EXCLUSIVE: David Goyer Says He Knows The Theme For ‘Batman 3’
I think it's pretty easy to delineate the thematic direction for these movies.
Fear (Batman Begins) -> Escalation (The Dark Knight) -> Redemption (Third Movie)
So the question Batfans should ask themselves: Who needs redeeming? Short answer: Harvey Dent. Long answer: Batman's ultimate purpose, to Bruce, in addition to his reputation for Gotham.
That leads us to a Gotham City now benighted by a rash of masked villains and civil war in the mafia realm. The third film needs someone to fill the major villain role, and someone (according to this thread's purported formula) who represents an idea bigger than himself/herself.
But who says the major villain needs to be an idealist like Ra's al-Ghul or true believer like The Joker? I think the film
needs someone who doesn't intend to represent a bigger goal but does so anyway - and that immediately selects an entire host of villains.
I think Bane is a perfect fit. Bane represents the escalation theme and, if his purpose in the film, as in the comic books, should be only to challenge Batman and rule the underworld, what is Batman's purpose, if he only inspires masked villainy? Batman "inspired" the fake Batmans and, at least according to The Joker, "complete[d]" him and gave him purpose.
Now Batman would seem to give Bane equal purpose. So Batman and Gotham have to answer the question:
What is Batman's purpose if, instead of turning fear on those who prey on the fearful, his role in Gotham inspires madness, lawlessness, anarchy? Wouldn't it be better if Batman weren't around?
It doesn't add a new layer of depth like The Joker, but rather elaborates on what The Joker and TDK's fake Batmans postulated. If the third film introduced a new District Attorney, that position would be ripe to be anti-Batman (and I suggest it be helmed by a woman, since the past two positions were by men) and come into conflict with Gordon's supportive role.
The way Batman responds to this crisis redeems his role and reputation. Which role Harvey Two-Face plays, if any, could support the redemption theme.
So my answer to the formula:
Primary villain: Bane
Secondary villains:
Black Mask (by day, well-received philanthropist; by night, mafia leader of the underworld)
The Penguin (as an arms/drugs dealer)
The Ventriloquist
Catwoman (partial ally to Batman)
The Riddler
Harley Quinn (inspired by The Joker, like one of the fake Batmen)
I also think, in this capacity, that Catwoman could serve as more an informant and hinted-at romantic interest to Batman than as an actual villain. Criminal? Sure. Villain? Nah.
Ideas? Thoughts?