It’s becoming more and more apparent that we live in a time when even the slightest morsel of gossip concerning a hugely popular film franchise instantly becomes headline news. Taking that into consideration, today’s story packs quite a wallop.
Christopher Nolan, acclaimed director of The Dark Knight, and the recent blockbuster Inception, has finally made public the title of his third Batman film; drum roll please…The Dark Knight Rises. Speculation on the Internet so far has been rife with theories centering around the true meaning of the title for the film, along with high praise for his decision to continue shooting on IMAX cameras. More specifically, fans are attempting to use the new title to glean insight into the possible identities of Batman’s new foe, whoever it may be.
Having experienced Nolan’s past two Batman films, its easy to see that the story and plot lines involved realistic and tangible villains, possibly in an attempt to further connect with his audience and stay true to Batman’s psychological trauma and origin story. 
Should that be the case, I’ll bet that we’ll be witness to a similar treatment in The Dark Knight Rises. According to the LA Times, Nolan addressed the villain issue rather simply, stating, “It won’t be the Riddler.” Well, we can cross that one off our list. I’m still hoping Batman’s next villain will be his arch nemesis: Joel Schumacher.
Speculation aside, the next Batman installment is sure to make a big impact on both the domestic and foreign box offices, regardless of titles or proposed villains. I know I’ll be seeing it, but in the meantime it’s always fun to guess.
So what do you think? What villains do you hope to see? Will they have an effect on whether or not you see the film in theaters? Are you happy you’ll never see a Christopher Nolan Batman film in 3D? Leave your answers in the comments section below.
If you just can’t wait to get in on all the Bat-action, check in to the newest caped crusader animated series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold from Cartoon Network, or opt for something with more classic 90s flare, Batman: The Animated Series.
