There's a lot of debate and speculation concerning the inevitable sequel to The Dark Knight. The main focus is, of course, who the lead villain(s) would be. Word on the street is that Riddler and Catwoman are the new baddies in Gotham. There's just one problem with that.

Anyone who actually paid really close attention to Christopher Nolan's Batman movies would see that neither of these two are really an option. Riddler's name alone is hard to explain away with the high standard on pseudo-logic that Nolan has set, and Catwoman is even harder. I'm not saying they can't be done, but I don't see either taking the lead. If anything, they'll most likely appear in roles vastly different from their classic ones, allowing them to be themselves while also fitting into the reality that has already been cemented.

Others are wondering whether Two-Face is dead or not. There really shouldn't be a question, but in case there is, quite simply, yes he's dead. Nolan's Two-Face wasn't a criminal mastermind, he was a man with a vendetta. He had a score to settle, and he didn't do it with an elaborate scheme. He doesn't have any motivation to terrorize Gotham, and his battle with Batman is over. It would end the same way if they fought again.

Another huge debate, and the one that is a greater concern to me, is whether or not Joker will be reappearing. This argument is as complex as it is essential to the plot. Many people feel that Heath Ledger's performance was the pinnacle of Joker's career in various media, and certainly it will be remembered. But this isn't the first time this has happened. Various writers, artists, actors, and directors have given their interpretations of the Joker, and every so often, one of these said to be THE Joker.

I have no doubt that years down the line, someone else will offer their interpretation of the world's most famous evil clown, and critics will say that he blew Heath Ledger's Joker away. I honestly believe that.

My thinking is this. Nolan admitted that he'd originally intended for Joker to return in a third movie, and if Heath Ledger hadn't died, there wouldn't have been a doubt. But I don't see how the story can survive writing off the Joker at this point.

Joker is Batman's perfect match, his opposite in every way. One is dark, one is bright, one broods, one laughs out loud. One fights for order while the other does his best to disrupt it. It's as Joker said in his final scene in TDK: "I think you and I were destined to do this forever."

Even if they tried to write Joker out of the third movie, they'd have a hard time explaining it. After all, Joker is famous for his repeated escapes from Arkham, and he's not one to sit out an epic battle with his favorite bat.

I think there's definitely someone out there who can play Joker better than Heath Ledger. There's six billion people on the planet, someone's gotta be capable. And if anyone can find that guy, it's Christopher Nolan.
That's my opinion anyway.

What do you think?