Quite a while ago I read an article that mentioned that Harvey Dent (aka Two Face) would be the featured villain of the next film (article here: http://www.filmschoolrejects.c... ). Well after watching it last night, I'm left to wonder is he coming back to life (after being presumably buried) or were they just leaking false news?

Last night the IHM group talked about the possibilities of the next film. Some thought there shouldn't be any more (similar to how Spiderman should have stopped at

I was talking to my brother about this. I want to see more Batman as this is currently one of my all time favorite franchises, but the problem is that I feel like there's just no way that Nolan could top this. I mean, I'm sure that a third movie would be amazing and fantastic because I know Nolan knows how to make a freaking sequel, but if it were me, you couldn't pay me a million dollars to direct the sequel to this film. I mean, it seriously one of the most brilliant films I've seen in a long time. Every superhero movie and sequel will be compared to this from now on, just like this is being compared to "Empire Strikes Back" and "Godfather 2". I really feel like it is so good that Nolan kind of shot himself in the foot.

However, that being said, if they are going to make a third one (and knowing how much money this thing is probably going to make, I have no doubt that Warner Bros. will MAKE them make another one) I would like to see a few different options:

First, please don't just go through the big named villians. Not really sure I want to see the Riddler or Penguin in this series. The Joker and Two-Face work great, but the penguin and Riddler PALE in comparison to those two. It would not work in my opinion. And I just read an interview with David Goyer and Johnathan Nolan who said they want to deal more with lesser known villians. Which is one of the reasons they used Ra's Al Ghul and the Scarecrow in the first film.

Second, I don't think that Harvey's story is done. At first, it seemed to me that they simply killed him off, but I don't think that happened. I think he easily could have been knocked out and Gordon and Batman would want to keep him away from the public, probably at Arkham, so as to hide the truth from the public. Then he could be the main villian and I think that would work, if making the third more of an extension of this movie. The story of Harvey and Batman is so much bigger than this movie showed and I think they could explore it quite a bit. In that sense, you could have a lesser villian supporting, but I really think that Eckhart was incredible as Harvey in this movie and given the right material I think he could bring Two-Face into Joker territory. I personally really would want to see a whole movie with Batman vs. Harvey, considering their relationship.

Third, we also shouldn't rule out the possibility of Ra's Al Ghul coming back. In the comics that's kind of his schtick. He has a "Lazarus Pit" that restores his life and keeps him young and I think, instead of Catwoman, along with Ra's you could introduce his daughter Talia who is a love-interest/sometimes villian to Batman as well. There's a whole slew of unused villians and ideas in the Batman comics that they could go with.

Basically, though, as long as they continue to deal with these greater themes and social commentaries of justice, fear, anarchy, etc., I think they'd be okay. I love where the series is right now because you have the first film devoted to the psychology of Bruce Wayne and the subject of fear, both socially and personally. Then you have this film that deals with right and wrong, and gray areas, and rules and more than anything "escalation". There are other themes very prevalent in the Batman-universe that they could play on. Especially now that they've set it up so that the public is going to believe that Batman went on a murdering rampage and he's going to be fighting against, not only the underworld, but the public as well. There's some heavy potential there.

I completely agree with your enjoyment of the themes present throughout the movie. One of the things that made Dark Knight so great to me was the ending where you see Batman finally accept his role as someone who needs to be everyone's "guardian angel" (as I believe Michael Caine said). I love the fact that even though Bruce likes getting the good publicity about Batman, he was able to let Batman take a hated role as to protect the fate and future of the city.

I really liked Eckhart as Two Face as well, so I don't think I'd be upset if they revealed that the burial was staged and Two Face was really running lose amongst society. I think there's a lot left (as you said) of the dynamic between the two vigilantes and their personal relationship with rules and how far they're willing to go.

I'm also throwing out that I'm really glad Gordon's death was staged as I enjoy the relationship between him and Batman so much and I think Gary Oldman does such a great job at playing him.

Totally! Gary Oldman was spectacular in this film and one of my top favorite performances from the movie. What's so wonderful is how Nolan realized how important this character is. In the other Batman's and the show Gordon was always this bumbling fool, following Batman only because he didn't have the balls to be a leader himself. This is not even CLOSE to the Gordon of the comics and I always wondered why they made him that way. But Nolan's movies, especially TDK, really have brought out what an integral part to the equation he is and it is SO refreshing.

@Lukeslens: I agree, Gary Oldman did a great job, and was very happy he had such a larger roll in the plot. Though, I am very positive that there will be a sequel as I've heard Bale signed on a while a go for two more films.

I don't think they should introduce Ra's Al Ghul back again, for one, it clearly showed him dieing and some of the concepts of Batman from the comics are just unrealistic for Nolan's portrayal of Batman. For example, they can't use the villain Clayface, it would take the audience out of the realistic world Nolan has made. This is similar to how I sort of felt for Spider-man 3. While the villains are much more unrealistic in the Spider-man movies, I felt Sandman was just out of place, like it was way too over the top. The next batman movie needs a villain as grounded in realty as the psychopath Joker was for Dark Knight.

I don't really enjoy the character of Ra's Al Ghul, so I'm hoping not see him again. While I usually really enjoy Liam Neeson, I just found him as enemy a ton less thrilling than Joker or Two Face for the Dark Knight. Granted, Begins focused more on the formation of Batman than an enemy facing him.

The more I think about it, I think the continuation of Two Face in the series would be a lot more enjoyable. For one, Aaron Eckhart was amazing and the duality between both vigilantes and the lines they're both willing to cross is great film making.

Regardless, I have faith in the Nolans (both Chris and his brother write the scripts), so I'll just be a patient little newly formed fanboy and sit back to see what they do next.

I just wrote up a long entry about some possibilities for both supporting characters and villains for a next movie over at my blog. It's kinda long, so I didn't post it here. But there are photos!

http://qbtk.com/2008/07/21/the...

I am having a hard time remembering a character name but in the film Batman was holding a mobster over the edge of what seemed to me not to different a length of a drop as the one Harvey fell and there was this discussion about the drop not killing one. I think this is a sign Harvey did not die.

I agree and have been wondering that too. It's seems like too obvious of a foreshadow to ignore in this context. Also, keep in mind Batman fell from the same spot and was completely fine and able to continue on and run from the police and dogs. Also, the fact that a casket and/or body was never shown should indicate that he's still around.

Remember, Ra's Al Ghul was supposed to be dead at the beginning of Begins as well but reappeared later...

I have a feeling it's going to be the Riddler the character figured out the identity of Batman and they used a play on names. I didn't notice it until tonight seeing it for a second time

Edward Nigma - Ed Nigma - enigma

Reese - Mister Reese - mysteries

HAHA GET IT?!

That was brought up during the /Film podcast with Kevin Smith. I don't know how much I agree with that. Maybe not so much because it seems illogical, but more because I don't want it to happen.

Although, if anyone could create a good Riddler, the Nolans can...

Reese could also be MR. FREEZE!

You see...

Coleman Reese was played by Joshua Harto who, in 2005, was also cast in one episode of the TV show COLD CASE!!

THAT MUST BE IT! MWAHAHAHA!