Whether you agree or not, judging from both fan reaction and near universal critical acclaim, “The Dark Knight” will almost certainly go down as the greatest comic book movie of all-time, with a performance from Heath Ledger that is being hailed as one of the greatest on-screen villains ever.
Now all Christopher Nolan, his brother Jonathan, David Goyer, and an as yet unnamed villain have to do is top it.
“I think that’s the scariest thing – to think, could we come up with a third movie that was as good as the first two? Can we top ourselves?” screenwriter David Goyer asked aloud, almost rhetorically, in a recent conversation with MTV News. “Doing it a third time would be a big proposition.”
Make no mistake about it, though, a third film HAS been discussed, Goyer confessed, revealing that, while nothing is concrete, both a villain and a theme have been bandied about.
“We’ve only talked loosely about it, though, Chris and I,” Goyer said.
Interestingly, it’s the theme, and not the villain, that most interests me, especially given how the latter seems inexorably tied to the former in this new modern Batman universe. (Fear the predominant issue in “Begins” precipitating the introduction of Scarecrow, escalation in “Knight” similarly calling for The Joker.
The fact that Goyer has a theme he wants to keep in mind for a possible “Batman 3” means he also has a direction, a crisis, and, yes, a villain.
So what is it?
“I have one,” Goyer said laughing. “But I’m not going to tell you. Chris is very particular about that.
“I do think, though, that if there’s not a third film – these two movies stand on their own,” he added. “I think it could go either way.”
Not us. We want a “Batman 3.” So we’ll throw it out to you: Now that you’ve seen “The Dark Knight,” now that you know how it ends, what could be the theme of “Batman 3”? Who could be the villain to fit that theme? Sound off below.
Catwoman has always been very ambiguous as a villain, and someone who can be part ally and part enemy would be great for the "Batman against the world" theme of the next movie.
Plus, I think there was a little nudge toward Catwoman being the next villain in The Dark Knight.
Anyone else catch Lucius's comment about Batman's suit? "It should stand up to cats?" I'm thinking that was some foreshadowing...
there are many villains but the best idea for the villain is Ra's Al Ghul.
Batman's only love interest in the Nolan films died so Talia would be Batman's love interest in the third movie. Plus that calls for a sex scene tastefully done right for all those romance seekers.
It can possibly have a twist to it where the ninjas from the first movie could be brought back into the third movie. Just a thought.
Thats how I visualize the 2nd movie being topped BUT i dont think the audience would appreciate it if much of the setting was away from Gotham City and Ra's al ghul comics had Robin featured a lot so could that possibly mean they would bring Robin into the scene?
If that's not the story to be told, why choose the most beloved name in Batman's long history? Of course you'll have to introduce Superman and Robin into the mix, but that would help lead up to the JLA movie. Sadly, the real Dark Knight story probably won't be told. It would be rated R and wouldn't make the cash. Read the first two parts of the graphic novel, it's better than the movie.
Angelina Jolie is way too predictable as Catwoman. She's camp it up too much and probably just phone it in anyway. Someone mentioned Charlize Theron; if you've ever seen her in "Monster," you know she has the talent. I honestly imagine Maggie Gyllenhall would make a great Catwoman, however. She's got the natural vulnerability that can disappear behind a mask and become strength. (I know; this idea causes too many problems.)
I love the idea of Paul Giamatti as Penguin. Did anyone see him in "American Splendor" or "John Adams"?
David Tennant would make a great Riddler.
And Arnold Schwarzennegger should reprise his wonderful turn as Mr. Freeze. (Hell, yes, that's a joke!)
I definitely agree that Redemption is the theme of the next movie, and possibly the subtitle also.
I wouldn't want them to bring the Joker back...awesome character, but the guy who pulled it off is dead and I would hate for someone else to ruin it.
If they did bring in the Penguin, I agree that Philip Seymour Hoffman is the only one for the job. Nolan has said he doesn't want to use that character, but Hoffman could pull it off in Nolan's style.
I would rather see Jolie as Ivy rather than Catwoman; I could see either or both characters making an appearance in the next movie, but I'm not sure that Jolie would fit. Nolan likes to use actors that are VERY good but not overly popular (maybe underrated is a better term; Bale, Eckhart, Gyllenhaal), so they contribute directly to the story and don't take away from it with their star power. Honestly, I think with a better script and better direction, Uma could do either character. She's a great actress, she just got involved with that farce/tragedy of a batman movie before. Would love to see Reese Witherspoon in a catsuit too, for that matter.
Ra's was a great character and Begins wouldn't have been what it was without him and Neeson; it would be better just to bring in his daughter if they are going that route though.
If they bring in Bane, for god's sake please don't let it be some guy in a suit...get Ferrigno or somebody that is actually strong...I'm sure they will though, Nolan knows what he's doing.
The only thing new I can really contribute other than agreeing with everyone else is NO ROBIN. I hate Robin, he serves no real purpose, he doesn't fit in with the "dark knight" motif at all. The only Batman he fit in was the original TV series, and that's because it used an underlying homosexuality theme.
Oh, and Anthony Michael Hall or Mr. Reese as the Riddler would work also.
Haveing said that, Batman had many villians, having put a few away, like scare crow and two face, and with no justice in continuing the joker (my opinion). The best choice for the next villian would be that can be written into the scene as a hero, watching Batman struggle to regain the level of hero for which Gordan (Oldman) illuded to in the end of the Dark Knight. Batman is not the hero they need right now but the hero for which Gotham deserves.
All of this Bane, Clay-face talk is all well and good, but only fanboys and comic fans know those villains. The Joker is the perfect villain for this blockbuster franchise because everyone knows The Joker, even casual movie goers. Here's my suggestion...
Bring in Tala Al Guhl, Ra's Al Guhl's daughter played by Jennifer Connelly. She could have a revenge vendetta against Batman and could play a love interest/"two-faced" (no pun intended villain). Then bring in the only other well known villain that Nolan could make dark, scary, genius and as bad-ass as the joker....THE RIDDLER. The Riddler could be Batman's most intelligent foe, committing unspeakable crimes of violence and leaving complicated riddles for Batman and Alfred to figure out. This character should be played by....Daniel Day-Lewis.
DDL is the only other actor working today that has the immersive acting style who could bring a psychotic Riddler to Life.
If not the Riddler maybe up since they already nixed Two Face...or DID they??
I do think that this is the best Batman by far...
My guess is Reece will use the name "Edward Nigma" to threaten and manipulate Bruce Wayne/Batman - but it will only be a side story. The main plot would have to involve Gotham earning a brief reprieve from danger.
To me, that means introducing The Penguin as Gotham's new kingpin. It would trigger a gang war with Sal Maroni's men - and possibly the henchman Bane. Meanwhile, Two-Face could be committing crimes (unidentified) in the background.
This could lead to the mob declaring war on the Gotham PD, led by an assassin-type (Deadshot or maybe a re-worked Clayface - as a master of disguise). Batman will be forced to deal with Nigma (The Riddler) while stopping the mob's influence once and for all. In the end, Batman could capture Two-Face alive and become Gotham's hero when his name is cleared.
I wouldn't be surprised if the third installment ended with The Joker breaking out of Arkham (off-screen) with the help of Harley Quinn - meaning it's time for Batman to go back to work.
If Mr. Freeze is introduced, my guess is it will be as Dr. Victor Fries - and his role will be adapted to fit the modern universe. I think the best fit could be Alfred being diagnosed with cancer, keeping it a secret from Bruce, and meeting with his doctor, who turns out to be Fries (in a cameo). Catwoman could make an appearance, but she isn't so much a villain as she is a wild card. If she appears, it will probably be once or two - and briefly, enough to fascinate Batman/Bruce Wayne.
Serial Killer and Torturer.
Leaves Riddles like in the movie Zodiac.
Gotham is in fear and needs their hero back.
Batman redeems himself.
instead of the silly green suit he could have the question marks tattooed on him.
Think about it. Gotham is in disaray after the whole joker thing. The mob is fragmented. The Black Mask moves in and gains control of the mob and they start getting their power back. Bruce Wayne must go incognito as "Matches Malone" to get entrance in the criminal underground so he can find out who the real identity of Black Mask is.
Heck you can even have it end in some shocking scene where Black Mask is unmasked and you find out it was Harvey Dent. Even though this is not comic canon, but none of these movies have been.
Or you could take the whole Black Mask cult leader story line as well. Combine the Gotham Earthquake from the comic and the movie Apocolypse now. Gotham is devastated by an earthquake and Black Mask manages to consolidate most of the city's resources. He runs a cult of drug addicted junkies who do anything he says and he provides them with drugs. He basically rules Gotham in a deprived way like Marlon Brando in "Apocolypse Now" Batman must take him on and retore order and get his respect back.
There are so many cool angles with Black Mask. He should be the next villain. Forget Riddler, Cat Woman, Penguin, and Mr. Freeze. We have already seen them.
Pushed beyond his limits when that villian tortures and kills that weasle from The Dark Knight into divulging Batman's true identity. Now armed with that truth, perhaps he targets Lucius and kills him, too. Maybe even Alfred. Beats the hell out of Bruce Wayne (not Batman) in public, without letting Wayne know that HE knows his secret idenitity.
Bottom line? Batman, still hunted for "killing" police officers and Dent, finally DOES cross the line. Pushed beyond his limits with nothing else to lose...he kills whichever villian has been manacing him, even if it was to save Alfred or some other reason. The dilemma?? Since everyone thinks he is a killer already, why not kill the villian??
With Lucius dead, or the snitch, or someone else he may truly care about...not to mention his mourning the loss of Rachel still...Batman goes over the edge. Crosses the thin line he's been walking. What a great way to leave the end of the third movie...not happy-go-lucky. Not redemption, at least not yet. Batman truly does that which people have been accusing him of while being hunted...he takes the life of whichever villian is used (preferably one).
The Riddler might be perfect for teasing Bruce Wayne in public. Or teasing the public in general over Batman's true identity.
Go darker.
However, this is what I wish would happen (in addition to Two Face):
Have A. Poison Ivy and B. Harley Quinn as supporting villains.
A. Great storyline, can be very realistic as an eco-terrorist, can serve as both a lover and formidable foe. May have some connection to Harvey Dent (as seen in Pretty Poison of the Animated Series.)
B. Harley's relationships. Best friends with Poison Ivy, lover of the Joker. I don't see them recasting the role of the Joker, and I think this would be an interesting spin off of such a legendary character. Besides that, she is great comedic relief.
"
rumor has it if a 3rd comes, its not til 2012.
-Killer Croc, Clayface, n Freeze don't fit the reality aspect.
-Bane could fit, so could Penguin
-some talk of Riddler already about.
-Catwoman, while good character, would be a corny romance for Batman because its too "bad", costumed people falling in love.
-I would say now that Batman has had love, lost love, and matured...they could have a Robin character too show Batman's parental-side.
BUT Nolan and Bale don't want him.
All in all, Idk, but my hunch is the riddler...maybe a female villain too.
Try these bad guys:
DEADSHOT-Floyd Lawton is a suicidal assassin who wears a colorful costume in the hopes that someone will shoot him. He is considered the second greatest assassin in the DC Universe, the first being Deathstroke.
MR ZSASZ-Victor Zsasz, a more or less "common" serial killer, keeps a tally of his victims by cutting new scars into his body with his trademark carving knife.
THE WRATH-An anti-Batman whose criminal parents are killed by then-rookie policeman Jim Gordon. As an adult, the Wrath becomes a cop-killer who copies many of Batman's methods.
HANGMAN-Hangman is a serial killer who murders police officers on every holiday of the year, leaving behind a version of the children's word game "Hangman" (with key letters missing) spelled with letters in blood on each new victim
Although I do think the Riddler would work pretty good, too -Gary Olman even let slip that that's who it might end up being.
Then after the third movie, do not have another actor or director make a fourth movie and in Twenty years Nolan & Bale return for the "Return of the Dark Knight" per Frank Miller's story line!!!!
Oh and forget Robin completely, does Bale's Batman seem like he needs help?