Looking back on the era of Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy, I tend to forget that there was actually a fourth film in thatDC Universefranchise that is wildly different from the rest of the series. Beginning withBatman Begins,The Dark Knight trilogymade great decisions that hold up to this day, creating one of the bestlive-action Batman movie seriesto date. However, it is easy to forget the larger ramifications of that trilogy, and how Warner Bros. looked to extend the series, releasing a connected film in 2008.
While the DCU and Marvel are now dipping their toes in connecting animated films with live-action, several attempts to do this were made previously. This fourth Dark Knightfilm is a prime example of that, and adds to the world of the franchise. Releasing ten days beforeThe Dark Knighteven came to theaters, this mostly forgotten film outlines many of the events between that movie andBatman Begins, adding incredible details and complexity to the Bruce Wayne character in the process.
Batman: Gotham Knight Is Officially Set Between Batman Begins & The Dark Knight
The Animated Film Captures Bruce Wayne’s Crimefighting Journey
Batman: Gotham Knightexplores the time betweenBatman BeginsandThe Dark Knight, and is set in the same world as Christopher Nolan’s trilogy. While the film was not treated by Nolan himself as canon, it was intended to bridge the gap between the two films, and to capture much of Batman’s earlier journey. The animated film was divided into six animated segments, each of which saw Batman facing a different challenge in his journey to become the hero that Gotham would grow to love.
With that said, on a glance, the film does not appear to be well-connected with the rest of its fellow installments in the same universe.Kevin Conroy voices Batman here rather than Christian Bale, and much of the outlook on Gotham appears to be a little different, with some more fantastical details and battles. However, it can be seen to enrich the overall world, as several memorable Batman foes appear in the series, including Deadshot and Killer Croc, and the release was generally well-received by audiences. As asecret fourthDark Knightmovie, the film is well worth giving one’s time to.
Batman: Gotham Knight Is So Different To The Dark Knight Trilogy Despite Being A Part Of The Same World
The Animated Film Is Not Nearly As Grounded As The Nolan Films
Batman: Gotham Knightis much different from Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, and I believe that’s due to different understandings of the Batman character.While the film was set to branch the first two Nolan films, it did so with expectations of Batman that also came from the comic books and animated shows. Ratherthan seeing all that Nolan would do in his grounded version of Gotham, the series had onlyBatman Beginsas a jumping point - something inevitably set to lead to a somewhat different result compared toThe Dark Knightitself, especially sinceGotham Knightis animated.
As such, with a different Batman actor, a different medium in terms of being animated - and split into several segments - and with several different characters who never appear in the live-action trilogy, it’s no surprise thatBatman: Gotham Knightappears quite unlike the other releases in the series. With an altered cast and feel, it can be difficult to imagine these stories being set in Nolan’s world quite the same, although this understanding of it from a different perspective is genuinely compelling, and it’s refreshing to see a different creative team work with this pre-existing world.
More Batman Is Never A Problem
Continuing various stories from different iterations of the DC hero can be a lot of fun. Just asBatman: Resurrectionswas asequel to the Tim BurtonBatmanfilmsfrom a different writer, so too canGotham Knightfeel connected to Nolan’s Batman and extend the character’s legacy. It is interesting to imagine how this Batman might have fared against some of his more terrifying foes, and to see more of his development in Gotham. While the film may not theoretically be exactly what Nolan would have made in its place, it is worth watching.
Balancing what’s shown on-screen for heroes like Batman can be a difficult task, and one that naturally leaves viewers often wanting more.That is why I think it is so much fun to allow other creators to come in and add to these worlds. I would love to see less direct continuations of all kinds of superhero stories, from Sam Raimi’sSpider-Manto Josh Trank’sFantastic Four. With these characters, there are always more stories to tell, and connecting to familiar series in new ways can be incredibly exciting.
Batman: Gotham Knightis not a must-watch, but it is a great addition to the legacy of Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy. The film series remains one of the most revered adaptations in the history of the comic book genre, and any additional pieces can only add to that experience. As audiences continue to hope for an unlikely return to Christian Bale’s Batman,it is comforting to know that there is an extra film in the franchise inBatman: Gotham Knight.
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knightfranchise, also known asThe Dark Knight Trilogy, is a critically acclaimed and commercially successful film series directed by Christopher Nolan. It is a darker and more realistic take on the Batman character, exploring themes of justice, chaos, and redemption. The trilogy revitalized the Batman film series and is often credited with raising the bar for superhero films, particularly through its exploration of complex moral dilemmas and the iconic portrayal of villains like the Joker.
