Summary
Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale’s iteration ofBatmanis deservedly praised by critics and viewers alike, butThe Dark Knighttrilogy’ssecret fourth installment –Batman: Gotham Knight– manages to improve his character and universe.The Dark Knighttrilogy is renownedfor its relatively realistic take on theBatmancharacters and mythos, taking a vastly different approach than the Tim Burton and Joel SchumacherBatmanmovies.Gotham Knights, which came out in 2008 as part of the lead-up toThe Dark Knight, continues Batman’s story between the trilogy’s first two installments.
The Nolan Batman universe has relatively little content outside of the films themselves. TheBatman Beginsvideo game remains largely faithful to the film it adapts, as do the trilogy’s novelizations. The franchise does include spinoff comics and a series of live-action web shorts, but the most prominent non-movie property in the Nolan Batman franchise isGotham Knight, an animated film comprised of vignettes that bridge the gap betweenBatman BeginsandThe Dark Knightand improve the characters and lore of thelive-action Batman movies.
Dark Knight Rises Sequel: Why Nolan Never Made A 4th Batman Movie
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is among the best trilogies and superhero movies ever, but why didn’t he make a fourth Batman movie?
Batman: Gotham Knight Expands The Rogues Gallery In Nolan’s Universe
The Dark Knighttrilogy sought to take the characters and lore of the Batman comics and reimagine them from a relatively realistic perspective.Batman’s various gadgetsand vehicles are explained as rare and experimental military equipment and Gotham City itself looks more like an amalgamation of New York and Chicago than the surreal, macabre, cityscape of the Burton films. One unfortunate consequence of this approach was that Nolan’s Gotham did not always feel like a nightmarish city filled with strange criminals with specific preoccupations.Gotham Knightmanages to retain Nolan’s preferred realismwhile bringing Gotham closer to its comic roots.
Gotham Knightexpanded Batman’s rogues gallery in the Nolan universe, adding classic villains like Killer Croc and Deadshot while also creating new adversaries like the Man in Black (Jacob Feely) and The Russian. Established (or soon to be established) Nolan villains like Scarecrow and Sal Maroni appear inGotham Knight, further cementing the film’s ties to the live-action movies.Gotham Knighteffectively gives the impression that Nolan’s Gotham City does have the same surreal and strange qualities as the comics while remaining true to Nolan’s vision.
Christopher Nolan himself offered feedback on the film’s version of Killer Croc to ensure that it fit his take on the Batman mythos, specifically telling Gotham Knight’s animators that Killer Croc could not have a tail.
Role In Batman: Gotham Knight
Man in Black
A jetpack-equipped criminal who escaped Arham Asylum and is pursued by Batman in “Have I Got A Story For You.” His real name is Jacob Feeley, and he is returned to Arkham in “Crossfire.”
The Russian
The Russian, also known as Yuri Dimitrov, is a rival crime boss to Sal Maroni. The Russian’s mob clashes with Maroni’s forces in “Crossfire” and “Field Test” and he hires Deadshot to kill Batman in “Deadshot.”
Sal Maroni
Sal Maroni is the successor to Carmine Falcone after the events of Batman Begins. Maroni is in the midst of a brutal gang war with The Russian, as shown in “Crossfire” and “Field Test.” Maroni plays a significant role in The Dark Knight, possibly having won his war with The Russian
Scarecrow
Scarecrow is still an active and dangerous criminal after the events ofBatman Begins. InGotham Knight, Scarecrow attempts to form a cult-like gang that includes Killer Croc. Scarecrow orders the kidnapping of Cardinal O’Fallon in “In Darkness Dwells,” and puts him on “trial” with the intention of killing him. Batman saves O’Fallon and defeats Scarecrow’s gang, but Scarecrow himself escapes. Scarecrow appears again inThe Dark KnightandThe Dark Knight Rises.
Killer Croc
Killer Croc, also known as Waylon Jones, is a former patient at Arkham Asylum who has a rare skin condition that gives him a reptilian appearance. Killer Croc appears in “In Darkness Dwells” as a member of Scarecrow’s gang, kidnapping Cardinal O’Fallon on Scarecrow’s orders. Killer Croc is not captured by Batman, but he does not appear again in the Nolan Batman franchise, despite being indirectly mentioned inThe Dark Knight Rises.
Unknown Criminal
An unknown criminal, possibly a member of Scarecrow’s gang, shoots Batman in “Working Through Pain,” leading Batman to recall his training, specifically how to ignore excruciating pain.
Deadshot
Deadshot, also known as Floyd Lawton, is a wealthy socialite who is secretly one of the world’s deadliest assassins. The Russian hires Deadshot to assassinate Batman in “Deadshot,” though Batman defeats him and Lawton is arrested.
How Batman: Gotham Knight Sets Up The Dark Knight
In addition to deepening the lore of the NolanBatmanuniverse,Gotham Knightalso strengthens the character of Christian Bale’s Batman. By the end ofBatman Begins, the hero has established himself as Gotham City’s protector and initiated his superhero career. Although an explanation is not necessarily needed for Batman’s more seasoned role inThe Dark Knight,Gotham Knightshows Batman growing from a novice vigilante to an adept hero. “Field Test,” notably, reinforces Batman’s stance on not killing, with an electromagnetic modification to his suit providing additional protection from firearms but further endangering his enemies, leading Batman to abandon it.
Gotham Knightalso performs some interesting maintenance toThe Dark Knighttrilogy’s lore. The film establishes Sal Maroni as Carmine Falcone’s successor and pits him against rival crime boss Yuri Dimitrov, also known as The Russian. The gang leader known as The Chechen inThe Dark Knightmight be Dimitrov’s successor,implying that Maroni won the gang war inGotham Knight, perhaps killing The Russian.
Another important element ofGotham Knightis how it portrays the citizens and police force of Gotham City, with their various perceptions of Batman tying into his goal of becoming a living legend inBatman Begins. “Have I Got A Story For You” has a group of children each recounting instances of observing Batman, each imagining him. “Crossfire” presents two differing views on Batman’s vigilante activities from Crispus Allen and Anna Ramirez, respectively. While obscure, compared to the live-actionDark Knight Trilogyfilms,Batman: Gotham Knightis a worthy chapter in Nolan’sBatmanstory.
The Dark Knight
Cast
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. Released in 2008, the film follows Batman’s alliance with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent as they combat the organized crime that threatens Gotham, facing the menacing Joker.
