It's been reported that an "insider" revealed that Christopher Nolan has been auditioning several actresses in their late 20s/early 30s for a lead role. No names were mentioned and the actresses apparently weren't even told what the role they were auditioning for.
There are a few female characters Nolan could choose, but does Batman really need to have another love interest? == TEASER == I'm not trying to be sexist or have this just be a boys' club but it seems whenever there's a female character, they're usually just a distraction to Batman. I wouldn't mind seeing Catwoman or Talia al Ghul in a role worthy of their comic book counterparts. I understand why Hollywood might want to try to infuse some love or chemistry in movies but that's not a large part of who Batman is. As a Batman fan, I want to see him using his detective and crime-fighting skills. I don't need to see him struggling with trying to choose between love and his dedication to rid the city of evil.
Hopefully we'll be getting more details soon. It's hard to say how reliable that "insider" might be with their information. I do have a feeling we well see yet another female character added. I would like to see the character serve more of a purpose than just playing a love interest for Batman or Bruce. We should have faith in Nolan, especially since Warner Brothers is practically giving him free reign over the movie. If we do have a female character, who would you want to see? Catwoman? Harley Quinn? Talia? Lady Shiva? Some other random "girlfriend"? What Hollywood actress would you like to see join the cast?
@batman_is_god: Awh, rubbish. "Girl power" is just a marketing scheme, a catch phrase to soften the blow of the notion of a female hero being taken seriously. There are plenty of empowered male cliches that are cheesy at this point as well, lest we forget.
See, most people think "girl power" and Catwoman and they want her to be Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man or Jennifer Garner in Daredevil...or, worst of all, Halle Berry's Catwoman. I see Selina in this next movie as a heist extraordinaire and gritty, street-trained brawler with a deceptive finesse & wit about her. Smart, polished, and brilliant.
Like I said, feminism would not work for the movie. If they use Catwoman, it would be like her depiction in The Long Halloween (which is one of Nolan's inspirations for his movies), not a Wonder Woman type of deal. I agree we do not need another skinny white celebrity with cute sass, but there is what we think, then there is what will sell, then there is what will work for the movie.
No matter who the villain is, it is still a Batman movie, not a Catwoman or Black Mask movie.
@batman_is_god: If the character of Catwoman is, by virtue, incidentally feminist how would that impede at all on the movie or how well it works? She's inevitably going to be a strong, semi-imposing, and physically combative as a character. If you include her at all in anyway that justifies the character she'll be arguably quite feminist, the movie doesn't automatically become a feminist movie because of that though. I mean, would you prefer chauvinist?
Anyways, though it absolutely is a Batman movie, choosing the villain to compliment him is a big part of his appeal, almost no other superhero has such a rogues gallery. Catwoman would be one of the best avenues to go down when it comes to understanding his character.
@HexThis: My point is that she is NOT feminist. Wonder Woman is, but not Catwoman. Catwoman needs to be a villain, not a rights movement. She would be used as a new love interest that actually understands him, while being her trademark femme fatale self.
The thing is, Catwoman is definitely not a final foe like Ra's or Joker. I am thinking Talia would be better in that sense.
A superhero movie with a mult-million dollar budget needs one.
But aside from that, why are we still hung up on feminism? Why can't Catwoman be a person, not a symbol of gender-identity? She should be a fully realized character. Yes, she's a woman, but she's CATWOMAN. Her character and personality define her, not her gender.
That's not feminism, it's just old-fashioned decency.
@batman_is_god: Meh, feminism has many colors. Wonder Woman is simply a more overt example. Catwoman has out-smarted Batman, she's totally physically capable, a self-made woman, a brilliant thief, and an occasional hero...that's excellent criteria for a feminist icon. Difference is, she can be feminist without it being the only facet of her character and isn't defined by it...doesn't mean she isn't, in theory, feminist.
But I like where Hashbrowns is coming from, after all, I didn't say anything about feminism to begin with anyways nor did I say anything about her being a villain. Catwoman informs Bruce's character and highlights his dysfunctions/complexities/eccentricities though in a similar way to the Joker though perhaps less maliciously.
Nolan is not a talented artist, and his attempt to focus on 'realism', as usual with such attempts, misses the entire point of costumed superheroic fantasy. And while Christian Bale may have been a talented child actor, his charisma and acting ability has vanished with age.
The previous films were exercises in mind-numbing boredom and so little restraint was exercised in editing that it made the whole of them seem like hollow, masturbatory gestures for the director.
I for one hope we don't see any kind of female lead in the upcoming film of any real significance. I enjoyed most of the 90s series of Batman films, and the female leads in them were generally interesting and contributed to the story in some meaningful way. The strongest instance was Batman Returns, which really should have been called Catwoman Guest-Starring Batman, since she essentially carried the whole film.
The weakness of the Nolan films means that either the character would be so insignificant as to be negligible (as they have been up to now), or a strong and likely well-loved character downplayed to the point of being insulting.
I don't think the al Ghul family need to reappear in the series; once was painful enough. I'm not a fan of any of them, but the way they were handled in Batman Begins was embarrassing. Huntress would not be a good fit and would likely come off as poorly as possible. Batgirl or Batwoman would likely be insulting portrayals. Catwoman would either dominate the film (as she did in Batman Returns) or likewise be downplayed into a pale imitation of who she should be.
Batman really doesn't necessarily need a romantic interest, but he does need someone to provide viewer identification. Presenting him as a sociopathic nutjob only works when there's something a bit less bat-poop insane to identify with, like Robin. But of course Christian Bale has repeatedly whined that he will quit if one is added.
I say move for Robin and Bale, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I can see you will not be pleased unless the movie depicts Catwoman > Batman. It is doubtful you will get your way, as she is quite possibly the best known femme fatale in fiction today, much more Lauren Bacall than Susan B. Anthony. You must also remember that IF she is a villain in this move, she is a VILLAIN, not a female Batman. Keep in mind her current roommate is Harley Quinn. Catwoman is, indisputably, a thief, one who dresses in leather with a whip that can't go out without make-up and uses her sexuality to get out of tight spots (such as guards with guns on her or Batman pulling out the cuffs), not a woman who tries to belittle all men she comes across. Even LEGO BATMAN understood this. She is more interested in artifacts in museums than making a statement about female opression. Not all women in comics are feminists, least of all Catwoman. Catwoman was created as a love interest for Batman that he should not be interested in, fitting his noir style. If you do not like the Catwoman character, that is fine, there are other women in comics, the vast majority of which are feminist.
No, but Hollywood cliche demands it, & I'm sure if they tried to avoid casting a piece of eyecandy to lure in the male 13-25 crowd, then some studio bigwig will demand a script rewrite so that it does.
" Batman doesn't really need another love interest in the movie. Steals too much attention. Doesn't fit Bale either. Well, thats just my opinion. "
I agree that Batman doesn't need another love interest, but he does need a female lead. As long as she fits into the context of the film. I wouldn't mind seeing Renee Montoya. I know she's the Question now, but I was really disappointed she wasn't in Dark Knight. @hushicho said:
" Nolan is not a talented artist, and his attempt to focus on 'realism', as usual with such attempts, misses the entire point of costumed superheroic fantasy. And while Christian Bale may have been a talented child actor, his charisma and acting ability has vanished with age.
The previous films were exercises in mind-numbing boredom and so little restraint was exercised in editing that it made the whole of them seem like hollow, masturbatory gestures for the director.
I for one hope we don't see any kind of female lead in the upcoming film of any real significance. I enjoyed most of the 90s series of Batman films, and the female leads in them were generally interesting and contributed to the story in some meaningful way. The strongest instance was Batman Returns, which really should have been called Catwoman Guest-Starring Batman, since she essentially carried the whole film.
The weakness of the Nolan films means that either the character would be so insignificant as to be negligible (as they have been up to now), or a strong and likely well-loved character downplayed to the point of being insulting.
I don't think the al Ghul family need to reappear in the series; once was painful enough. I'm not a fan of any of them, but the way they were handled in Batman Begins was embarrassing. Huntress would not be a good fit and would likely come off as poorly as possible. Batgirl or Batwoman would likely be insulting portrayals. Catwoman would either dominate the film (as she did in Batman Returns) or likewise be downplayed into a pale imitation of who she should be.Batman really doesn't necessarily need a romantic interest, but he does need someone to provide viewer identification. Presenting him as a sociopathic nutjob only works when there's something a bit less bat-poop insane to identify with, like Robin. But of course Christian Bale has repeatedly whined that he will quit if one is added.I say move for Robin and Bale, don't let the door hit you on the way out. "
I wasn't planning on making a long post, but your post really caught my interest, specifically because I disagree with such a large portion of it. I think Nolan is one of the most talented artists of this decade, in regards to directing. Christian Bale is also an awesome actor. Most of his movies are really well done with the exception of that Terminator movie. To me he's a real professional. Nolan's vision of Batman is the most perfect version I've ever seen. Superheroes are meant to be about fantasy, but alot of people want that fantasy to fit into the real world. I want to see a vision that portrays Batman as if he was part of our world, like the Paranormal Activity movies for example. Nolan's movies revolve around subtly. It's not that the females aren't important, he just doesn't force the character to fit into the plot. He uses the character to the extent that is necessary. Imagine you part of that camp that prefers Tim Burton style movies, which is cool, I guess. I just don't agree with alot of your views.
The rules of movies say it does. But I personally think it doesn't.
I would actually like a female "lead" to show up at the end of the movie. Like this: Batman manages to redeem himself and at the end of the movie - when he has stabilized Gotham, he does some business as Bruce Wayne and meets Selina Kyle (cameo by a great actress who is not a big star in Hollywood). Then the movie ends.
It would be a nice way to wrap up the trilogy; this story ends but Batman's work continues as one of his biggest love interests enters his life.
@HexThis I agree completely. Catwoman is not just some chick who EVER played the damsel in distress or was part of a sappy love role. She is multifaceted in all the right ways, which I feel would greatly benefit the final movie. a.) She is a lot like Bruce in many aspects: both are costumed heroes, both are highly skilled fighters and a force to be reckoned with, both base their costumes and identities after a certain animal, both are orphaned and have a history of personal pain/grief, both need love. b.) While Batman not having a love interest would be different from the other movies, it would not necessarily be a good idea because he is human and needs love like everyone else. Protecting Gotham and kicking ass would never really be enough for him, which is why Batman has had great love interests in the comics period. c.) Their relationship would not in any way be a sappy love story, they would have a common background (for the most part) and oppose eachother enough not to be too much alike. Catwoman, though a catburglar, is not evil or a true villain. Though somewhat morally ambigious, she is more like Bruce than anyone (no offense to Talia fans...) and they love each other without saying it. Besides, why wouldn't Batman deserve to find love after Rachel's death? With all he does and sacrifies, he is more entitled to a suitable, but still very interesting, love interest. d.) Though on his side when it all boils down, Catwoman does not fit in Batman's box or any other box someone would want her to be. She exemplifies independence, sassiness, sexiness, and the other qualities of a strong woman. Plus, she's no damsel in distress, which would serve a nice change of pace from Rachel's character. e.) They are both rediculously hot and look good together (you can't deny that folks! lol). Plus their relationship has never been conventional and has always been interesting. I think of Selina as Batman's soulmate because not only is it nearly impossible not to include her in any Batman installment, but they are always drawn to one another.
If possible, they should bring in Talia or Harley (both of whom I also love) as the villain and let Selina serve as his foil, ally, rival and/or love interest. It is the FINAL film after all and it would be an insult for the great series to end with Batman fighting alone in a fight that will likely never end. Plus we ALL, men and women, are dying to see some girls kicking a$$ in the Nolan series!
I dont know why Batman needs such a strong love interest. Batman Begins focused more on Bruce and Rachel's friendship from adolesence to the then present. TDK I found Rachel's death to be glossed over, you only see Batman mourn her death on one instance.
Its almost as if Nolan uses the love interests as a vehicle for casting another shade of the Batman dynamic. In this movie I am not sure what he will do but I can't see a lead female evolving and it certainly wont be like Batman Returns with Michelle Phieffer or anything.
Take Spiderman for example: the love angles ruined the franchise for me and for many other Spiderman enthusiasts.
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