The Dark Knight Rises, the final installment in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, left audiences both stunned and satisfied with its explosive finale. However, as with any film, there are always different ways it could have ended, and some fans have proposed alternate endings that could have been equally satisfying. In this article, we’ll explore some of those proposed endings and discuss how The Dark Knight Rises should have ended.
The first proposed ending is that Batman should have died in the final battle with Bane. This would have been a fitting end to the trilogy, with Batman sacrificing himself to save Gotham City. This would have also tied in with the themes of self-sacrifice and heroism that run throughout the series. However, this ending would have left some questions unanswered, such as what would happen to Gotham City in the absence of Batman.
Another proposed ending is that Batman should have retired from his superhero duties and handed over the mantle to Robin. This would have been a great way to set up a potential spin-off franchise, with Robin taking on the role of Gotham’s protector. It would also have given a satisfying resolution to Batman’s story, allowing him to finally hang up his cape and cowl. However, this ending would have also raised questions about Robin’s ability to take on the mantle of Batman, and whether he would be able to live up to the legacy of his predecessor.
A third proposed ending is that Bruce Wayne should have faked his death and gone into hiding, leaving Robin to take over as Batman. This would have provided a more ambiguous ending, leaving the audience wondering whether or not Bruce was still alive. It would also have allowed for the possibility of a future Batman movie, with Bruce potentially returning to Gotham to once again don the cape and cowl. However, this ending would have been somewhat unsatisfying, as it would have left too many loose ends and unanswered questions.
In my opinion, the best way for The Dark Knight Rises to have ended would have been for Batman to have sacrificed himself to save Gotham City. This would have been a fitting end to his story, and would have tied in with the themes of heroism and self-sacrifice that run throughout the trilogy. However, instead of simply having Batman die, the movie could have ended with a scene showing Gotham City in the aftermath of Batman’s sacrifice. This could have included shots of the city rebuilding, and of the citizens of Gotham paying tribute to their fallen hero. The final shot of the movie could have been of Robin, now wearing the Batman suit, standing on a rooftop overlooking the city, ready to take on the role of protector.
In conclusion, while The Dark Knight Rises ended in a satisfying way, there were several alternate endings that could have been just as good. In my opinion, the best way for the movie to have ended would have been with Batman sacrificing himself to save Gotham City, followed by a scene showing the city in the aftermath of his sacrifice, and of Robin taking up the mantle of Batman. This would have provided a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, while also leaving the door open for future Batman movies.