The Dark Knight Rises Plot (Maybe)

I’ve read a lot of comic books. I’ve seen a lot of movies. I know how the game works; and I know the makings of a good and epic storyline. There is a lot of speculation as to the plot of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. For the first time, a director will get the chance to put a definitive end on a superhero franchise. (X-Men: The Last Stand doesn’t count because of all the spin-offs that were obvious at the time of its release.) Literally everything is up in the air for this last Batman movie.

But let’s get to the meat and potatoes of why you’re reading this. Based on the trailers we’ve seen so far and some cast info I am 90% confident that I know the overall storyline of The Dark Knight Rises. But before I go any further, I’d advise you to check out both of the trailers once more.

The first.

The second.

The following is not confirmed in any way shape or form, and is completely conjecture on my part. I haven’t seen a script and I am not lucky enough to know anybody who would know.

The Dark Knight Rises will open up eight years after the conclusion of The Dark Knight (this much is confirmed.) Since that time, Bruce Wayne has given up the cowl as Batman. Now he is just Bruce Wayne, billionaire. No doubt he is doing what he can to help people out in ways a billionaire can; giving jobs to underprivileged, giving to charities, donating to the police department etc. Despite this he will still feel restless and without a purpose. Marion Collitard’s character “Miranda Tate” will comfort Bruce during this time. She’s on the Wayne board for the company and will be a love interest.

In the background of all this, Bane will come to Gotham; heading up a new version of the League of Shadows. Commissioner Gordon (who is “enjoying” an easier job as crime rates are down) and the city will be taken aback by one of Bane’s terrorist attacks. I believe this will be the stadium implosion we see in the trailer. In a response, Gordon goes after Bane. Bruce will sit on the sidelines, believing Gordon can handle it. Gordon and his men will be led into a trap, and Gordon will be severely injured.

From here; the scene from the first trailer will be played. A wounded Gordon will plead with Bruce Wayne that “the Batman has to come back.” In a backhanded way, it will reveal Gordon knew that Bruce was indeed Batman without him having to actually say the words.

Bruce will dust off the suit and go to war with Bane, which will have been the whole point in injuring Gordon and his terrorist attacks in the first place. Bane will brutally beat Batman, but Batman will escape. From here Bane will strike fast and hard at Gotham City. “Miranda Tate” will be revealed as Talia al Ghul, Ra’s al Ghul’s daughter. She will supply Bane with all of Batman’s technology: the Bat-Pods and Tumblers. They will use these and their army to finish what Ra’s started in Batman Begins, the destruction of Gotham City.

Bane and his group will break open a prison, and the entire city will become a battlefield. (I smell another Scarecrow cameo.) Bruce Wayne will be captured. I would not be surprised if Bane actually reveals that Bruce is Batman at this point. There will be a specific emphasis on the looting and ransacking of the rich by the poor. In fact most of Bane’s followers will be the downtrodden and the impoverished that have nothing left. These people hear what they want to hear from Bane, words of a social revolution. Bruce will be shipped off to a League of Shadow’s prison. Gotham will be a chaotic place to live for the time being. The state of Gordon I’m unsure of after it begins.

While in prison, Bruce will recover from his injuries and break out or be broken out of the prison. If he’s broken out of the prison I’d imagine it’ll be Alfred that comes to the rescue with a dry remark.

Batman will make a triumphant return to Gotham City. Meanwhile the militia group opposing Bane in the city will attack. We’ll see a final showdown between Batman and Bane in the middle of the riot.

Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) will be working under Bane’s leadership; likely as a lieutenant of sorts. The only reason for her doing this is she truly believes in the “take from the rich, give to the poor” angle. But at some point she will realize that Bane is scamming her and switch sides for the end. I foresee her taking on Talia while Batman fights Bane.

Now this summary is far from comprehensive. I haven’t a clue as to what Alfred and Lucius will be doing in the film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character is a police officer and I’m not entirely sure what he’ll be doing either. I think he’ll be one of two things: a good cop who defies Bane once the rioting starts or he’ll be an undercover agent for the League of Shadows.

Batman will overcome Bane and order will be restored to Gotham. I can see one of three endings for Bruce. Batman dies while defeating Bane. This way he can “die a hero” before he “becomes the villain.” This once again echoes Harvey Dent’s words. The other two endings are Batman beats Bane and lives; in one he decides to retire again. This will let him truly become a legend. The other is that he once again takes up his crusade. If it were me, I’d go with ending three.

No matter what Christopher Nolan gives us as a conclusion, it’s obvious he is going for a very big, movie with lots of moving chess pieces and put a definitive end to this Batman saga. I eagerly await the film, and my prediction is it will outshine The Dark Knight in every way possible. Well-except Heath Ledger.

Wherever the story takes us I’m sure of one thing. The Dark Knight Rises will be the biggest movie of 2012.


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