Happy Ending for Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight Rises?
Since it's getting closer to the release date and TV promos, interviews, and posters have started emerging, I've been thinking a lot about how Christopher Nolan & Co. might end their Batman trilogy.
While a large chunk of this post is going to be about Bruce Wayne's relationship with Selina Kyle, it's mostly about Bruce Wayne, himself.
In all the comics I've read (I'm no expert, but I try to read as much as I can) and TV shows/movies I've read or watched dealing with the Bruce Wayne/Batman character, I've never known him to have a real Happy Ending. Granted, he is a dark, brooding character who spends a large chunk of his life dealing with his parents' deaths and the criminals of Gotham City, but I've come to realize that's kind of an odd thing. He works all of his life to protect other people and never really earns a long-lasting form of happiness in his life.
While his life is never terrible (he has Alfred, whatever Robin is there at the time, sometimes Babs, etc.) and he dabbles in romantic love occasionally, it never sticks around. The only time I have ever known in which he was married and started a family was in Earth-Two continuity. Within that version of the characters, Bruce continues as Batman while Selina retires from her life of crime, they are married, and have little Helena. This version was also incorporated into the Birds of Prey TV series, but instead of a marriage, Bruce and Selina weren't together anymore and Bruce is kind of a crap father (from Helena's POV, anyway; at the end of the series, we're shown Alfred catching Bruce up on her via phone). But, hey at least, Selina was murdered both times, right? Hooray for consistency! Sort of. Murdered by two different people.
I write all of this because I'm starting to suspect that the Nolans and Goyer may finally let Bruce Wayne have long-term happiness.
Even though I've been a BatCat shipper since I was 12-years-old when Batman Returns was released, I didn't think The Dark Knight Rises would do anything other than what I've seen or read before it. And, even now, I'm not getting my hopes up so I won't be disappointed (I've run all scenarios around in my head and really, anything they do, I'll be happy with so it probably won't matter), but there's just a lot of things that have come out that I can't ignore.
The Return of Helena Wayne?
Den of Geek's article about Paul Levitz maybe dropping a spoiler for TDKR through his interview about the reintroduction of Helena Wayne (Bruce and Selina's daughter from Earth-Two who becomes one version of Huntress) seemed like wishful thinking to me at the time it was posted. Sure, sometimes, comics and LIVE-action versions have synergy (see: Superman's re-designed costume in Man of Steel and in comics), but sometimes, they don't. Comics, TV Shows, and Movies can have their takes without colliding into each other.
I didn't think much of Den of Geek's article except for "you know, that ending would be kind of great..." until I saw the second TV spot that aired during Modern Family's Season 4 finale.
"My wife?!"
Now, the Happy Ending potential might not just be wishful thinking. There might actually be something to it.
Why not have Selina pretend to be Bruce's "girlfriend"? From the little we know about The Dark Knight Rises, there is a character named Talia al Ghul Miranda Tate who seems to be a love interest in the beginning (they share a kiss in the trailers and promos), so wouldn't it be logical for Selina to pass herself off as Miranda to steal Bruce's car? Why use "wife"? That really sticks out to me. Of course, that could be my biased shipper mind, but I also know that the folks who have written this Batman trilogy are big on foreshadowing (see: the many, many death anvils for Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight). I wouldn't be surprised if the "wife" in that dialogue turns out to be the case at the end of the movie, harkening back to Earth-Two.
"...at some point, he's got to start living."
A bunch of set interviews / reports came out a few days ago in which Christian Bale talked about Bruce Wayne's lack of a personal life:
The one thing that I do know, and there’s an awful lot in the graphic novels, which we’ve played with a little bit, is this whole notion of him genuinely being a playboy versus what we’ve done, which is he sort of performs that but his heart’s not really in it. And the eternal problem that Alfred has with watching this guy who has no life. He’s put his entire life on hold because, yeah, he still does. He’s got this fierceness in his mind and emotions that he just will not forget the pain of the parents. With most people it’s like time heals all wounds, but with him it’s like, “No, no, no. ” He doesn’t want to forget it, he wants to maintain that anger that he felt at that injustice but equally he wants to present this very vacuous soulless persona to Gotham so hopefully no one will suspect him but will just think he’s a spoiled bastard. But consequently in his most intimate moments he has Alfred, he has Rachel and there is not a whole lot there, because it’s complete arrested development. And the recognition that at some point he’s got to start living. He is seriously behind in terms of life and enjoyment of life. That’s all been sacrificed and at some point, hopefully it’s Alfred’s wish that he will start to live again. Of course this tragedy has defined him but to a degree he’s sacrificed everything that most people would consider worth living for in life and he’s going to have to relearn that, embarrassingly late in life.
- Christian Bale
Would having a relationship with Selina after everything that goes down with Bane help him start to live again?
The Pearl Necklace
Ever since trailer #2, fans (including myself) wondered if there was significance to Selina Kyle wearing a pearl necklace. Most of us thought it could be connected to Martha Wayne from Batman Begins and it looks like that speculation could be correct.
Some might not think that's a big deal, but that makes me sit up and take notice. Selina wearing Bruce's mother's necklace that was a special gift from her husband? Adding to that whole "my wife?!" thing? In my mind, that makes Selina = Mrs. Wayne. Again, Earth-Two, folks.
Holly Robinson? Well, that's convenient.
IMDB says there is an actress in The Dark Knight Rises playing Holly Robinson, who is a character in the comics who takes over as Catwoman for Selina Kyle when she retires (after getting pregnant, of all things). I find that interesting given that Bruce Wayne claims to be retired at the beginning of The Dark Knight Rises (according to TV spots). Would both Bruce and Selina retire their alter-egos if Gotham City proves itself able to step up without their help?
I know Holly Robinson for four things: 1) a close friend/sort of sister or daughter to Selina, 2) she's a lesbian, 3) has been a prostitute, and 4) took over as Catwoman.
There's, obviously, a reason Nolan and Crew would include her if she's in the movie and I doubt it's just to have a lesbian character. She could be around to help explain Selina's past, but the Catwoman 2.0 aspect of her character sticks out to me the most.
Not getting my hopes up, but the possibility is very...possible.
Honestly, no matter what they do, I have a feeling it will be great. The tragic thing about the BatCat relationship is that as perfect (I resisted the urge to type "purrfect", so...you're welcome) as they are for each other, they can usually never be because of their opposite stances on the law or because there's a level of distrust. In Batman Returns, even though, Selina would have loved to go and live in Wayne Manor with Bruce like a fairy tale, for whatever reason, she has some kind of mental break or something and rejects it. Personally, I hope The Dark Knight Rises doesn't do a retread of that because it's been done before. Batman: The Animated Series recognized that a Happy Ending for Bruce/Selina was possible if they chose it, so I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility for it to be used at the end of Christopher Nolan's Batman films. The trilogy is a complete story, so why not reward Bruce with a love at the end of his trials (that is, if he survives; the trailers make that seem uncertain)? It's not like they have to maintain a never-ending cycle like comics that exist for decades upon decades.
I'm excited to witness Bruce Wayne's ending! I would love to see him come full circle, having become the man he wanted to be...the man he patterned after his father, to inspire the people of Gotham City. Whether or not that includes having a wife and family is still unknown, but no matter what, I wish completeness for Bruce Wayne.
While a large chunk of this post is going to be about Bruce Wayne's relationship with Selina Kyle, it's mostly about Bruce Wayne, himself.
In all the comics I've read (I'm no expert, but I try to read as much as I can) and TV shows/movies I've read or watched dealing with the Bruce Wayne/Batman character, I've never known him to have a real Happy Ending. Granted, he is a dark, brooding character who spends a large chunk of his life dealing with his parents' deaths and the criminals of Gotham City, but I've come to realize that's kind of an odd thing. He works all of his life to protect other people and never really earns a long-lasting form of happiness in his life.
While his life is never terrible (he has Alfred, whatever Robin is there at the time, sometimes Babs, etc.) and he dabbles in romantic love occasionally, it never sticks around. The only time I have ever known in which he was married and started a family was in Earth-Two continuity. Within that version of the characters, Bruce continues as Batman while Selina retires from her life of crime, they are married, and have little Helena. This version was also incorporated into the Birds of Prey TV series, but instead of a marriage, Bruce and Selina weren't together anymore and Bruce is kind of a crap father (from Helena's POV, anyway; at the end of the series, we're shown Alfred catching Bruce up on her via phone). But, hey at least, Selina was murdered both times, right? Hooray for consistency! Sort of. Murdered by two different people.
I write all of this because I'm starting to suspect that the Nolans and Goyer may finally let Bruce Wayne have long-term happiness.
Even though I've been a BatCat shipper since I was 12-years-old when Batman Returns was released, I didn't think The Dark Knight Rises would do anything other than what I've seen or read before it. And, even now, I'm not getting my hopes up so I won't be disappointed (I've run all scenarios around in my head and really, anything they do, I'll be happy with so it probably won't matter), but there's just a lot of things that have come out that I can't ignore.
The Return of Helena Wayne?
Den of Geek's article about Paul Levitz maybe dropping a spoiler for TDKR through his interview about the reintroduction of Helena Wayne (Bruce and Selina's daughter from Earth-Two who becomes one version of Huntress) seemed like wishful thinking to me at the time it was posted. Sure, sometimes, comics and LIVE-action versions have synergy (see: Superman's re-designed costume in Man of Steel and in comics), but sometimes, they don't. Comics, TV Shows, and Movies can have their takes without colliding into each other.
I didn't think much of Den of Geek's article except for "you know, that ending would be kind of great..." until I saw the second TV spot that aired during Modern Family's Season 4 finale.
Click to view
"My wife?!"
Now, the Happy Ending potential might not just be wishful thinking. There might actually be something to it.
Why not have Selina pretend to be Bruce's "girlfriend"? From the little we know about The Dark Knight Rises, there is a character named Talia al Ghul Miranda Tate who seems to be a love interest in the beginning (they share a kiss in the trailers and promos), so wouldn't it be logical for Selina to pass herself off as Miranda to steal Bruce's car? Why use "wife"? That really sticks out to me. Of course, that could be my biased shipper mind, but I also know that the folks who have written this Batman trilogy are big on foreshadowing (see: the many, many death anvils for Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight). I wouldn't be surprised if the "wife" in that dialogue turns out to be the case at the end of the movie, harkening back to Earth-Two.
"...at some point, he's got to start living."
A bunch of set interviews / reports came out a few days ago in which Christian Bale talked about Bruce Wayne's lack of a personal life:
The one thing that I do know, and there’s an awful lot in the graphic novels, which we’ve played with a little bit, is this whole notion of him genuinely being a playboy versus what we’ve done, which is he sort of performs that but his heart’s not really in it. And the eternal problem that Alfred has with watching this guy who has no life. He’s put his entire life on hold because, yeah, he still does. He’s got this fierceness in his mind and emotions that he just will not forget the pain of the parents. With most people it’s like time heals all wounds, but with him it’s like, “No, no, no. ” He doesn’t want to forget it, he wants to maintain that anger that he felt at that injustice but equally he wants to present this very vacuous soulless persona to Gotham so hopefully no one will suspect him but will just think he’s a spoiled bastard. But consequently in his most intimate moments he has Alfred, he has Rachel and there is not a whole lot there, because it’s complete arrested development. And the recognition that at some point he’s got to start living. He is seriously behind in terms of life and enjoyment of life. That’s all been sacrificed and at some point, hopefully it’s Alfred’s wish that he will start to live again. Of course this tragedy has defined him but to a degree he’s sacrificed everything that most people would consider worth living for in life and he’s going to have to relearn that, embarrassingly late in life.
- Christian Bale
Would having a relationship with Selina after everything that goes down with Bane help him start to live again?
The Pearl Necklace
Ever since trailer #2, fans (including myself) wondered if there was significance to Selina Kyle wearing a pearl necklace. Most of us thought it could be connected to Martha Wayne from Batman Begins and it looks like that speculation could be correct.
Some might not think that's a big deal, but that makes me sit up and take notice. Selina wearing Bruce's mother's necklace that was a special gift from her husband? Adding to that whole "my wife?!" thing? In my mind, that makes Selina = Mrs. Wayne. Again, Earth-Two, folks.
Holly Robinson? Well, that's convenient.
IMDB says there is an actress in The Dark Knight Rises playing Holly Robinson, who is a character in the comics who takes over as Catwoman for Selina Kyle when she retires (after getting pregnant, of all things). I find that interesting given that Bruce Wayne claims to be retired at the beginning of The Dark Knight Rises (according to TV spots). Would both Bruce and Selina retire their alter-egos if Gotham City proves itself able to step up without their help?
I know Holly Robinson for four things: 1) a close friend/sort of sister or daughter to Selina, 2) she's a lesbian, 3) has been a prostitute, and 4) took over as Catwoman.
There's, obviously, a reason Nolan and Crew would include her if she's in the movie and I doubt it's just to have a lesbian character. She could be around to help explain Selina's past, but the Catwoman 2.0 aspect of her character sticks out to me the most.
Not getting my hopes up, but the possibility is very...possible.
- If Bruce and Selina end up married at the end of TDKR with Wee!Helena, I'll be happy.
- If Selina dies a redemptive death, I'll be happy.
- If Selina doesn't die, but doesn't end up with Bruce because of their different views on life (per the usual), I'll be happy.
- If Bruce just goes home to Alfred, feeling like his work is finished, I'll be happy.
Honestly, no matter what they do, I have a feeling it will be great. The tragic thing about the BatCat relationship is that as perfect (I resisted the urge to type "purrfect", so...you're welcome) as they are for each other, they can usually never be because of their opposite stances on the law or because there's a level of distrust. In Batman Returns, even though, Selina would have loved to go and live in Wayne Manor with Bruce like a fairy tale, for whatever reason, she has some kind of mental break or something and rejects it. Personally, I hope The Dark Knight Rises doesn't do a retread of that because it's been done before. Batman: The Animated Series recognized that a Happy Ending for Bruce/Selina was possible if they chose it, so I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility for it to be used at the end of Christopher Nolan's Batman films. The trilogy is a complete story, so why not reward Bruce with a love at the end of his trials (that is, if he survives; the trailers make that seem uncertain)? It's not like they have to maintain a never-ending cycle like comics that exist for decades upon decades.
I'm excited to witness Bruce Wayne's ending! I would love to see him come full circle, having become the man he wanted to be...the man he patterned after his father, to inspire the people of Gotham City. Whether or not that includes having a wife and family is still unknown, but no matter what, I wish completeness for Bruce Wayne.