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Editorial: Should Warner Brothers Continue With THE DARK KNIGHT Trilogy Or Give It A Reboot?

Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy just wrapped up, and with rumors of DC moving towards a Justice League movie there has been some debate on whether they should continue the franchise with out Nolan or just reboot Batman all together. Click here for my take.

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By Jake "WaylonJones" Lester - 7/31/2012
Last month, I wrote an editorial on whether or not I thought Green Lantern should get a sequel or just be rebooted. You wonderful people here at CBM responded so greatly to it, that I have decided to make a monthly Reboot or Sequel series. This month I will be tackling one that is still fresh in our minds, The Dark Knight Trilogy. This is a little bit different than say, the Green Lantern argument, because with these movies we have a successful interpretation of Batman with the Christopher Nolan trilogy. On the other hand, Nolan and company have no intentions of continuing his Dark Knight tale even though he specifically left a little cliffhanger in The Dark Knight Rises with Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character, John Blake A.K.A. Robin, finding the Batcave. Even with that set up, the right move for Warner Brothers is to reboot the Batman franchise. I am not saying that there needs to be a Batman movie out next year, however there are just too many reasons why a reboot needs to be done. Check out my main reasons below.

If DC is setting up a shared universe, Bruce Wayne needs to be a part of it.

At the end of The Dark Knight Rises the people of Gotham are led to believe that Batman has sacrificed himself to save the people of Gotham. We are also treated to a teaser at the end of the film which reveals that John Blake has found the Batcave which leads viewers to think that he might take up the mantle of the Bat. With DC rumored to be working towards a shared universe, they need to have one of their most recognizable characters, Bruce Wayne, involved. Superman and Batman are the two crown jewels of the DC universe and to have a Batman that is John Blake would just ruin any (I use the term any here loosely) momentum they have to catch up with Marvel.

Batman NEEDS The Joker.

Heath Ledger did an amazing job as The Joker in Nolan’s second installment to his trilogy The Dark Knight. Unfortunately Ledger passed away at the way too young age of 28, putting a damper on The Joker ever showing up in Nolan’s Batman universe again. The downside to using The Joker is that he has been featured in multiple movies and television shows about The Caped Crusader. However, The Joker is part of what makes Batman tick. They have to keep it fresh though, or they run the risk of over doing it like they have with Lex Luthor in the Superman movies. As anxious as I am to see what group of villains the next group of Bat filmmakers have in store, Joker has to be a part of it.

It's an opportunity to make Batman films more like the comics.

I love The Dark Knight Trilogy. They are extremely well made movies and they have kept Batman exposed to the world. I believe that the next set of movies need to take some of that reality based premise away. By doing this, you open up the world to more villains and don’t have to keep recycling the same ones that have been used for years and years now. Being able to use such rogues as Killer Croc and Clayface, among others could really get people in the seats at the theater by making them curious and saying, “I haven’t seen Batman fight this guy on the big screen before.”

In closing, I would just like to reiterate that I have enjoyed Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy a lot, but if DC wants to catch up to Marvel in the movie department, rebooting with fresh faces/characters is the way to go for The Dark Knight. To reboot correctly, DC/WB needs not to rush this. Batman is still on the brain with The Dark Knight Rises opening just two weeks ago, and the last thing the Warner Brothers needs is a set back with one of its flagship characters. Let me know what you think though. Would you rather WB just continue with the continuity they have and let Joseph Gordon-Levvit be Batman, or are you with me on rebooting it? Sound off in the comments below!


Have an idea for next months sequel or reboot article? Leave a comment in the comment boxes. You can also click the contact me button in the article and drop me an e-mail.

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233 Comments
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MrLoki - 7/31/2012, 7:01 AM
REBOOT!!!!!
StrangerX - 7/31/2012, 7:01 AM
I want a reboot with Eric Bana as Batman
KNIGHT3000 - 7/31/2012, 7:02 AM
CONTINUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRUCE IS NOW BATMAN FOREVER!
DCcomicsFrankie - 7/31/2012, 7:05 AM
hhmmmmmm?...I think it would be somewhat good in both ways. But in my opinion John Blake continue the trilogy. I think Joseph Gordon Levitt is that bad of an actor?
Tainted87 - 7/31/2012, 7:06 AM
Reboot..... in 10 years. I'm Batman-ed out.
DCcomicsFrankie - 7/31/2012, 7:06 AM
I meant *isnt sorry folks.
HellsHammer - 7/31/2012, 7:07 AM
While I loved this trilogy I think we need a reboot. It's a chance for Batman to be a detective and show that he is more of a creature of the night. Also its a chance to show some of his more fantastic villians like ManBat, Clay Face, Killer Croc, Freeze(done properly) etc.
HellsHammer - 7/31/2012, 7:07 AM
Also its a chance for me to play Batman! :p
StrangerX - 7/31/2012, 7:08 AM
Maybe they could do a Nightwing vs The Red Hood movie with JGL.
FlannelGuy26 - 7/31/2012, 7:09 AM
I think there's the ability to balance what Nolan did with what Burton started.

Don't get me wrong, I love the realism and gritty universe from Nolan, but I like my Batman to cruise around a sick lookin' Batmobile. And a pimped out Batcave with trophies.

And I will get bashed for this, I want Robin. A Robin done right. Dick Grayson, 15, and hoppin' around like Jet Li with a staff. It could work and it could be awesome. He's as well known as Batman himself. People know Batman & Robin...they're timeless...Schumacher only made it campy. Time to rectify that mistake.

And if you're doing Robin, then yes, bring on Bat Girl. I think what makes having teenagers on Batman's team so unique is that Gotham has gotten so bad, even children succumb to the darkness. They fight back. And on top of that, Gordon has to say to his unit, "NOT ONLY do you not kill Batman...trust him for having these kids on his team as well" That's ballsy stuff.

Plus, the fact Gordon confides in Batman...yet Batman allows Jim's daughter to run around in tights, facing the Joker. So many layers of drama that could make these movies powerful. VERY character driven for the reboots. And something Nolan didn't even scratch. The Killing Joke could be a trilogy unto itself and completely bad ass. Thoughts?
UltimateSpiderman - 7/31/2012, 7:10 AM
[frick] this shit. bring on the reboot.
valeriesghost - 7/31/2012, 7:10 AM
I love the trilogy, but no thanks
silverdog - 7/31/2012, 7:10 AM
reboot that mofo.. with a real detective - ass kicking batman, not a cranky pushover with rubber armor and muppet voice.
SageMode - 7/31/2012, 7:12 AM
And your last topic of discussion is the reason why TDK trilogy fails as a CBM.

BRING ON THE REBOOT!!!!
darkjoker1 - 7/31/2012, 7:12 AM
i think we should have bruce come back from globe trotting around the world to be batman again soo no reboot...
MJI45 - 7/31/2012, 7:12 AM
Use Nolan's John Blake character in his own Robin or more preferable Night Wing movie.
The Arkham City game has shown how both characters can appeal to audiences
ralfinader - 7/31/2012, 7:12 AM
Reboot. Why? Nolan's Batman and the world he set Bats in does not cater to superheroes or supervillians. The Justice League is coming, and the Batman in the JLA needs to be smarter and more inventive than the Nolan version, capable of designing and building his own arsenal, rather than depending on Fox (also, Bats can't be a quitter).
FlannelGuy26 - 7/31/2012, 7:12 AM
The reboot should already have the playground done. Gotham sucks. Jim and Batman have a relationship. Bruce has been Batman for a year already. Now you can start establishing the villains. Villains not used yet: Scarface, Penguin, Riddler, Croc, and maybe...just maybe...Mr Freeze...and I'm talking the Animated Series Mr Freeze.
GoILL - 7/31/2012, 7:13 AM
I loved the Nolan interpretation but I think it is time for something different.
Agent99 - 7/31/2012, 7:13 AM
Trilogy was awesome, id like to see this version of batman in justice league but i dont mind doing another reboot because batman is fictional character and he belongs to the big screen.
JamesClement - 7/31/2012, 7:14 AM
I'm all for the reboot, loved Nolan's trilogy but it's perhaps time for a change. Great article Waylon!
HellsHammer - 7/31/2012, 7:14 AM
@ DoubleD
I want my damn Superman origin on Krypton with good effects damn it! :p
rebellion - 7/31/2012, 7:15 AM
i don't want anyone to ruin what nolan has done so i think they should reboot it. but not too soon.
jimoakley666 - 7/31/2012, 7:16 AM
Nolan finished his story. There is not point in continuing it. It is what it is. I'm all for a reboot. But give it a few years. Over five. Maybe ten.
DarkKnight23 - 7/31/2012, 7:16 AM
Don't reboot. Relaunch it
DJRock93 - 7/31/2012, 7:16 AM
PLEASE PUT A SPOILER ALERT ON IT
nitecraller - 7/31/2012, 7:16 AM
I actually really want to see a Batman Beyond series...
valeriesghost - 7/31/2012, 7:16 AM
And great article Waylon! I completely agree. Although it would be interesting to see Nightwing on the big screen. But it would have to be night wing, not a different batman.
Aeyan - 7/31/2012, 7:18 AM
Let it rest for a few years then return to the franchise. Maybe then, Nolan will wish to return as well.
Spidey91 - 7/31/2012, 7:18 AM
maybe a reboot...in 10 years or so.
until then,how about a Flash movie,or a Wonder-Woman movie,or a better Green Lantern?
I want a Flash movie dammit! :P
ImnotDaredevil - 7/31/2012, 7:21 AM
Loved the trilogy it has left us with some very memorable moments, but, cant see any harm in a well done reboot to fit in with a DCU that can finally live up to its potential.
ElDuce74 - 7/31/2012, 7:22 AM
Reboot so that we get a true superhero movie. DC has no direction at this point. GL failed, Superman isn't opening the doors for a shared universe so it looks like that will be a stand alone franchise. Christ, this is the same company that was going to put out a JL film with all new actors while the Superman and Batman films were still out. They obviously don't give a sh-t or just don't know how to do the obvious.

And I'm a DC fan more than a Marvel fan.

Add SOMETHING to the Superman film for a shared universe.
Make a Flash film.
Make a Wonder Woman film.

Lead up to a JL film and bring back GL as a soft reboot of the character in that film. Leave Batman out of it until a cameo at the end or the second one.
evil40 - 7/31/2012, 7:22 AM
I say reboot it. Nolans trilogy was good but batman himself always seemed to come up lacking. The last two movies the villans were definitely the center of the movie and the true essence of the batman character was never captured. Reboot a little down the road with ties to a dc justice league universe.
ElBicho - 7/31/2012, 7:22 AM
Let's get back to the Batman mythos. REBOOT!
CherryBomb - 7/31/2012, 7:22 AM
Batman is like James Bond, it's nice to have a few films through the years spread out and with a new cast and director to give it a fresh feel.

Nolan's movies weren't my favourite, but I understand why people like them. I'd like to see a new director bring the fun back into comic movies and now ground everything with 'realism'.
valeriesghost - 7/31/2012, 7:23 AM
I agree with evil40, one of the downfalls of all of the batman movies is that aside from BB, all of the baddies are much more interesting then Batman. I want alvie that has batman as the focus, not Bruce, not his enemies, but Batman being thegoddamnbatman.
bretlfc - 7/31/2012, 7:23 AM
How many times, he ain't gonna be batman. Batman as a symbol is finished in nolans films making way for John Blake to either become robin or nightwing NOT batman. The legend ends on the posters also says that.
Hawkeyefan - 7/31/2012, 7:25 AM
I say continue. Let Joseph Gordon Levitt play Nightwing instead of Robin. And have him fight criminals like killer croc, mr freeze, the penquin, or any other criminals. I thought that he did an excellent job in Dark Knight Rises.
mounted88 - 7/31/2012, 7:25 AM
Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Bruce and talia did have sex and if they want they could have play her death off and not die and become pregnant with bruce baby which would set up for Damian Wayne to be born and come around. But instead of being robin he could show up in Gotham as red hood. Which he would be put up against night wing aka JGL. But that would have to be like a 18 year gap in the story line or they can use it to set up dark knight returns. Also with a different director they could bring back joker using another actor to fill the shoes. Alot of possibilities for batman now. I would like them to continue this series and screw the reboot I'm sick of seeing how Bruce becomes batman we all know the story. No need to milk it again.
KNIGHT3000 - 7/31/2012, 7:25 AM
DARK KNIGHT trilogy ends at the perfect place to start. We DON'T need to murder the Wayne's with an alternate backstory leading up to Batman's rise AGAIN. F#ck the reboot, everybody knows Batman's story, we need NEW stories, not rehashing old ones.

Thats where Burton was successful with Keaton, he didn't waste time on what everybody knows, he didn't take an hour to tell a 3 minute back story like Marc Webb.

Where Nolan ends, we finally have a world where Batman isn't alone. Not only does he have a woman that truly respects and understands him, better than Rachel EVER could, but he has assistance in the war on crime through his new partner.

Due to the events of DARK KNIGHT RISES, it is once again a time of peace, where Robin can sharpen his skills to be a masked hero, and Batman, no longer Bruce, to have a chance at a real life taking some time off with his new love.

From my understanding, he is Batman forever now. This is Bruce Wayne we are talking about, it won't be long before his help is needed, it won't be long before his conscience pulls him back into action.
marvel72 - 7/31/2012, 7:26 AM
reboot,we need a dc shared universe.
mbingcrosby - 7/31/2012, 7:26 AM
Maybe some sort of Battle for the Cowl storyline could work. Forcing Bruce to return from his apparent death...
samsupes - 7/31/2012, 7:26 AM
I feel that the Nolan films were perfect for Batman. Batman & Robin killed the franchise, but rather than just rebooting WB took a different approach with the realism angle. Sure the villains were limited but it worked.

Now they can reboot and it doesnt feel like an unneeded reboot. Going back to the comics brings us an unlimited amount of villains and a different view of Batman as opposed to saying, "eh I already saw this in the Nolan films"

My choices for villains in a new trilogy....

Riddler, Hugo Strange, Red Hood (Joker), Red Hood (Jason Todd), Hush, Black Mask, Mr. freeze, Joker and Harley Quinn
PaulRom - 7/31/2012, 7:28 AM
Reboot it. But I'd rather not see another Batman film until after Justice League comes out.
bretlfc - 7/31/2012, 7:29 AM
@Hawkeyefan I agree, that sounds like it could be interesting.
hellfire - 7/31/2012, 7:30 AM
if Bale doesn't want to carry on then knock it on the head for 5 - 10 years then reboot it but try and avoid the year one type of story.
wbrowning79 - 7/31/2012, 7:30 AM
"The legend ends"
As much as I love this trilogy, "The legend ends" that basically means that its done right? And the 'legend' should be retold? I mean I hate the idea of just throwing this epic trilogy away but we need to move on.
epc1122 - 7/31/2012, 7:33 AM
This is how I'd realistically do it if i were WB

Man of steel (2013)
Justice League (2015) (new version of Bruce Wayne, Keep Ryan Reynolds as GL)

Wonder Woman (2016)
Lobo (2016)

Flash (2017)
Green Lantern Sequel (2017)

Action (Superman Sequel) (2018)
Batman Beyond (2018) (Continue with John Blake)
Ranger14 - 7/31/2012, 7:35 AM
Reboot, but don't do a whole origin story. People know the origin story now. Get into things with some of the cooler villains and give us a few token flashbacks for the origin.

As much as I really enjoyed JGL in TDKR (about the only thing I did really enjoy), he is not Batman and I want Batman, not Nightwing. Nightwing just wouldn't be as marketable as Batman.
shadearts - 7/31/2012, 7:38 AM
REBOOT THE S**T OUT OF IT..HELL NOLAN WROTE A END HE DOESN'T EVEN WON'T HIS BATMAN TO CONTINUE
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