In 2005 director Christopher Nolan redefined the Batman legend with Batman Begins staring Christian Bale as the Gaped Crusader. A fresh dynamic reboot of the franchise Batman Begins explored the comic book hero's origins & his evolution from billionaire Bruce Wayne to dark avenger who fights crime & corruption in Gotham City. A 2008 sequel The Dark Knight took those compelling character-driven foundations & raised the stakes pitting Batman against a deranged master criminal the Joker in an all-out war for Got ham's soul. Now the final film of Nolan's trilogy The Dark Knight Rises is the summer's most anticipated film release.