Never really thought about Dark Knight trilogy timeline...

[MIB41]

Here's an excerpt from an interview with Nolan asking him about the ending.

The Dark Knight Rises leaves the door open at the end for a possible continuation of the Gotham saga, without Batman perhaps, but with these new characters like Catwoman and the young cop played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Do you envision revisiting Gotham?

For me, The Dark Knight Rises is specifically and definitely the end of the Batman story as I wanted to tell it, and the open-ended nature of the film is simply a very important thematic idea that we wanted to get into the movie, which is that Batman is a symbol. He can be anybody, and that was very important to us. Not every Batman fan will necessarily agree with that interpretation of the philosophy of the character, but for me it all comes back to the scene between Bruce Wayne and Alfred in the private jet in Batman Begins, where the only way that I could find to make a credible characterization of a guy transforming himself into Batman is if it was as a necessary symbol, and he saw himself as a catalyst for change and therefore it was a temporary process, maybe a five-year plan that would be enforced for symbolically encouraging the good of Gotham to take back their city. To me, for that mission to succeed, it has to end, so this is the ending for me, and as I say, the open-ended elements are all to do with the thematic idea that Batman was not important as a man, he’s more than that. He’s a symbol, and the symbol lives on.

[clemso]

So that's it then. Joseph Gordon Levitt will be Batman.

Here's an excerpt from an interview with Nolan asking him about the ending.

The Dark Knight Rises leaves the door open at the end for a possible continuation of the Gotham saga, without Batman perhaps, but with these new characters like Catwoman and the young cop played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Do you envision revisiting Gotham?

For me, The Dark Knight Rises is specifically and definitely the end of the Batman story as I wanted to tell it, and the open-ended nature of the film is simply a very important thematic idea that we wanted to get into the movie, which is that Batman is a symbol. He can be anybody, and that was very important to us. Not every Batman fan will necessarily agree with that interpretation of the philosophy of the character, but for me it all comes back to the scene between Bruce Wayne and Alfred in the private jet in Batman Begins, where the only way that I could find to make a credible characterization of a guy transforming himself into Batman is if it was as a necessary symbol, and he saw himself as a catalyst for change and therefore it was a temporary process, maybe a five-year plan that would be enforced for symbolically encouraging the good of Gotham to take back their city. To me, for that mission to succeed, it has to end, so this is the ending for me, and as I say, the open-ended elements are all to do with the thematic idea that Batman was not important as a man, he’s more than that. He’s a symbol, and the symbol lives on.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Well, he's Batman in Nolan's world now...but we won't see that world again. Unless WB just wants to tick off their top director whose made them more money than any director before.

Chris

[MIB41]

Exactly. Essentially Nolan is saying that from Gotham's perspective, the Batman continues because he's a symbol. No one ever knows the man behind the mask because Batman can be anyone. You could argue Nolan borrowed from the Phantom premise, only it's not the blood line carrying on that ideal. This was just Bruce Wayne's story. Just like Kit Walker has his tale.

[BlackKnight]

Well ...,
I just watched this, for the 1st Time.
I for 1 am Glad , that This is the Last Nolan Batman Film.
While, I will say that I do think Dark Knight is 1 of the Best Comicbook Movies Ever,
This is NOT....., and Nolan Missed His Frick'in Mark with this Film.

I like the Movie, as a Movie, as a Terrorist Action Hero Thriller ...., But as a Batman Movie ? ... Get The F Outta Here.

I don't know , or have seen any of The Batman That I've Known, and Love since I was 4, in this Film. It's just Not Batman.

The Eight Years, and He wants to Be Batman Again, really does Kill it, and is Far too Long, even more so when He Escapes from a Prison, with his Back Broken in under 5 Months. The Time Line of Nolans Universe is really the 1st of Many Poor Choices for this "Final Film" .

All the Scenes with Batman Fighting with Everyone Else, ... was Absolutely Stupid.

The only Real Bright Light in this Batman Tale, if I am looking at it, as a Batman Tale...., Is Nolans Love of Johnathan Craine. It was a Treat to See Him again.

I can't believe it took 4 Years to Make this Nonsense...
I also Put it as the Worst of the 3 This Summer, Avenger being 1, Amazing Spidey 2 ..., and this Like , I dunno far back behind Everything I saw, and Next to BattleShip. ....

John Carter Destroyed this Movie.

Seriously. For Batman ? ....
It's like right infront of Batman and Robin...., if you wanna call this Batman.
This was Like Call of Duty Black Ops.... Not Batman . It's almost like this was a different story, and they converted it over to Batman Changing the Names, and Places and a couple directions.

Boo .
Maybe I need to Watch it again ..., But not for a Very, Long Time. Maybe 8 years.
How's that for a BS Send Off.

[MIB41]

Well ...,
I like the Movie, as a Movie, as a Terrorist Action Hero Thriller ... But for a Batman film, it's like right in front of Batman and Robin....

Normally I can agree to disagree on most anything you and I differ on. Most everything is subjective on one level or another. And if DKR is not your cup of tea, I understand. But to even REMOTELY suggest that DKR stands next to a piece of incompetent garbage like B&R is about the best argument for a lobotomy I've read to date. If you doubt that, watch B&R with the director commentary and consider this fool brought in Bane ONLY because his four year old nephew thought it would be "cool". In Schumacher's mind, he thought Bane would make a "good thug". And you think DKR doesn't have a more thoughtful narrative than THAT? You think Schumacher who admits he let the studio and toy company dictate the look and story of his movie is actually in competition with Nolan for this latest installment? Whatever your snorting, please switch brands.

The Eight Years, and He wants to Be Batman Again, really does Kill it, and is Far too Long, even more so when He Escapes from a Prison, with his Back Broken in under 5 Months. The Time Line of Nolans Universe is really the 1st of Many Poor Choices for this "Final Film" .

How is it you're such a fan of Dark Knight but can't relate with this story? When Batman told Gordon he could let his name take the hit for Dent, it was so the city could heal and FINISH the job he and Dent had started. Remember when Dent told the Mayor what 18 months of clean streets could do for Gotham? Batman was already prepared to leave his role because of Dent. At the end of Dark Knight his decision was based on that idea. He retired Batman and his reputation so the city could finish fighting crime with clean streets to benefit. And as you saw in the first quarter of Dark Knight Rises, Batman was NOT NEEDED. An it's a good thing too because he was a broken man as well. Oh and Bane didn't break his back. Wayne had a protruding disc. There's a HUGE difference. And that's something that can be mended in four months or less. So five months was actually over the minimum amount needed in this case. So you took that scene too literal with the comic book.

All the Scenes with Batman Fighting with Everyone Else, ... was Absolutely Stupid.

The entire series all but rubs in your face that Batman can be anyone. He's a symbol. So yes, it's a completely logical moment. And one used as another metaphor to illustrate the point. Batman is of the people and for the people. It only makes sense he would fight with the people. Go back and watch it again. Actually start with Dark Knight first. You missed alot in that film too.

[BlackKnight]

The entire series all but rubs in your face that Batman can be anyone.

No ..., Just this Last Film. I liked the 1st too just Fine.
& Ya, If Bruce had Truely Died in the Movie, than I would Accept that Anyone Could Be Batman. But that wasn't the Case, and You Don't Hobble Around for 8years, then Presto, Your Bad Arse and Fit again. You forget, I work a Very Physical Job, .... There's far too many Holes. Dark Knight was the Master Piece. This Movie Fell far and away from what was achieved 4 yrs ago.

This Movie took so Much Time Telling a Story without Batman ...., it spent Little Time Telling a Story with Batman.

For those that Rip on the New 52 ...., Well that's closer to Batman than this is. I'd Actually give Morrison Praise Compaired to Nolan.

You Inturn, are Blinded by this Movie, because of the Absolute Garbage Made Before it. But I assure you..., Marvel is Laughing Thier Arses off, ... Because this was the Best Warner Had,... and it wasn't even a correct representation of the Character.

BTW ..., I am so sick of seeing the Terriorist Batman Themed Flick..., He is so Much More than that.


& I forgot to add, that I really Liked Hathaway as Catwoman, ... or Selena Kyle, since they never really did call her Catwoman. She was pretty Spectacular .

[MIB41]

He wasn't hobbling around for 8 years. He had given up living because Rachel was dead. And with Gotham not needing him OR wanting him, he simply wasted away. Actually that was the center peace of the film. Alfred in the beginning said he had always envisioned Bruce being happy and content away from the suit. That's when he offered his vision to Bruce. And Bruce explains he wanted that life too, but with Rachel. And with her gone, he really had nothing to live for. And when Bane came on the scene he suddenly became revitalized to fight for something. But Alfred knew what he was really doing was setting himself up to die so he wouldn't be tormented anymore. Batman was now his way of running from his pain. That's why Alfred left him. It took the events with Bane, and his isolation in the hole for Wayne to realize what he was doing to himself. Remember when one of the prisoners upon hearing Wayne's remark about being trapped says, "What's the difference whether you're here or out there?" So at the end, when Batman was flying off with that bomb, he was at a crossroads. Was he going to let Batman be his reason for dying? Was he going to allow all of those demons and pain from his past chase him into oblivion? Or was he going to bury them with that explosion and start a new life? He chose life. I thought it was a very cool, very original piece. Considerably more thoughtful than any other Batman film to date. I'm glad we got a trilogy that explored a story well past the surface level of costumes and secret identities. It looked at the moral lesson behind the mask, and the heavy price that is paid for trying to be a crusader for justice.

[enyawd72]

MIB41,

I will state for the record, I enjoyed Batman and Robin FAR more than Dark Knight Rises, and I'll tell you why. Despite all it's flaws, cheese, and hokum, it was FUN. It was like watching a big budget episode of the TV series, which you've said many times you love, so you have to see the obvious similarities. Now, my final thoughts on DKR...
I loved Batman Begins, and the Dark Knight even moreso, but DKR, while not a poor film per se, was a poor Batman film. Your statement that "The entire series all but rubs in your face that Batman can be anyone." is it's greatest flaw. No, anyone CAN'T be Batman. That's the point. If they could, then Batman's not special anymore, and if he's not special, why do we care about him? He is above us, that's what makes him a hero. Just as there is only one Superman. One Spider-Man. One Captain America. It is the individual that must be exceptional, and give the rest of us something to aspire to.

[MIB41]

^^^ Sorry. I think you have that 200% backwards. Not only with Batman, but with most heroes. The most popular heroes are those that are RELATEABLE. When people see Bruce Wayne is just a man who aspired to be something more, that motivates them. And that was the theme of Nolan's films. When people see Spider-man masked, they realize the costume isn't what makes him special or the powers he has. It's the person behind the mask that makes the difference. And at what point did you think Bruce Wayne was not a special individual? You think putting on the mask and driving a car made him Batman? Like he told Robin in the movie. He only wears a mask to protect those he loves. As does Spider-man in case you missed that. It's the human element that makes them special, not the costume or anything they use to fight crime. And the Dark Knight trilogy is the most successful trilogy in this genre. If I want to be "flawed" as you say, I'll take the stories that more people relate to than a cartoony movie like B&R that disrespected the material and actually shut down the franchise for years.

[BlackKnight]

When people see Spider-man masked, they realize the costume isn't what makes him special or the powers he has. It's the person behind the mask that makes the difference.

But Yet, ... In the Nolan Films...., Anyone Can Be Batman.
Touche' Bro.

[enyawd72]

When people see Spider-man masked, they realize the costume isn't what makes him special or the powers he has. It's the person behind the mask that makes the difference.

That's exactly what I'm saying. Anyone CAN'T be Batman...if they could, Bruce Wayne's no longer special. Only Bruce Wayne has the drive, the emotional need, and the money to be Batman. No one else could do it. Same with Spider-Man. When I said exceptional individual, I was referring to the person, not the powers...in case you missed that.

[Nostalgiabuff]

one thing that confuses me, again with the timeline....is that there is a line in DKR where they talk about Batman having fought crime for years, yet the elapsed time between the first two movies is less than a year and they say that Batman disappeared after the end of DK, so where were these years they talk about

for the record, I loved DKR, it was a great popcorn movie

[kingdom warrior]

one thing that confuses me, again with the timeline....is that there is a line in DKR where they talk about Batman having fought crime for years, yet the elapsed time between the first two movies is less than a year and they say that Batman disappeared after the end of DK, so where were these years they talk about

Those years were Lost when Superman Spun the world back......lol

[MIB41]

But Yet, ... In the Nolan Films...., Anyone Can Be Batman.
Touche' Bro.

Touche to what? A person that applies themselves to a cause can use a character like Batman or Spider-man as a metaphor to climb those obstacles. In Nolan's films the mask didn't do the work, anymore than it did in Spider-man.