Why Did You Say That Name!: The Thread about Bruce's Arc

[Invader Joker]

So we all know how Bruce's arc went in the first movie. Went from a symbol of vengeance to hope, got it. But that doesn't mean Bruce will be perfect now that said arc was complete, and Matt is someone that very much likes to explore inherently flawed protagonists and to put them in all sorts of challenges that put them on comprimising positions and reveal whatever flaws they may have. What are the flaws that should be explored in the second film?

 

[shauner111]

Very good question. I think it’s going to be ‘empathy for criminals’. I can see him being stubborn, one track mind when it comes to using his money for what he thinks needs work. But he will be criticized “why are you doing it now? Are you trying to look good in the press? We don’t want your Wayne money!”. I think he’ll show his temper and frustration with this and will need to learn to block it out and give to those who love you, hate you. His name will be a target and I’m not sure if he’ll handle it well during a period where he’s trying his best to fix the city.

I think he’ll show empathy towards innocent civilians. They’ll trust him. But criminals will still fear him. I can see him telling Alfred that if he goes soft on criminals, nobody will fear him anymore. I believe he’ll show more selflessness later on. This is why Freeze works so well. Empathy for someone you hate or disagree with. Empathy for those you helped put away in Blackgate/Arkham.

I’d like to see a “I can never stop, never quit, no matter what happens in this city”. He’s a lifer and that would be a new thing for Matt and Mattson to make clear in the screenplay via Bruce’s journal. Not just about endurance but “this is my life. I’m the Batman. They’ll have to kill me before I lay my cowl down”.

 

[Lautox]

I could see a scene like the one we got with Bruce fighting off cops but now with the press, maybe they get too personal and he just rages against them

 

[OtherwiseKnownAs]

I think Part II is going to be a reverse of Batman Begins. Wherein Begins we see Bruce develop the Batman persona, in Part II we're going to see Batman develop the Bruce Wayne persona. I think identity will be a big theme of the sequel, and a chance to delve into the psychology of Bruce in a way that hasn't really been touched on outside of Forever.

 

[Still Wynning]

Posted this in the general thread, but I think it fits here:

Taking the “Part II” of it all and the first post into account, I wonder if we could get some sort of parallel ‘past and present’ story arcs, ala “Godfather, Part II”. Bruce Wayne in present day trying to figure out his new role as a benevolent benefactor to the people of Gotham and him taking on a sort of father figure role, “adopting”/raising this newly orphaned boy. The past stuff revolving around his father in his early years learning to become his best self and trying to help those around him, while raising his family and seeing what life was like with Bruce before it came crashing down. The past stuff would feed into the present day stuff, with Bruce trying to learn from his father and his father’s mistakes, in order to be the best version of himself .

I could almost see it going like a reverse Michael Corleone arc. Instead of becoming more corrupt, cold and distant to those around him as the films progress, he becomes more of a warm, gentle human being who develops close, intimate relationships with his city and his new “family”.

 

[DeadlyWest]

Posted this in the general thread, but I think it fits here:

It's a cool idea but one that I think would take too much away from the Bruce centered POV aspect to this story. I liked the mystique of only seeing Thomas in photos and videos from the past from the last movie, seeing as that's likely the only thing Bruce has beyond his memories to remember his parents. It provides a disconnect that gives you a great understanding of the longing Bruce clearly feels to have them back. I think the flashback nature of Godfather Part II would take away from that a little too much

 

[darkdefective]

His new found beliefs will have to be strained HARD. Who knows what kind of atrocities he might witness with the more hardcore villains, which will undoubtedly test his faith in humanity. May even send him to down to depths he’d never reached before. Similarly it may be his self belief, specifically regarding his ability to become a beacon of hope, which may also apply on the Bruce Wayne sign. To uphold his family legacy and also carrying its sins

 

[godisawesome]

Here's an idea I've had, albeit a bit fanfiction-y given the other elements that inspired it for me:

- Bruce is trying to actually live both side of his life to help Gotham - to really *be* a Bruce Wayne capable of salvaging his parents reputation as a philanthropist but pretend to be too much of a playboy to be Batman, and be Batman at the same time... and also maybe use the Matches Malone identity to gather information and judge what villains to go after and which not to...
- ...And he's doing this in a Gotham that very much resembles No Man's Land Gotham thanks tot he damage from the flooding and stuff, leading to him being massively overtaxed and showing clear signs of severe mental strain.
- This leads to signs of an identity crisis...
-... In a story where he ends up dumped in a Court of Owls Labyrinth, and gets lost physically and mentally in a recreation of the excellent Batman: Ego comic.

 

[antsman41]

Pattinson already acts well alongside kids... and now he's going to be a dad.

Give him a Robin, Matt.

I need that Dark Victory greatness with this Bruce. Plus, it'll show growth because he'll learn to understand his childhood through the eyes of a young Dick Grayson.