I disagree on some level.
I think subtracting Rachel and adding Selina, keeping Alfred, Lucious, and Batman, and introducing some combination of The Penguin, The Riddler and Catwoman could make for a film that is as compelling, if not moreso, than THE DARK KNIGHT. Especially if Batman's ongoing story is as interesting as Dent's was, and not just an afterthought and an excuse for action.
The acting was good in TDK. It can still get better.
A more cerebral, psychological, mystery crime thriller would be great to see in this next Bat film from Nolan.
I would definitely like to see Selina because she would add an emotional and intriguing dynamic to the story. Bruce needs someone like her in his life and she needs someone like him just the same. It would be great to see a true and more ideal interpretation of Selina/Catwoman onscreen and yes she needs to be a brunette. Perhaps interwine Selinas' tragic past by having Sionis be her father and possibly him being responsible for her mothers murder? Just an idea.....but I know how I would introduce Selina. They would first meet at one of Sionis' company galas and then later during their first official date Bruce and Selina truly connect and fall for each other after she tells him her story which we would see threw a flashback. She would already know the famous Bruce Waynes' tragic past. Sionis would be the head of Janus Cosmetics, and would be portrayed in his 50's in the film. When he was younger, he was a rival of Thomas Waynes' and during that time he met and fell in love with Circe, his executive assistant/secretary. They had a child Selina, but Sionis had dark secrets of course and when Selina was older (perhaps 10-12 years old) her mother Circe witnessed the torture and murder of one of Thomas Waynes' former associates at the hands of Sionis. During the flashback, we would also see the young Selina and her mother playing with the family cat. A henchmen felt sorry for what Sionis was going to do to Circe, so he warned her and Circe hid Selina somewhere at the home but it was too late. Selina hears the murder of her mother, but does not actually see it. While Sionis and his thugs try to dispose of the bodies of both the Wayne associate and Circe, Selina has her chance to dial 911 and the police come but not before Sionis disposes of the bodies. Sionis is aquitted due to the "unreliablity of young Selinas' testimony. However, the court does not allow Sionis custody of Selina, and she is at a boarding home, and then eventually runs away. She is taken in by a "lady of the night/con artist" in the Narrows whose last name is Kyle. The woman still has a good soul and she cares for Selina, but knows that Selina deserves better. She sends her to a local Narrows Martial Arts Master who disciplines, educates, and trains Selina. The martial arts master also has a pet cat, that Selina grows to adore as she once did the family cat at the Sionis home. As she grows older she uses her skills to become a small time thief herself, stealing and vandalizing from big corporations that Janus is associated with and from Janus itself. Bruce also tells Selina he remembers his father talking about the Sionis trial with his mother and was surprised to find out Selina is Sionis' daughter. Selina discloses to Bruce, that she is a social worker (by day of course) and is currently volunteering in the community redevelopment of the Narrows. She even admits to Bruce that she has a resentment toward the Batman and blames him for the mess that occured at the Narrows and that he is part of the reason why Gotham is the way it is....but she still respects what the Batman is trying to do. She of course doesn't let Bruce know of her intent to avenge the murder of her mother and kill Sionis.
I also would love to see the addition of Dr Leslie Thompkins in the next film in a minor yet strong supporting role. She would bring some drama, motherly emotion, and also some potentially fun and flirty scenes with Alfred. An easy way to introduce her would be for Alfred to ask for the assistance of an old flame of his and a former friend and colleague of Thomas Waynes. Her surgical experience is needed to help a badly and critically beaten Bruce after a near fatal confrontation (mainly due to physical and mental fatigue from running from the cops and trying to solve the illegal arms dealing or trying to catch the mysterious Riddler murders) with a hired mob assassin who is also a member of the League of Shadows secretly (possibly Deadshot, Deathstroke, Bane or Lady Shiva). Bruce does not want Alfred to get Leslie involved, but Alfred calls upon her anyway. The scenes between Alfred, Leslie and Bruce should be emotional scenes with some fun also. The scenes between Alfred and Leslie will be fun, witty, and flirty scenes with some good humor. The scenes between Bruce, Alfred and Leslie will be probably be emotional scenes since Leslie will lecture Bruce for being the man behind the cowl and Alfred for allowing Bruce do this and aiding him. This would give us the opportunity to see all three at the Wayne gravesite located on the premises of the new Wayne Manor also. During his recovery it would also allow Bruce to do heavy detective work to try and solve the Riddler riddles or try to catch and prove the illegal arms activity and murder that has been done by Sionis and Cobblepot. Us fans and the general movie audience would finally get to see Bruce in the new Bat Cave do heavy detective work and we can also see Bale/Bruce do some working out in the new cave to get physically and mentally strong again. It would be good to see some heavy bag work, weightlifting, stretching, and weapon work. It would be cool to see him not just working out physically but also mentally, meditating the mind and body in preparation for whats ahead and with the rematch against his would be assassin. With the track that was used when Bruce was testing out the big gun in TDK and when he was painting the suit black in the cave in BB as the background music, these ICONIC and AWESOME scenes would be just great for us fans and the general movie audience to see onscreen.
I feel that Sionis or Cobblepot can work. Perhaps even having them work hand in hand? Penguin doesn't have to be this extravagant heavy baddie for the film and I think he could fit nicely into Nolans world as a minor supporting character (much like Falcone, Maroni, Scarecrow were used) who is a seedy and shady night club owner who is also involved in black market arms dealing. He would be the one who is selling arms to Sionis and his cult/mob members.
I would like to see Batman be more brutal and punish criminals more in this film by seeing some arms, legs, shoulders, hands, knees and noses broken. I would be good to see Batman using his elbows, knees and wrist blades more when fighting and I would also like to see some more brazilian jujitsu and see Batman body slam foes with authority by using jujitsu moves as well. Since we didn't see much of the batarangs and smoke bombs in TDK, I think it's time we see those weapons and gadgets put to use in practical ways and not over the top ways. We got a small peak of those weapons in BB, and this next film would be the time to see the Batman use them when fighting or in stealth mode or when he needs to get away from the GCPD.
I think Batman should have more checkpoints or safehouses in different areas of the city like he did in TDK for him to basically "disappear into the night" when things get dicey around Gotham City, especially with the cops hunting him down.
I still haven't figured out a way to fit Riddler into the mix yet though. I figured out how to incorporate Catwoman, Dr. Thompkins, Sionis, and "Penguin".....but not Riddler quite yet. Plus Gordon and Fox scenes need to be added to the mix. The mysterious hitman assassin, would be relatively easy. In the end I also think perhaps, the assassin should end up killing Sionis (because Batman convinces Catwoman to not do it) remember the assassin would be a member of the League of Shadows, and then toward the end we would see a hint of possibly Talia Head taking over Janus Cosmetics?
Hmm.....let the brainstorming continue.......
