Paj! Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Venom isn't much more comic-y than Cillian Murphy's fear gas in Begins. Wouldn't be suprised to see it (obviously in an altered form, not expecting the tube into the head). --- I might need to make a Youtube video defence of Batman & Robin.
Retro_Link Posted January 20, 2011 Author Posted January 20, 2011 The only real problem I have with Batman & Robin, is Robin!... and not the use of the character, but Chris O'Donnell. I find him incredibly unlikable in the Batman films and just his on screen presence really annoys me. Other than that I don't mind watching the film to get a comedic Batman fix, I'll take it for what it is and enjoy the comical badguys, rediculous ideas and OTT scenes. --- OK well then I hope it isn't called Venom, and I hope it's just simple injections he carries, not constantly something attached to his person. I think it is a bit different to a simple hallucinogenic.
The Mad Monkey Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 You know, I just realized that I've never watched Batman & Robin. Downloading now.
Dan_Dare Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Venom isn't much more comic-y than Cillian Murphy's fear gas in Begins. Wouldn't be suprised to see it (obviously in an altered form, not expecting the tube into the head). --- I might need to make a Youtube video defence of Batman & Robin. Have you ever read Batman: Venom? If not, do. It's ace- and it depicts an earlier version of the drug very much based on amphetamines or steroids, rather than a 'magic muscle formula' it's been shown as more recently. In the original, it comes in pill form and is handed to Batman as a performance enhancer.
Paj! Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Never even heard of it, strangely. Hmm. Will seek it out one day.
Happenstance Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Have you ever read Batman: Venom? If not, do. It's ace- and it depicts an earlier version of the drug very much based on amphetamines or steroids, rather than a 'magic muscle formula' it's been shown as more recently. In the original, it comes in pill form and is handed to Batman as a performance enhancer. Ive never read the story but all I can picture now is Batman taking it then realising what he did was wrong so goes off to talk with Mr Belding.
Retro_Link Posted January 20, 2011 Author Posted January 20, 2011 Have you ever read Batman: Venom? If not, do. It's ace- and it depicts an earlier version of the drug very much based on amphetamines or steroids, rather than a 'magic muscle formula' it's been shown as more recently. In the original, it comes in pill form and is handed to Batman as a performance enhancer. Sounds like a much better direction to me!... For Bane's use anyway, I don't think Batman should get involved in it.
Dan_Dare Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 It's kind of like that, only with more emphasis on kicking people in the face and less emphasis on dealing with emotions. Sounds like a much better direction to me!... For Bane's use anyway, I don't think Batman should get involved in it. I can definitely see Hardy in that way. Keep Bane as a soldier and tactician and keep Venom as a kind of cutting edge pill. It'd fit perfectly with Nolan's direction.
Tellyn Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 I love the idea of Bane as the villain. Batman, despite being wanted for the murders of several people, is at the height of his power. The Joker is behind bars, his work with Dent has cleaned up Gotham and put most of the mob away, and he's winning his war on crime. Enter Bane, who takes on Batman and BREAKS HIS FUCKING BACK in order to put him out of the picture, giving him the means to take over Gotham City. Batman watches the city descend into chaos again, ruining all the work he's done. It's the best way for Batman to gain the public's trust back too, by RISING (ho ho!) back up to defeat Bane and cronies, and claim back the city.
dwarf Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Why does Bane break the Batman and not finish him off completely?
ReZourceman Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Why does Bane break the Batman and not finish him off completely? Because DC didn't want to kill off their only good character LOLOLOLOL MARVEL FANBOY.
Dan_Dare Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Why does Bane break the Batman and not finish him off completely? Tbf, he breaks his spine and throws him off a roof. Maybe not that thorough but you can't argue with his grasp of probability.
Paj! Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 I thought he broke his back and left him on the floor of the batcave? IIRC Batman's like "Fuck my life, so many disasters one after the other in Gotham, loads of my enemies loose...haven't slept in days etc" (all a plan of Bane's) and then Bane just fucking arrives at Wayne Manor and breaks his back in the cave. And he intentionally left him since it was such a brutal and symbolic breaking in any case.
Daft Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Because DC didn't want to kill off their only good character LOLOLOLOL MARVEL FANBOY. To be fair, I'd agree with this. They're going so far as trying to launch a character called Green Lantern into the mainstream? Seriously, what the Hell? What next? Pink Toaster?
chairdriver Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 What next? Pink Toaster? So fraking racist.
ReZourceman Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 To be fair, I'd agree with this. They're going so far as trying to launch a character called Green Lantern into the mainstream? Seriously, what the Hell? What next? Pink Toaster?
Retro_Link Posted January 23, 2011 Author Posted January 23, 2011 Raises some interesting plot possibilities... http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/114/1145394p1.html What classic Batman storylines might we see play out on screen in the next movie? Fans of Christopher Nolan's previous two Batman movies have been eagerly awaiting news on the next sequel, The Dark Knight Rises. But aside from a few obvious casting announcements and some half-baked rumors, little news has been forthcoming. But finally this week, WB announced that Catwoman and Bane will be serving as the two major antagonists to Batman. We still don't know much when it comes to specific plot details, but at this point we have enough of a foundation to start pondering how this next movie will unfold. Moreover, Batman Begins and its Year One-heavy focus proved that Nolan isn't adverse to using certain iconic Batman stories as inspiration for his scripts. In this feature, we examine six Batman graphic novels that could conceivably influence The Dark Knight Rises. These are some of the definitive stories when it comes to Bane, Catwoman, and Batman's own psychological troubles. Even if they don't directly impact this movie, fans would do well to brush up on them before The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters in 2012. The Dark Knight Returns The Dark Knight Returns is one of the most iconic Batman stories of all time. Here, writer/artist Frank Miller offered a glimpse of an older, jaded Bruce Wayne who had given up his war on crime and resigned himself to a life of quiet, alcohol-tinged solitude. That is, until the darkness within him came crawling out again and sent Batman back into the night. Many of the finer details of The Dark Knight Returns have no chance of making it into this film. There won't be a female version of Robin (or any Robin at all), no appearances by Joker or Two-Face, no Cold War-era setting, and certainly no knock-down, drag-out brawl with Superman. But the core concept of the story is one that could easily be adopted for The Dark Knight Rises. No doubt Bruce Wayne is heavily disillusioned following the events of the previous film. Gotham had come so close to redemption and lost it all when Harvey Dent fell. Batman is now a pariah and wanted for murders he didn't commit. From what we've heard about the premise of the third movie, Bruce Wayne does indeed find himself keeping a low profile in the wake of The Dark Knight. It's only when Catwoman appears on the scene to enact her form of vigilante justice that Batman takes a more active role in policing Gotham once again. However subtly, it seems there may be echoes of The Dark Knight Returns in this film. The name similarities alone suggest Christopher Nolan was considering this comic as he developed the script. Venom When Bane first appeared on the scene, he relied on the super-steroid known as Venom to provide him with boosted strength. However, the drug itself predates Bane's first appearance. The story arc "Venom" originally appeared in the pages of Legends of the Dark Knight. The setting flashed back to early in Batman's career. Batman faced one of the first great crises in his career when his merely human strength prevented him from rescuing a drowning girl. Disillusioned, the Caped Crusader welcomed the chance to test drive an experimental new steroid called Venom. Batman gained near superhuman levels of strength, but at the cost of a crippling dependency on the drug and its creator. One of the most memorable scenes in the story involves Batman locking himself in the Batcave for a month to forcibly overcome his addiction. We highly doubt Bane is going to appear in the film exactly as he does in the comics. Actor Tom Hardy is several inches shorter than Christian Bale, whereas the Bane of the comics would tower over most WWE wrestlers. But while we're probably looking at a smaller, scrappier version of the villain, we do anticipate the Venom drug factoring into the story. And why should Venom become the exclusive tool of Bane? Batman faces a situation in this sequel where the entire GCPD is gunning for hm. He'll need more advantages than martial arts training and a few fancy gadgets can provide. In the midst of his physical and psychological desperation, it's all too easy to imagine Bruce Wayne making the dangerous choice to partake in the same drug that powers his newest foe. The battle may come down to which of them is able to shake off its debilitating side-effects first. Vengeance of Bane/Knightfall Bane's first appearance took place in the pages of Batman: Vengeance of Bane. In this one-shot, readers learned of the villain's tragic origins. Bane (real name unknown) was born in a Central American prison and forced to serve the sentence of his absent father. Growing up in prison hardened the boy, who pushed himself physically and mentally and dreamed of one day seeing the outside world. A chance induction into a program to test the Venom drug gave Bane great strength and the chance to escape. Again, we're anticipating some significant changes to Bane's portrayal in this movie, but we'd be surprised if Nolan completely ignored the events of Vengeance of Bane. Most of Batman's villains so far have offered some account of their origins in their own words, even if the truth of those tales was highly questionable in Joker's case. Vengeance of Bane was merely a primer for a larger storyline called Knightfall. In this extended crossover, Bane arrived in Gotham and made it his mission to destroy the Dark Knight and rule the city in his place. He broke open the walls of Arkham and forced Batman to run himself ragged trying to apprehend the escapees. Then, at his lowest ebb, Batman had his back broken by Bane. This storyline led into further crossovers called Knightquest and Knightsend, as the anti-hero Azrael took over the mantle of Batman and a rejuvenated Bruce Wayne ultimately returned to reclaim his costume. Obviously, there's far too much material at play in the Knightfall trilogy for Nolan to include in a single film. However, the central idea of Bane emerging in the Gotham underworld to push Batman to his limits is one that could easily be adapted. Bane is the first villain since Ra's al Ghul in these movies that can match Batman physically as well as intellectually. We're expecting a major brawl between the two at some point in the movie. And even if it doesn't result in Batman's spine being snapped, we imagine he's going to feel mighty sore the next morning. Catwoman: Her Sister's Keeper When Frank Miller overhauled Batman's origin story in Batman: Year One, one of his more controversial changes was to cast Selina Kyle as a prostitute who was inspired by Batman's appearance to don her own costumed identity. That early thread is continued in the pages of Catwoman: Her Sister's Keeper, a story that essentially acts as Catwoman: Year One. Her Sister's Keeper explores Selina's time as a prostitute and her friendship with Holly Robinson, first introduced in Batman: Year One. Selina's long-lost sister Madelaine is also introduced in this story. From being given a leather catsuit by her pimp to training in martial arts with Ted Grant, readers witness Selina's growth into Catwoman and the horrible sacrifices she's forced to make along the way. DC's editors have been fairly reluctant to keep this story as an active part of Batman continuity. The current stance offered by several writers is that Selina was never truly a prostitute, but merely disguised herself as one in order to rob would-be clients. Still, no one is forcing Nolan to adhere his movies to current DC continuity. Between ingraining Ra's al Ghul into Batman's origin and offering his own take on the "Was it Joe Chill or a faceless criminal who shot Bruce's parents?" question, Nolan has already successfully tinkered with the past. If he aims to provide a similarly revamped and streamlined account of Selina Kyle's early days, he could do far worse than look to Her Sister's Keeper for inspiration. Catwoman: When in Rome One of the more memorable Catwoman stories in recent years was Catwoman: When in Rome. This mini-series served as a companion to Batman: Dark Victory, covering Catwoman's actions during the period she left Gotham in Dark Victory. When in Rome sees Selina attempt to uncover the truth behind her father's identity. She believes him to be the late Gotham crime lord Carmine Falcone. Though the story never conclusively answers the question, it's strongly implied that Falcone is her father. Again, this story would never serve as heavy inspiration for The Dark Knight Rises. It takes place almost entirely outside of Gotham and features too many popular DC villains that don't yet exist within Nolan's universe. But in terms of painting Selina as the possible rejected offspring of Carmine Falcone, we could easily see the film following When in Rome. Falcone, of course, was the main early obstacle in Bruce Wayne's path in Batman Begins. The Dark Knight featured Sal Maroni stepping up in Falcone's place and later being killed by Two-Face. No doubt Gotham's underworld remains in disarray, and the Falcone empire persists despite its original leader being incarcerated in Arkham. One of the primary questions surrounding this film right now is what motivates Catwoman. Is she merely seeking wealth and ill-gotten goods, or is she actually trying to protect Gotham's citizens during her nightly escapades? Early evidence seems to point toward the latter. Casting Selina Kyle as the bitter daughter of Falcone and a woman who desperately wants to atone for her father's legacy might be just what the story needs. It's time for a stronger, more independent, and more fully realized take on Catwoman than was offered in her two previous Hollywood appearances. Prey The one Batman story that has been heavily rumored to be influencing the development of The Dark Knight Rises is Prey. Another memorable arc from the pages of Legends of the Dark Knight, Prey places Hugo Strange in the villain's chair. The story sees Strange aid the GCPD in hunting Batman for his illegal vigilante actions. Batman suddenly finds himself at odds with Commissioner Gordon as even the police turn against him. Many were quick to assume the rumors of Prey influencing TDKR were false once it was announced that Bane, not Strange, would serve as the film's main villain. However, the general concept of the GCPD declaring war on Batman is easily applicable. The Dark Knight ended with Batman framing himself for Harvey Dent's murders and fleeing from the police. It stands to reason that the relationship between the hero and Gotham's finest will remain strained in the sequel. Gordon's personal turmoil at being forced to hunt his friend and ally was a major element of Prey, just as we imagine it will be in The Dark Knight Rises. Given his own prodigious intellect and slight mental instability, Bane could easily serve as a fill-in for Strange. The fact that Catwoman also plays a minor role in Prey doesn't hurt the odds of this story being adapted. We'd recommend interested fans hunt down the trade, but the aforementioned rumors have managed to drive up prices on the secondary market. That said, if Prey does end up serving as fodder for The Dark Knight Rises, expect DC to reprint the story at some point in the next 18 months. The possible Catwomen/Falcone connection is an interesting one.
Paj! Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Never read When In Rome, so wasn't aware there was a connection. That could be something used. That article did remind me that she was meant to be a prostitute...that'd be cool. If she was an escort or something, who goes from minor theft from clients to something bigger as she becomes Catwoman...
Retro_Link Posted January 23, 2011 Author Posted January 23, 2011 (edited) I prefer the idea of Catwomen not being a theif in this film (it serves to remind of Catwomen too much *gags*). I like the thought of her being the strong vigilante who steps up in Batman's absence, [nightvision] goggles included, and possibly atone for her fathers sins. It's funny how simply acknowledging the comic The Dark Knight Returns, makes me like the name The Dark Knight Rises far more than I did before! :p Also I was somewhat relieved to find Tom Hardy is quite a bit shorter than Bale, because it adds more weight behind Bane never becoming (without CGI, which is again unlikely) a Hulking beast, which I'd hate. Edited January 23, 2011 by Retro_Link
Paj! Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Catwoman is an incredibly interesting/flawed character, so it would be disappointing if they played as just a boring vigilante...her questionable ethics/stance on things is what differentiates her from Batman's allies. Even in the stellar version from Batman Returns, she was just kinda maddened rather than particularly bad or good.
Retro_Link Posted January 23, 2011 Author Posted January 23, 2011 (edited) Catwoman is an incredibly interesting/flawed character, so it would be disappointing if they played as just a boring vigilante...her questionable ethics/stance on things is what differentiates her from Batman's allies. Even in the stellar version from Batman Returns, she was just kinda maddened rather than particularly bad or good. Yeah you know more of her than me! :pI'd love her to be an interesting complex character as well, and judging on how they went about The Joker it wouldn't suprise me, which would be awesome. If they do go with a family connection for her then you can see there having to be moral/ethical choices for her. Anything but petty thief though!... which I'm sure will be the case, given they'd surely want to distance her from her latest movie outing! Edited January 23, 2011 by Retro_Link
Paj! Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Well Catwoman wasn't really a petty thief in the 2004 movie. IIRC she stole jewels ONCE, and that was before she even made the costume. Then she returned most of them. Most of that film had her as a (framed/misunderstood) hero. :/ I agree with you though.
Konfucius Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 I actually liked the Catwoman of the earlier 90s animated series best (Batman TAS). She was more or less a thief because she wanted to help animals and needed money for that, although she probably took a considerable amout to attend high society parties. They also managed to fill her with an incredible amount of sex-appeal especially considering it's an animated show and aimed at kids.
Murr Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 He's long been rumored to be joining the cast of The Dark Knight Rises and now it appears to be true: Joseph Gordon-Levitt is in talks to play an unspecified role in the Bat-sequel. "I'm not sure what role he'll play, but I'm told that he will be in the movie when Nolan starts production this spring," according to Deadline. He will segue to the film after wrapping Looper. Gordon-Levitt joins his fellow Inception alum Tom Hardy (who's been cast as Bane) in the Christopher Nolan threequel. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (L) will join his Inception co-star Tom Hardy ® in The Dark Knight Rises. So let the speculation rage: Nolan has said that Riddler won't be in the film (a role that fans have long thought JGL would be perfect for), so could he be playing a different villain? Perhaps a good guy? Someone in between? Sound off in the Comments below! (Before anyone whines about there being too many villains in TDKR, bear in mind that Batman Begins had Ducard, "Ra's Al Ghul," Scarecrow, Wayne Enterprises CEO William Earle, Carmine Falcone, Joe Chill and Victor Zsasz, while The Dark Knight had Joker, Two-Face, Scarecrow, Sal Maroni, various hoods and crooked cops, Lau and that weasel who tried to blackmail Bruce Wayne.) Source - IGN.com
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