Hovering over this whole discussion is the question of, can you match the greatness of TDK with a third film? First, it is possible that Nolan has been building on each film and that the third film could be his best (that is always a possibility). Second, even if the film is not as good as TDK, it will still be a lot of fun, and be really good.

Batman’s rogues gallery is a reason FOR another film. Even the short list of Posion Ivy, Catwoman, The Penguin, and The Riddler allows for several good choices. For one, introduction of a female character (possibly as a villain) has become a necessity based on the shortage of female characters in the Nolan-verse. Plus, the fact that some of Batman’s villains are too corny just means they need the Nolan treatment.

Poison Ivy would be great because she is a “true villain” that could be made believable (come on, she’s just a hot botanist). While some might say she would be similar to the Ra’s al Gul plot, her guile and cunning and trademark poison kiss would be a lot different. Two actresses that would be interesting to see pull on the green leather would be Jaime King or Famke Janssen. Both of them have that dangerous seductiveness and the acting chops to make Ivy the dark villain of the Nolan-verse.

Catwoman would make a good compliment (possibly if Two-Face returns, more below) because she is a dynamic female character that can double as a love interest. Catwoman is basically a cat burglar so she could fit very well in Gotham’s transition from organized crime to costumed crime. Two actresses that would be interesting to see piece together the shiny black latex would be Charlize Theron or Rosario Dawson (Naomi Watts received some consideration). Both bring different angles to the character – Theron would be the blond eyed beauty with an athletic frame (honed in Aeon Flux) while Dawson would be closer to Miller’s darker more sarcastic African-American incarnation.

The Penguin is little more than a more devious gangster and would be another character who would offer a great transition from the Maroni gangsters to the costumed criminals we remember. The Penguin would be interesting post-Joker because he would be the new kingpin rising after the Joker shattered the established criminal order. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jack Black would be great choices to pull on the top hat and rock the umbrella. PSH has been rumored – and favored for the role for so long but Black’s facial expressions would be great for a more nuanced and darkly comical Penguin.

And even though I was terrified of The Riddler’s return I think Nolan’s take on him would be diabolical and insane – a sort of half step between Scarecrow and Joker. The Riddler would be so different than the other criminals because he would not be a fighter, he would just be a brain. I don’t have a quirky costume comment here because I hope Nolan revamps the green suit but someone who could be quirky regardless of costume would be Steve Buscemi or Hugo Weaving. Buscemi would be sillier than Weaving but both would be able to convey the maniacal intelligence The Riddler needs.

There comes a time when everyone has to move on without The Joker – both narratively and performatively. The Joker is Batman’s best villain, but he is also a villain, that for the sake of Nolan’s darker Gotham, is limited by his proclamation that he would never “kill the Batman.” As far as Ledger is concerned, his portrayal was nothing short of stunning, but his passing should not influence whether generally, a third movie should be made.

One character who could be brought back is Two-Face. While there are some doubters, Two-Face could easily be brought back with the simple explanation that his “funeral” was faked because Gordon and Batman had to avert The Joker’s chaos. Furthermore, Two-Face deserves his own movie – the tension between him and Batman (relating to Harvey’s respect for him as well as Two-Faces continuing drive for “true justice”) could be further explored.

Finally, not every film has to be a masterpiece – but most movies should be as good as they can be. If movies were not made because the first one was so good, directors like Orson Welles and Quentin Tarantino would never have made another movie. The Dark Knight Returns will be great if Nolan directs it, and better than the alternative. Great stories never end – and The Dark Knight is one of the best.

 

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I hope you liked our point-counterpoint special feature, if you have questions or comments for me, don't hesitate to shoot me an email at aaron.saltystix@gmail.com. If you want to read some of my other articles, click here.

Could “Avatar” Win Best Picture?

By Brett Hogan

 

Last week, the trailer for James Cameron’s sci-fi experiment “Avatar” debuted. While initially unimpressed with the teaser, I began to wonder: Could this film win best picture? 

 

Buzz has been generating for this movie for years. Years. The technology to make this movie didn’t exist when Cameron conceived it, so he invented it. When is the last time you heard of a director spearheading the invention of anything? The casting started in 2005. Most movies these days, even epics, are done in half that time. I could go on. 

 

The most important thing to take away from all of this is that people are saying this will be the future of movies. Now, I don’t agree with the idea that CGI will become more prevalent than it already is. But I do believe that this will set the bar miles higher for sci-fi. I mean, that is what Titanic did. And that won some awards if memory serves.

 

I’ll bet you’re asking yourself, how can you even suggest that a film like this will win Best Picture when the initial trailer was nothing better than visual stimulation? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First, the Academy has expanded Best Picture to ten films. This doesn’t guarantee anything other than improved chances for most films on the cusp.

 

Second, after last year’s Oscars debacle, which saw the best film of the year, “The Dark Knight,” not only get shafted in awards but nominations as well, the Academy is pulling out all the stops to appease those with the loudest voices in the film industry, the fanboys. Now, the Academy probably didn’t lose anything because of that other than some viewers of the award show. Perhaps if people are again outraged with the winners or nominees, the heads of the Academy would lose their jobs. So this is all about the Academy protecting itself, which is not so outrageous.  

 

 

Third, there is an economic motive here. I’ve heard this film will cost $190 million, not counting the R&D costs associated with Cameron’s inventions or the cost of getting 3-D cameras into every theater in the country. The Academy will do everything in its power to get people into the seats and make this the next “Titanic” or “The Dark Knight.” But the Academy doesn’t have much power, besides nominating and awarding, so they will slap the “Nominated for Best Picture” moniker onto every commercial and print ad to get the people who didn’t believe the critics to relent and see this movie.

 

Of course, all of this is pure conjecture, and no revolutionary film (Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, etc.) has ever won the Best Picture category because it changed the game. Except maybe Titanic. But still, could this movie actually win? My answer is no but a nomination is certain and who knows what could happen from there. We’ll know more come February 2010.