Speculation

So I am finally seeing The Dark Knight Rises on Saturday (at IMAX!!!!) and am currently using my theories and speculation about the film as a means of procrastination from a job I am currently slaving away on. As I have been in lockdown from anything Batman related for the past couple of weeks I have managed to avoid any spoilers, reviews and basically all material related to the film past the 2 trailers that I have watched previously.

I have been reading Knightfall as a way to get through the 2 weeks wait, which I expect the film will have drawn heavily from. Largely I started reading it because I wanted to be a bit more familiar with the character of Bane than I was previously. I highly recommend it! As I type I am now watching Batman Begins again, I didn't realise that Zsaz was in the opening scene with Scarecrow... Cool.

So... the theories I'm currently holding to;

Who is John Blake?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who I could not be more excited about) plays a cop... That's about all that has been revealed (to me). He appears to be a younger version of Commissioner Gordon, I'm maintaining a theory that he is Nolan's answer to Robin. Not a costumed sidekick in the traditional sense but a younger, idealistic character with similar beliefs to Batman. I would throw in an image but I am terrified of googling him and something spoiler-y popping up.

Bane/League of Shadows
A villain who I am excited for but am quite positive that he will not be acting alone - my assumption is that he will be acting as a second to a larger villain. This leads me to assume that the League of Shadows is set for a return to Gotham after their defeat at the end of Batman Begins.

Batman Inc
In a flight of fancy (and based on the trailer) I had the thought that whilst Bruce has been out of action as Batman for a number of years he could have set up his own version of the League to combat crime in his stead. This is a wild theory which I'm not too invested in to be honest... Just wishful thinking.

Ras-al Ghul
A tough one. I would love to see the return of Liam Neeson and his immortal character from the comics, would act as a pleasant full circle to the trilogy. However it would fly in the face of Nolan's realism and take the films to the comic realm in the final act. In some ways that would be a shame but I feel a bit guilty that I'd still like to see it happen.


Catwoman
She'll eventually side with the B-Man but I do wonder what her involvement with Bane will be.


Joker/Arkham Asylum
Just a mention or reference to the ultimate fate of The Joker would be excellent - a simple line placing him in the world 8 years later and I'm sure we'd all like it if he was in Arkham Asylum yes?

Death
There is nothing I would love more than if Batman was to die. I think it would be the perfect ending to the tale. I am very aware that this is unlikely to happen.. I do hope that there will be some deaths though. Someone hard hitting (Alfred/Fox) or someone a bit more expendable (Blake). But more likely I am assuming it will be Bane who will kick it.

Hope. Faith. Rise.

Looks incredible. My faith in Nolan's casting of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman is slowly beginning to be justified... Bane is terrifying; that mask and his stature evoking the appearance of an imposing animalistic monster. Great to see JGL get some screen time, still doesn't answer my questions as to whether or not he is Nolan's answer to Robin yet. And why so many tumbler's?? Does Batman have his own army to combat the League of Shadows??

After being to America earlier in the year it's some of the locations are obvious from one or two shots, but overall Gotham in winter provides such a stark contrast to the dark colours of the film's heroes and villains, the snow covered city looks beautiful!

Batman almost sounds tired.. July cannot come fast enough.

The Lion King Rises

The latest in countless trailer mashups, all with varying degrees of success. This particular attempt works beautifully, with particular effort paid to matching up the small bits of dialogue that there are. My personal favourite is Bane's line matched up with Scar - fantastic! When I first read the story I was quite skeptical that it would work, but clearly it does! It certainly stands as one of the better mashups around at the moment too!

I Must Break You

More Than Just a Man.

'If you make yourself more than just a man.

If you devote yourself to an ideal.

Then you become something entirely.

A legend, Mr Wayne.

A Legend.'

- Ra's al Ghul (Liam Neeson), Batman Begins (2005)

With the release of a teaser trailer for The Dark Knight Rises (2012) speculation of how Christopher Nolan's Batman saga will end? The trailer promises a return thematically and narratively to the events of Batman Begins. Surely there will be a brief mention of 'past criminals' (The Joker (Heath Ledger)) and said criminals incarceration in Arkham Asylum. It would be a shame not to. Assumed is the return of the League of Shadows, with Bane filling the role of enforcer - closer to his comic counterpart rather than the Batman & Robin monstrosity. Whether Ra's will be back at the healm (ala the Lazarus Pit) or whether they shall be lead by his successor (potentially his daughter, Talia).

The teaser trailer and poster both depict Gotham crumbling. This coincides with Ra's al Ghul's  plan to allow Gotham to consume itself so that it may be cleansed. I am glad to see that the League of Shadows will not be forgotten - one of the greatest elements of Batman Begins.

There is the question of the role that Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) will fill. I feel it is safe to assume that her alter ego, Selina Kyle will play romantic interest to Bruce Wayne. But how the burglar will factor into the film it is unknown. I am excited by the prospect however.


It will be interesting to see where the film ends. Will it end with him heading towards a familiar future, perhaps to a certain family act at a circus. Or will it be with Batman giving his all and ultimately his life for the city he loves. He has already given his love and reputation for the city, and the Joker has brought him as close to breaking as he has ever been. What better time for the League to revisit their plans, when Batman is at his weakest. We'll see how it all turns out...

The Dark Knight Rises.

Bane.

 And so the viral campaign for The Dark Knight Rises begins and we get out first glimpse of Tom Hardy as Bane. Here's hoping for a better interpretation of Bane than we got in the 90s.