The Dark Knight Rises The Official "What Do YOU Want in the Sequel?" Thread

[Slipping_Halo]

When it comes right down to it, because of Joker's legendary performance in The Dark Knight there are two obvious choices that will be sure to work:

1: Recast Joker and have him return to finish his task to corrupt Gotham's 3 Knights. Another villain is introduced for the sake of a new villainy face; Riddler seems to be the obvious choice, or perhaps Mad Hatter?

or

2: Don't recast Joker for memory of Heath Ledger. Only problem with this is that, if you add the obvious choice, Riddler, then you'll face the problem of him being only a mere shadow of Joker. I personally trust Nolan to recreate Riddler in the face of the sad, Joker-like performance by Jim Carey, but for many, it may seem like their just trying to replace Joker. Up to this point Riddler cannot be a stand-alone villain JUST because of TDK's Joker. BM3 will HAVE to have another villain because of the reasons above. Black Mask is a possibility, but for me, he'd be too similar to Two-Face. Mad Hatter, seems to me to be the only other option, if #2 choice is to be used.

I personally choose option #1.

1. Nobody in the world has the cojones to fill Ledger's shoes. An actor taking Heath's place would have to A) copy him to the tee, which would be an inevitable failure because no imitation is as good as the original, or B) do their own take, which would ruin the continuity of the movies. I just don't see it happening. This isn't just some recast like they did for Rachel Dawes. This is a serious replacement. It would be suicide.

2. The Riddler, no matter how awesomely portrayed, is going to feel like a cheap replacement for the Joker because they couldn't bring him back for the reasons I just stated. He's too cool a character to end up under The Joker's shadow, and I really don't see the way the situation is set up in TDK for your basic, good-versus-evil battle between Batman and the Riddler.

I think it'd be interesting for Batman to end up really being the villain, as he's perceived to be. My brother brought up an interesting point: the Penguin would work as a perfect mirror to the situation because he's an evil guy who is perceived publicly as being good, and Batman is now in the exact opposite situation. As a minor character, I think the Penguin would be very interesting that way.

I know Nolan said he seems a little too out there, but I don't really see it. He's just a guy with a very odd look to him that causes people to nickname him the Penguin. He becomes this money launderer and businessman doing crooked deals under the table while moving up the ranks in Gotham and fancying himself an aristocrat. I don't think that's anywhere near as strange as a guy carving a smile into his face and walking around in a purple suit and clown make-up.

 

[Shemtov]

it should be the ultimate test of batman to see if he is good or evil. in a lot of ways it is a mix between TDKR and knightfall.

here my six step plan:


1. no joker! make Dent (see below) kill him off-screen.

2. the third knight is the penguin-. he is bad but every one thinks he is bad, a mirror of batman.

3. have two-face be alive somehow. he is the mediator. he is a misguided knight who now believes the ends justify he means and thus goes around doing horrrible things "in the name of Gotham". the city is split about him, some believing he is right, others beleive he is bad.

4. batman is tested by Dent's new style unsure whether to fight him or to join him.

5. no matter what he does, he decides too take down the penguin.

6. set up for a talia al-ghul story.....maybe making refrences to the fact that the joker was her agent.

 

[StorminNorman]

Two Face is dead and will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, come back.

 

[alexdunn]

Two Face is dead and will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, come back.

A sad truth.

 

[Shemtov]

Two Face is dead and will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, come back.

A sad truth.

you know when nolan said he was dead.... it was b4 ledger died........so he was probably exepting to make Batman 3 be about the joker.....however know he is dead i'd rework my plans and make two-face alive.

 

[StorminNorman]

Bringing Two Face back is the equivalent of taking The Dark Knight, squatting over it and unloading a massive huge, fat, hideous turd all over it.

If Nolan had planned on bringing the Joker back in BB3 - then do it.

 

[DChero]

Bringing Two Face back is the equivalent of taking The Dark Knight, squatting over it and unloading a massive huge, fat, hideous turd all over it.

If Nolan had planned on bringing the Joker back in BB3 - then do it.

I completely agree. The best way to utilize the success of TDK is to keep moving. If we just tried to revisit characters that have been developed it will do nothing but harm to TDK and B3.

The villains development is more important than the characters themselves. Almost all of Batman's villains can be "Nolanized," but having them fit within an impactful presentation is another matter. The question that must be answered first is: Where do we want Batman to go? He could continue on his current vigilant path, become a mentor, or even live long enough to see himself as the villain. From those stories we can choose iconic tales from comicbooks and wind them together. This is a formula that is very noticable in Nolan's other Batman movies.

 

[Shemtov]

I completely agree. The best way to utilize the success of TDK is to keep moving. If we just tried to revisit characters that have been developed it will do nothing but harm to TDK and B3.

The villains development is more important than the characters themselves. Almost all of Batman's villains can be "Nolanized," but having them fit within an impactful presentation is another matter. The question that must be answered first is: Where do we want Batman to go? He could continue on his current vigilant path, become a mentor, or even live long enough to see himself as the villain. From those stories we can choose iconic tales from comicbooks and wind them together. This is a formula that is very noticable in Nolan's other Batman movies.

but....i dont think was devoloped enough. not that the joker was but.....leave him out for a movie, ok? i just think it would be better for a couple of reasons:

1. he will have changed in jail allowing a reasonable countinoity explanation of why he's different,.
2. i think he doesnt really fit in with the idea of the batman being officily a crimanal.
3. it gives the casting crew more time to find a sub for ledger while WB still gets a big cash cow in the next 3-5 years.

 

[DChero]

but....i dont think was devoloped enough. not that the joker was but.....leave him out for a movie, ok? i just think it would be better for a couple of reasons:

1. he will have changed in jail allowing a reasonable countinoity explanation of why he's different,.
2. i think he doesnt really fit in with the idea of the batman being officily a crimanal.
3. it gives the casting crew more time to find a sub for ledger while WB still gets a big cash cow in the next 3-5 years.

I'm interested Thor, how would you suggest bringing them back? One of my issues with that is that it alters some of the substance in TDK's ending. Batman proved that the people of Gotham are stronger than what the villains had to offer. Bringing back either character would be more of "just another tale" instead of anything to really demonstrate something new with the characters. Ok, maybe it's not exactly an impossible dream, but I would be very surprised to see that work. Had Ledger still been with us, than I probably wouldn't be so strict on that.

 

[TLH]

Explore new characters. Nolan has always said he tries to make a film the best it can be, and I think the only way Batman 3 has a shot at matching TDK is if it builds on a few of the previous plotlines (just like TDK built on a few Begins plotlines) and then introduces and explores new ideas and villains. Two-Face is dead. The Joker shouldn't return, maybe an allusion to him at best.

 

[itsthebatman]

Explore new characters. Nolan has always said he tries to make a film the best it can be, and I think the only way Batman 3 has a shot at matching TDK is if it builds on a few of the previous plotlines (just like TDK built on a few Begins plotlines) and then introduces and explores new ideas and villains. Two-Face is dead. The Joker shouldn't return, maybe an allusion to him at best.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[xceliq]

i know this sounds farfetched(very at that) and more than likley not anywhere close to this side of theoretically possible but i just got done penning an outline for a joker origin movie...i sent it to anthony horowitz (authour of the graphic novel "the killing joke") and am currently awaiting constructive criticism and permission to continue writing a script. it was one of those ideas that hit me in the face like "why has no one even f'in thought of this yet?!" i even googled it and couldnt find anything on anyone even attempting to pen a story for this(movie wise). i would have heavly regreted it the rest of my life if i didnt even try. if i fail which is more than likley going to happen atleast i had fun writing it...such a great story to tell. If i by some slim chance succeed well whoever succeeds with creating this anticipated story will have struck hollywood gold, lots of it at that. the way i look at it this is the story that needs to be told instead of another movie...then you have recasting and all that milarky to deal with. oh yeah btw ive kept batman out of this story all together.

 

[alexdunn]

i know this sounds farfetched(very at that) and more than likley not anywhere close to this side of theoretically possible but i just got done penning an outline for a joker origin movie...i sent it to anthony horowitz (authour of the graphic novel "the killing joke") and am currently awaiting constructive criticism and permission to continue writing a script. it was one of those ideas that hit me in the face like "why has no one even f'in thought of this yet?!" i even googled it and couldnt find anything on anyone even attempting to pen a story for this(movie wise). i would have heavly regreted it the rest of my life if i didnt even try. if i fail which is more than likley going to happen atleast i had fun writing it...such a great story to tell. If i by some slim chance succeed well whoever succeeds with creating this anticipated story will have struck hollywood gold, lots of it at that. the way i look at it this is the story that needs to be told instead of another movie...then you have recasting and all that milarky to deal with. oh yeah btw ive kept batman out of this story all together.

Ummm....You must mean Alan Moore? Anthony Horowitz wrote some teenage spy series I read when I was 13. Not the best Joker story ever...
And I don't pretend to know how the movie bizz works...but I'm pretty sure it's not like that.

Sorry if I'm rude...

 

[CaptainClown]

i know this sounds farfetched(very at that) and more than likley not anywhere close to this side of theoretically possible but i just got done penning an outline for a joker origin movie...i sent it to anthony horowitz (authour of the graphic novel "the killing joke") and am currently awaiting constructive criticism and permission to continue writing a script. it was one of those ideas that hit me in the face like "why has no one even f'in thought of this yet?!" i even googled it and couldnt find anything on anyone even attempting to pen a story for this(movie wise). i would have heavly regreted it the rest of my life if i didnt even try. if i fail which is more than likley going to happen atleast i had fun writing it...such a great story to tell. If i by some slim chance succeed well whoever succeeds with creating this anticipated story will have struck hollywood gold, lots of it at that. the way i look at it this is the story that needs to be told instead of another movie...then you have recasting and all that milarky to deal with. oh yeah btw ive kept batman out of this story all together.

If this post is at all an example of your grammatical and spelling skills...then my my that must have been some interesting read.

Also its pretty amazing you totally missed the author of The Killing Joke

 

[Hole Shot]

1. Nobody in the world has the cojones to fill Ledger's shoes. An actor taking Heath's place would have to A) copy him to the tee, which would be an inevitable failure because no imitation is as good as the original, or B) do their own take, which would ruin the continuity of the movies. I just don't see it happening. This isn't just some recast like they did for Rachel Dawes. This is a serious replacement. It would be suicide.

I think it can be done but won't be done. If it HAD to be done, then I'd say take Heath's Joker as the blueprint but allow the new actor to put his own stamp on it. Allow the Joker's insanity give the actor the freedom to make a slight transformation to the character. It's definitely a high risk reward situation, because if he out performs Heath then then, awesome but if he doesn't match Heath it could bring down the rest of the film.

Basically you could end up being AC/DC or Van Halen after changing lead singers.

2. The Riddler, no matter how awesomely portrayed, is going to feel like a cheap replacement for the Joker because they couldn't bring him back for the reasons I just stated. He's too cool a character to end up under The Joker's shadow, and I really don't see the way the situation is set up in TDK for your basic, good-versus-evil battle between Batman and the Riddler.

Only if they go the loud flamboyant prankster route which is getting the character wrong anyway. I think Nolan would defintely do the just and we'd see a more cool intellectual criminal in a nice suit not rather than a spaz in a leotard telling popsicle stick jokes.

i know this sounds farfetched(very at that) and more than likley not anywhere close to this side of theoretically possible but i just got done penning an outline for a joker origin movie...i sent it to anthony horowitz (authour of the graphic novel "the killing joke") and am currently awaiting constructive criticism and permission to continue writing a script. it was one of those ideas that hit me in the face like "why has no one even f'in thought of this yet?!" i even googled it and couldnt find anything on anyone even attempting to pen a story for this(movie wise).

No one thought of that yet for a movie? So does that mean you're Brett Ratner?
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/09/23/should-there-be-a-joker-spin-off-film-brett-ratner-thinks-so/

 

[Compi716]

This thread is for anybody's suggestions and wants for things in the sequel. I'll start:

- Batarangs

- Random acts of vigilantism. I want to see Batman leap from the rooftops and save some random people. Maybe he can even save a family from a "punk with a gun," kind of mimicking the situation he and his parents were in. It could be an emotional scene. Batman doesn't only fight the mob and supervillains, you know.

- A new car/vehicle. Tumber v.2, an actual Batmobile, whatever - something other than the Bat Pod.

- A new costume is inevitable. Why not make it a bit more comic accurate?

- I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I loved the sonar vision, and those lenses looked DAMN cool. I want more!

- Dick Grayson, or at least some mention to the character and/or his associations.

What about you guys?

 

[DarknessOfDeath]

I like Dick...

... Grayson I mean. lol.

I thought Chris O'Donnel portrayed him well. Sadly, I probably won't see Robin in any of Nolan's batman films.

 

[Hole Shot]

I know I'm going get hammered for this suggestion by some

I want to see very subtle hints that the rest of the DCU exists outside of Gotham. Just things in the background. Like a news story on the TV about a downed test pilot and maybe a headline in the newspaper stand about a strange phenomenon in metropolis.

Ever since news of revamping Superman came from WB a few months ago, all signs are pointing to them rebuilding the DCU using this series as the foundation.

 

[Schlosser85]

- cast and crew continuity

- Batman committing random acts of vigilantism. More stuff like the docks in Batman Begins and the parking garage in TDK instead of epic battles with supervillains all the time.

- Addressing of loose ends from TDK, like Reese knowing Batman's identity, Batman being wanted for murder and more of an outcast than ever, the fallout from Harvey Dent's death. Maybe even do something with Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow.

- Selena Kyle/Catwoman

- a new Tumbler or something similar, instead of just the Batpod

- the continuation of Batman and Gordon vs. the mob (since the mob wouldn't just die with Maroni, The Chechen, and Gambol any more than it did with Carmine Falcone), with Rupert Thorne and maybe Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin as the next logical organized crime figures to be introduced. Maaaaybe Roman Sionis, but I'm afraid he would seem like too much of a second-rate Joker replacement.

- Bruce visiting his parents' graves

- Batman rehabilitating his image somehow

- Wayne Manor and a new and improved Batcave

 

[Tonicky]

I'd like him to use his Matches Malone ego, and to see some more villians not like Xmen 3 but like in in jail or mentioned.

 

[Schlosser85]

I add the Narrows and Arkham Asylum to my list.

 

[BobJM]

- Wayne Manor / Batcave
- Tumbler Mach 2
- Leslie Thompkins
- Selina Kyle / Catwoman
- Dick Grayson
- Mob (Maroni survived the crash, Black Mask, and maybe Penguin)
- Matches Malone
- Visiting parents' grave
- Bruce Wayne not being such an idiot.

 

[MrP3118]

Scarecrow fear gas joker because I didn't get to see it in the Dark Knight.

 

[CConn]

Batman mainly.

 

[Compi716]

I know I'm going get hammered for this suggestion by some

I want to see very subtle hints that the rest of the DCU exists outside of Gotham. Just things in the background. Like a news story on the TV about a downed test pilot and maybe a headline in the newspaper stand about a strange phenomenon in metropolis.

Ever since news of revamping Superman came from WB a few months ago, all signs are pointing to them rebuilding the DCU using this series as the foundation.

THANK YOU! I've been thinking about this for a while now. When they mentioned Gotham in SUPERMAN RETURNS, it was great. Hopefully certain individuals are able to get off their high horses of "superiority" and throw a bone to fandom.

- Bruce visiting his parents' graves

Good one. Either Bruce in or out of costume. Can't believe I forgot this.