It’s been close to six months since we last heard semi-legitimate rumors about a possible appearance from twisted sociopath/psychologist Dr. Hugo Strange in Christopher Nolan’s third Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises.
A little over a week ago, an unconfirmed Dark Knight Rises plot synopsis hit the Internet and we held-off reporting on it – given the amount of debunked Hugo Strange rumors. Now, one week later, we’ve yet to get an official word to the contrary – so will Hugo Strange, not just make an appearance in the next bat-installment, but be the leading villain in the film’s already star-studded plot?
The recent murmurs are the result of an update to The Dark Knight Rises‘ listing on My Entertainment World – adding an alleged mini-synopsis for Nolan’s film.
For anyone unfamiliar with MyEntertainmentWorld, the site is basically a job-board for industry professionals (casting directors, agents, set-workers, actors, etc) who are looking for film work. While an update to the site isn’t remotely close to an official confirmation, it’s also not quite as easily dismissed as user-maintained sites such as IMDB – especially since some of the details (such as shooting locations) do match prior confirmed reports.
That said, given the focus of the synopsis itself, the rumor is highly-suspect:
DARK KNIGHT RISES, THE (aka MAGNUS REX & FOX HILLS GREEN) – Mid June, 2011 – India & London, UK & New York, NY & Pittsburgh, PA. STORY: As Batman deals with his new status as a wanted vigilante, Dr. Hugo Strange, a villainous psychiatrist, concocts a plan to destroy him and become the new Batman. (Posted: June 17, 2010. Revised: April 14, 2011)
While it’s certainly plausible that Dr. Hugo Strange could appear in The Dark Knight Rises, it’s extremely hard to imagine that Nolan would feature him as the central villain - given that there’s already two iconic baddies in the mix, Bane (Tom Hardy) and Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Anne Hathaway), not to mention the often rumored return of the league of shadows, and subsequently Talia al Ghul.
The heavy-focus on Strange almost points to the possibility that MyEntertainmentWorld mistakenly mixed up some of the details with a summary for the upcoming Batman: Arkham City video-game by mistake. That said, the Prey-like plot (as laid-out in the synopsis) is certainly the kind of dark and twisted crime drama that the Nolan brothers would revel in – peppered with some interesting commentary regarding what it means to be a hero.
Dr. Hugo Strange in 'Batman: Arkham City'
We’re filing this particular rumor in the “long-shot” category – but that doesn’t mean the synopsis isn’t intriguing. If Dr. Hugo Strange doesn’t make it into The Dark Knight Rises, whoever takes the helm for the next inevitable Batman follow-up should definitely consider the destroy then replace Batman story-beat (which has always been one of the more entertaining Strange-centric plot-lines).
Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick and let us know if you’d like to see Hugo Strange in the Dark Knight Rises.
The Dark Knight Rises on July 20th, 2012.
Source: MyEntertainmentWorld [via MovieWeb]
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hoping its true… i dont like bane in the nolan universe… strange would be SOOO much better as the main bad guy since joker wont be in it… NEITHER WILL TWO FACE
I disagree with you for several reasons. You are probably saying you don’t like Bane as the main villain because of what you saw in the Batman & Robin movie. That was a horrible incaration of Bane. He’s nothing like that at all. Bane is one of Batmans most intelligent foes and is physically probably the best villain for Batman and deduced the idenity of Batman. I’m not sure how much you know about Bane(no disrespect, but this is y I’m telling you some stuff) but he’s by far my favorite choice for tdkr villain and I can’t wait to see how Nolan will rip the character Bane like he did the Joker. But back to the movie, I think Bane will find out Batmans idenity by interrogating that one guy for TDK that was gonna reveal batmans idenity live on the news and do I think Bane is going to break Batmans back? No. But I do think he will seriously be beaten by BANE. I like Hugo Strange and would like to see him in the movie but wouldn’t care if he wasn’t. And we don’t know for sure if anne will play catwoman( though she did kinda say it, so maybe) and even if she does, we don’t know if she’s actually a villain, or another vigilante. So its enough room for Strange to be in it but he wouldn’t be the main villain, Bane is. I know somebody else already said this but I thought if Strange were to be in the movie, he would be like another scarecrow, idk y but that’s what I picture… and btw I think Bane will be a crimelord in the criminal underworld in the movie. I know this is a mouthfull , my bad bro , but jus sharin my thoughts on what I think so comment back if u want but those are jus my thoughts…
I’m surprised you guys didn’t pick up on this already. It’s been posted already on quite a few sites last week and CBM.com almost 2 weeks ago.
He clearly said that they have known about it for a few weeks but they haven’t said anything about it because they figured it was more just ridiculous rumors and that they finally did because it hasn’t been denied by the Nolan crew
Because he is dead
i think the movie has enough characters already
we dont really need Hugo Strange
he’s a great villian but to you really need to psychological geniuses chasing after batman in the same movie?
Unless Strange is the one who busts Bane out of prison to seek and destroy the Dark Knight, I don’t really see any reason to include both villains in the same movie. And frankly, all the Strange-love is getting on my nerves. That picture of him from the comics is the most hideous thing I’ve seen, and while he may be a brilliant man, he’s just not one of Batman’s best foes, in my opinion. If he’s in the movie, then fine; but I’d be just as happy with anyone Nolan picks, quite frankly, because he’s a much better storyteller than any I’ve seen in years, and I can’t wait to see what he does.
That’s Doctor Strange-love.
I still want Edward Nashton (The Riddler) to be the villain, but oh well haha
You mean Edward Nigma?
His name is Edward Nashton. He later changed it to Edward Nygma (E. Nygma)
If this is true which i hope not. If Hugo is in this im thinking that they would combine Bane and Hugo as one. Which would be a bad idea.
If he would be played by another actor then fine, but i doubt they would add another main character to the plot. The rest would be cameos and supporting roles.
i hope nolan knows what he’s doing b/c as far as i can tell TDKR is gonna be crammed to the rim with characters from the batverse, which imo will resolve to the movie being like xmen3 or spiderman 3 *shudders*.
Sounds fake and it probably is .
beginning to sound like villain overload. How many hours is this movie going to be?
how many villains are there? ( that came out of nolans mouth) 1. Bane. He said selina kyle in the press conference and while I do and at the same time doubt catwoman will appear, we don’t even know how she’ll be used in the movie, vigilante, villain, ect. I kinda wanna see Hugo Strange in the movie, I also doubt he will be in the movie. I think this movie won’t have 3 like the previous 2. I honestly think Bane will take up the the lead villain role and bully his way up to the top of the criminal underworld, idk if salvitore maroni died in that car crash in TDK but if not maybe he kills him or somethin idk… but I think this movie will mostly involve Batman evading the police and I’m not sure if Bane will be hired by the police or be a menace and wreak havoc on the city. And I think gordon levitts character will be like harvey bullock kinda. Again, I have no clue or guess as to how Selina Kyle will be involved with the film. And I think the opening scene will introduce Bane, much like TDK set up Joker. I think TDKR opening scene Will be a prison break of Bane, iidk if he will alreay be transformed into Bane( like Joker was already… Joker) or show him actually Show him taking the steroids( I don’t think it will be steroid venom, just super steroids) but I’m almost 100% sure about the opening scene. Well those are my thoughts… feel free to comment back and debate
We don’t know if its going to be a “villain overload” yet simply because…. WE DON’T KNOW WHATS REAL, WHATS NOT, WHATS CONFIRMED, AND WHAT ISN’T… (even the stuff that is “confirmed” could be a throw off by Nolan)
Strange is actually a fascinating villain, but if this true (so far, I see no reason to really believe it), I’m curious how Nolan will give enough screentime to every character that requires it…
If Hugo Strange is in it, it’ll probably be a small role. There’s a bit too much of a resemblance to the movies’ Scarecrow persona anyway, so it’d be kind of deja vu.
If you watch Gary Oldman interview I have posted he says he has quite alot to do with Tom Hardy. Could this suggest Hardy is perhaps a cop or Hugo strange as well as Bane. There is something going on along those lines I think. And all these young men being cast in film. All cops under Gordon perhaps. To me this is still going to be about the hunt for Batman and a Strange type character would make sense in that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uTFuyks9fE
Actually I have a very good source and know who the main Villain is going to be. Bane & Catwoman! Chris Nolan told us already! Nolan doesnt make announcements that aren’t true. He likes to keep his films close to the chess but hes not Zack Miller.
“Bane has been one of Batman’s most intelligent and physically powerful foes.” -wiki
Bane is a physically superior and a mental match for batman what more do you want in a villain? I’m glad there’s no Riddler or Strange. Everyone pretty much wants another Joker in the next film. Bane allows Nolan to bring another type of Villain and bring it to us in a fresh and cool way. Also Bane is the first Villain in the Nolanverse that can actually kick Batmans a$$ 1 on 1 fist fight.
Ras Al Ghul can go toe to toe w/ Batman also…
Zack Snyder*
I honestly don’t think Strange is in this movie. It already has several key characters, and a new character is the last thing it needs. But who knows really.
I’m sick of people saying that Spiderman3 and X-men3 sucked because of the amount of villains! THOSE MOVIES SUCKED BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY WERE WRITTEN, NOT THE AMOUNT OF VILLAINS!!! Both of the previous Batman films had three villains! BB: Ra’s Al Guhl, Scarecrow, Carmine Falcone. TDK: Joker, Salvatore Maroni, Two Face. Both of those movies were great! I think Hugo Strange would make a great central villain for TDKR. Bane and Catwoman will still fit into the mix just fine! Please, everyone, just trust Nolan! Has he done us wrong yet?
Has Nolan done us wrong yet? Yes, but that’s just my opinion. Nolans films aren’t flawless as many seem to think. I love TDK as much as the next person, but it still has flaws in it (despite how much people ignore them).
No one is saying his movies are perfect just saying he’s never steered us wrong because his movies are really good. No one said perfect
Not saying you’re wrong, but give examples of “flaws” in TDK…just curious…
I think the staff at ScreenRant have said, as have a couple posters on this thread, having Stange and Bane as central characters would either be redundant or indicate a disservice to one of the characters, likely in regard to Bane, reducing him to a mindless thug.
I could see Strange in a small, “by name only” role or not at all. Regardless of the final cast list, Nolan knows what he’s doing.
Yea, we’ve already seen Bane reduced to a mindless thug already in film. Horrendous it was…
I have a feeling that Hugo Strange and Bane are going to be “one in the same.” That is, Nolan created a “hy-brid” type of character…where Strange’s alter ego will be BANE. Would easily explain the “Prey” storyline now.
It’s either going to happen this way or Strange won’t be involved in the film at all.
I dont like calling peoples opinions dumb or insult them, but that is one of the most rediculous thing I’ve ever heard. Nolan is not going to do that. Period. There’s a better chance of me bein the main villain then Bane and Strange being combined. Lol…
I could care less about the movie at all but OMG on the picture of Hugo Strange from Arkham City… I actually thought it was from some other movie until I read the caption. It looks so lifelike…if the whole game will feature this kind of detail then the game will most definitely rock.
Not making this a personal attack, but I think you mean that you “couldn’t care less.”
HA
You are right, thanks for noticing the grammatical error, I usually try to make sure everything I write is spelled correctly and grammatically correct,
but it was a bit hard to proof read my comment when the only thing on my mind at the time was the Hugo Strange pic from the game.
I would much rather read the batman comics than watch the movies. Nothing wrong with the movies at all but if given the choice between a good book and a good movie, a good book wins out in the end for me.
And to accentuate my weirdness, I read the Batman Knightfall novel (not graphic novel) and enjoyed it more than the actual comic book I think it was based on.
TJB…
That’s not strange at all. The novel was much more polished than the comics. I agree and have heard that many other people thought the same.
anything could happen, small or large role. look at the scarecrows role and how it blended in the other 2 movies. we may not see any of these characters mentioned, we may see all of them standing over a dead batman at the end of the movie
i don’t mean batman or bruce wayne will die, but it would be interesting to see one of them at the others memorial sefvice.
batman at bruce waynes funeral / bruce at batmans funeral
That would make for a very cool, memorable ending — a truly great way to conclude Nolan’s trilogy.
I hope we don’t just see Batman standing on a building somewhere as the camera pans around, fade to black…
The trilogy needs a better, more poignant and perhaps even thought-provoking ending that raises the visual and emotional stakes higher than either of the previous endings.
I also don’t want to see yet another scene with just Batman and Gordon talking shortly before Batman makes some grand exit.
I can’t stop thinking about Bruce Wayne saying goodbye to Batman or the opposite (Batman saying goodbye to Bruce Wayne), but we don’t see Bruce at Batman’s funeral, nor Batman at Bruce’s, but it’s left mysterious, cryptic… we see someone who might be Batman or might be Bruce Wayne looking on, and we never see whom, just a flash of black from behind.
There’s just way too much going on with this movie,rumors and all.
Personally,I think that Tom Hardy as Hugo Strange would’ve been way more interesting than anything having to do with Bane.
They should’ve done Hugo Strange,Black Mask,and Talia.
Longshanks,
I can’t disagree – looking forward to when all this speculation is over.
Vic
I think they’re cramming all these villains in because it’s the last Batman film.
What? So there will be no more Batman films after this? /sad
I respect Nolan enough for him not to agree to something along those lines. I hope he has it makes sense in his unoque way.
uh… Why would my comment be waiting moderation? Please advise so I dont make the same error in the future. Thanks!
Aknot,
No idea – Sometimes things get flagged, I look at them and don’t see a thing wrong with them…
Vic
Hi,
I so want Hugo Strange to be the main villain in TDKR as this article reports and there is some evidence to support this (Gary Oldman talking recently about the main vilain being an old, old one and that Chris nolan would kill him if he revealed who it was and Hugo is one of the first ones), but the simple fact remains that with just a few days to go until filming starts there is no confirmation of anyone cast in the role. This fact alone simply doesn’t make sense if Hugo is in it. perhaps Nolan has his reasons for not revealing that info but surely over the next 6 months keeping the actors identification secret would be extremely difficult.
I know nothing of Talia Al Ghul and I must admit I’m not that interested in her or the league of shadows (although I liked Batman Begins) but its more obviously her that could be in it (Miriam Tate anyone?), but then this doesn’t fit with what Gary Oldman has said.
I’m going round in circles but does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
wertwer
LETS START BY SAYING THE DARKEST SECRETV NOLAN HAVE IN ALL OF THIS IS THIS IS NOT THE LAST MOVIE. TRUST ME I GUARANTEE THERE WILL BE A THE DARK KNIGHT RISES PT.2 IN 2013 THINK OF IT BATMAN HAVE BEEN AROUN FOR DECADES ITS NOT GOING TO END WITH JUST BAIN AND CATWOMAN CMON NOW
END IT WITH IDENTITES REVEALED PEOPLE WEAKNESS EMOTIONS POORED
TAGLINE CITIES RISE HEROES FALL VILLIANS DIE AND ALL THIS COMES TO DR HUGO STRANGE PROBABLY HAVE A DIFFRENT NAME LIKE DOCTOR JAMES BUT HE WILL BE THE ULTIMATE LAST BATMAN VILLIAN.His mad plans wil be to exhuast batman so HE WILL CREATE BAIN AND OFFER RAL AL GUL BLACK MASK THERE WILL BE A ARMY OF BLACK MASK HE KNOW BATMAN WILL DEFEAT BAIN AND BLACK MASK IN THE DARK KNIGHT RISES IN 2012 IT WILL CONTINUE TO ANOTHER MOVIE IN 2013 WHEN Bruce Ultimate Weakness Selina Kyle will give Bruce over to hugo. Thats When The Identities Will Begin. Sorry But Bruce Will Die In The Streets Of Goitham.
I AGREE COOL GUY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IT HAS TO END WITH A BANG YOUR LITTLE SCRIPT IS WELL FITTING THAT REMINDS ME OF YOU LIVE TO DIE A HEROE
I CAN PICTRE BRUCE WAYNE JUST DEFEATING HUGO AND LYING IN GOTHAM STREETS ABOUT TO DIE.
cool guy and onceaman…
I DOUBT, VERY MUCH, THAT NOLAN WILL KILL OFF BATMAN TO END HIS SERIES OF FILMS…AND CERTAINLY WILL NOT HAVE HIM LYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AS THE LAST SCENE.
BY THE WAY, COULD YOU BOTH TURN OFF THE CAPS LOCK, BECAUSE IT’S REALLY ANNOYING AND RUDE IN TERMS OF ETIQUETTE. SEE HOW AGGRAVATING IT IS???
To those who had to put up with my little “shout-out”, I sincerely and fervently apologize. I was simply trying to be heard over all the screaming.
