Batman Continues
By Trevor Melton
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman, its characters, aspects, or anything else relating to it. That right belongs to Bob Kane and DC Comics. I am claiming no right to any aspects of this sequel to Batman Begins by David Goyer. I am making this screenplay on the assumption that the ending of the leaked script was changed and that The Joker is no longer the villain. Please do not sue me for I am making no profit from this screenplay what so ever.
Cast of Characters:
Christian Bale……………Bruce Wayne/Batman
Tim Booth……………………….Victor Zsasz
Cillian Murphy……………Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow
Roselyn Sanchez……..Talia Al Ghul
Gary Oldman………………..Detective James Gordon
Morgan Freeman………….Lucius Fox
Guy Pierce…………………..Harvey Dent/Two-Face
Katie Holmes……………..Rachel Dawes
Michael Caine…………..Alfred Pennyworth
Tom Wilkinson…………..Carmine Falcone
Liam Neeson………………..Ra’s Al Ghul
Ken Watanabe……………..Ubu
Julianne Moore.....Detective Sarah Essen
Colin McFarlane……….Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb
Barry Dowden……………..Detective Flass
Brittany Murphy....Dr. Harlene Francis Quinzel
Susan Sarandon.....Dr. Leslie Thompkins
Rutger Hauer……………..Richard Earle
Jeri Ryan...... Vicki Vale
FADE IN:
EXT. GOTHAM CITY – NIGHT
The camera makes its way toward the dark gothic city. It would almost seem like we’re flying right toward it. We stop on a tall building near the center of the city. WAYNE INDUSTRIES is stenciled on the building’s mid area. At one of the balconies to the building, there are a couple of gargoyles and crouching between them is THE BATMAN, long cape wrapped around his costume as he looks down to the streets below.
BATMAN (V.O.)
“My story is something not for the
Weak at heart. I am Batman. I am
What most people would call a
Vigilante.”
INT. DARK ALLEY - NIGHT
DR. THOMAS WAYNE and MARTHA WAYNE are shot by JOE CHILL in the alley.
BATMAN (V.O.)
“The death of my parents caused a
Sense of dread in me that no one
Could ever fully understand.”
EXT. HIMALAYAS – ICE LAKE – DAY
BRUCE WAYNE is sword fighting with HENRI DUCARD on the ice.
BATMAN (V.O.)
“I was trained in many different
Forms of the martial arts.”
INT. MONORAIL – TRAIN – NIGHT
Batman is fighting Ducard, now in his complete Ra’s Al Ghul attire inside the train.
BATMAN (V.O.)
“But nothing could’ve ever prepared
Me for the trials that I would go
Through when I returned to Gotham
City.”
EXT. WAYNE INDUSTRIES – BALCONY – NIGHT
A flash of lightning strikes in the distance revealing The Batman to us in a very haunting light as he looks in the direction of a sudden police siren’s sound.
BATMAN (V.O.)
“The fear that Gotham has gone
Through continues to this day, but
With my help, I believe that I can
Stop the fears once and for all and
Put an end to the corruption. Only
Time will tell if I am really
Making a difference.”
Batman stands up and pulls out his grappling gun. He fires it and starts off of the building moving at an amazing speed as he begins his pursuit of the police car.
EXT. GOTHAM BRIDGE – NIGHT
LT. JAMES GORDON stands over a dead man’s body. His throat has been slashed. This man is wearing an overcoat and has a hat lying by his side. Gordon sighs as he walks over to DETECTIVE FLASS who is standing off to the side chewing some gum.
FLASS
“Horrible way to go, don’t ya
Think?”
GORDON
“You’re just lucky that you still
Have a job, Detective. If I was
Commissioner...”
FLASS
“But you aren’t, Lieutenant. Loeb
Is. You would do well not to
Infuriate him more then you already
Have.”
GORDON
“Don’t threaten me, Flass. Loeb
Isn’t your real boss in the first
Place. He’s in Arkham.”
FLASS
“Watch what you say, Gordon. You
Might not like the results.”
Flass moves over to a few police officers.
BATMAN (O.S.)
“Having more problems?”
Gordon jumps as he hears the sudden voice from behind him. He turns around to see Batman standing behind him with his cape wrapped around him as he stands in the shadows.
GORDON
“I hate it when you do that. Coming
From out of nowhere.”
BATMAN
“Shouldn’t Detective Flass have
Been relieved of his duties?”
GORDON
“I’m afraid that no one has
Anything on him except for your
Accusations.”
BATMAN
“He was at the drug drop the same
Night that Dr. Crane and Falcone
Were there.”
GORDON
“Agreed, but until there’s some
Concrete evidence, Commissioner
Loeb isn’t going to budge.”
Batman comes a little closer to Gordon, but remaining in the shadows so that the other officers don’t see his presence.
BATMAN
“What’s the case with this one?”
GORDON
“One lone man, throat slashed, and
Left for dead after the attack.
From what the other officers have
Said this guy was a common
Criminal. I actually remember
Seeing his face in lock up. I have
A feeling that the victim was
Trying to mug the killer and was in
Turn killed himself. Our guys found
Some hand prints on the railing and
Boot prints on the other side of
The bridge. It’s possible that the
Killer was trying to kill himself
Before the mugger arrived.”
BATMAN
“Think the prints will bring up
Anything?”
GORDON
“No telling. This city doesn’t have
A very good print system as no one
Ever cared to register prints to
Us.”
BATMAN
“I’ll see what I can do on my end.”
GORDON
“You think this might be related to
The kidnapping of Gotham University
Students?”
BATMAN
“At this point I wouldn’t rule
Anything out.”
Gordon turns away from Batman for a moment to see the ambulance coming their way.
GORDON
“Well, let’s hope that something
Comes up in...”
Gordon turns back to where Batman was, but sees that he has disappeared.
GORDON (Cont’d.)
“...a while... I hate it when he
Does that.”
INT. SMALL HOUSE – BATHROOM – NIGHT
A dark figure stands at the mirror in his bathroom. There is little light in the house so it’s hard for anyone to make out a certain person. A hand brings up a sharp knife that has dried blood on it and turns the knife over in his hand. He smiles a little before he takes the knife and makes a long cut on his arm with the knife, causing blood to flow out. He has no pain on his face as he does this as if it isn’t even registering. This is VICTOR ZSASZ.
ZSASZ
“My family should’ve never died.
They will be avenged. I will be
Avenged. I should’ve never gambled
My money away... I know my mistake
Now. The life at the dock...Oh,
Yes... I only helped to end his
Suffering... I will end all
Suffering from all of those who
Feel that they are so perfect...
They have not met perfection, until
They meet me...”
A smile creeps across Zsasz’s face as he looks at the knife with complete admiration.
INT. WAYNE MANOR – BATCAVE – NIGHT
Batman sits at the large computer in the Batcave typing away. ALFRED PENNYWORTH walks down the stairs with a tray in his hand. The tray is holding some type of meat on it with vegetables on the side and a glass of tea. Batman seems to almost ignore him as he continues to type on the computer console.
ALFRED
“If I may be so bold, sir, please
Do take some rest before you pass
Out. You have had many restless
Nights since the GCU students
Started disappearing.”
BATMAN
“No time to talk, Alfred.”
ALFRED
“And he says I’m stubborn.”
Batman smiles and turns to face Alfred.
ALFRED (Cont’d.)
“Sir... of all the bats in Gotham,
Did they really need a bigger one?”
Batman just looks at Alfred.
BATMAN
“Size does matter, Alfred.”
ALFRED
“Very well, sir.”
Alfred sets the tray down and looks at the screen. There are several shots of the students that were abducted.
ALFRED (Cont’d.)
“Sir, you’ve looked through those
Articles and photographs a million
Times. Please eat.”
BATMAN
“Alfred, I think I’ve made a break
Through though.”
ALFRED
“And that would be?”
BATMAN
“Before Dr. Jonathan Crane started
Working at Arkham Asylum as head
Psychiatrist, he was actually a
Leading Psychologist at Gotham
University specializing in fears
And phobias. He was fired for those
Strange teaching methods. Now, If
I’ve looked at the old schedules
Correctly it reveals that all the
Kidnapped students had taken one of
Professor Crane’s classes at one
Point.”
ALFRED
“Heavens! Have you alerted Lt.
Gordon yet?”
BATMAN
“No. I just have discovered this,
But I will make sure at our next
Meeting. I think that the murderer
Earlier tonight could just have
Been Dr. Crane.”
ALFRED
“But you said that the killer was
Trying to commit suicide before he
Killed the mugger.”
BATMAN
“Exactly. Crane was hit with his
Own gas and was infected with it.
It’s logical to believe that the
Fear gas finally got the best of
Him and he couldn’t take the fears
Anymore.”
ALFRED
“How convenient for him.”
BATMAN
“I have to find his lair, Alfred. I
Owe it to those missing students.”
ALFRED
“Just consider trying to get some
Sleep tonight. Remember, you have
That luncheon with D.A. Harvey Dent
Tomorrow.”
BATMAN
“That’s right. I almost forgot.
Thank you, Alfred. I’ll take your
Thoughts in mind.”
ALFRED
“Good night, sir.”
BATMAN
“Good night, Alfred.”
INT. D.A.’S OFFICE – DAY
D.A. ASSISTANT RACHEL DAWES sits at her desk writing something on a notepad. She looks up as she hears a yelling sound coming from the next room.
VOICE (O.S.)
“I’m telling you that you’re making
A mistake!”
Rachel gets up and walks to the office and opens the door revealing DISTRICT ATTORNEY HARVEY DENT pacing around his office with the phone at his ear.
DENT
“Carmine Falcone is not insane! He
Is making this up in order to stay
Away from the justice that he
Deserves! You had better expect a
Meeting later this afternoon. Do
You understand me?”
Rachel leans against the door and crosses her arms as she looks on. Dent slams the phone down on the receiver and screams as he slams his hand on his desk. Rachel runs over to him.
RACHEL
“Harvey!”
Rachel takes Dent’s hand into hers and looks at it. Dent quickly moves his hand away and looks away in anger.
RACHEL (Cont’d.)
“Harvey, what’s wrong?”
DENT
“It’s Falcone. They still won’t
Release him from Arkham Asylum.”
RACHEL
“Well, after what Jonathan Crane
Did to him I wouldn’t think so
Either.”
Dent turns around grabbing hold of Rachel’s shoulders and shakes her as he says the next lines.
DENT
“That’s not the point! We had him,
And they’re letting him slip
Through our figures!”
RACHEL
“Harvey, stop it!”
Dent finally stops realizing what he’s doing. He pulls away from her and turns around again.
DENT
“I’m sorry, Rachel. I didn’t mean
To lash out at you like that.”
Rachel places an arm on his shoulder.
RACHEL
“It’s alright, Harvey. Don’t worry.
We’ll get him one way or another.”
Dent turns back to Rachel and places a hand on her face.
DENT
“You’re so beautiful, Rachel. I
Want you to know that without you I
Don’t think I’d be able to get
Anything done around here.”
RACHEL (Smiling.)
“That’s just silly, Harvey.
Seriously, you shouldn’t think such
Things.”
DENT
“It’s hard to help but to say such
Things to you. I do love you after
All.”
RACHEL
“And the feeling is of course
Mutual, but let’s not let our
Feelings get in the way of our
Duties. We do have a drug lord to
Put away after all.”
DENT (Nodding.)
“Agreed. Let’s get on to the asylum
And see what we can do from that
End.”
Dent starts to walk out of the office, but stops when Rachel turns to his exiting direction and speaks her next line.
RACHEL
“You’re forgetting something.”
Dent turns back around and looks at her oddly.
DENT
“And that would be?”
RACHEL
“Your luncheon with Bruce Wayne
Today.”
DENT
“Oh, yes. Forgot all about it.
Cancel it, will you?”
RACHEL
“Sir, Bruce is a very close friend
Of yours, and mine. I think we
Would benefit from this meeting.
Perhaps he may be able to help out
As well.”
DENT
“You know as well as I do that
Bruce is a playboy. He’s far from a
Police officer or a lawyer.”
Rachel smiles a little to herself for she knows better.
RACHEL
“If you say so, but still, it would
Help us a great deal to have Wayne
Industries on our side.”
DENT (Nodding.)
“You’re right as usual. Alright,
We’ll keep to the meeting.”
RACHEL (Smiling.)
“I was hoping you would.”
INT. RESTURANT – DAY
Bruce, Dent, and Rachel all sit together at a table in a busy, elegant restaurant. They all have a quick laugh as we arrive on them.
BRUCE
“It was quite hilarious. The look
On Alfred’s face was priceless.”
DENT (Smiling.)
“How is the old fellow doing?”
BRUCE
“He’s been quite well actually.
Very happy lately.”
DENT
“I’m glad to hear it. What about
You? Have you been able to fully
Readjust to life in Gotham again?”
BRUCE
(Quick glance to Rachel.)
“For the most part.”
Rachel smiles and places a hand on Dent’s hand. He looks to her and smiles at her. Suddenly a cell phone rings. Dent pats his jacket pocket and takes out the phone from his interior breast pocket.
DENT
“Just a moment.”
Dent answers the phone.
DENT (Cont’d.)
“Dent. Go.”
Dent listens in on the other line as he looks back and forth between Bruce and Rachel.
DENT (Cont’d.)
“Alright. Hold on just a sec.”
Dent stands up and places his hand on the phone.
DENT (Cont’d.)
“If you two would excuse me for a
Minute. This is important.”
BRUCE
“Of course.”
Dent nods and walks away from the table going toward the restroom. Bruce and Rachel look at each other.
RACHEL
“He does that a lot.”
BRUCE
“Any idea what the calls are
About?”
RACHEL
“Probably more problems with
Putting Falcone away.”
BRUCE
“Harvey’s been working really hard
On that hasn’t he?”
RACHEL
“Too hard. Sometimes he gets
Violent over it.”
BRUCE
“Violent?”
RACHEL
“Yeah... Tell me something, Bruce.
You’ve known him longer then I
Have... Has he ever had any anger
Management problems?”
BRUCE
“I wouldn’t really know... I never
Went to school with him. I was in
And out of every private school you
Could think of and well, he made
Sure to stay in one place. Sorry I
Can’t really help you there... But
I can say that he looks really
Tense of late.”
RACHEL
“Arkham Asylum won’t release
Falcone into police custody.”
BRUCE
“And I thought the Asylum was in
Connection with the police
Station.”
Rachel leans forward some as she lowers her voice.
RACHEL
“Just because Gordon is a
Lieutenant now and Falcone is in
The Asylum doesn’t mean that there
Isn’t still corruption in the
Police department.”
BRUCE (Nodding.)
“Detective Flass.”
RACHEL (Nods.)
“But from what I hear, it isn’t
Just him. Commissioner Loeb isn’t
Much better. The Commissioner can
Overthrow decisions of the Asylum
In emergency situations, but Loeb
Isn’t budging when it comes to
Falcone.”
BRUCE
“I had my suspicions of him when he
Ordered a task force after me.”
RACHEL
“That did happen just after you
Took out Falcone and Crane’s drug
Ring.”
BRUCE
“But Loeb may have just been
Responding to vigilantism. It is
Illegal after all.”
RACHEL
“After what I’ve seen you do, I
Think a lot differently about it.
You stopped Ra’s Al Ghul from
Taking over Gotham City.”
BRUCE
“I just hate that he died in that
Train wreck. He deserved to rot in
A cell for what he was trying to
Do.”
RACHEL
“You did the best you could in the
Situation.”
BRUCE (Nodding.)
“Perhaps.”
RACHEL
“You do more then anyone would ever
Ask of you. Remember that.”
BRUCE
“I will.”
RACHEL
“So, is there anything that you can
Do about Carmine Falcone?”
BRUCE (Smiling.)
“I’ll see what I can do on my end.”
EXT. NARROWS – STREET – NIGHT
The TUMBLER rolls its way down the streets of the Narrows in Gotham City.
INT. NARROWS – TUMBLER – NIGHT
Batman sits in the tumbler driving down the road. A small screen lights up as Alfred comes on the screen from inside the bat cave.
ALFRED
“Sir, Bambi called. She said that
She was quite sad that you decided
To reschedule your meeting this
Evening.”
BATMAN
“She’ll survive, Alfred. Just keep
A watch on my vital signs if you
Will. There’s no telling what is
Going on in Arkham these days. Last
Thing I need is to end up captive
In there.”
ALFRED
“Of course, sir, oh, and don’t
Forget the new feature that Mr. Fox
Added to the Tumbler for you.”
BATMAN
“The shields, Alfred. Yes, I know.”
Batman switches off the screen and turns back to his driving.
EXT. NARROWS – ALLEY – NIGHT
The Tumbler stops in an alley. Batman climbs out of the vehicle and jumps down. He turns to the exit of the alley seeing the entrance of Arkham Asylum straight ahead. Batman brings up a small electronic device.
BATMAN
“Shields.”
The shields on the Tumbler come up around the vehicle. Batman walks away from his ride and pulls out his grappling gun. He shoots the gun up to the roof of the Asylum. It takes hold of a side of the building and pulls Batman up to the roof.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM – ROOF – NIGHT
Batman lands on the roof of the Asylum and walks over to a window looking down into the Asylum. Inside the window a single person walks past. She has blond hair as she continues walking down the hallway. Batman lifts up the glass.