With a near perfect two rounds, Christopher Nolan’s potential third installment (if he agrees to direct another Batman film) will be under the gun to perform extremely well.  Expectations from the fans have never been higher and nobody wants it to turn into another Spiderman 3.  Unfortunately these negative thoughts didn’t enter my head until I read a top ten list on IGN.  Damn you IGN for starting me down this path. They released a top ten list called the Worst Three-quels Ever, and yes Batman Forever is on it; with a few other notables, X-Men: The Last Stand, and rounding out the list, Superman III.  It would appear that our favorite super heroes are doomed to fail in the third act.  I have faith of the possibility that there is a chance that the next movie will be just as amazing as the first two.  Did that sound convincing? It would sound convincing if Nolan would just already agree to direct the third film.

  Unfortunately, with the success of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, the third installment has some major hurdles to cross. Some are easier to fix than others, and the easiest hurdle is those late comers.  Recently it seems everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.  Nicolas Cage has expressed interest to MTV that he would like to play a “super-villain” in the next Batman movie. This coming from the guy wanted to be Superman but ended up playing Ghost Rider.  Brian Austin Green has also expressed interest in playing The Riddler in the next movie. If anyone saw him clear a hostile room with a gun in the TV show Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, knows he can’t handle an action film.

  We here at RawCritics have some suggestions for the next film. I am just taking a stab at the name for  the next installment (since I am tired of referring to it as Batman 3) as The Caped Crusader. But that is just my guess. Others have surfaced such as Gotham but I feel The Caped Crusader is more fitting. 

  Does history really repeat it’s self and is The Caped Crusader already doomed to fail? Every director including the ones from IGN’s list above was optimistic that they will make the next film bigger and better, but failed miserably.  I ask, why does a film have to be “bigger”?  Why can’t it just be better?  Why not change the formula altogether from the past two films and keep the audience guessing.  That is my request for The Caped Crusader.  Do you hear me Christopher Nolan?  I know you use Google alerts.  Who doesn’t?

  I believe now is the perfect opportunity to show a side of Batman that has not been fully expressed in a feature film.  I propose that you change gears and show Batman’s detective side.  Make it a mystery film.  He did originally appear in the “detective comics” after all.  We got to see some basic elements of a mystery within The Dark Knight when Bruce Wayne found the finger print on the shell casing, but I would like to see that go into much more depth and capture some of the magic from The Prestige (an outstanding film by the way).  A mystery Batman movie with a twist ending has never been done before.  Unless you are talking about Batman & Robin and the twist is that people would actually think this movie was any good. Story Idea and Pictures.

  Another point to consider when Nolan works on the third Batman film is the choice of the next villain.  This is due to Heath Ledger’s exceptional performance as The Joker.  How can anyone top that?  Seriously, that is one hell of a mountain to climb.  But sadly, everyone wants the opportunity to try.  That in it’s self will degrade the movie.  Everyone is expecting a classic villain from the rogue gallery. Top 10 Batman Villains.  I say change it up. Introduce a new character, someone most people have never heard of.  I recommend Hush.  His story would easily fit into the mystery film. Utlimately that story would continue to break what remains of Batman down.  If you remember Bruce Wayne just lost the woman he loved, a friend, and the hope that Gotham could be saved in a few years. With the Hush story arc Batman would have to find the inner strength to persevere in his quest to bring justice back to the city of Gotham. 

  One common mistake that seems to happen with each movie sequel are the introduction of too many additional characters. The Caped Crusader should not have more than two new characters and our other request, and a vital role in the Hush story arc is Catwoman. Nolan hinted at this in The Dark Knight with the following quote:

Bruce Wayne: How will it hold up against dogs?
Lucius Fox: We talking Rottweilers or Chihuahuas? Should do fine against cats.

  We saw what happens when you have too many new characters, (X-Men The Last Stand). She is not really a villain but someone who challenges Batman’s idea of right and wrong.  With the recent death of Rachel Dawes, Catwoman is perfect as a new addition to the movie series. Top 10 actresses that should play Catwoman 

  As you can see the next Batman film faces some steep challenges, such as the need of a director, avoiding unwanted actors, and unnecessary characters.  But can we learn from our mistakes? Will The Caped Crusader be the movie we need in the Batman franchise or will it be another Batman Forever rocking out to the song “Kiss From a Rose”. I don’t want to think about it anymore.