Where Does Hugo Strange Fit in The Dark Knight Rises?

Late last year we kicked off a flurry of The Dark Knight Rises rumors with speculation on who the villain would be for Nolan’s third installment.  We now know for sure that both Bane (Tom Hardy) and Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) will both be involved in the plot, but at the time the popular rumor was that Hugo Strange might make an appearance.  These rumors have since fallen off with the announcement of Bane and Catwoman, as well as additional rumors of Talia Al Ghul, The League of Shadows, and Alberto Falcone.  However, the Hugo Strange rumors ramped back up this past week thanks to My Entertainment World.

An unconfirmed plot synopsis for the next Batman film hit the internet including a plot line for Hugo Strange.  In this synopsis, Dr. Hugo Strange, a villainous psychiatrist, concocts a a plan to destroy Batman and ultimately replace him.  Though Strange will appear as a villain with similar motivations in the upcoming video game Batman: Arkham City, this plot line seems to fit nicely into Nolan’s universe and gives the film a more intellectually formidable villain opposite Batman.  It could also explain Bane’s presence in Gotham as he was created by Hugo in the comics. 

This, however, can never be explained

I’m still not convinced that Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard’s characters are as advertised and I think it’s possible Nolan and Co. could be intentionally leading us astray with some of these announcements and/or rumors.  I’d personally like to see Gordon-Levitt play a villain like Strange as opposed to an “ambitious cop”, as Strange appears to be a character with much more depth and importance.  However, we’ve seen villain over-kill in superhero films before so the inclusion of a third opposition to The Dark Knight must be handled with care.

What do you think, is everything “as advertised” with The Dark Knight Rises or are we purposefully being fed false rumors and announcements?  Would you like to see Hugo Strange in this next Batman film given what we already know about Bane and Catwoman?  The Dark Knight Rises is slated for release July 20, 2012.

Quick Take: Martha Kent Cast & TDKR Plot Leaked

Rumors and news for the two DC Comics projects coming in 2012, Superman: The Man of Steel and The Dark Knight Rises, have kept us busy speculating and anticipating what will be seen on-screen next year.  Over the past 24 hours some of that speculation has transformed into certainty and likelihood with these two announcements.

The cast of the upcoming Zack Snyder directed Superman: The Man of Steel is continuing to take a more definite shape with our second official casting.  It has been announced that Diane Lane will portray Kal-El’s adoptive mother Martha Kent in the newest installment to the Superman franchise.  Martha Kent’s age ranges depending on which Superman canon is being referenced so it is not unlikely to have the 46-year-old Lane in this role (Cavill is 27).  However, Diane Lane does not look her age and for her to convincingly pull of the role of Ma Kent Snyder and co. may need to disguise or simplify her appearance.

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/02/diane-lane-martha-kent-superman/

Meanwhile in Gotham City, multiple plot details have been leaked about Christopher Nolan’s third installment of his Batman franchise.  Badass Digest is reporting from a source on the film that Anne Hathaway will in fact be playing both Selina Kyle and Catwoman.  This comes as no surprise as she sort of leaked this herself on Oprah after the Oscars, but that’s not all.  Catwoman’s role, at least by the end of the film, will be an ally to Batman.  Also featured in TDKR will be the League of Shadows (once again) this time headed by Talia Al’Ghul and aided by Bane (Tom Hardy).  Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s role at this point is still not certain but the source says he is an antagonist who is also involved with the League of Shadows.

Whether this information is all accurate or is merely just a rouse purposefully leaked from the Nolan camp is obviously uncertain this early in the film’s production but it’s likelihood is enough to keep us interested in the film’s development.

http://www.badassdigest.com/2011/03/02/the-dark-knight-rises-but-against-whom-major-spoilers