The Next Batman Film - What's After the Dark Knight?

In 2005, director Christopher Nolan gave the world Batman Begins, bringing a familiar face back to the big screen after nearly ten absent years. The film went on to achieve national and international acclaim, both critically and at the box-office. Although Begins arguably has its share of plot holes and flaws, it is still regarded as the best Batman film since the 1989 Tim Burton epic, if not the best one overall.

Three years later, Nolan and his all-star cast gave us the second installment in his Batman franchise, The Dark Knight. Audiences rejoiced. That's putting it lightly. The film broke almost every box-office record to date, won critical praise, and secured several awards. The passing of Hollywood favorite Heath Ledger may have buoyed the film's success more than anything. Regardless, the depth of character, the dark, gritty tone, and the utterly realistic feel made this film astounding.

In the wake of such success, is there anywhere for the franchise to go? Sources say yes. But sources are also saying so many things.

With the records that The Dark Knight produced, it would only seem wise for Christopher Nolan to make more. As they say, money talks. But Nolan is a director dedicated to doing things right. With that having been said, what's in store for Batman?

Christopher Nolan has not committed to a third film, though many believe another film is indeed the reality. Nolan does not often line up projects after wrapping production on a current one. He did state certain fears that halfway through filming another Batman, the production would seem very redundant. Nevertheless, on December 8, USA Today mentioned that Nolan had written a rough story outline for another film. Warner Bros. is confident in another film. Both the president of production Jeff Robinov and President and COO Alan F. Horn have continued discussions with Nolan, hoping for a 2011 release.

Casting rumors have popped up aplenty this year. As of December, Warner Bros. administrators have denied all of it. Nothing is set in stone. Still, several names have been thrown around, as well as mention of the next film's villain. Catwoman, Penguin, and Riddler are the top names circulating, with figures from Angelina Jolie, David Tennant, Brian Austin Green, Kate Beckinsale, and even Cher either expressing interest or popping up.

Gary Oldman, Jim Gordon from both Begins and Knight, believes a third film will indeed happen, that Nolan will return, subsequently bringing back Bale, and that the next film will feature the manhunt for Batman seen at the end of Knight. Oldman also speculates the Riddler is the next logical villain.

Any of the three, Catwoman, Riddler, or Penguin, would be great to see given Nolan's artistic style. Nolan has not said yea or nay on any of these, other than quick comments concerning Penguin. In a Q & A with Esquire's Matthew Belloni, Nolan mentioned that he is taking a more realistic approach, and certain characters mesh better with his view. "The Penguin would be tricky."

Well, perhaps. But Penguin is really little more than a deformed misfit. He's misunderstood, thus mistreated, thus abused, thus he turns to crime. Is that really too difficult to produce on screen, realistically? Come on now. Surely Christopher can pull that out of his bag of tricks. But Riddler or Catwoman may be the simpler choice to produce quickly. Who knows?

Of course, one of the biggest questions that keeps popping up is this: "What about Robin?" Batman is not much without his classic sidekick. When will the Boy Wonder make his Christopher Nolan debut? Nolan says, no time soon. Batman Begins was a Year One approach, and Dark Knight takes place roughly a year after that. We're seeing a Batman at the beginning of his career. Robin shouldn't come in right away.

Aaron Eckhart expressed interest to return as Two-Face, but Christopher Nolan considers that character dead. But that can always change in time. The character was not proclaimed dead on screen, leaving the possibility open.

So what's the final word? Yes? No? Well, it's likely. Perhaps even highly likely. But that's up to Nolan and Warner Bros. Remember the former Batman franchise. Tim Burton and Michael Keaton gave us an epic film and a decent sequel, but for the third film, directions and desires were mixed. The result? Burton and Keaton both left, only to be replaced, and the third film was seen a turning point for that franchise, from dark and epic to bright and cheesy. That's the potential here. Sure, another Batman film for today would be great, but let's make sure we do it right.

That's what Nolan wants, and Warner Bros would be wise to listen to him and not push the envelope. Another Batman should happen, and many say must happen, but it should be done right.