Well then who do you propose as villains? You need to use the same ones as the comics, or else it's not really Batman. I read something suggesting that Daniel Day-Lewis should play the Riddler–I don't think he'd ever do it, but that would be amazing because he would transform that role like Ledger did with his. Plus, it would ensure that it would be a serious film as opposed to a pop culture popcorn flick.

@Danny: I have no idea who they should get, the idea of Catwoman, The Penguin and The Riddler just seems so tired… especially Catwoman and The Penguin. Bringing The Joker back made sense simply because he feels like he is as much a part of Batman as Batman is, but beyond that I hope they pull the unexpected like they did with Begins.

I don't read comics, so I have no idea who to suggest. I am speaking purely from the perspective of a movie fan.

I think the hinted at Catwoman in the Dark Knight, when Alfred said the new batsuit would do well against cats…and Rachel Weisz is a good choice…but yeah, its been done.

The only one they should do, that I can see being really good, is the Riddler. If they take it REALLY dark, give it a Se7en/serial killer type vibe that could work really well.

Yeah, penguin riddler and catwoman have already been done, so a new and fresh villian would be cool. How about Hugo Strange, or Deadshot ?
And about that Pattinson suggestment, well it´s stupid and impossible as it sounds, the guy sucks acting.

The Joker should never be used again. But Pattinson for the Riddler I can well imagine.

Pattinson was awesome as Salvador Dali in Little Ashes. Wait till March and you'll see for yourself

God you are so boringly predictable with your jibes. Play another record. The Joker has been done to death but Pattinson as the Riddler would work.

@Danny: The idea of Daniel Day Lewis playing any character in a new Batman is intriguing. He fully transforms himself into the characters that he plays. As "the Butcher" in Gangs of New York, he took a sadistic character and was able to make a justification for his racist actions. In There Will Be Blood, his, again sadistic, portrayal of an oil prospector affirms his position in being able to turn himself into an evil character. I have no idea what character he would play in this film but his involvement would continue the serious tone of the series and avoid pop culture actors like Pattinson or Jolie.

I could see Pattinson as Victor Zsasz. It can be played younger and the character is a good cinema foe. Seeing someone as handsome as Pattinson carving new scars into his body would be effective.

At the end of the day people have ot prove themselves in auditons so stop getting so worked up ropes of sss.

I'm sure Nolan will pick whose best for the roles. Having seen Pattinson in Little Ashes at Raindance and been impressed with his eccentric Salvador Dali I;m sure he could pull off a Riddler. I agree the Joker needs ot be put to bed. Rather see Pattinson as the mad hatter.

t€hey should consider using the Catwoman character. But not the comicial version of TV and the "Batman Returns" movies. They should stick to the Catwoman of the late nineties – cat burgular and hidden lover of bruce wayne. explore the light and dark side of the relationship. But by all means avoid characters such as Bane, Azarel n\and Mr. Freeze.

Pattinson's awesome as long as he has a good director and script. Same goes for any good actor. Have you seen Johnny Depp's awful performance in From Hell. Dire. I also think the Joker shouldnt be touched. I like the idea of the Mad Hatter but Pattinson would suit the Riddler.

I am so bored with the same Batman villains. Dont touch Mr Freeze, Penguin, Joker etc. Start to focus on the less well known roles.

Weisz is too old for Catwoman.

Pattinson for the Riddler. Perfect.

Rob Pattinson would make an awesome Riddler. Why cant we have a sexy and charismatic villain for a change.

@Kerry:

Love that idea

The Joker has been done to death (no pun intended). Lets move on to characters that we know little about.

Pattinson certainly has the build for the Riddler. He was good at balancing Dali's eccentric behaviour with other more likeable qualities in Little Ashes. He was also surprisingly funny. All his management need do is send in the film to Nolan and I'd bet he'd get an audition.

I'd love Pattinson involved in the franchise. Do a Cillian Murphy in a smaller role.

Rather Pattinson do the Jeff Buckley bio pic than this over inflated Batman franchise. Talk about a load of overhyped rubbish.

good choice for catwomen, it might be best if chris nolan has it that she does not were a mask, black mask as the main baddy, the riddler might be o.k. but black mask all the way for me

I heard somewhere that early story lines for the dark knight, they tried to work out one with black mask in it, so here's hoping thats the way they go for the next one

scarface, sure he's a doll but he's different, him or black mask and catwomen or any of the rogue's gallery is fine with me, i just wanna see a 3rd chris nolan batman film

@tania:

Overhyped rubbish….kind of reminds me of a little film called Twilight….weird

I'm open to Pattinson in Batman – not as the Joker – no way – but actually a role like the black mask would be ok or Riddler.

While any talk of a sequel to "The Dark Knight" is just that until the director is signed on and a script is in the works etc., and while I agree with the host of this site about the silliness of using the campier "villains" from the Batman roster of bad guys (riddler, penguin, etc.), I have to admit that Rachel Weiz or Angelina Jolie in a catwoman suit would have me shelling out for a ticket.

As for a nemesis in any third film that is made in the new series, it should be Ra's Al Ghul, of course. Because Liam Neeson played him so well, because he can be tied into terrorism (which — other than our screwing up the environment and/or a stray meteor — is the scariest thing out there), and because in the classic comics written by Denny O'Neil and drawn by Neal Adams, there was a device called the Lazarus Pit which Ra's Al Ghul was put into whenever he was near death or nearly destroyed — it sort of rejuvenated him via mysterious but scientific means (and since this is a series of films involving a guy who dresses like a bat, the possibility that his nemesis from the first film could have survived the train wreck is plausible). THAT would be an interesting film, especially since it would bring the story full circle and make a nice wrap-up for a trilogy.

Pattinson would be cool as the young Roman Sionis (Black Mask).

Talia al Ghul. She's a total badass, would have a score to settle, and has never been seen on screen before. Not sure who you'd cast for her, but that's who I'd vote for the next villain.

I was also thinking Talia al Ghul as the a slash semi love interest, as she was in the comic, and she could carry on the Ra's al Ghul plotline someone else mentioned above. Rachel Weisz sounds good for that but I was thinking someone not as established as her, like Lena Headey. Also, I was also thinking the Riddler could be a good villain if they established him not being a Joker knockoff a la Jim Carrey version but more so someone intellectually equal to Bruce Wayne/Batman, if not superior. Guy Pearce would be a good fit for that. Plus, he's worked with Nolan before.

Talia al Ghul sounds like a very unique villian and it could nicely tie into the first film (Batman Begins) and complete Nolan's trilogy.

However, I must admit, I see no reason why Nolan and company can't dip back into the classic Batman canon for a decent villian. Back in 2007, many people complained about Heath Ledger following in Jack Nicholson's footsteps as The Clown Prince. As a credit to the vision of Chris, I believe that, regardless of which villian he chooses, it will be done effectively.

Given the phenomenal performance of Heath Ledger, I do not believe we will see The Joker in a Christopher Nolan-directed Batman flick. Rest in Peace, Heath.

@Quake82: I agree Quake, there isn't necessarily a reason why they couldn't once again go back and grab a villain we have seen, but I would prefer they didn't. The ideas many have had for a serial killer style Riddler would be fantastic, but we are getting into R-rated territory there and also what people are interested in sounds a lot like what The Joker did in Dark Knight as Jay Beezy points out. There are definitely a myriad of ways of doing it, but you guys know more than me since I don't read comics.

I agree with the last paragraph written on this article. I don't want there to be any past villains used in this. I like the crime epic feel that Christopher Nolan gave The Dark Knight, and I was hoping he'd continue in that path. He should also use a villain that has never been done before, it'd be a lot more interesting than campy villains like the Penguin. I don't think I even really want to see the Riddler again. And I've never seen any real point in having Catwoman, all she does is try and set up shop with Batman throughout the movie. But worst of all, if Angelina Jolie was ever in any of these movies, I'd probably refuse to watch it. I can't stand her.

@Brad: Let me say this, whatever Chris Nolan decides to do (if indeed he decides to come back) I'm sure in the end it will be the right choice. I was never a big fan of Scarecrow; however, Batman Begins turned out to be the best Batman since Tim Burton's 1989 flick. Here's hoping for a final Nolan-Bale film that lives up to its magnificent predecessors.

Also, I would like to know your thoughts on an R-rated Batman flick? Do you think Nolan would ever make his Batman that gritty? (Love the idea of Riddler – I'm just afraid it would skew too close to Joker)

does everyone think that batman only has 3 or 4 villians?

i agree with some people who said black mask i think his story would be good from the recent batman comics, or deadshot would also be interesting.

if they were going to make a few more films the "no mans land arc" where gotham is hit with a earthquake virus etc and must rebuild from the ground up while numerous villians fight to gain ground as well as batman fighting to get ground and the police too. this premise would make a better tv series though due to the length.

i think doing the Lazarus Pit idea would work either, just because this series is done better then most comic movies people seem to rationalize things to much and dont understand that it is still based on comics, i dont think a general audience could rap their heads around it.

@Quake82: Quake, I would say Dark Knight was pretty damn close to an R-rated film… Obviously, I am sure the contract says it has to be PG-13 so, no, no R-rated Batmans even though it would be cool to see.

DAVID: First, I have to begin by saying that _I_ find it hard to wrap my head around messages — be they typed on a computer screen or written on parchment paper with quill and ink — which forgo the use of punctuation, capitalization and, well…quite a few extra words it seems (judging from that first sentence of yours in the paragraph above). I know things are done differently here in cyberspace, but give us old-timers a break and…use some punctuation for the ocassional sentence break. Reading such posts is like trying to decode the Rosetta Stone. iSheesh!
Second, audiences today are a bit more savvy as regards SF, fantasy and all the permeations inbetween. The Lazarus Pit would be easy to understand, even for grandpa jones…or under Brad Brevet (whoever gets to the theater first when Batman 3, aka The Bat, the Demon and the Brat [Talia] opens at nearby theaters).

angelina jolie has NEVER stated she would like to be catwoman in any batman sequel. it is all talk by outside people, who use angelina's name, who want publicity for their websites, blogs etc. she is too big for the batman franchise, she should BE BATMAN instead of bale, if anything.

k sorry to say this but shut up about robert pattison … you dont want all the little twilight tweeneys in the theatre screaming when he pops up on the screen. This batman 3 if its ever made, has very very high expectations to be like the dark knight and using Robert pattison would make it worse to tell u the truth.

just throwing this out…randomly…you guy probably will majorly disagree…but i think to bring something new to Batman film series, we should put in Hush as the main baddy and Talia Al Ghul as the minor one/girlfriend (since Rachel kind of got blown up)…once again…just throwing it out…

Listen, the penguin and the riddler would be too feeble of characters to playthe main villian in batman 3 due to the greatness of the dark knigh. This film will need a character no one knows about but will rock batman and bruce wayne to the core. since batman has been exiled, catwoman would need to play a heroin-esque role while penguin would be the knight club owner that plays refuge to the new main villain, which should be the "black mask" who is a character similar to the bruce wayne and batman and is comparable to the role of brock in the spiderman series. the riddler would be a secondary character like penguin but he would be coleman reese and could attack batman from that angle.

@Brad: It's a damn shame. I recently reread Frank Miller's graphic novel, "The Dark Knight" and I must say, I would welcome an R-rated Batman; I mean, how can you have a film be too-dark when it's about someone called the DARK KNIGHT. Oh well.

Since when do girls visit this site?

Oh my gosh, stop frickin' suggesting Roberto Pattinson as The Riddler. Disgusting thought. Now we all know Christopher Nolan is smarter than to bring a wuss druggie-lookalike actor into his masterful world of Batman, but still.. to constantly hear "Oh I think they should hire Rob Pattison. We need a sexy villian". How incredibly stupid. Shut the hell up and get out of this site. We're not talking about "New Moon" here.. we're talking about a QUALITY film. Go back to your Twilight message boards.

I hate to get angry on these boards but god… since when did girls even like Batman before Heath Ledger joined the 2nd one and became the next Jack Skellington? It's annoying and bandwagon-esque. And now to suggest Pattinson.. ugh.. just shut up.

Anyway..
mix an unfamilar villian with a classic villian and you've got a good film.

How about Scarface the doll? Think of how creepy that could be.
And Hush too. Let's get an assassin in the mix.

maybe this was already said, but nolan himself stated that he had no intention of bringing an originally portrayed batman villain into the 3rd film if he ever decided to film it.
let's hope he sticks to what he says.

@EthanEverett: I love the thought of the Ventriloquist and Scarface in live action. Read My Lips is one of my favourite eps from the animated series.

once again…hush and talia…does catherine zeta-jones make a good talia? robert pattinson sucks! i also think harley quinn should make a cameo…in arkham or something…Two of my friends agrees that Hush is good.

i think the crock has a real good chance of being one of your main characters off shoot animations and books have hinted it, bane wouls be awsome aswell

Argh! I'm a girl and I don't have ANY interest in Pattison being in 3! When I first heard about Heath Ledger being in TDK, I didn't say "Oh boy! A sexy villain! That's just what I want in Nolan's Gotham." No, I said "Good. He's a great actor. This will be interesting."

Bale's Batman, if you must know, is more than enough eye-candy for me. I want the best villain(s) possible if Nolan makes another film. I care about writing, character development, and what fits; not casting the latest "Hollywood hottie". Gag.

@runswchainsaw2:

I respect you, then. :]

Get a load of this: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article2048300.ece
——————–
FUNNYMAN EDDIE MURPHY will play The Riddler in the next Batman movie, The Sun can reveal.
The Beverly Hills Cop star, 47, has been signed up by British director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN to reprise the role played by JIM CARREY in 1995’s Batman Forever.

The surprise move follows speculation linking Pirates of the Caribbean star JOHNNY DEPP to the part.

The film, set for a 2010 release, is being developed under the working title Gotham.

Execs have also signed up rising Transformers star SHIA LABEOUF, 22, to play Robin.

CHRISTIAN BALE will return as Bruce Wayne, while MICHAEL CAINE will again play Bruce’s assistant Alfred.

Meanwhile, Brit RACHEL WEISZ is said to be up for the Catwoman role.

Insiders also revealed to The Sun the flick will end on a cliffhanger over whether Batman survives a blast at Wayne Towers.

Nolan had been tight-lipped about the future of the Batman films after being rocked by the January death of HEATH LEDGER — tipped to receive a posthumous Oscar for his role as The Joker in Batman Returns.

A film insider said: “Chris wasn’t sure if he wanted to do another movie but as soon as he decided to, he got the wheels in motion.

“Eddie’s a fantastic addition. Everyone’s excited to see what he does as the Riddler.”
——————–
Before you start to jump of buildings or riot, this rag (the Sun) is as reliable as Bill O'Reilly is objective and lovable.
I just thought it was funny to share.

NO! No, Eddie Murphy as Riddler, no riddler period, no catwoman period, no robin period (shia lebouf…you crazy?)….still think hush and talia should be in the next batman movie…something new you know?

when 'batman begins' first came to the news, i prayed that somehow batman should fight the mob instead of ras al ghul. but nolan was able to connect both the mob mess & ras' intention as after all, ras was indeed a part of wayne's dark transformation to the bat. then i saw the film, i just thought that batman should've fought the mob more as wayne still trying to try out his transformation as this 'symbol' for gotham.

then came 'the dark knight' into the news. everybody thought the same thing when the joker was announced as your comment now on catwoman or penguin or riddler. it's not bad if you put riddler in the third installment. as i imagine riddler would be a smart a$$ psychotic-manipulative criminal as dark as nolan made the joker. but then again, same character as joker's dark existence. catwoman, can be the same as well. & the penguin can be the same as well.

either of the three villains, im sure nolan can turn any of these villains into a unique personality as the same way he convinced us that the joke will be different.

I don't think we should should use the riddler, catwoman, or the penguin because they've already been used in previous batman movie. I think we should use someone new. The joker was an exception because he such an important character in the Batman mythos that you have to use him. Ras was new…we should use other new characters.