Christian Bale: The 'New Batman'?
Thu, March 7, 2013 
As you all know (unless you've been sleeping under a rock) the film industry was pretty much shocked late Sunday, early Monday morning with news coming out that Christopher Nolan is in 'negotiations' to 'Godfather' all DC comic-related films over at Warner Bros. including the on-again, off-again Justice League film.
But that wasn't all, it was also leaked that not only will Nolan produce Justice League - like he is doing with this summer's Man of Steel - but also that film's director, Zack Snyder, will be on-board as well to not only produce but possibly direct the film with his Superman, Henry Cavill, joining in. David Goyer, who has you know has had a heavy hand in both The Dark Knight Trilogy and the aforementioned Man of Steel, would handle main scripting and story duties (I also would suspect Chris's brother, Jonathan, would be involved as well).
The real earth shattering news though was that Christian Bale, the Bruce Wane/Batman we all have known for nearly a decade when you think about it, would be reprising his role in a team-up with Cavill's Clark Kent/Superman. This was also mind-numbing as many had thought both Nolan and Bale were done with Batman following the end of their trilogy.
Obviously, many fans are beyond estastic with this news, however; just as many aren't.
A lot feel this kind of move would tamper with the 'trilogy' Nolan put together and hinder the end of The Dark Knight Rises which left Bruce happy and at peace without Batman.
Well, looks like both parties might get their wish...sort of.
The always reliable and respectful Bill 'Jett' Ramey over at Batman-On-Film has put out a cryptic bit of info that Bale may be coming back as Batman, but NOT the Batman from The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Confusing a bit, right?
Jett put a poll up on his website (which you can visit below) asking would fans accept Christian Bale back as the 'new' cinematic Batman but not the same one from Nolan's films.
The reasoning behind this - as many have hinted at and speculated on - is that Warner Bros. wants Bale back but Nolan isn't about ready to conflict his trilogy he worked so hard on. So, some big execs over at Warners poised the question, 'why not bring him back but let him be a different Batman? That way the trilogy isn't affected and people still get to see Bale as the Dark Knight.'
Well, I can think of a few reasons why that wouldn't work, the main being that it would confuse the shit out of people. Unless it was blatantly addressed in the World's Finest/Justice Leauge film, ala Bale basically turning to the camera and saying, "I'm back, but I'm not the same one from the other films!", I don't see it working.
What could be an option is making Bale's Batman a 'loose continuation' of the one from the trilogy. He can be around the same age, and in a similar situation as how he was left at the end of TDKR, but not hinted at so-much where it's obvious this is a continuation of Bruce's story from the trilogy. That way, the trilogy isn't compromised and the general masses aren't confused the hell out of. They can basically make their own assumptions. Open-ended if you will.
Anyway, sound off with your comments and here is the poll that Jett put up on his website, asking what you think about this possibility?
Remember, they're paying attention.
Source: Batman-On-Film
Reader Comments (3)
Oh great, just when I thought there was a chance we'd be getting a proper batman characterization. Of all places JLA needs uber bats. Even Bruce Timm understood that.
Hopefully he brings uber Lucius Fox with him or the world will be screwed.
Not a good idea. Either bring him back as Batman from the trilogy or find a new actor. Funny how the point of the trilogy was that anybody can be Batman, unless you work for Warner Brothers.
Holy crap is that an utterly awful idea