Joseph Gordon-Levitt on 'The Dark Knight Rises' ending, his Batman movie future (video)

Warning: Do NOT watch the interview or read this article if you haven’t seen The Dark Knight Rises!

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is currently doing a lot of press for his new movie Premium Rush, so he's been getting a lot of questions about The Dark Knight Rises' ending. In this new interview with MTV Gordon-Levitt explains that he doesn't think The Dark Knight Rises was a set-up for any sequels, it was just a perfect ending for Christopher Nolan's trilogy. I agree with Gordon-Levitt, though Nolan did leave the door wide open if Warner Bros. wanted to bring in a new director to pick up the story. Personally, I'd love to see that happen, I think Gordon-Levitt would be perfect for the role. However, I think we're much more likely to see Batman in the new Justice League movie that's currently being worked on... Batman's future in solo movies is still undetermined.

SOURCE: MTV

42 comments

Rajeev

August 23, 2012

Robin Begins
The Shadow Knight
Nightwing

SP9433
August 23, 2012
awesome...
okungnyo
August 24, 2012
Dear God...are people really that stupid these days, or is everyone in on some joke which I don't know about?
John Blake's REAL NAME is Robin. THIS DOES NOT MAKE HIM ROBIN (the character). This would be like Bruce Wayne calling himself "Bruce" instead of "Batman". It would be absolutely retarded and defeat the purpose of disguising yourself.
And no, he's not Nightwing either. For Christ's sake, did you not see the fixed BATSIGN on top of MCU?
1. BRUCEMAN
  August 24, 2012
  nanananananana BRUCEMAN!! :D
2. PlasmicSteve
  August 24, 2012
  So you think they revealed his real name to be Robin, but they're going to make him Batman? That's not too confusing. "Hey, let's create a new character for these movies who will become Batman - but he'll use the name 'John Blake' - but his real name will be 'Robin'!" Genius.
  1. MB
    August 24, 2012
    Nolan did a little "nod" to Robin, nothing more. He's not Nightwing (he DEFINITELY NOT Robin) he's the "new" Batman... As Okung Nyo said in the earlier post, the Bat Signal was fixed... How weird would it be to call for Batman and have a guy in yellow tights show up? I don't even want to think about it...
3. QueenChaos
  August 25, 2012
  Again..this is the Nolanverse interpretation of 'Robin'. It's as close as we get. There is blatant symbolism here. Whereas in the comics 'Robin' is an alter-ego.. in TDKR, 'Robin' is his true identity, and throughout the film he proves himself to be one of those heroes Gotham needs --without a mask. 'Batman' is a symbol which he is taking up the mantle of, it doesn't make him any less himself. The name, as I see it, wasn't chosen for kicks.. but it needn't stand for yellow-tights sidekick either; one must cleanse the mind of that and look at this from a totally fresh perspective. You are then left with something pretty great.
  1. Only1mjp
    August 25, 2012
    Thank You! Someone who gets it!
4. Only1mjp
  August 25, 2012
  Blake is not Robin. Robin John Blake is just Nolan's way of putting A Robin into the series. If his real name was Dick Grayson we would be having a very different discussion.
5. Magicmanedboles24
  August 25, 2012
  Robin John Blake is Christopher Nolan's interpretation of Robin. Robin is Batman's sidekick and int the movie Robin John Blake was Batman's sidekick, that's all. No actual Robin suit, no Nightwing, no second Batman. Plus we all know the second Batman's name is Terry lol.
  1. Ninjadominee
    October 4, 2012
    It's an in joke between Nolan and Bale. Bale stated he would not be in another Batman movie if Robin were to appear. But Nolan knew how to slip him in anyway. In his Gotham City interpretation Robin is a cop/detective not wearing thights and eyemask. Bale reportedly left Nolan's home after reading the TDKR script not saying anything, just smiling.
jamil27
August 24, 2012
'Nightwing' works, the other two titles don't.

Shawn J.

August 23, 2012

I don't see Warner Bros. cashing in on this, although it would be a wasted opportunity considering all the buzz going around. They'll let Man of Steel play out and see if a new Batman can join him and the apparent Justice League movie coming out.

TDKR2012
August 24, 2012
As much as I'd love this, if the Robin/Nightwing/Batman 2.0 film with JGL did fail with a new director, it would taint the universe Nolan created, since if JGL did play the character, it would mean continuity.

Kyler Vanderwood

August 23, 2012

I'd personally like a Batman Beyond film

selina meow
August 24, 2012
I agree a batman beyond would be soooo awesome it would be a total knock out
Jenarius
August 24, 2012
and you could have christian bale playing an older bruce wayne if they should decide to make it some years down the line... the question, however, is who would fit the role of terry?

MikeTMan

August 23, 2012

THANK YOU.

There have been countless people saying that it's a set up for a sequel... it's not. It was just an ending to the trilogy by fulfilling Bruce's wish of having someone take up the mantel of Batman. Those comments are the "inception was SO hard to understand, I was mindfucked LOL!!1!" of the Batman movies. Stop being stupid and use your brain.

HyperShadowDX

August 23, 2012

Why can't the fanboys/fangirls just accept that Dark Knight rises is the 3rd and final installment in Nolan's Batman Trilogy? Since they want a new Batman Movie then wait for a reboot of the series

Bendutchover
August 24, 2012
With all do respect, the reason fanboys/fangirls are having a hard time accepting that TDKR is the final installment is because of the ending (at least the part that appears to set up Robin, Nightwing, or a Batman Beyond story). Nolan could have ended the movie without giving Blake the name Robin and the hype, about a fourth installment or a spin off project, would drastically be reduced. He had to have known that by doing that (revealing Blake's real name is Robin) would cause all this hype. All he had to do was have the ending play out the way it did without mentioning Robin in it and this would be greatly reduced. It really gets me to hear Joseph Gordon-Levitt say that no one mentioned the possibility of the hype this ending would cause on the set of TDKR, and it really gets me that we have not heard anything from Nolan about the ending of his 3rd installment in regards to all this. I love DC way more than Marvel, but at least Marvel does not leave their fans hanging like this. Any hints they drop at the end of their movies have been covered. So much in fact, this kind of ending in a Marvel movie is the least of Marvel fans worries. Now we have a whole year to wait for Super-Man, and I know that so of you guys don't even like Super-Man that much, so I feel even more stress for you guys than myself as far as waiting to see what direction Batman goes in. Nolan should let his fans know why he mentioned Robin in this movie when he said he never would make a Batman movie with Robin in it. On a side note, I really don't want to hear that Blake was just given the name Robin and that it has no significance to Robin, the sidekick of Batman.

lethargicj

August 23, 2012

I can't believe this is still being discussed. It was just a cool way to end the story. That's it. Just like how his middle name being Robin didn't make him Robin, it was just a fun little throw in wink and a nod. WB would be insane to try to continue the Nolan franchise without Nolan and without Bruce Wayne.

And why do fans want to see that happen? I don't get that at all. Nolan's trilogy is, as far as I can remember, the very first time somebody made a superhero movie franchise that had a beginning, a middle and an end. Usually they keep milking the franchise until the movies get terrible and people stop watching them and the franchise implodes. With this franchise we actually got to see one complete story from start to finish over three movies without it ever losing quality. The quality of these movies isn't Nolan's greatest accomplishment, his greatest accomplishment was convincing the studio to allow him to give his Batman a definitive ending instead of being forced to keep it going, keep it going, keep it going. Why would anybody ever want to see this franchise's legacy be sullied by somebody else coming in and trying to drag it out and milk every last cent out of it until we're finally sick of it?

Thejokersmiles13

August 23, 2012

It is more likely that we will see a rebooted Batman franchise than any Catwoman or Robin spin-off. On a side note the tease about John Blake being Robin possibly was just that, a very nice tease though. I for one didn't see that coming and it only added to a brillant ending.

alpl
August 24, 2012
You didn't see it coming? The character itself was Robin the entire time. They didn't have to reveal the name and I would walk out happy with Nolan's Robin
1. Thejokersmiles13
  August 26, 2012
  Valid point. It became more clear, well to me anyway how much he really was Robin on repeat viewings.
Bendutchover
August 24, 2012
I hear you, but why mess with fans like that? These people should care about their fans since their fans make their paychecks. I personally don't think doing something like Batman Beyond is milking the story. I think it would just be heading the story in a new direction. I can certainly say that I did not see this ending coming either, however I just don't share the same enthusiasm about it being brillant unless this is a way to set up a new Batman story without Nolan directing it. This would be a way for Nolan to stick to his word about not actually putting Robin in one of his Batman movies, but yet setting it up for Batman fans to be done by some other director while, at the same time, avoiding a complete reboot of the franchise. By doing it that way he would be able to say... I always said I would never put Robin in one of my movies, however, I never said I would not set up the possibility of Robin being in Batman movies that I don't direct in the future that could tie in with mine without WB doing a complete reboot. I can't say this enough, I really am getting tired of reboots, and I hope you guys are too.
1. Thejokersmiles13
  August 26, 2012
  I am tired of reboots as well, but big time movie studios like WB aren't just gonna let their money makers ride into the sunset. Once enough time has passed, they're going to look at their comic book properties that they've already done and go ok it's time to start fresh. It's just how it's always going to be and in regards to the ending, it's open ended. You can interpret it as Nolan setting something up for future reboots while doing it his way or just maybe it's the way he intended it to be, his ending. That's what makes his movies so fantastic, they are always up for discussion and debate.

BruceNolan

August 24, 2012

Have any actors or Christopher Nolan come out and said that Bruce Wayne did indeed survive and Alfred was not imagining him at the end? I would love to stop hearing all of these conspiracies and that's the only thing that could end them.

Bendutchover
August 24, 2012
Amen! Please end the conspiracies and clearify who Blake really is for the fans that, at least, want to know. Don't mess with the fans you have not giving them everything, not yet!
lethargicj
August 24, 2012
Huh? Conspiracy? The movie made it 100% clear he survived, how could anybody see anything differently?
1. BruceNolan
  August 24, 2012
  Look at some Youtube comments and you'll see that about 10%-15% of people think that the ending is "up for interpretation." I know, stupid, right?

agentmi6

August 24, 2012

http://www.thepoke.co.uk/20...

Mick

August 24, 2012

awsome movie christaphor nolan but it was abit confusing at the end so did batman die?

Josh

August 24, 2012

awsome movie chris nolan but i was confused when batman died wait did he die?

Josh

August 24, 2012

TO chris nolan
i realy enjoyed your movie dark knight rises. Was it hard to communicate to the football crowd

Zach White

August 24, 2012

I don't know. I really want to see a Batman Beyond. This also stems from my love of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I've been thinking....I like to have this little fantasy where Warner Bros. hired me to direct a continuation. I've actually thought hard about what I could do with it. First, I've had two title options: simply Batman Beyond or Batman: Rebirth. I love/hate the second one because sometimes it reminds me too much of the Joel Schumaker movies. Maybe something with Gotham in the title. Secondly, there's the problem of JGL needing to get further training. In Nolan's universe, I don't think it would appropriate for Bruce to return to train Blake. Then I thought of maybe something to do with The League of Shadows, and maybe Blake letting the power go to his head, and turn out too violent like Bruce's temporary replacement in the Knightfall story. But I don't want to go down that road. So the training thing is a slight hitch. I've taken some time to consider a villain, and I can't shake this idea now that it popped up in my mind. Harley Quinn. I could spin this off the Joker's story, i.e. maybe his lover or even maybe he raped some poor girl and got her pregnant. But the latter seems a little far fetched, so I think we'll stick with lover. Then I thought about(and I'm not being discriminatory here)there's not a lot of women actors that can play villains really well. Not as captivating as the men, I should say. But, and you may not agree with my choice, there's one actress who I believe could blow us away. Helena Bonham Carter. There I said it. Aside from being my dream woman, she is an amazing actress and villain. Look at her portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter, and her role in Sweeney Todd. She would do a fantastic job of Harley, and pull off that chaotic madness that we so loved with the Joker. The only hitch is she's a bit old, but I think I could make it work. I think I would do a Batman Beyond movie, where we see all new characters. But the temptation to work with Gary Oldman would be too strong for me. I love that dude. Last, I would really want Hans Zimmer to do the music. His pieces fit so well into the universe Nolan created, and I wouldn't want another composer trying to emulate that. Well there's my ideas. Some need work, and I can guarantee that if I or anybody else took a project like this on, it would be very challenging, and would have to be dealt with extreme care and thought process. Any suggestions on my ideas?

Jackwon

August 24, 2012

I'm sure WB is well aware of the opportunity and considering it. JGL seems open to it, and I trust him as an actor with artistic integrity and utmost respect for Nolan's Bat-universe, so I believe he wouldn't agree to a new movie unless the new writer/director had an excellent story and script.

So if they did make a "spin-off", I would totally support it. I always thought JGL would be a great Nightwing because he has a leaner build and gymnastic ability (I wish they showed that more in John Blake's fight scenes). Plus his dark hair, good looks, and dramatic as well as comedic skills fit Nightwing (even though Blake isn't really Dick, more like an amalgam of Dick, Jason, and Tim).

thefallen83

August 24, 2012

And that's the way the cookie crumbles! No sequels, No Robin spinoffs, no nothing.

Forthewin

August 24, 2012

They should give the next film to Bay. Transformers is the only trilogy as good as Nolan's batman films. Batman Beyond would be cool to see, with Bay directing. Or a Nightwing movie. It would be perfect, IMHO.

QueenChaos

August 24, 2012

I'm with JGL, on this being a great END to the trilogy..I do not interpret it as a set-up, it is an absolute finale..
Gotham goes on, the legend goes on, do we need to see it to believe it? The genius is that it's believable.. in real life when one story ends does the world stop turning? No. This was Bruce Wayne's journey, it ended, and left us with a sight into where Gotham is left.
We are shown how it comes 'full circle', and how 'Batman' - the symbol - rises from the ashes, reincarnated through John Blake..thus the cycle begins anew. Batman is immortal. When they said this would be the 'epic conclusion' they were on the mark, the scale of this ending makes it.

Diego Jose Chacon Gonzales

August 24, 2012

PERSONALLY I'D LIKE TO SEE HIM AS THE ROBIN, BUT BEFORE THAT HAPPENS, I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO SEE A PREQUEL TELLING THE ORIGINS OF BANE AND TALIA, PERHAPS THE BEST STORY COULD COME FROM VENGEANCE OF BANE, PLUS BANE OF THE DEMON, OF COURSE TOM HARDY AND MARION COTILLARD WOULD HAVE TO REPRISE, SO THAT WAY WE COULD HAVE AN EXPLANATION OF THE EVENTS BEFORE TDKR, AND COULD INCLUDE CAMEOS OF BALE AS BRUCE WAYNE, AND ANY OTHER ACTORS FROM THE TRILOGY, BUT THE STORY SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON THE STORY OF BANE JUST AS IT IS RELATED IN THE COMICS, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR MANY PEOPLE (NOT FANS) TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE FAR BETTER THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS DARK CHARACTER WHICH FOR ME IS THE BEST VILLAIN IN THE COMICS (HUGO STRANGE IS ANOTHER VILLAIN WHICH HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN CONSIDERATION YET BUT IT'S MY SECOND BEST) ANYWAY IT'S JUST MY THOUGHT, BUT I'M SURE THAT, FOR US (THE FANS) THAT WOULD BE REALLY FANTASTIC.

Knightly Crusade

August 30, 2012

He's certainly going places, just saw his newest movie Premium Rush and anticipating Looper.

Supernatural30

December 28, 2012

shadow of the bat
legend of the dark knight
agent of the bat

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt on 'The Dark Knight Rises' ending, his Batman movie future (video)

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