There has been lots of speculation on the ending of the highly anticipated third and final Batman film due in theaters this Summer from critically acclaimed cinematic director Christopher Nolan, as well as his compelling cast and crew that blew our minds with the first two installments of this beloved trilogy.
Although, there has been lots of intrigue, not just in the general buzz of this story ending chapter, but due to it's mysterious nature of those behind the film, as we are left with mostly speculation until the day we see the film in it's entirety. However, one of the biggest questions, and the spark of many debates, is the ending.
The ever infamous, "How does it end?" plagues our minds with dozens of possible scenarios of what will be left of our most cherished 'Dark Knight Of Gotham City'. Does he live? Does he die? Does he go crazy demanding that everybody, "KNEEL BEFORE ZODDD!!!?" OK, wrong franchise there, but anything is possible, it could even be Hugo Strange or Thomas Elliot running around for 120 plus minutes of film before Jim Gordon tosses a pencil in his eye, shrugs, and says, "Hey? Just trying out a magic trick."
In all seriousness though, my point being, the ending WILL be big, everyone who supports these movies knows that. I personally feel that Bruce Wayne, as a man in the public's eye, will die, but will live on as a ghost to society, living a life of secrecy so he will be fully focused and dedicated to his time in Gotham as it's one true dark knight. In a way, this cover will be, in some ways, of comparison to when he covered for Harvey Dent's reputation, to preserve the image of the 'White Knight', that Gotham wanted him to truly be. Unfortunately, the inevitability will be that Bane will change all of this in 'Rises'.
Speaking of Bane, I believe Bane will be the one to 'kill' Wayne, symbolically, and that even safely opens up the possibility of Bruce's identity being exposed to the world around him, and his "death" in the eyes of civilization, will give a symbol of immortality and purity, when they see the "Rise Of Batman" above Gotham, even when Bruce Wayne falls. He will no longer have to be the billionaire playboy, he will be able to devote his true being to what he must be, in his heart and his soul. He knows by becoming Batman, it has become him, and it always will be. It's not just his costume, it is a part of the foundation of his being.
In this way, both Batman AND Bruce Wayne can exist in Gotham, while not publicly, being without interference from one another, will make things a lot more focused and head-on for this Silent Guardian of the night.