Arguably the most emotional moment of The Dark Knight was when the Tumbler (Nolan's beefy version of the Batmobile) got totaled during the chase sequence with Joker and his rocket launcher. Yes, I felt for that vehicle more than the character of Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) when she exploded.

All jokes aside, with the Batmobile done for and hoping to never see the Batpod again, Wayne Enterprises and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) need to push development forward big time on some new toys for Bruce Wayne's Batman (Christian Bale) to play fight crime with in The Dark Knight Rises. We know there must be at least one new ride for Bats, and previous rumors pointed towards and streamlined version of the Tumbler, but the latest potential scoop hints at the possible introduction of the Batwing/Batplane.

Batman on Film has the inside info on what may be a new vehicle becoming a part of Batman's arsenal in The Dark Knight Rises. On top of confirming there will certainly be an new Batmobile, there will be an "aerial Bat-Vehicle" as well.

"One of my sources mentioned the possibility of an appearance of [an aerial Bat-Vehicle]. The more I thought about it, the more sense it made with the planned shooting locations. Could be interesting!"

There's a possibility that it's true that there's a possibility of a Batplane in Batman 3. Got it?

Christopher Nolan has to find some way to raise the bar after delivering what many consider to be the greatest comic book movie of all time, and certainly the most successful. Nolan and co. have made it a point to put together a power-house cast to help compete against Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance as the villainous Joker in The Dark Knight, and new tech/costumes/vehicles are certainly an important aspect of Batman's character that needs to be explored in The Dark Knight Rises as well.

I would expect that Batman's new Batmobile will again be more of a Bat-tank in design, like the Tumbler was, so it could be something not too dissimilar from what we've become accustomed to. It doesn't make sense to downsize with his next primary ride if Wayne's alter ego will also be flying his own personal superhero jet. It will be very interesting to see the design of a Nolanverse Batplane and how believable it is.

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So, a new Batmobile and the introduction of the Batplane? I'm in. I'm excited to see the rebuilt Wayne Manor and the new Batcave. Be sure to check out our report on the latest Batman 3 villain rumors and details.

The Dark Knight Rises is written by Jonathan Nolan and Chris Nolan off of Goyer and Chris' story and it will of course be directed by Chris as well. Returning cast members Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are joined by franchise newcomers Anne Hathaway (Catwoman), Tom Hardy (Bane) and rumored Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard.

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The Dark Knight Rises hits regular and IMAX theaters on July 20, 2012.

Source: Batman on Film

Images Courtesy of Maximum PC, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Warner Bros.