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?
Bruce (especially this version of Bruce) could definitely use a love interest, but only if it's someone who makes him more sane, not less. In other words, NO TALIA OR CATWOMAN. In fact, let's not make him fall for a villain at all, m'kay?
My vote is for Talia, and I think that having a female lead is important to a Batman film. The presence of the female lead helps keep the film grounded, it often raises the stakes for Batman and provides insight into the Bruce side of the persona, as well as raising all sorts of interesting questions (what gets sacrificed in Bruce's life etc...)
I like both Catwoman and Talia. Unfortunantly to Harley fans (I am one myself) it's very unlikely Harley Quinn will be in the movie. Not to disrespect Heath Ledger, but people make it seem like he should be the last and final Joker. There have been many Jokers in Hollywood, and they all got replaced. I notice on Youtube, every Joker themed video has to be plagued by people who said that Ledger was the best Joker. Every other Joker had his good points too. Heath was great, but I don't think that should stop them from having another Joker in the future? Anyways, I would hope to see Catwoman brought in. I think she's helped Bruce the most, and she is a stronger character than Talia. Feel free to fill me on Talia if I may have missed something. I don't want to disrespect the character.
I think Batman should have female roles but every now and then they need to break from the love interest/damsel in distress. Outside of that role, we haven't had a strong female performance since Michelle Phifer. It's about time we get a 21st century Batman film with a female lead that brings more to the table.
This time around though it would be great to see Batman and the lead female really work together as a team. And not just focus on the sexual tension and whatnot.
I wouldn't mind seeing Talia or Catwoman, but with the rumors of Nolan going with villains that aren't well known maybe he should do the same choosing the female lead.
If it's a female enemy or ally, I'm all for it, but I really am sick of having "love interests" in action films just so the enemy has someone to blackmail the hero with... It's just too clichéd
It's more like every single hollywood blockbusters is always about a love story at heart. Not like current big name writers are any good at making more "original" stories. (adaptations or not) Think about it! All blockbusters are about a guy/man who has to overcome/fighter for his love. Transformers, Avatar, Batman, even Iron Man to some extend!
And yes, I'm talking about these big name movies who make a ton of movies.
Really, why can't there be a male and female leading role without them slobbering about each other? It's like every female is just an object of sex and seduction through their trickiness or whatever. Let's have some actually intelligent, independent, funny woman that's not a love interest for once. I hope that's what Nolan goes for anyway. I want a womanly role model for once lol. My models now consist of Deadpool and Jason Todd and Spider-man, maybe not the best goals for character development now that I think about it though.
I don't think a female lead or love interest in necessary at all, Batman isn't a character driven by romance. BUT, if they are going to put in a female lead my first choice would obviously be Catwoman, my second choice would be Talia or Vicki. I wish Harley could make an appearance too, but without Joker Harley has no beginning therefore there is no Harley.
Honestly though, I would like to see how Nolan would handle bringing Robin into the movie more than seeing Batman or Bruce have a new love interest.
From my perspective if he falls in love with a lady who likes to jump around rooftops and all that vigilante business he can have love and still do everything that makes him great. I just don't get why the two have to be exclusive.
"If it's a female enemy or ally, I'm all for it, but I really am sick of having "love interests" in action films just so the enemy has someone to blackmail the hero with... It's just too clichéd "
While I said I wouldn't mind having Talia or Lady Shiva in "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises", I agree with your sentiment even more. Not being a jerk towards any females by any means, but yeah, it does get old having the hero always get involved with a female character who ends up twisting things when he seemingly falls in love with her. Enough romance and more a$$-kickage.
Although, just to add, it would still be good to have a female character involved, just not any soapy romance because the studios "think it would be a good idea". Have whomever it is go around and break out cans of whoop-a$$!
I'd be sold on Talia or Lady Shiva - especially with the direction Nolan has taken this franchise. Either would work well with his style of story telling and making comic characters believable.
Harley would be a good character but only if they made her a psychopath with no real ties to her Animated Series/Comic self. You'd have to maybe have her have some tie in with the Joker but her overall character would need to be far more grim and serious if she were a main villain.
Talia would fit in best though because she probably has the most potential and would already have direct tie ins to this current movie franchise with Ras' involvement in the first. That and she could easily be the deepest of all the women listed in a 2 1/2 hour movie sense.
No romance! There's no point. People want to see Batman do his thing. Don't need to see him making out w/ somebody. But, then again, you know Hollywood... If there was a female lead in this movie, I would definitely want to see Catwoman. Harley Quinn wouldn't make since there's no Joker(I've read in an article that Nolan wouldn't "feel comfortable" bring back the Joker). Poison Ivy would be cool too but I would rather see Catwoman.
You know, I'm so tired of people stereotyping and pigeonholing Catwoman/Selina Kyle as this temptress dominatrix who just slinks in to purr.
If people took Catwoman half as seriously as Batman they'd realize she's not only a great love of his but also one of his greatest FOILS, arguably his greatest. She's no accessory to Bruce, she's not even always his girlfriend, Selina Kyle is a direct confrontation of Bruce himself and his own dysfunctions/trauma. Bob Kane intended Selina Kyle be his female equivalent from day 1, not a pinup or some prostitute who gets bored and starts stealing (I'm looking at you, Frank Miller). Selina was orphaned at a young age just like Bruce, just like Bruce she opts to conceal her identity and sees her superhero persona as her only conduit to fully express herself, and just like Bruce she's always in survival mode.
Unlike Bruce, Selina Kyle is a working class gal, she had no resources to draw upon and was disregarded very early on and sent to juvenile hall then subsequently nearly executed by the authorities there. Unlike Bruce, she never went on some self-imposed exile, she doesn't know the warmth of inclusion or acceptance which is why they have such an interesting chemistry.
So it's not necessary she be in it to fill some chick role, she's too good of a character and too important to Bruce to not be in the films. And can I just say? It's about damn time Chris Nolan lets a woman in on all this action.
@queenfrost_: Sofia's not a love interest in the slightest.... Sofia Gigante Falcone... she's a main character in The Long Halloween and Dark Victory, but I threw her in with Harley and Talia because the roles they would be assuming in the third film if present, would be taking over where Carmine/Joker/Ra's left off.
I know a lot of people want to see Talia, but I just don't get why she'd be necessary now that Ra's is out of the picture. I look at it this way: you don't see Dick, Barbara, Jason, or Tim following Batman around.... you shouldn't see Talia. If Ra's wasn't grooming Bruce to marry his daughter in the first one, then she might as well not exist here.
I agree with those saying that there shouldn't be a "love interest" as the female lead. I didn't like Rachel because she was just that, only split between Bruce and Harvey. Whatever happened to Guilda?
batman is just as human as anybody so he needs love so a love interest brings the human element into the batman movies and imo catwoman done rite as a love interest and catburgler could be rele good. in my eyes christopher nolan can do no wrong so whatever he decides will be great
Bruce Wayne needs love. He's human. Romance (or at least matters of the heart) is a critical ingredient in most (all?) of Nolan's movies. You'll see what I mean if you look at the plots of the movies Nolan has made so far.
Nolan isn't afraid of inventing new characters to suit his purpose either. Rachel was his invention (I believe) and she lasted 2 movies. People are looking at established female characters in the Bat universe but Nolan is equally capable of simply making one up to fit the plot.
Batman is a hero and a heroes save people. But audiences won't care if he's just saving random people. Giving him (Bruce) a romantic lead makes sense to his characteres motivations as it serves the movie. There aren't many people left alive that Bruce cares for on a personal level. So who can he save from death that will mean anything to the viewers? His butler? Fox? Gordon? His choices are all old men. If he had Richard Grayson as a ward, he could save him and that's a possibility in the upcomming film, or he could have a romantic lead and save her, or he could make a very good friend and save him/her. Those are the choices.
I thought The Dark Knight showed people that a comic hero movie could be about more than simple fights and action. Romance has it's place too. Let's see what Nolan does.
" You know, I'm so tired of people stereotyping and pigeonholing Catwoman/Selina Kyle as this temptress dominatrix who just slinks in to purr. If people took Catwoman half as seriously as Batman they'd realize she's not only a great love of his but also one of his greatest FOILS, arguably his greatest. She's no accessory to Bruce, she's not even always his girlfriend, Selina Kyle is a direct confrontation of Bruce himself and his own dysfunctions/trauma. Bob Kane intended Selina Kyle be his female equivalent from day 1, not a pinup or some prostitute who gets bored and starts stealing (I'm looking at you, Frank Miller). Selina was orphaned at a young age just like Bruce, just like Bruce she opts to conceal her identity and sees her superhero persona as her only conduit to fully express herself, and just like Bruce she's always in survival mode. Unlike Bruce, Selina Kyle is a working class gal, she had no resources to draw upon and was disregarded very early on and sent to juvenile hall then subsequently nearly executed by the authorities there. Unlike Bruce, she never went on some self-imposed exile, she doesn't know the warmth of inclusion or acceptance which is why they have such an interesting chemistry. So it's not necessary she be in it to fill some chick role, she's too good of a character and too important to Bruce to not be in the films. And can I just say? It's about damn time Chris Nolan lets a woman in on all this action. "
Agreed. Like Joker, Catwoman is a cornerstone of the Bat mythos. She should be in this movie.
I would like to see Talia but now that I saw Wonder Woman, I would prefer to see her too! She and the Batman have a great relationship together and it would be great to see her on the big screen. There should definitely be a female lead that can hold her own to not only Bruce, but to Batman as well...!
I would LOVE to see either Catwoman or Talia in the new Batman movie!! I mean with someone who knows his "other side" they can totally make a better movie out of it. Plus, Talia/Catwoman were his best girlfriends so far!!!
Considering the last Villain was the joker it is almost to easy to use Harley Quinn so I honestly wish they would. I think she deserves her Film debut.
It seems likeevery movie has to have even the tiniest love story i it. Since they are obviously havne a leading female character, it has to be Talia orCat woman. i would hate to see it be some random reporter or someone they make up. Most of the female characters in the previous batman series were useless except for cat woman and poison ivy (i though uma Therman portrayed her well but i just dont find Uma attractive at all)/
ok this may sound stupid but maybe here is a chance to use talia and catwoman in the same film. talia comes in as business mogul and selina keeps batman on his toes and seduces him. but to to agree with most of the members, i believe this film should show bruce his darker side of being the dark knight. he showing off his detective skills and kicking bad guys asses. i hope the main bad guy the choose is between the riddler and the penguin. oh and create a new animated dvd that tells the story of batman after the dark knight movie and show some bad guys that will be impossible to add in the movie.
he needs to be a man, but I'm not so sure about his getting involved with freaks that also do the costume thing. I mean there are people who are into that and all but really should they be teaching the kids that? lol
@HexThis: its the last sentence that worries people about casting her. I want catwoman in as well, but too much "girl power" would ruin Nolan's classic style.
If they go with Talia in the 3rd movie(in the current series) then that would make it just like Spidey 3. Though i think a more logical decision would be Catwoman.
I agree with everyone who says Harley Quinn sans Joker wouldn't work. Also, i don't know of anyone who could match Ledger's performance(aside from Mark Hamill and he's a voice actor).
Hmm. I don't really think so, but if Batman 3 has the movie CATWOMAN suit, then it's going to be a movie that isn't that cool. Hopefully they have the modern catwoman suit or one of the 1940's suit.
Batman needs something in his life to keep Bruce Wayne alive, whether that be a love interest or some other individual he may personally care for. Yes, Batman's detective and fighting skills are awesome but if that's all there is then it makes him inhuman, almost invulnerable in a sense. In my opinion Bruce is just as important as Bats, so if Nolan wishes to keep the character's humanity in check and he plans on doing that through a female lead then I am totally behind his decision (though Dick Grayson would work perfectly for Batman's softer side).
It would be great if this female lead were to play Catwoman. It would be infinitely better if the female lead were to be Kate Beckinsale. She can totally do the tight leather clothing and cat-like appearance quite well, though she may be just a little too old for Nolan's casting calls. What do you guys think? Hawtness at its finest I say, especially for a potential Catwoman. The character will definitely add a playful element to The Dark Knight Rises, and it may also lead to adding something darker to the movie. It's Nolan's universe and I think there's a maniacal balance that must be reached. The playfulness of Catwoman will offset it a bit so adding in some f***ed up s**t will definitely level it out. Win-win.
Because of her appearance in the film, Batman's sense for justice will fight against his boy-like urges. Not only will her appearance have an effect on him, but her ability to do what she does will really catch his attention in more than one way. I think this is a fresh way for Bruce to have a sense of life or a youthful vigor to balance his darker half. Though it is light and juvenile, it makes absolute sense considering the kind physical and mental tortures he has to live through. We all rely on something to keep us from delving into the depths of depression. Introducing Catwoman would be a very human solution to the Bruce/Bats; vulnerable/immortal dichotomy. Win-win-win!
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