A Leaked 'DKR' Script? Don't Bet On It

i09 has a supposed leaked script for the 'Dark Knight Rises' with some pretty juicy details. While it hasn't declared it real or not, if anything it makes for some interesting copy. Here are the highlights:

• The assassin Deadshot is broken out of prison and brought to Gotham City
• Crime is way down in Gotham, and Batman has become more of a myth than anything else
• Batman has a Batwing-like aircraft called "The Wraith", a rebuilt Wayne Manor and Batcave, and an EMP-equipped Batmobile
• Wayne Enterprises is struggling with competition (and a lawsuit) from Daggett Industries, and Lucius Fox feels he must turn against the irresponsible Bruce Wayne
• The villainous Black Mask has hired Deadshot and is working with Roland Daggett, although it's unclear who he's been hired to kill (probably either Batman or Bruce Wayne, of course)
• Edward Nashton has the Riddler's name but Hugo Strange's character, as he has figured out Batman's identity and uses this to mess with the Dark Knight's head
• Commissioner Gordon and a Detective Adams are heading up a taskforce to catch Batman
• Talia al Ghul makes a brief appearance.

So, we basically have four, maybe even five villains if you count Roland Daggett and Talia al Ghul. Right off the bat, that sounds like overkill even by 'Spider-Man 3' proportions. How are we supposed to get to know up to five new foes in all of two and half hours of screen time?

While all the villains are certainly candidates for the next Batman film, all of them together is nothing short of a clusterfuck. I doubt Nolan would make the mistake of having that many villains pop up in one movie. And why have a character named after Edward E. Nigma, but with Hugo Strange's traits? Is this supposed to be a new character? I'm already confused, and I'm pretty familiar with Batman's villains. How is the average moviegoer who may not be up to speed on the intricacies of the Batman universe supposed to understand what's going on?

Also, as io9 points out, there's no mention of a second female lead, which Nolan was supposedly casting for. We already know Bruce Wayne is supposed to have a love interest and perhaps a female villain of some kind. If Talia only makes a "brief appearance" how does she even qualify as a main component of the story? So, that part makes no sense.

The only part of this supposed leak that I would agree is likely is the part about Commissioner Gordon heading up a task force to capture Batman. That follows in light of the events from 'Dark Knight.' I'm not sure about Lucius Fox abandoning Wayne Enterprises, either. Fox has to know, like Gordon and Alfred, that Batman did not actually commit the crimes he is taking the burden for. If so, why would he leave his friend and employer, Bruce Wayne? Does he leave before or after he designs the aircraft for the Caped Crusader?

I'm dismissing this script as complete, unsubstantiated rumor. I can't figure out for the life of me why Script Flags (who found the leak) calls this the "best fake we've ever come across." At best, it's a sophomoric, incoherent mess with too many villains, questionable characterization, and nonsensical plotting. 'Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer' had a more coherent story than this. If by some chance this actually is the script for 'DKR,' then let's hope it's an early treatment that got revised many times.

Tom Hardy Not Playing Dr. Strange

We can probably safely rule Hardy out as Bane, too.

Looks like Tom Hardy is out as Dr. Hugo Strange, as indicated by batman-on-film:

I can tell you who he [Hardy] is NOT playing: Hugo Strange. This comes to me via a very solid source, so you can at least start heading to the bank with it. Who IS Hardy going to play? We'll know in early 2011...or so I hear.

This opens up several possibilities about what role Hardy might play. It's likely that if he's not someone like Deadshot or Black Mask, he would be Sgt. Max Cort or perhaps even Harvey Bullock. Cort, as you might know, is the rogue cop in the Gotham PD obsessed with Batman. Dr. Strange later manipulates Cort into donning a disguise as a vigilante in order to blame Batman for further crimes.

So, thus far we've got Dr. Strange as a principal villain, and possibly a bad cop in Max Cort to boot. With Nolan scouting locations in Asia, it's becoming increasingly likely Talia al Ghul will join the roster of villains for 'DKR' as well.

Of course, there's still nothing official coming from Nolan or anybody at WB just yet. For all we know, all these rumors are just running interference for the actual story. We should know with certainty who the main villains will be sometime early next year. For now, it's probably a safe bet to go with Dr. Strange and a bad cop as two possible adversaries for the Dark Knight.

The Case for Clayface

Clayface in, surprisingly enough, one of his happier moods.

Over the last few weeks I've been running through possible villains for 'DKR' with one common theme: realism. Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, The Clock King, and Bane are all realistic villain choices for a Nolan-style Batman film.

But what about an unconventional, more fantastical villain? Why not one that breaks the mold (literally) previously set by Joker, Two-Face, Ras al Ghul, and Scarecrow?

Why not the former actor turned shape-shifter, Clayface?

Basil Karlo, or Matt Hagen, depending on which version you prefer, has donned the Clayface title since the 50s when he first tangled with the Batman. He, like Mr. Freeze, became one of Batman's reoccurring sci-fi foes.

Perhaps most famously, Clayface appeared in the cleverly titled "Feat of Clay" in Batman: The Animated Series, voiced by 'Hellboy' aka Ron Perlman. BTAS depicted his origin as a B-Movie actor long past his prime who becomes disfigured in an accident. A new chemical called RenuYou allows him to mold his face back to its ruggedly handsome proportions, a feat plastic surgery would take "decades to accomplish." The catch? RenuYou is highly addictive, and its creator, Roland Daggett, makes Hagen commit crimes in exchange for more of the compound. One night, caught stealing RenuYou from the factory, Hagen is doused in the chemical by Daggett's goons. This soaks every cell in his body with the strange chemical, and gives him the power to shape shift at will. Clayface first attempts to kill Daggett with his new powers, but runs afoul of Batman.

While the plot from "Feat of Clay" is probably a little too far-fetched for Nolan's Batman, it still harbors similar themes. Clayface is a sympathetic villain driven mad by his disfigurement who eventually abuses his new powers as a criminal. Batman is also a villain of sorts, often bending the line between good and evil in his quest to thwart Gotham's worst criminals. Both have dual identities, but favor the side of them that involves indulging in violent, dangerous behavior. Most importantly, both are seeking some kind of redemptive solution to their lives. Batman doesn't want to have to continue acting as Gotham's Dark Knight, and Hagen really just wants his old life back. Both are ultimately victims of extraordinary circumstances that have altered their lives completely, and have chosen to react by taking on strange new identities.

"What do you mean my health insurance doesn't cover deformity caused by clay?"

But, could Clayface work in Nolan's Batman? Yes. Very well, actually. It's already established in 'Batman Begins' that strange, sci-fi type chemicals exist in Scarecrow's fear serum. It wouldn't be much a stretch to introduce a new elixir that can turn one's face into puddy. As a matter of fact, odd chemicals seem to be a reoccurring prop in many Batman stories. There's the green sludge that turns an ordinary thief into the Joker, the fear toxin, and the renewing properties of the Lazarus Pit.

Speaking of the Lazarus Pit, this brings me to how Clayface can bring in Talia al Ghul, who is a possible villain in 'DKR.' You could have the chemical that turns Matt Hagen into Clayface as a derivative of the mystic waters of the Pit. Investigating its source could lead Batman full circle back to al Ghul's hideout, where Talia lies in wait to get revenge for her father's death.

But ignoring Talia for now, Clayface could also simply be a criminal who can alter his appearance at will without the ability to turn his arms into giant mace clubs. That would make him more realistic while still keeping with the sci-fi vibe. As the movie progress, Clayface would of course become more addicted to the serum, leading him into bigger crimes, while also gaining more shape-shifting power. Eventually, you'd have a showdown between him and Batman, where Hagen might have to choose between facing justice but saving himself, or continuing on as a powerful freak addicted to the chemical that makes him Clayface.

Or, Clayface could actually be a full-fledged monster as he is shown in the comics and cartoons. We don't often see shape-shifters in movies anymore--the last decent one was probably the T-1000 from 'Terminator 2'--but when they're done right they make for excellent antagonists. It's tempting to dismiss Clayface as too far-fetched, but maybe that's what a third Batman film needs. Ras al Ghul exhibited a kind of supernatural mystique in 'Begins,' while 'Dark Knight' went the route of an action thriller in the mold of 'Heat.' So, this would be a returning to form for 'Dark Knight Rises.'

And besides, I don't know about you, but there's always been something especially creepy about 'Clayface.' The yellow eyes. The cavernous mouth. The dripping appendages. He probably belongs in a horror movie, yet he makes a unique and frightening opponent for the Dark Knight. Could he work as a foe in 'DKR'? It would require a lot of tweaking, but I'd say enthusiastically, yes.

Anne Hathaway Bids Adieu to Batman?

If the new rumor from Zacquisha is correct, it looks as though we can say goodbye to Anne Hathaway as a potential actress for the 'Dark Knight Rises.' The 'Devil Wears Prada' star appears set to possibly play Lois Lane in Zach Snyder's upcoming 'Superman.'

Hathaway, as you'll recall, had been in the running with five other charming young ladies, for a role as either a love interest or villain. If she's the number one pick for Lane, then in all likelihood she was considered mainly as Bruce Wayne's romantic attraction as opposed to a baddie looking to chop him into pieces. Too bad for Batman, as Hathaway appears to be shedding her good girl image in exchange for a little gratuitous nudity in her next film 'Love and Other Drugs.'

This leaves five ladies left on Nolan's shortlist: Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, and Keira Knightley.

My money's on Weisz as the villain, and Watts as the love interest. Knightley could go either way, but she does strike me most vividly as a potential Talia al Ghul.

5 Reasons 'Dark Knight Rises' Should Feature Bane

Earlier I discussed how Harley Quinn and/or Poison Ivy could work as villains for 'Dark Knight Rises.' Next up in this ongoing series of villainy, is the unstoppable, the muscle-bound and masked "Man who broke the Bat." Bane.

1.) The Brute Model. Nolan has already made use of several kinds of villains, most recently the Utter Madman with Joker and the Fallen Saint with Harvey Dent/Two-Face in 'Dark Knight.' Now it's time for a special kind of model that tends to look the most distinct on screen--The Brute.

The Brute is usually not only known for his strength and ability to fight, but for his intelligence as well. Sometimes The Brute is equipped with special kinds of knowledge or training that give him an upper hand against the hero. A prime example of the Brute is Anton Chigurh, the unstoppable killer from 'No Country for Old Men.' Anton's specialty is not just his keen ability to kill without a thought, but his odd sense of justice and fate which he interprets through the flip of a coin. Really, there's probably no less terrifying a killer who is both physically empowering AND intellectually adroit.

Lesser examples of Brutes in movies are the Kryptonian mute Non, who teams with General Zod and Ursa in 'Superman II,' Sandman from 'Spider-Man 3,' and the big guy who gets chopped up in the propeller blades in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.'

2.) Bane is realistic. While it would be hard to introduce the Venom compound Bane takes to increase his strength, it's certainly not difficult to create a realistic criminal who has taken enough steroids and lifted enough weights to make himself gigantic.

Given Bane's background as the son of a revolutionary who spent most of his young life in prison, this presents the chance for Nolan to step outside Gotham and explore the fictional Caribbean Republic of Santa Prisca. Santa Prisca is based loosely on Cuba's turbulent political history. Thus far, Batman has faced off with various thugs, the mob, and evil masterminds. It would be interesting to see him square off with an actual terrorist branded an enemy by a foreign government. It would be like taking on Che Guevera with muscles.

Justice in Batman is almost never black and white, but shades of gray. Even the Dark Knight himself is an anti-hero at best, who threads the line of what society considers right and wrong. How do so-called Third World politics enter into this comic book netherworld of morality? Perhaps Wayne Enterprises, like many big American corporations, have unfairly exploited labor in small countries, to which Bane is an indirect victim. If anything, it establishes a motive for Bane wanting to kill Bruce Wayne without realizing (yet) that Gotham's prince is also its dark protector.

3.) Fight scenes, fight scenes, fight scenes. If there's one area that's been lacking in what have thus far been masterful Batman films, it's great and memorable fight scenes. I think the best we came to a full-on fist-a-cuffs was the battle between Joker and Bats at the end of 'TDK.' The fight scenes with Ra's al Ghul in 'Begins' were fast and awkward. Bane, on the other hand, represents a chance for a great alternative to al Ghuls's martial arts, Joker's knives, and Harvey Dent's gun, with some good old fashioned hand to hand combat.

4.) Bane is really scary. Let this really sink in for a moment: Bane broke Batman's back and left him a paraplegic. Can you imagine the kind of havoc Bane could wreak on the underworld when he's capable of laying waste to The Batman? Something tells me Joker, Scarecrow, Riddler and pretty much anyone else would have their hands full dealing with Bane fighting to become the new underworld boss.

5.) Bane/Batman. Like two peas in a (bat) pod. For two guys with completely different upbringings, born in different countries, and two clearly different worldviews, Bane and Batman share a lot in common:

a. Both have lives severely impacted by events that happened to their parents. Bane is imprisoned and ordered to serve the prison time originally meant for his father, who escapes justice and a corrupt government he was trying to overthrow. Batman, of course, suffers trauma from the murder of his parents.

b. Both are highly intelligent hunters capable of stealth and up close combat. While Batman is the World's Greatest Detective, Bane uses his smarts to deduce the Dark Knight's true identity as Bruce Wayne.

c. Both overcome a fear of bats. In his childhood, Bane is tormented by a demon-like bat in his dreams. As he grows older and turns to crime, Bane later comes to believe the bat is a representation of Batman himself. He turns to Gotham, which like the prison he spends his young life, is a place ruled by fear.

d. They have the same father. Well, not really. But for awhile, Bane becomes convinced his biological father is Dr. Thomas Wayne. Later, it turns out his real dad is King Snake, a ruthless criminal dubbed "the most dangerous man alive." Talk about having a killer pedigree.

e. They both impress Ra's al Ghul and are members of the League of Assassins. Ra's later makes Bane his heir, an honor he had previously imparted on Bruce Wayne.

Stay tuned for more in this ongoing series of possible Batman villains for the upcoming 'Dark Knight Rises.'

5 Reasons 'DKR' Should Feature Harley Quinn and/or Poison Ivy (or both)

5 Reasons 'DKR' Should Feature The Clock King

5 Reasons 'Dark Knight Rises' Should Feature The Clock King

It's never too early to campaign for various villains in Nolan's upcoming 'Dark Knight Rises.' In this new series, I will devote a post to a plausible villain, and list the reasons why he/she should become the primary villain in 'DKR,' as well as some possible drawbacks.

As we know from earlier reports, The Riddler, Penguin, Mr. Freeze, and The Joker are all out as main foes. Given Nolan's insistence on realism, we could probably rule out other enemies like Killer Croc and Clayface, as cool as they are in their own ways.

Up first, one of my personally favorite comic book villains. The punctual, the data-driven, the horrifically anal Clock King.

Five Reasons The Clock King Works:

1.) Brains - Temple Fugate, or William Tockman, depending on which character you prefer, is a genius that has outwitted The Batman on numerous occasions. His photographic memory and slender frame make him unassuming, but his intellect and creativity would make him a formidable enemy against the World's Greatest Detective.

2.) Technology - Part of what gave Batman the advantage in 'Dark Knight' was his ability to track every citizen of Gotham through the super computer he builds towards the end, leading to his eventual capture of The Joker. Well, imagine a villain gets his hands on equipment like that. The Clock King could work as a modern-day hacker of some kind that plays havoc on Gotham's computer systems. Plus, as Fugate is an inventor on the side, Nolan would have the opportunity to showcase all kinds of new weapons for Batman to take on.

3.) A Poor Man's Riddler - Even with the Riddler out of the third Batman film, The Clock King could still enact plots similar in tone and style, but without the baggage and theatrics the major villain represents. Remember, we already had a colorful villain with The Joker in TDK. Fugate represents a more pedestrian, but nonetheless lethal foe.

"You think I'm pissed now? Wait 'till you ask me for my TPS reports!"

4.) Ordinary is Extraordinary - What I always liked about The Clock King is that he's unassuming. He starts out simply as a consultant (based on his 'BTAS' origins) with an obsession with punctuality. After missing an important date because of a coffee break gone wrong, he suffers a break down and becomes a master villain that nearly kills Batman on several occasions. He's like Michael Douglas' character from 'Falling Down.' You identify with him because he's just an office drone, and in a way you feel bad for him. There's just something very satisfying about seeing an ordinary guy suddenly take on the world, even if he does it for evil purposes. Ra's al Ghul and Joker were all over-the-top foes. It's time for an ordinary guy to step up and take on Bats.

5.) Imagine all the time-related puns - "Hey Bats, too much time on your hands?" Or, "Bats, you've just arrived for your timely execution." OK, maybe not. But there's all kinds of ways to insert humor into 'Dark Knight Rises' when you've got an anal-retentive villain who freaks out if he's even a second late. Joker was funny because he was so casual and self-aware about being a psychopath. It's like he was saying "Yeah, I kill people indiscriminately. It's just who I am." However, Clock King is not so self-aware. His foil is his own ego and condescension towards other people. He's like a misplaced man who would have been more comfortable living during the Victorian Age, yet finds himself born into the wrong age--the wrong time, if you will.


Two Possible Drawbacks:

1.) No Panache - Ra's al Ghul is a ninja from the East with a team of killer assassins at his disposal. Scarecrow uses a fear toxin and wears a frightening mask. The Joker is...well, The Joker. But who's The Clock King? Really, just a smart dude who can time ghastly plots efficiently. Probably hits the sack by 9:00 PM sharp every night.

If Fugate's going to work as the main villain, he needs to be larger than life. Someone we can imagine as a real threat. There has to be something distinct and theatrical to him that sets him apart from the rest.

2.) Too Wimpy - Clock King is a brain, not a body. While Joker and al Ghul can more than hold their own physically against Batman, I doubt Fugate would last more than a few seconds.

Even if Clock King was cast as a hacker of some kind, how does that represent a realistic threat to Gotham, much less to the Batman himself? Shutting down the city's computers or stealing funds via some virus doesn't exactly sound very exciting, unless it's the set-up for something much bigger and deadlier.

Finally, lest there be any doubt that The Clock King could work as the main villain in 'Dark Knight Rises,' I humbly submit a side-by-side shot of him and a certain aforementioned character:

Nerds. Do not trifle with them.