13 Biggest Mistakes The Batman Movies Ever Made

When Christopher Nolan finally brought Batman back to screens in 2005, discerning fans rejoiced. Here, at last, was an intelligent filmmaker with a strong track record in telling sophisticated stories with real visual panache and excellent performances, set to reboot the whole series, and he'd cast one of the most exciting young actors of the time in the title role.

However, while Nolan, Christian Bale and the bulk of the Batman Begins cast were inspired choices, there was one rather notable thorn in the side of the whole endeavour: Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes, an original character introduced in the film as a childhood sweetheart of Bruce Wayne, and an ally of the fledgling Dark Knight.

Now, lest we pin the blame entirely on Holmes, it should be considered that Rachel is a pretty perfunctory character. She exists solely to be the voice of Bruce Wayne's conscience, and later a damsel in distress for him to rescue - hardly the meatiest of roles for any actress.

Even so, whether it was down to Nolan and David Goyer's script or Holmes' bland performance, Rachel is a dull, unmemorable character who adds virtually nothing of substance to the otherwise excellent Batman Begins.

It's never been entirely confirmed whether Holmes jumped or was pushed when it came to Rachel's return in The Dark Knight - both the actress and the director have attributed her absence to a scheduling conflict.

But either way, the character's second and last appearance in the Batman movies was in the form of Maggie Gyllenhaal. (Which might make things a bit weird if, as rumoured, her brother Jake becomes the next Batman...)