Sing Up
Perfectionist
The Fact: According to Gary Oldman, Nolan wasn’t always certain he would return for round three. “I think Chris strikes me as someone who's too smart and he’s sort of too classy to just sort of make a third for the sake of making it,” says Oldman. “I don't think that's who he is. I remember way back saying to him, 'Is there going to be a third?' He said, 'If I can get the story right. I've got to outdo myself. I’ve got to do it better than The Dark Knight . I've just got to get it right.’”
The Glorious Implication: This isn’t a sequel – this is the concluding chapter of a trilogy. And in case there were any doubt, Nolan knows what he’s doing!
Evening, Commissioner...
The Fact: It takes Commissioner Gordon being put in hospital before Batman returns, as demonstrated in the first teaser trailer where a bed-ridden Gordon beseeches him to rescue Gotham. In the new trailer, Gordon is clearly up and about, at least until an explosion-filled action scene…
The Glorious Implication: Bane and his minions will launch an assault on Gotham that hospitalises Gordon. From that point onwards, the Bat is persuaded to return… that’s our interpretation, anyhow!
New York, New York
The Fact: Gotham can largely be read as a mirror image of New York City, and for the first time in Nolan’s trilogy, part of the film has been shot in the Big Apple.
The Glorious Implication: Chicago has made for a more than serviceable Gotham, but it will be nice to see New York feature for the first time. Pittsburgh will also feature extensively, just so you know!
Rise Of Ra's
The Fact: Josh Pence is reportedly set to play a younger version of Ra’s al Ghul with Nolan having confirmed that the film’s narrative will jump back and forth through time to some extent.
The Glorious Implication: If Ra’s is even included in a flashback scene, surely that would imply that the League Of Shadows will be involved in some capacity?
Playing Politics
The Fact: Commissioner Gordon is being squeezed out by Mayor Garcia, as witnessed by the exchange between Matthew Modine’s Nixon and an unknown colleague. “But he’s a hero,” protests Nixon. “A war hero,” comes the reply. “This is peace-time.”
The Glorious Implication: With Gordon, one of the city’s last remaining good guys, being forced out, Gotham’s new dawn looks increasingly like a false one.
Pain Relief
The Fact: Bane’s back-story has been tweaked from the comics, in that the gas mask device through which he breathes supplies him with some form of painkiller rather than Venom serum. “If I pull that off, will you die,” taunts a CIA operative in the 6-minute prologue. “It would be extremely painful,” replies Bane.
The Glorious Implication: The muscle-enhancing Venom serum was always going to be a bit out there for Chris Nolan’s trilogy – this alternative explanation fits a lot more comfortably.
Lady Of The Night
The Fact: Juno Temple plays a character named Holly Robinson, known in the comics as a friend of Selina Kyle’s from her time as a prostitute.
The Glorious Implication: If Robinson is present, it would suggest we will delve into Selina’s unhappy past. In which case, Catwoman will probably be presented as an avenging vigilante, stepping into the gap vacated by Batman
Home Sweet Home
The Fact: Wayne Manor has been rebuilt following Ra’s al Ghul’s arson job, and by the looks of a leaked on-set picture, the Batcave has received a lick of paint!
The Glorious Implication: Alfred hinted at the redevelopment of Wayne Manor’s underground lair at the end of Begins , and it looks as if those plans have finally come to fruition. We can’t wait to see Nolan’s take on this…
Taking A Tumble
The Fact: The Tumbler is back in action, having been destroyed during the truck chase in The Dark Knight . However, the technology also appears to have fallen into the hands of the enemy…
The Glorious Implication: As mentioned previously, Bane appears to have access to some of Wayne Enterprises’ more “restricted” technology, with a number of camouflaged Tumblers making an appearance in the trailer. There’s even one with a massive cannon attachment…
