I would be disappointed. It's far too simple and easy for the story Nolan's been telling.
Exactly. Plus Alfred's "I won't bury you. I've buried enough membuhs of da Wayne family."
Plus, Bruce has yet to die canonically in the comics. Even Batman RIP skirted around it and he was basically alive the whole time.
I remember how I almost got scolded when I mentioned how that would totally be a cop out for Nolan. Because that's what the story has been hammering into us for the last two films.
It's what people expect, and it would be somewhat disappointing.
Weird. I'm surprised you guys feel that way.
I disagree that it is "easy" or "obvious" or "expected". As Andrex said, it hasn't happened in the comics. Batman dying would be shocking because it hasn't really been done before on a visible scale.
The past two movies haven't made it obvious that he'll, die, but if he does a lot of the dialogue will have more meaning. Especially Ra's talking to Bruce in his cell at the start of
Begins. It would be a beautiful way to thematically tie everything together. What ending would you guys prefer?
Bruce continuing to be Batman?
Bruce retiring because he's too old to keep up, or because he sustained a severe injury, or because he's made peace with his inner turmoil?
Uh...
I can only think of the two options listed above plus the option of him dying as possible scenarios for the ending. If he is still Batman by the end of the film, I'm not sure how it will feel "conclusive", something Nolan has been harping on for years now. I'm pretty sure we can rule that out.
Bruce just giving up or quitting is something I personally don't want to see. I don't want a story of inner redemption, where Bruce finally heals from his parents death and attempts a normal life. There will always be work for Batman to do, and Batman as the "symbol" can't just quit for personal reasons. That would strip away everything I love about the character. The amount of psychological sacrifice he has to make combined with the psychological pain that drives him is one of the main reasons he's such an emotionally resonating character.
Batman sacrificing himself though, maybe even still with the public perception of him being a murderous outlaw, would be perfect. Giving his life to the masses that hate him. Committing the ultimate act of protection knowing full well that people either won't know about it, or will twist it to make him the villain.
Hell, it could be that Bane will straight up
murder Batman. He will finally be outclassed, and permanently defeated. But he will still live on and win the day through the actions of Catwoman and JGL who were inspired by the symbol of what Batman stood for.
Years from now, it isn't going to matter if rabid obsessive fans who have been speculating for years correctly guessed the ending beforehand. The impact may not be as intense for them because it isn't a surprise, but that is no fault of the story telling. Bruce's death would unify the entire trilogy and would ensure that these movies go down as one of the most unique movie experiences ever.
