ZOMG! Okay, here it is, in official form. I have to fess up and admit I watched the sketchy bootleg last week. But it’s nice to finally get a clear gander, and really, it’s nicely achieved, I think, given that there likely wasn’t a lot of footage to pull from and this raises the stakes for the series with just a brief exchange. I have no idea what is up with that chant, though. Anyway, check out the teaser trailer for “The Dark Knight Rises,” via the film’s Facebook page, by clicking the image below or watch an embed after the jump.
UPDATED (10:48pm): Thanks to Jack for pointing us to this version featuring clips from “Batman: The Animated Series” and other DC toons. Brilliant:
Comments
95 responses to “‘The Dark Knight Rises’ teaser trailer”
“The epic conclusion to the ‘Dark Knight’ legend” is a terrible tagline. Otherwise I like the teaser. It’s not giving anything away, and building up anticipation – exactly what a teaser should be doing.
I’m so over comic book films, this summer has been boring me to tears—but I’m so excited for this. Just a year to go right? There seems to be a good amount of footage here, even though it does just tease. Well done, love the white background for the title.
I kind of have an issue with the idea that this is an “epic” story, because to me, very little has happened in the Nolan Batman universe.
I’m actually disappointed in how cheesy this clip is.
The whole thing just feels very–comic-booky. For any other franchise, that wouldn’t be a problem. But, after how somber “The Dark Knight” was in tone (in addition to a sick marketing campaign), this doesn’t cut it.
The thing that makes the trailer cheesy is the intertitles. They’re useless and redundant. Other than that there’s nothing to get worked up about either way, except that Batman is getting his ass kicked in that final scene.
I could have also done without the whole ‘epic conclusion’ part at the end, that just looks like something you’d see in a Twilight trailer. Aside from that, it’s solid. I wish they showed more of Tom Hardy as Bane but I’m sure that wish will be granted within the coming months.
Hope this doesn’t mean he’s dropping the cape by the end. Then again, Nolan’s last protagonist in Inception managed to forgive himself and move forward, something of which had not been seen in any of his films. Still though Batman isn’t that shallow to only think of himself and his issues. He does it because it needs to be done. Maybe Gotham’s crime will be reduced by the end? Or maybe he really is in it for the long haul as Batman should be. I guess they mean this is the conclusion to Nolan’s take on the character and his world.
Batman was more than willing to retire in the last one.
“ZOMG!” And you perfectly capture fanboy mania with that phrase. I can still hear the virginal fanboys reaching orgasm while watching this in the theater.
Kris,
I disagree with your assessment of what has happened in the franchise. Bruce’s origin story in Batman Begins is the very definition of epic IMHO. I absolute hate the use of the term in marketing. However, it is clear to me that WB will cram the “final movie” thing down our throat over the next year. It worked for Harry Potter and they will use it again for Nolan’s Batman.
James: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I would have a LOT of respect for Nolan if he flat out killed Batman in this film.
Drew: Hopefully it’s clear that that was indeed a fanboy joke.
DRM: It’s very contained. The origin story is told in an extremely streamlined (if highly efficient) manner, but it’s over and done with in 30 minutes. Then he’s back home for a half hour doing the reconnaissance, and an hour in, boom, he’s Batman. I have no problem with it. In fact, I think it’s the most concise superhero origin put to film yet.
Kris, the story it’s telling is epic. It covers 20 years of his life and thousands of miles around the globe. Both of those things fall under the “epic” umbrella. But as I said, even if it is epic I can’t stand the use of the phrase in marketing materials. Really cheesy.
But in a narrative sense, it’s not “epic.” You’re missing my whole point. Of course the story is epic, but the way it’s been hashed out in these films doesn’t qualify. Each film is really much smaller and more streamlined than the marketing for the third would like to have us believe. That’s my point.
I mean, it’s all semantics, but it’s just something that stuck out. These films are rooted (which is just as well, given the realism mandate). They aren’t “epic.”
Ah, guess we were looking at it different ways. Anyway, I too think it would be extremely ballsy if Nolan kills Batman off. In fact, the term “Rises” in the title seems pretty lame without that happening. In Batman Begins, Bruce talks about trying to become a symbol. Well his legend would rise in stature for the people of Gotham if he dies in a martyr scenario. I think Nolan picked the title for a very specific reason, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Batman does die. That being said, would Warner even allow him to do it?
Ok so Potter had “Epic Finale”… Now, Wayne has “Epic Conclusion”???
Great, very creative WB!!! I wonder if Nolan has a say on this?
matsunaga,
I’m thinking he has a say in the footage that gets used, but probably not the taglines or the way the footage is put together.
It’s nice to hear that.. I like the footage that was used….
Batman saves Gotham once again in stunning fashion. And just when we think all is well, Bruce Wayne is killed during a simple armed robbery in an alley.
Full circle.
I don’t know. I think “Epic” suits this franchise just fine if you look at the definition of epic:
ep·ic
adjective /ˈepik/
Of, relating to, or characteristic of an epic or epics
– England’s national epic poem Beowulf
Heroic or grand in scale or character
– his epic journey around the world
– a tragedy of epic proportions
noun /ˈepik/
epics, plural
A long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation
The genre of such poems
– the romances display gentler emotions not found in Greek epic
A long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an extended period of time
– a Hollywood biblical epic
I think the real issue is that people use the word left and right nowadays, so it becomes a bit annoying. But whatever, it’s a teaser, it’s supposed to get people hooked without showing too much, and I bet Nolan certainly didn’t want to/could show a lot of footage, so they had to resort to these title cards, probably cooked up by some WB marketing man. (I have no idea how involved a guy like Nolan would be in a teaser like this).
However, “Epic” is even a word that Hans Zimmer used to describe the script when he was asked about the approach he would take for Rises, so it’s not just coming from the marketing.
On the trailer itself, I think it does a nice job of tying it with the other two films, and striking an emotional tone for the final film, or trilogy even. On the contrary to a previous comment, I don’t think it’s comic booky at all, and I think it’s actually quite an unusual trailer for an action movie based on comic book characters. This kind of portrays the film as an emotional cop-drama/noir with thriller/horror elements. I’m freakishly reminded of Silence of the Lambs. Maybe it’s because of Bane’s mask, the well climbing shot, the prison and the cave showdown.
However, those title cards could indeed have been better. I think they just want to make sure that people are aware that it’s supposed to be a closed trilogy.
Since they’re going to reboot it after Nolan, I don’t see why they wouldn’t let him do it. But I doubt it’ll happen. Gotham as a city is very wary of Batman at the end of TDK and naturally that will be a thread through TDKR. I think “Rises” will come to mean the legend rising as a symbol and the people of the city coming to accept him as their protector. Or something.
I think that at this point there might be very little that studios would not allow Nolan to do. If he wants to kill off Batman, they will let him.
In one major area, Nolan’s Batman seems to clash with the comics. In such that, the comics are always open-ended. It is supposed to be never-ending. But of course Batman becomes a regular crime fighter, who keeps on fighting crime. If there is too much of a closure at the end of TDKR, it will kind of become a very contained thing, a three-part story and belie the comics ever going on nature.
And lastly one thing I want Nolan to refrain from in this film is cheap thrills cinema, the kind full of shocks and surprises that thrills the first time (or the first few times) but then really grates in repeat viewings and ages the film badly. He should realize that a film will not always be seen for the first time.
The teaser’s fine. I thank God this will be the last Nolan picture I willingly subject myself to.
3rtfu11, should be pretty easy to skip the movie if you don’t like what he’s doing.
I kind of liked ur original idea Kris of Superman making an apperance. However, I wouldn’t want Batman to give up his role with Superman around, but Superman is very much about inspiring others similar to Batman, but clearly Superman embodies a more positive image. He’s the light. He could give Batman his second wind and pursue as this symbol for as long as he has too.
Though lets face it. That won’t happen. This has no tie in to Synder’s Superman from what I hear.
As for Batman dying maybe. Sure as hell would have to put Warner Bros. in the position of rebooting it. I just hope their respectful enough to leave it alone and start over years from now. Still I’m not sure what purpose Batman dying would serve thematically or theme wise. Then again, I’d have to sleep on that one.
In a way Nolan has provided mostly of what I have always wanted to see from the franchise. An origin that gets to the character’s pathos, and a sequel where Gotham isn’t merely inhabited by 1 individual with storylines that follow Dent and Gordon as well as they try to stop this mad men. I’d still like to see a more detective oriented Batman years from now. Might be a tough sell to Warner Bros though.
” I just hope their respectful enough to leave it alone and start over years from now. ”
DC is Warner’s #1 priority post Harry Potter. Green Lantern was a complete bust, Flash and Wonder Woman are in limbo, and it remains to be seen what will come of Man of Steel.
Batman is the only sure thing they have. What I would love and what I think makes sense is to go a different direction from Marvel and use the one-shot model. Justice League films (spin-off individual films afterwards), Batman Beyond (Neo-Gotham), The Dark Knight Returns (retired older batman), Superman vs Batman, a Nolan produced trilogy, etc.
The idea that you can only do one type of Batman story per decade is stifling both creatively and financially.
I agree. I feel these comic book films should be handled like comic book properties just like how several Batman’s issues are going on at the same time. No one asks “Are these connected?” Its a given. That might be hard for people to understand who don’t have a firm grasp on comics.
There was no way Warner Bros was gonna do this, but I would have found it interesting if they released two Green Lantern films with completely different stars, directors, writers, etc, within a month or two. I’d be totally for a Batman/Superman story.
DRM, I love Batman and hate Nolan. I didn’t always hate Nolan it happened through repeat viewings of his films falling apart for me.
The only Batman films I’ve missed theatrically were the animated Mask of the Phantasm (due to general indifference) and Batman and Robin (due to fooling me once with Batman Forever).
I like what I see in this teaser, but those tag lines are terrible. Still, for only shooting for a few months, it looks good.
I agree with Kris, it would be an exciting move for Batman to be killed in this movie.
I’ll also drop this link, if only to keep the theme Kris started with the break down of the poster. I think it’s just a henchman, but whatever.
http://www.mothersdevotion.com/industry/dark-knight-rises-teaser-easter-eggs
Not a fan of the “epic conclusion” thing either. But whatever.
In any case, I think it would be more exciting if instead of killing off Batman they would do something, you know, unexpected.
KRIS: I’m gonna have to agree with you %100. I think if Nolan is truly a bold filmmaker, he will kill off Batman in this final installment. My respect for him will go through the roof if he does that.
/3rtfu11,
You should definitely check out Mask of the Phantasm. It’s awesome. In fact, the Animated Series itself is great as well.
Maxim, how many superhero movies have killed off the main character?
DRM, I eventually saw Phantasm on video but I didn’t see it theatrically because I just couldn’t get myself worked up for it at the time.
It’s important that you guys make the distinction between “Batman” dying and “Bruce Wayne” dying. The former just isn’t going to happen, it’s impossible.
A possible scenario is Wayne dying (a senseless random crime would be perfect) and the final frame could be someone contemplating picking up the mantle of the Bat.
We still don’t know who Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s John Blake really is. Maybe he’s similar to Jean-Paul Valley aka Azrael.
re: the “chant”
a couple of websites have alluded to the possibility that this may be an inmate chant, as in maybe all the criminals at Arkham are chanting something…or it could just be part of the score. either way, it’s kind of creepy.
/3rtfu11, what did you think of Phantasm after seeing it?
Wayne dying would be a very viable option, with indeed some Robin-type protege taking over the big cape.
I’m all for Guillermo Del Torr reviving this flick years from. Do more surreal verision of the character but with a different take than the Burton stuff had. And with the reboot franchise naturally being a huge financial success Del Torro will finally be able to get his angry valley movie, or whatever it’s called, made.
And yes Kris I knew that you were joking.
@Loyal
If that does happen, another character taking over the spandex clad hero position, that’s probably what Levitt will be there for. Or maybe not, maybe Levitt will be a technical manual like he was in Inception.
Drew- At the Mountains of Madness, a movie that should be in production by now.
Isn’t, but should be. Sorry for not being clear.
Awesome teaser. 2012 can’t come soon enough! :(
Andrew M: Wish it were in production? Blame comic-book movies and the state of franchises for that one.
@red_wine
I think it’s an interesting discussion, the comparison to the source material: the comic book. This is, after all a different medium and these pictures are based on them, not adapted. Shouldn’t these characters and stories be able to break free of the stigma of never truly having endings? After all, nothing is truly forever (well, maybe, I’ll get back to that).
Nolan is indeed trying to provide more closure than the comics, because the story will often have more impact if it has a beginning, middle and end. Also, he probably wants to contain his three movies so a never-ending series of movies won’t diminish the image of this series.
However, he has previously stated that he indeed truly believes that Batman is never-ending. If he means the character or the symbol is up for interpretation (Joker also stated in TDK that “I think you [Batman] and I [Joker] are destined to do this forever”).
Tying things up will also allow for another auteur to come in and provide his vision and version of Batman, as these characters are up for a lot interesting interpretations. (I, for one, would love to see a movie based on the Superman: Red Son comic, where Superman lands in Soviet Russia instead of America.)
I guess the opposite of a contained trilogy would be like watching one of those never ending shows that have the same actors season after season, where nothing ever truly ends because they have to keep the show running and keep making money, but that rarely makes for a very exiting story in the long run, an epic if you will.
More relevant examples of running series might be the X-men and Spider-Man “trilogies”. Those “trilogies” were not meant to be isolated trilogies, but was intended as a longer running series, with 4th and 5th installments. But I guess it gets hard to hold on to a vision and compelling story if you go on too long.
(This is why I think that article on trilogies is really interesting Kris – what makes a good series, and when to stop? ;)
…
On your remark about cheap thrills, I guess the film-noir mystery/psychological crime thriller that Nolan is often circling has a tendency towards this kind of narrative, as in essence, it’s often about who the killer is, why he did it and how he did it. Even Scorseses’ Shutter Island is falling into this cheap thrill trap. Of course, there are movies of this genre like Silence of the Lambs, Mystic River, Se7en and Zodiac that are really great movies, but I’d argue that they’re still best on the first viewing. It’s a genre thing, and also a matter of preference: it happens to be genre that I like. It’s a genre that’s really all about narrative technique, and that is something that Nolan in my mind is really good at. If I had to choose one of his films that fall the most victim of the complaint you’re talking about, it would have to be Memento. That’s the one picture that truly sticks out as a lot better if you don’t know the ending.
(Mind you, I don’t like the genre to the extend of movies like Saw which is ALL ABOUT the cheap thrills, where it’s virtually impossible to guess who the killer is and all you can do at the end is go “Yeah I never would have thought…” as someone completely unimportant to the story is revealed to be the killer)
Out of curiosity red_wine, as someone who is a frequent opponent of most things Nolan (and I mean no offense, I’d really like to hear your honest opinion) , what is your opinion on the teaser (and I guess on his Batman series as a whole)?
(even though this is primarily addressed at red_wine, feel free to join in)
P.S. Well really the genre is NOT only about the narrative technique, a good movie obviously transcends that and becomes about bigger themes and meanings. What I meant to say was that “in essence, it’s THE genre for narrative technique”.
“Batman saves Gotham once again in stunning fashion. And just when we think all is well, Bruce Wayne is killed during a simple armed robbery in an alley.”
Loyal, you totally ripped me off on that! I wrote the exact same thing a number of months back. ;)
Personally, I think Batman is a bit spent on the big screen. I’d love to see someone parlay the success of Nolan’s franchise into an hour drama show that gives much more room for spreading the story outward. It started as serial entertainment and it would be awesome to see it brought back to those roots in filmmaking. CSI: Gotham City, with Batman as the star. That kind of thing.