5. There's A New Batman In Town
So who's down for seeing Robin John Blake emerge from the cave as Batman? All those lines that Bruce says about how 'anyone can be a hero' definitely seem like they're building to something. Leaving Blake the keys to the cave insinuates that Bruce felt him worthy of taking up the torch that he didn't want to hold onto to anymore. This might seem like the most blasphemous act against nerdery in ages, but think about it. Nolan has given WB and whoever comes up behind him the most golden possible opportunities here. They can go the route of reboot, or if they're so inclined make a movie about a new version of Batman that is completely unique to cinema. Having a Batman that premiered in the movie universe would be the best way to tread new ground without risking the odds on wearing out a welcome by being repetitive. Any film maker that steps into the Nolan-verse has just been handed a cake with a healing factor (that can be eaten while you still have it). They get to make gritty "Nolanized" versions of their favorite villains, use the foundation that three movies built and at the same time be able to tell new stories with a Batman that they're free to define themselves. Is Batman a violent psychotic? Is he a paranoid creep? Is he a brave yet troubled man with a darker past than he's told anyone on screen about? Is Batman straight, gay or bi? We don't know, but the next director does! By having a new Batman in Gotham, the possible story lines that could be told are numerous. The thing that makes each of them unique is that they can follow a route that Bruce Wayne would not have taken. John Blake is a clean slate that can have a whole new saga writ upon it. It'd even be possible to have other characters show up that wouldn't have fit Nolan's style. One of these characters could even have the sexual tension with a Batman that wouldn't make sense if the man under the cowl was named Mr. Wayne. Batgirl anyone? Spoiler? Huntress? The Creeper? Azrael?... you get the idea. There's a lot of villains yet to be seen who could add a new flavor to the mix and have a different kind of fight against a different kind of Bat. Then again, even if Blake takes up the mantle of the new hero that Gotham needs, he doesn't have to do it as The Batman...