Let's look at the facts here - Spawn was a dark comic book adaptation, and it sucked; The Shadow was a dark comic book adaptation, and it sucked; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II went darker and sucked worse than the original by some distance. Darkness and superhero movies do not mix well - though of course slap-stick comedy is just as misplaced (just ask the Superman sequels) - and any suggestion that this Batman franchise is done will no doubt spawn a darker, edgier reboot. And though Tim Burton's darkness was well-placed and perfectly executed, there are very few directors currently working who would be able to replicate that blend of gothic darkness and grand theatricality. What we'll end up with is a faux-earnest, po-faced misery fest with Batman trying to find himself, and too much time focused on Bruce Wayne, which will fundamentally misunderstand what Gotham has always been about. And that, my friends, would be boring and unfulfilling.