It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.
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~ Batman's most famous line as he reveals his true identity to Rachel Dawes
Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne, is the titular main protagonist of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy. He is a billionaire socialite who dedicates himself as the protector Gotham City, as its the highly trained costumed vigilante under the alias of Batman.
He was portrayed by Christian Bale, who also portrayed John Connor in Terminator: Salvation.
Bruce Wayne is a brooding, troubled man, but he is also extremely brave and willing to put his life on the line to defend the lives of others. His sense of justice prevents him from killing criminals, though he clearly grapples with this belief as it often leads to the deaths of countless others. He's been known to get extremely aggressive when interrogating his enemies, going as far as to drive one insane and cripple several others.
Bruce's sense of grief can lead him into very extreme bouts of depression. When his parents died, at first he thought it was all his fault. Later on, he directed his rage towards his parent's killer. After losing his childhood friend and love of his life Rachel Dawes, he became more and more reclusive. He also becomes more suicidal at this point, rushing headfirst into fights that might very well kill him.
Despite his faults, Bruce is still a decent human being who believes in the goodness of others and strives to make life better for everyone. He has a dry sense of humor and has fairly convincing acting skills which help draw suspicion away from himself. Despite his daytime image as a reckless playboy, he invests in several charitable contributions and fundraisers, his philanthropic nature being a trait his parents taught him. This makes him stand out among the other socialites of Gotham who care only for themselves.
Quotes
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Jim Gordon: I never said thank you! Batman: And you never have to!
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~ Batman and Lieutenant Gordon
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I see now what I have become, to stop men like him!
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~ Bruce about the Joker
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Catwoman: You don't owe these people anymore, you have given them everything! Batman: Not everything! Not yet...
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~ Batman and Catwoman
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People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy and I can't do that as Bruce Wayne. As a man, I'm flesh and blood, I can be ignored, I can be destroyed; but as a symbol... as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting.
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~ Bruce Wayne
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Sometimes the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.
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~ Batman willing to take the blame for Two-Face's crimes.
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A hero can be anybody. Even a man doing something as simple as reassuring as putting a coat around a young boy's shoulders, to let him know the world hadn't ended.
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~ Batman cryptically revealing his identity to Jim Gordon.
Trivia
Josh Hartnett, Ashton Kutcher, Heath Ledger, Cillian Murphy, Jake Gyllenhaal, David Duchovney, Hugh Dancy, Billy Crudup, Henry Cavill, Eion Bailey, Joshua Jackson and Steven Pasquale were all considered for the role before Bale was cast. Nolan liked Murphy's audition however and cast him as Scarecrow, Heath Ledger would go on to play the Joker in The Dark Knight and Cavill would later play Superman in the DCEU.
Christian Bale was previously considered for the role of Robin in Batman Forever.
Christian Bale's active dislike of his uncomfortable Batman outfit helped his performance as the Dark Knight as he was perpetually in a foul mood when wearing it.
Although Christian Bale performed many of his own stunts, he wasn't allowed anywhere near the Batmobile for Batman Begins.
