joker set out to do.

Here is a biography on the character courtesy of Wikipedia:

"Deacon Blackfire is the main antagonist in the four-issue miniseries, Batman: The Cult. Blackfire is a conman and cult leader who may be over 100 years old[1]. He forms an army in the sewers beneath Gotham City, largely composed of the homeless. Blackfire uses this army to begin a violent war on crime, which escalates into him taking over the entire city, resulting in it being isolated from the rest of the country. Blackfire captures and brainwashes Batman, temporarily making the Caped Crusader a member of Blackfire's cult. Batman eventually breaks his conditioning, but its aftereffects make it difficult for him to capture Blackfire. After a brutal search through the sewers, Batman confronts Blackfire, who demands that Batman kill him, making him a martyr. Batman refuses, and instead savagely beats Blackfire in front of his army. Blackfire's army turns on him and kills him."

Deacon Blackfire could be an incredible villain in the Nolanverse. I am hesitant to say this, but if Nolan can handle this character correctly, I see Blackfire being an even bigger threat then even The Joker was in "The Dark Knight".

Nolan and many involved in these films have hinted to a smaller villain being given there due in the third film, and who knows, Deacon Blackfire just might be the best villain to use at this point.

The character can continue the story arc that Ras al Ghul and The Joker left, and being that he has a cult Blackfire could top Ras and Joker's heinous acts.

It's nice to know we aren't the only two who think this, Ronny. lol

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

So, hypothetically, Nolan chooses Blackfire.

What role would he play in the conclusion of this chapter in Bruce's life? How would he help tie together the themes of the franchise and bring it to a conclusion?

Discuss! In detail! t:

 

[Bat-Mite]

So, hypothetically, Nolan chooses Blackfire.

How would you portray Blackfire in TDKR? What role would he play in the conclusion of this chapter in Bruce's life? How would he help tie together the themes of the franchise and bring it to a conclusion?

Discuss! In detail! t:

This is how it goes down. The movie has a flashback to Batman Begins. We see a lone falafel salesman crying in an alley after having been robbed of his night's earnings be a man who was supposed to uphold the law. His two children lie dead at his feet due to starvation because they didn't like falafel. This is a parallel to Bruce crying near the bodies of his dead parents. Like Bruce, the falafel vendor decides that he can no longer let these things pass.

He gathers all the falafel salesmen together and gives a lengthy and empowering speech that ends with, "I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot. I don't want you to write to your Congressman, because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Chechens and the crime in the street. All I know is that first, you've got to get mad. You've gotta say, "I'm a human being, goddammit! My life has value!" So, I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!!" And they do say that. They pop out of windows and dumpsters and one pops out of a falafel cart and says it. The newly empowered falafel salesmen then turn to their new leader and say, "My lord, who are you that has empowered us so?" Lightning flashes, and he says, "I am Deacon Joseph Blackfire. And as God is my witness, I will never go hungry again!" The crowd cheers.

Flash forward to after the events of TDK. The cult of falafel salesmen took advantage of the chaos caused by the Joker to seek revenge on those who had wronged them. Deacon Blackfire has saved the best for last. Detective Flass is bound and gagged and is about to be baked into a giant falafel when, like an avenging angel, the Batman appears! He saves Detective Flass, but he can't save himself from the enraged falafel cult. Ra's al Ghul taught Batman how to take on 600 men, but there are 601 falafel salesmen, and he can't defy those odds. He is captured and the Deacon forces him to eat falafel day and night until he is so fat that he can no longer move. Suddenly, Lucius Fox appears in a new and improved tumbler and scares the cult off with it. He straps Batman to the hood of the tumbler and takes Batman to the batcave where he spends the rest of the movie getting back into shape for the final confrontation with Deacon Blackfire.

Once he's muscular again, Batman returns to the underground lair of the cultists and uses a bat gadget on the falafel stash. It makes the whole lair fill with falafel dough, and a tower of the dough RISES and takes Batman to safety through a sewer opening. As the dough tower brings Batman above the tops of Gotham's skyscrapers, the film ends with the film's title, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, and then the credits roll.

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

This is how it goes down. The movie has a flashback to Batman Begins. We see a lone falafel salesman crying in an alley after having been robbed of his night's earnings be a man who was supposed to uphold the law. His two children lie dead at his feet due to starvation because they didn't like falafel. This is a parallel to Bruce crying near the bodies of his dead parents. Like Bruce, the falafel vendor decides that he can no longer let these things pass.

He gathers all the falafel salesmen together and gives a lengthy and empowering speech that ends with, "I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot. I don't want you to write to your Congressman, because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Chechens and the crime in the street. All I know is that first, you've got to get mad. You've gotta say, "I'm a human being, goddammit! My life has value!" So, I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!!" And they do say that. They pop out of windows and dumpsters and one pops out of a falafel cart and says it. The newly empowered falafel salesmen then turn to their new leader and say, "My lord, who are you that has empowered us so?" Lightning flashes, and he says, "I am Deacon Joseph Blackfire. And as God is my witness, I will never go hungry again!" The crowd cheers.

Flash forward to after the events of TDK. The cult of falafel salesmen took advantage of the chaos caused by the Joker to seek revenge on those who had wronged them. Deacon Blackfire has saved the best for last. Detective Flass is bound and gagged and is about to be baked into a giant falafel when, like an avenging angel, the Batman appears! He saves Detective Flass, but he can't save himself from the enraged falafel cult. Ra's al Ghul taught Batman how to take on 600 men, but there are 601 falafel salesmen, and he can't defy those odds. He is captured and the Deacon forces him to eat falafel day and night until he is so fat that he can no longer move. Suddenly, Lucius Fox appears in a new and improved tumbler and scares the cult off with it. He straps Batman to the hood of the tumbler and takes Batman to the batcave where he spends the rest of the movie getting back into shape for the final confrontation with Deacon Blackfire.

Once he's muscular again, Batman returns to the underground lair of the cultists and uses a bat gadget on the falafel stash. It makes the whole lair fill with falafel dough, and a tower of the dough RISES and takes Batman to safety through a sewer opening. As the dough tower brings Batman above the tops of Gotham's skyscrapers, the film ends with the film's title, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, and then the credits roll.

 

[The Guard]

This is how it goes down. The movie has a flashback to Batman Begins. We see a lone falafel salesman crying in an alley after having been robbed of his night's earnings be a man who was supposed to uphold the law. His two children lie dead at his feet due to starvation because they didn't like falafel. This is a parallel to Bruce crying near the bodies of his dead parents. Like Bruce, the falafel vendor decides that he can no longer let these things pass.

He gathers all the falafel salesmen together and gives a lengthy and empowering speech that ends with, "I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot. I don't want you to write to your Congressman, because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Chechens and the crime in the street. All I know is that first, you've got to get mad. You've gotta say, "I'm a human being, goddammit! My life has value!" So, I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!!" And they do say that. They pop out of windows and dumpsters and one pops out of a falafel cart and says it. The newly empowered falafel salesmen then turn to their new leader and say, "My lord, who are you that has empowered us so?" Lightning flashes, and he says, "I am Deacon Joseph Blackfire. And as God is my witness, I will never go hungry again!" The crowd cheers.

Flash forward to after the events of TDK. The cult of falafel salesmen took advantage of the chaos caused by the Joker to seek revenge on those who had wronged them. Deacon Blackfire has saved the best for last. Detective Flass is bound and gagged and is about to be baked into a giant falafel when, like an avenging angel, the Batman appears! He saves Detective Flass, but he can't save himself from the enraged falafel cult. Ra's al Ghul taught Batman how to take on 600 men, but there are 601 falafel salesmen, and he can't defy those odds. He is captured and the Deacon forces him to eat falafel day and night until he is so fat that he can no longer move. Suddenly, Lucius Fox appears in a new and improved tumbler and scares the cult off with it. He straps Batman to the hood of the tumbler and takes Batman to the batcave where he spends the rest of the movie getting back into shape for the final confrontation with Deacon Blackfire.

Once he's muscular again, Batman returns to the underground lair of the cultists and uses a bat gadget on the falafel stash. It makes the whole lair fill with falafel dough, and a tower of the dough RISES and takes Batman to safety through a sewer opening. As the dough tower brings Batman above the tops of Gotham's skyscrapers, the film ends with the film's title, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, and then the credits roll.

Best. Post. Ever.

Though I really think there should be a cheesy, melodramatic speech about how he's risen as the movie ends.

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

Best. Post. Ever.

Though I really think there should be a cheesy, melodramatic speech about how he's risen as the movie ends.

Maybe Lucius can give the speech this time. Freeman needs some voiceover time!

 

[Bat-Mite]

Best. Post. Ever.

Though I really think there should be a cheesy, melodramatic speech about how he's risen as the movie ends.

Thank you! And oh dear. I knew I'd left out something.

Maybe Lucius can give the speech this time. Freeman needs some voiceover time!

I'm sure there are some relevant quotes from Driving Miss Daisy or The Shawshank Redemption that can be slipped into the ending.

 

[Lungrocket]

So, hypothetically, Nolan chooses Blackfire. What role would he play in the conclusion of this chapter in Bruce's life?

Not sure. But I could see him stepping in as the "new hero of Gotham" in the wake of the events of TDK with Batman now being considered a murder and a wanted man.

After the Joker's catastrophy, people of Gotham will turn for guidance and solace to God. In steps Deacon Blackfire. A supposed heeler who offers wisdom to the suffering.

He's seen by people as someone good. Perhaps after TDK, even Bruce himself needs some guidance. Perhaps Bruce CONFESSES everything to the Priest, who are not allowed to share people's confessions. Bruce could even shares his secret identity with Blackfire, who he himself trusts at first.

Blackfire could use this info against him in both a way to manipulate Bruce (and later threaten him) with his secrets.

Perhaps Blackfire uses sacrifice as a metaphor for good, but later uses it for more extreme measures.

Someone mentioned on here that Bruce could see Blackfire as a good man as well, and could fund his cause, unwittingly funding Blackfire's whole operation/cult himself. So he feels responsible for creating the monster that Blackfire later appears to be.

How would he help tie together the themes of the franchise and bring it to a conclusion?

Discuss! In detail! t:

Bruce doubts himself after TDK. His actions. Wether they were for not. Blackfire makes him feel even more guilty. Makes him see things in a more negative light. Bruce/Batman loses his way and path. He falls. But later regains himself, and RISES up to defeat Blackfire, while also regaining his mantle as Gotham's protector once more when Gotham is plunged into hell under Blackfire's reign.

 

[PreK]

After the Joker's catastrophy, people of Gotham will turn for guidance and solace to God. In steps Deacon Blackfire. A supposed heeler who offers wisdom to the suffering.

He's seen by people as someone good. Perhaps after TDK, even Bruce himself needs some guidance. Perhaps Bruce CONFESSES everything to the Priest, who are not allowed to share people's confessions. Bruce could even shares his secret identity with Blackfire, who he himself trusts at first.

I actually twitched uncontrollably as a I read this.

 

[The Guard]

I'm sure there are some relevant quotes from Driving Miss Daisy or The Shawshank Redemption that can be slipped into the ending.

"Get busy dying or get busy rising".

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

Bruce revealing his secrets to a guy named Blackfire would be the worst lapse in judgment since Alfred letting Vicky into the Batcave.

 

[Lungrocket]

I actually twitched uncontrollably as a I read this.

Yeah, cause people never go to church in times of crisis.

And why is Bruce going to confession bad?

And I was also just offering a quick suggestion of what Bruce might have ties to Blackfire and how it could affect his life.

 

[Lungrocket]

Bruce revealing his secrets to a guy named Blackfire would be the worst lapse in judgment since Alfred letting Vicky into the Batcave.

Well he revealed his identity to Rachel. Why not a charming mofo who is supposed to take your secrets to the grave? Church law.

 

[The Joker]

Well he revealed his identity to Rachel. Why not a charming mofo who is supposed to take your secrets to the grave? Church law.

Are you seriously comparing revealing his identity to his best friend since childhood, to revealing it to a religious fanatic as the same thing?

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

He just wanted to get laid. Bruce ain't no fool; if you're gonna risk your life to save the city, you better get some brownie points with your lady for doin' so.

 

[Lungrocket]

Even if he didn't reveal his identity, there's other ways to tie them together.

One thing I expect from Nolan though, is for him to cross the line. Its his finishing of the story, and will do things that people aren't expecting. For example...

1) EVERYONE learns Bruce and Batman are the same, making his life a living hell.

2) Bruce puts Batman away for good in the end.

3) He kills some major players. Lucious? Alfred. Batman himself.

I know people think thats ridiculous or out of the question. But this is Nolan finishing his trilogy. His ending. He can get away with whatever he wants cause its HIS last film. They can reboot it (which they will) after he's done, and start anew with a fresh cast, which they will.

Nolan is going to take some chances. Watch.

 

[Lungrocket]

Are you seriously comparing revealing his identity to his best friend since childhood, to revealing it to a religious fanatic as the same thing?

Well he doesn't have to be the fanatic at that point.

 

[PreK]

Yeah, cause people never go to church in times of crisis.

You honestly think Gotham is in a state of crisis at the end of TDK? Things are bad, no doubt. But to the point where people are turning to faith and religious savior? That's beyond melodramatic.

And why is Bruce going to confession bad?

What indications have suggested he is either religious or the type to confess?

 

[The Joker]

Well he doesn't have to be the fanatic at that point.

So Bruce just revealing his identity to a total stranger would be better?

 

[Octoberist]

Just saw this...



It's nice to know we aren't the only two who think this, Ronny. lol

Now it's THREE people in the world. It's tracking..

 

[Wolverine1988]

It was probably the one guy on here who has been actinng like a religious nut him self with how much he wants this lame villain to be in it.

Regardless that scoop came from someone on this website, and the list is probably pretty short...

 

[Lungrocket]

It was probably the one guy on here who has been actinng like a religious nut him self with how much he wants this lame villain to be in it.

Yet you somehow feel threatened by the suggestion of Blackfire being included and keep reading the thread and throwing in your two cents.

You don't like Blackfire. Got it. The only zealot here is you who seems persistant that he's sure Blackfire won't be the villain.

I never said he was the villain. Nor am I trying to rally for the villain's inclusion. Nolan has already written the script, so whoever the villain is has long been settled on. Whoever it ends up being, I will happily watch it.

But what I won't do is take your stupid insults that you keep throwing my way, acting like an impetulant child, simply because someone suggested a villain you don't like. Yeah how dare I speculate that a realistically portrayed Batman villain be could be a possibility in Nolan's films. One i even offered based on sound theories.

Why don't you offer up what villain you think it should be? Oh, that's right... No villain.

There's more chance Deacon Blackfire will be included than not having a villain, you can bet on that.

 

[Lungrocket]

Now it's THREE people in the world. It's tracking..

I don't mind a longshot. I'll back the dark horse in the running. t:

 

[Lungrocket]

You honestly think Gotham is in a state of crisis at the end of TDK? Things are bad, no doubt. But to the point where people are turning to faith and religious savior? That's beyond melodramatic.

Lets see. Two mad men trying to tear apart Gotham inside of 6 months time. People got all kinds of religious following 911. I'm saying that people see something moving or catastrophic and they could see it as signs of the end of days. It could go many different ways.

What indications have suggested he is either religious or the type to confess?

What indications have suggested that he isn't? Just cause it hasn't been explored, doesn't mean it can't.

And it doesn't have to happen in the comic books first for it to be allowed. Nolan is a far superior storyteller than most comic book writers, so why should they be the only ones that get to play around with Batman and his stories and have it count as canon.

Just cause it didn't happen in comics, doesn't mean it can't happen on film.

 

[PreK]

Lets see. Two mad men trying to tear apart Gotham inside of 6 months time. People got all kinds of religious following 911. I'm saying that people see something moving or catastrophic and they could see it as signs of the end of days. It could go many different ways.

That's a ridiculous comparison to make. I'm well aware catastrophic events lead to a very lost and hopeless population. That is hardly what they witnessed in TDK. Not to downplay the severe chaos Joker incited from the masses, but its magnitude of impact on the social consciousness wasn't that horrific.

What indications have suggested that he isn't? Just cause it hasn't been explored, doesn't mean it can't.

We already witnessed his most traumatic life event in BB. He didn't turn to religion, not even when he was a lost teenager. He became a recluse. His outlet comes through his night life in expressing his anger. While he's going through new tribulations now, I'm just not picturing a drastic life view so suddenly. Especially one that risks the only thing he has in his life that he's accepted is his calling. Asking "why not?" is a disingenuous question here. If you propose an idea it should come from a thought out place.

And it doesn't have to happen in the comic books first for it to be allowed. Nolan is a far superior storyteller than most comic book writers, so why should they be the only ones that get to play around with Batman and his stories and have it count as canon.

Just cause it didn't happen in comics, doesn't mean it can't happen on film.

I never mentioned the comics. I'm looking just at both films. There's really no indication that Bruce is that type of man. Unless they somehow build up to it in the film (which would still be rushing this newfound development), it's a maneuver that comes from nowhere.