Christopher Nolan confirms that there will be no Joker in Batman 3
"No", says Nolan emphatically and unhesitatingly. He resists elaborating simply because, quite understandably, he says, "I just don't feel comfortable talking about it."
Since there is very little that is known about Batman 3, there were rumors of a potential presence by The Joker in the third film, but it seems they're moving on. We'll be sure to keep you posted on any further details on Batman 3 as soon as we have more information.
The Dark Knight Rises was released July 20th, 2012 and stars Tom Hardy, Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Liam Neeson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman. The film is directed by Christopher Nolan.
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Joker_Costume
Hardly suprising, but a Batman world without the joker even as a side show is a mistake.
3 years agoby @joker-costumeFlag
Mutant
to soon for Joker
3 years agoby @zenderFlag
Diaigma
See. I knew Joker wasn't coming back.
3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Emmytt
Batman 3 will be the movie of the year for 2012 and then we die lol end of the world is a movie now so it has to be true
3 years agoby @emmyttFlag
Remy72883
That's my point he can take a character known or unknown and make them work so good for the film
3 years agoby @remy72883Flag
Josh
You have to remember that obscurity is not an issue for Nolan. He made a really successful and well-received film using Ra's Al Guhl and Scarecrow, two villains most mainstream moviegoers have never heard of.
3 years agoby @joshua-bertramFlag
Remy72883
I think Nolan could very easily do the Riddler and add his own twist to it, making him very unpredictable to everyone including the audience just like he did with the joker and really add a psychopath to the story, you got to give the man credit he takes the basic knowledge of a character adds his own twist to it and it comes out brilliant.
3 years agoby @remy72883Flag
ejk1
That's a pretty good idea, @JaysonB190. As for Hush, I think Nolan could boil down the story to the essential parts, and create a great story. It could never be exactly like the comic, but then again Nolan changed characteristics of the Joker and Two-Face, which brought great results, so I'm sure he could do the same thing with Hush. The only real problem with Hush seems to be the lack of knowledge many have of him. While Hush is new and only seen in the comics so far, the Riddler, Penguin, and others have the advantage of the previous movie series, the animated series, and even the 1960's TV show. These characters have a lot more history, which gives them more relevance to pop culture. Many people that have never picked up a comic book still have knowledge of Riddler, Penguin,etc. That's a huge hurdle for a character like Hush to overcome, but I still think he is more suited for the series. However in all honesty, the villain could be the Clock King or Egg Man for all I care, because I'm seeing it on the first day it's released. Two years, twenty-nine days and counting.
3 years agoby @ejk1Flag
JaysonB190
This Hush chap sounds interesting, afraid I haven't heard of him till now, but I will agree with @Masta_Chiefed that if his story is not on par with the comics, then the comic purists will flood the internet with hate.
Bane is an awesome idea but we all know that Nolan is trying to keep a realistic feel to it which is a step up from Schumacher's two tries. By which, I mean creating 4 villains (Riddler, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze) that were so over the top that it kind of cheapened the films (in my opinion, at least)
I think Tim Burton did a well-enough job with Danny DeVito as a Penguin you could have some sympathy for. I think Nolan could do better.
Put it this way: In the 2nd movie...they were able to lock up most of the mafia in one fell swoop. In the 3rd movie, Gordon has been noticing a steadily-increase in mafia activity and secretly contacts Bats to check it out quietly as he is still a fugitive. Bats investigates and discovers a man named Oswald Cobblepots, grown-up from a life in destitution, has been picking up the pieces of the old families and bringing them into one to overthrow Gotham. Maybe a little far-fetched but I think it could essentially work.
3 years agoby @jaysonb190Flag
Tomp1210
@the-billmyster Yeh I think carrey should be given the chance to redeem himself, I dont think such a thing has ever happened before. I blame the director, Jim has so much potential for that role I think.
3 years agoby @tomp1210Flag
Tomp1210
If they make a 4th, the joker should either be recast by someone, or voiced and have a CGI head. But if they do decide to make a 4th Batman, which they totally should, I have 4 words for you : HANNAH MURRAY = HARLEY QUINN. She would be perfection. In fact, maybe the 4th movie could be about Arkham Asylum, I think Chris would like that idea.
I think a supernatural element with more modern tie-ins would be good though. Like Chris has done an excellent job with the series, but you cant just ignore so much. My idea would be to have the man-bat monster guy, which would be very cool I think theme-wise, and Chris could explore Batman's mind even deeper. And its not like its magic or anything, just sci-fi, which usually stays as close to predicted possibility anyway (think of the man-bat thing as The Fly meets Daybreakers, kinda genetic pollution)
3 years agoby @tomp1210Flag
Masta_Chiefed
It won't happen unless Nolan completely alters the story of Hush. And when that happens you'll have all the comic purists leaking out the woodwork to hate on Nolan's portrayal. I do understand the Riddler complaint, but every Bat villain will be compared to Joker from here on out. Regardless of the dynamic they bring to the table.
Hasn't it been leaked to the press that The Riddler will be the next villain anyway?
Hey, I think Hush is intriguing as much as the next guy, but it's just not gonna happen. Too much of a backstory. I also think BRUCE WAYNE would have used Ellliot as a doc already. Sorta like Sam Raimi having the Lizard be Peter parker's professor. I don't want Bane or Killer croc. Doubt Nolan would damage the realism like that anyway.
I just want a good movie fellas. That's all. This is a non-issue if Ledger is still around. Sigh.
3 years agoby @masta-chiefedFlag
the Narrator
@Mast_Chiefed... a character doesn't have to be famous to be good. It might not sell as much at first, but the character and how its portrayed will make up for that. And Hush doesn't need other characters to back him up. I am not saying that Nolan follow the Hush story arc. Simply put the character in his world. Its more than possible. And Wayne wouldn't of used Elliot as a doctor. What don't you understand about a secret identity? I'm sorry, but after a little more thought, it sounds even more possible. Come again.
3 years agoby @narratorFlag
ejk1
i have to disagree with you on this, Masta_Chiefed. If Nolan was following directly from the books, then you'd be right about how Elliot would've needed all that help. But he's not-Ra's Al Ghul as Bruce's original trainer, and the Joker wearing make-up instead of having his skin chemically altered are two differences between Nolan's world and the books. Nolan has made the stories as realistic as he can, and has included very realistic villains. Hush typifies a realistic villain very well, which is why some desire to see him in the next movie. Bane isn't realistic- he needs venom, which seems to be a steroid on steroids, in order to be a threat. They would have to change much about Bane in order to fit him into Nolan's Gotham. Same deal for Poison Ivy. Riddler has never been a physical threat to Batman, and even though the mind game aspect of the character could be interesting, the story may feel like a lighter version of TDK, as Joker played mind games as well, albeit in a more malevolent way. Penguin could work, especially if he is portrayed as trying to takeover the mob. So could Black Mask. Hush could be the weapon they use to destroy Batman/Bruce Wayne.
3 years agoby @ejk1Flag
Masta_Chiefed
Hey let's post 100 comments about a character half the fanbase has no clue about, and can't be used without incorporating a handful of other villains in the Bat universe (Including Joker). Sorry guys, this isn't Arkham Asylum. Nolan won't reach that far to pull someone like Hush out of the comics. Bruce Wayne would have already used Elliot as his Dr. at some point in the last 2 movies. On the surface it sounds cool, but after a little more thought it looks desperate.
Dont mean to drop a deuce on everyone's Cheerios.
3 years agoby @masta-chiefedFlag
Justice23
@TheMime i totaly agree with you bane should be here
and they should go with the bane is bruce waynes brother story line that would be really interesting to see
3 years agoby @justice23Flag
The_Billmyster
Is eddie murphy really playing the riddler?.......id rather see carrey do it again cuz i mean Whats wrong with that?
3 years agoby @the-billmysterFlag
TheMime
It would be cool If Bane shows in the 3rd one.
3 years agoby @themimeFlag
Justhim_sir
As long as there isn't more than 2 major villians going after Batman, than it should be fine whoever he choose.
3 years agoby @justhim-sirFlag
slysnide
@ejk1: it was only personal between Batman & Joker cuz Joker righteously contradicted all Batman's struggles by pointing out that it's not the system that doesn't work, but rather those who run it. And he proved that quite effectively. So that's not nearly the same type of personal level Elliot had with Bruce.
@Fallen: I agree that I'd like to see a more personal story for the third film, as it'd be a rip off to try and top the epic scale of "TDK," and so I get what you mean with Hush. But did he have any other identities? It just seemed as if the character was too engrained with Elliot to basterdize the original model for a composite, as both Scarecrow & Joker were taken from original source material, and not their campy portrayals in television and the two early films. Point being that I'm not sure if Nolan would radically change the identity of the character, for if one looks hard enough, you'll find the same type of Joker in the early comics. And I mean early as in way back to the '40s when he first got started. Same with the psychological "Jonathon Crane" side of Scarecrow rather than the campy Scarecrow himself. Both original models appealed to Nolan for his films, as did the original portrayal of Ra'as Al Ghul, rather than the numerous comics he's been featured in. Just a thought since I'm not too familiar with Hush, and have only these identified patterns to go on.
3 years agoby @slysnideFlag
ejk1
I think Thomas Elliot as Hush would work. All they really need is a few flashback scenes to show there was a friendship between them. It got pretty personal between Batman and Joker in TDK, but the only build up for that was Jim Gordon showing Batman the Joker's calling card in the last minute of Batman Begins. Hush may not be as well known as Riddler or Penguin, but in the few years that he's been around, he has done far more damage to Batman/Bruce Wayne's world than those two combined for what seems like decades. The personal aspect of this story is what is appealing to me, as it would focus on the life of Bruce Wayne. He's used to someone trying to kill Batman, but how will he deal with someone trying to destroy the Wayne Foundation, and everything else he cherishes? Remember, Rachel wasn't killed because of Bruce, or even Batman, but because of her relationship with Harvey Dent. How would he react if, for example, Lucius Fox was shot with a sniper's rifle while standing next to Bruce? This is an element so far unexplored, and one that I am quite interested in seeing.
3 years agoby @ejk1Flag
Marko85
Nolan, please, no The Ridller in batman 3....pick some other villain from rich rouge of batman`s villains...and make it your "character"...like joker in TDK
3 years agoby @marko85Flag
the Narrator
@Sly, I thought the same thing, but if you are as big a fan of Hush as I am, then you know for a fact that he doesn't have to be Thomas Elliot. Thats what people don't get. He doesn't have to be that kid from Bruce's childhood that was never mentioned. It is the very idea of a person LIKE Hush being out there; a man who can bring such grief to the Caped Crusader, thats whats important. They can take all the ideals of Hush and implant it in someone that either has been mentioned in the past two films, someone who already (if only in the background) exists in Nolan's world, and we can build upon that. Or it can even be a newcomer who has the same theatrics, and goal as the bandaged man. Yeah Hush is a personal character, but his capabilities and characteristics transcend that.
And btw, as far as I know, Thomas Elliot was barely ever mentioned pre-Hush, so it wouldn't be that big of a stretch to simply add him into the final film. Yeah it would focus on Bats and his personal struggle more than the actual city of Gotham and how its affected, but thats fine. It would still be a good film, if not a great one.
All I am saying is, given the time, it would work. Not just because of Nolan, or the actors or the writers... but because of the mythology that has been set in this realistic universe. It truly has been a great cinematic ride, and all they need to do is end it justifiably. Hush has the potential to do that.
3 years agoby @narratorFlag
ejk1
Who should play Catwoman? That's a good question. People keep posting on this site that Olivia Wilde should be Wonder Woman, but I think she would be a better Selina Kyle. I also like Kristin Kreuk for the role, but I think she'd be perfect in anything. Plus, she deserves a chance to shine in a major film role. Another choice that could work is Siena Miller, who looked incredible as a brunette in GI Joe. These are three candidates for Selina Kyle, at least in my mind.
3 years agoby @ejk1Flag
jameslev
in my mind this is what needs to happen, im liking this hush guy, never heard of him until now but i googled it and he seems pretty perfect, so im all for that, make him the main antagonist, while in the backround, penguin is taking over the mob, cause thats what he does, he run sh*t. 3/4 through the film hush can die, focus a little on penguin and throw in a reference to harley quin being the jokers shrink kinda thing and the last scene of the movie, harley quinn is breaking joker out of arkham. therefore setting up some good sh*t for a 4th and final movie
3 years agoby @jameslevFlag
moviefreakforever
what christopher nolan sould do is be like iron man with the ending credits with joker and harley quinzel talking and nolan sould look at the ep. of The Batman when joker meets harley and they sould also put johnny depp as the riddler because take a look at the nineth gate he did well in that movie and he could do well in this movie and hoffman sould be the penguin and i do not know who sould be catwoman. Can anybody think of any actress who sould play catwoman and vote on it
3 years agoby @moviefreakforeverFlag
Vanboy
I liked the idea that was tosted out about a year ago, when they suggested that Batman would be walking though Arkham, and through one of the cell widows, we would just hear the Joker laughing and talking to himself. I think that that was one of the coolest ideas. They could even use that great Heath/ Joker impersonator on Youtube. You know that one I mean. The one who goes all the way into the part, even picking up the camera and looks into it just Like HL did when he said, "And I'm a man of my worrrrrd!"
3 years agoby @vanboyFlag
slysnide
@wizdome: Nolan himself has confirmed Two-Face won't return numerous times, as has Aaron Eckhart whom asked Nolan after filming, to which Nolan replied: "No way. He's toast." He was a vigilante in "TDK," and wouldn't work at all as a full blown villain for #3.
Hush hasn't any background allusions building up his character in the two films, and given how personal his connection is to Bruce Wayne, and how it's the core of his motivation, then it's unlikely that they'll try and tell that whole backstory haphazardly as some kind of surprise to the audience, with Bruce having the presumed attitude of "oh yeah, I forgot about him." It wouldn't play out very well, even with a bread crumb trail approach leading to Bruce identifying Hush's true identity. It'd be too out of the blue, and would only leave a story that centers around Batman/Bruce Wayne, and not the city itself. Being villified by the public means nothing afterall if your adversary is only after you. Such a threat would pose no danger to the citizens, nor call for Batman's interference with their daily lives. So unless they really rework Hush to fit the story's needs, and/or match the same philosophy that the two previous lead villains shared, then I doubt he'll be in #3.
3 years agoby @slysnideFlag
Dan
I'm loving all this speculation and peoples picks for who should be the next villain. When the next Batman movie comes out, anticipation will be absolutely insane. If you thought TDK made a lot, Batman 3 I think is gonna kill its record.
My official vote is for Hush as the last villain. Go out on a personal bang, make the final part the most grueling yet for Bats. The audience will eat that up.
Nolan is a cinematic god.
3 years agoby @dan1Flag
slysnide
Yeah, Dent's done. He'd be a totally illogical villain anyway. He'd actually be a vigilante, and he already killed those responsible, so he'd not continually flip a coin till he can kill Ramirez & Gordon.
But the villian must stay in theme with those in the previous films.
3 years agoby @slysnideFlag