The big twist inThe Dark Knight Risesleads to a surprising change in Christian Bale’s Batman performance that makes theDCmovie moment even better. Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale reinvigorated theBatmanfranchise after the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher era, rebooting the film series with a focus on relative realism and a more grounded, serious, tone than before. Even with twolive-action Batmansuccessors (and a third due to debut in the newDC Universe timeline), Bale’s Batman performances andThe Dark Knighttrilogyitself are fondly remembered.
Ever since Michael Keaton’s debut in 1989’sBatman, it has become common for different live-action iterations of Batman to use a drastically different voice when playing Bruce Wayne and the Dark Knight. Bale’s Batman is known for using a guttural growl when wearing the cowl, and while some viewers criticized this choice, it nevertheless became a signature trait of this beloved iteration of the character. This element of Bale’s Batman performance undergoes a massive change at the end ofThe Dark Knight Rises, however.
Christian Bale’s Batman Uses His Bruce Wayne Voice After Talia’s Betrayal
InThe Dark Knight Rises’sclimax, Batman – having just defeated Bane – is suddenly betrayed by Miranda Tate, who reveals herself as Talia al Ghul, the daughter of the late Ra’s al Ghul and the mastermind of the League of Shadows’ plot to destroy Gotham City. It is upon this revelation (in which Batman is also non-fatally stabbed) thatBatman “breaks character,” using his Bruce Wayne voice while wearing the cowl. The sheer devastation of Talia’s revelation and betrayal likely caused Batman to use his normal voice, even though he normally tried to always use the growl when wearing the mask.
How The Dark Knight Rises References The Secret Fourth Movie In Nolan’s Batman Series
There is an unofficial fourth installment in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy, and The Dark Knight Rises references it twice.
ThroughoutThe Dark Knighttrilogy, Batman maintains the growl while in the Batsuit, even while speaking to allies who know his secret– like Alfred, Lucius Fox, Catwoman, and John Blake. Batman even speaks to himself out loud with the growl when wearing the cowl, as shown inThe Dark Knight Riseswhen Catwoman sneaks away from him. Batman also uses the growl when battling enemies who know his secret, such as Ra’s al Ghul and Bane.
Batman even tried to maintain the growl while poisoned by Scarecrow’s Fear Toxin inBatman Begins.
Batman Allowed Himself To Be Human & Vulnerable With Catwoman
Although Batman uses the growl once again while speaking to Commissioner Gordon at the end ofThe Dark Knight Rises, there is a brief moment when he continues to use his Bruce Wayne voice while wearing his mask.After Catwoman kills Bane to save Batman’s life, he speaks to her for the rest of the scene in his Bruce Wayne voice. This was most likely not only due to his continued devastation by Talia’s betrayal, but also his trust in Catwoman, allowing himself to be human and vulnerable with her, if only for a moment.
The Dark Knight Rises
Cast
The Dark Knight Rises follows Batman as he returns to Gotham City eight years after the death of Harvey Dent. Now pursued by law enforcement, he faces new challenges from Selina Kyle and Bane, a formidable terrorist leader who threatens the city’s safety, compelling Batman to defend a city that sees him as a foe.
