Few could've predicted the runaway success of The Dark Knight (especially with Batman Begin's garnering a mere $372 million worldwide). Making over a billion bucks at the worldwide box office, it's currently the third highest grossing film of all time. Many are highly anticipating how the third movie will play out, and we'll have our answer in the form of The Dark Knight Rises.
I personally find the cast to be awesome so far. I'm glad that the main cast (Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, etc) would all be returning (which should be expected, of course), as well as the new additions. Anne Hathaway was my first choice for Catwoman (especially when I heard she was rumored for a big female role), and I was thrilled when it was confirmed she'd slip into the costume. While I've never saw Tom Hardy as Bane (I expected him to be Black Mask or even Hugo Strange), I trust Nolan when it comes to casting. And concerning who Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be playing (with Alberto Falcone apparently being bunked out of the question), he'll probably be Black Mask (or even a mashup of Black Mask and Holiday Killer...Roberto Falcone, perhaps?). I'm thinking that Juno Temple will be Holly Robinson, while it seems all too obvious that Marion Cotillard will be playing Talia al Ghul (although I would've preferred Eva Green for the role).
Concerning the plot, we know almost nothing. We've had a few spoilers that may or may not be true (Bane will be Talia's love interest, Catwoman will be an ally of Batman, etc), and the ending to The Dark Knight would lead many (if not everyone) to believe that TDKR will have Batman be emerging from his being a wanted vigilante to the hero Gotham needs. Speaking of which, the title itself seems to confirm that this would be a sort of rebirth not only for Batman, but also for Gotham City and possibly other supporting characters.
Then we have the latest rumor that Hugo Strange will be in the film after all. Personally, I'd rather not have him in it (I can think of many villains Nolan could've used to be a 'mastermind villain' in the film...Riddler, Two-Face coming back, Penguin, etc), but Strange would be a villain that Nolan could definitely squeeze into his Batman universe.
Finally, I'd like to talk about this film being the last in the series. Personally, I'd rather have Nolan make another film or two to bring in villains who should be on the big screen (Harley Quinn, Killer Croc) or redeem those who've been screwed up in previous films (Riddler, Mr. Freeze). Also, it seems sad that this version of Batman won't be used in the upcoming Justice League film, and that Batman will be rebooted yet again. But I can understand their wanting to do this, and honestly I expected it. But so soon, before TDKR? That sounds kinda weird, IMO.
Well, that's what I've got for what's probably my most anticipated movie ATM. My next 'Current Thoughts' editorial will be on either The Amazing Spider-Man or The Avengers.
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