History Trivia / BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns

For trivia related to the animated film, go [[Trivia/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns2012 here]].
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!!!Trivia for [[ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns the graphic novel]]:

!!!Trivia for [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns the animated film]]:
* ActingForTwo:
** Creator/CarlosAlazraqui voices Hernando and Congressman Noches
** Creator/GreyDeLisle voices Anchor Carla and Sarah Eissen Gordon
** Creator/GregEagles voices Mackie and Ben Derrick
** Creator/MauriceLaMarche voices Anchor Tom and Dr. Herbert Willing
** Creator/YuriLowenthal voices a rookie police officer and a Son of Batman
** Creator/TressMacNeille voices Bruno, Selina Kyle, and an old lady
** Creator/JimMeskimen voices General Briggs and President Reagan
** Creator/RobPaulsen voices Rob (one of the Mutant Gang members) , Jeff Adams, and a robber
** Creator/TaraStrong voices Michelle, Anchor Trish, Kevin Ridley, the young Bruce Wayne, Elsie, and a boy the Joker kidnaps
** Creator/JamesPatrickStuart voices Murray, Governor Mahoney, and a radio announcer
** Creator/JamesArnoldTaylor voices Mr. Hudson and a store owner
** Creator/BruceTimm voices Thomas Wayne and a fireman
** Creator/FrankWelker voices Mayor Stevenson, Lieutenant O'Halloran, Frank, and a weather man
** Creator/GaryAnthonyWilliams voices Anchor Bill and the Mutants Leader
* CompletelyDifferentTitle: Became ''The Dark Knight: The Rebirth of a Legend'' in Russia.
* TheDanza: Creator/RobPaulsen as Rob and Creator/FrankWelker as Frank.
* RealitySubtext: Much of the psychoanalysis and discussion surrounding Batman are things that have been said about him in real life.
* RoleReprise: In the French dub, several voice actors from previous adaptations reprised their roles here:
** From the ''Film/BatmanFilmSeries'': Creator/JacquesCiron as Alfred.
** From the Franchise/DCAnimatedUniverse: In addition to Alfred, Jean-Claude Sachot as Commissioner Gordon and Emmanuel Jacomy as Superman/Clark Kent.
** From ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'': In addition to Alfred and Superman, Xavier Fagnon as the Joker[[note]]except for Part 1, where his only line of dialogue is done by Jérôme Pauwels[[/note]] and Kelvine Dumour as Selina Kyle.
** From ''WesternAnimation/{{Young Justice|2010}}'': In addition to Gordon, Alfred, Superman, and the Joker, Jérôme Pauwels as Oliver Queen.
** From ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'': In addition to Gordon, Jérôme Pauwels as Two-Face/Harvey Dent.
* SimilarlyNamedWorks: Amazon has had issues with people mistaking the film as the DVD for ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'' or thinking that it's [[OlderThanTheyThink a ripoff]] of it.

* CompletelyDifferentTitle: Became ''The Dark Knight: The Rebirth of a Legend'' in Russia.
* TheDanza: Creator/RobPaulsen as Rob and Creator/FrankWelker as Frank.
* RealitySubtext: Much of the psychoanalysis and discussion surrounding Batman are things that have been said about him in real life.
* RoleReprise: In the French dub, several voice actors from previous adaptations reprised their roles here:
** From the ''Film/BatmanFilmSeries'': Creator/JacquesCiron as Alfred.
** From the Franchise/DCAnimatedUniverse: In addition to Alfred, Jean-Claude Sachot as Commissioner Gordon and Emmanuel Jacomy as Superman/Clark Kent.
** From ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'': In addition to Alfred and Superman, Xavier Fagnon as the Joker[[note]]except for Part 1, where his only line of dialogue is done by Jérôme Pauwels[[/note]] and Kelvine Dumour as Selina Kyle.
** From ''WesternAnimation/{{Young Justice|2010}}'': In addition to Gordon, Alfred, Superman, and the Joker, Jérôme Pauwels as Oliver Queen.
** From ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'': In addition to Gordon, Jérôme Pauwels as Two-Face/Harvey Dent.
* SimilarlyNamedWorks: Amazon has had issues with people mistaking the film as the DVD for ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'' or thinking that it's [[OlderThanTheyThink a ripoff]] of it.
* TalkingToHimself:

** From ''Film/Batman1989'' [[Film/BatmanReturns and]] [[Film/BatmanForever its]] [[Film/BatmanAndRobin sequels]]: Jacques Ciron as Alfred.

** From ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'': In addition to Gordon, Alfred, Superman, and the Joker, Jérôme Pauwels as Oliver Queen.

** Creator/GaryAnthonyWilliams voices Anchor Bill and the Mutants Leader

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Cold War paranoia, Vietnam is still in everyone's memory, political discourse takes place on talking heads broadcasts, Gotham is a pretty obvious stand-in for TheBigRottenApple, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Batman doesn't have his]] GrapplingHookPistol. It's definitely TheEighties.

** While the book ends with Batman faking a heart attack, symbolizing that Bruce Wayne has died but the Dark Knight lives on, Frank Miller [[https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/10/28/frank-miller-original-ending-batman-dark-knight-returns/ revealed]] at the London Comic Con 2018 that his original ending was more a TheHeroDies-one in which Batman would have been gunned down by the GCPD members led by Commissioner Ellen Yindel.

** Greg Eagles voices Mackie and Ben Derrick

** James Patrick Stuart voices Murray, Governor Mahoney, and a radio announcer

** Gary Anthony Williams voices Anchor Bill and the Mutants Leader

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: A bunch of things were changed from the original draft of the climactic battle:
** [[spoiler: ComicBook/GreenArrow was absent, and instead it is Bruce who releases the Kryptonite Gas from his suit. There was also a moment where the sky momentarily opens up and reveals the sun, briefly healing Superman and thereby avoiding the CurbStompBattle that we all know and love. Bruce also taunts him about Lois to engage his BerserkButton, which ultimately leads to his defeat. In this version, however, Bruce barely survives the battle and ends up in a intensive care, where Federal Agents anxiously wait to question him. Alas, Bruce manages to swallow a pill hidden inside his arm that allows him to fake his death and to continue to work undisturbed. The final shot would've emphasized the theme that while Bruce Wayne dies, the Dark Knight lives.]]

* AuthorAppeal: According to Frank Miller's intro to the graphic novel, the entire story grew from his refusal to accept that he could be older than Batman, who he saw as a perpetual father figure. Up until this point, Batman was always 29. The first comic book was released when Miller was also 29.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen:
** A bunch of things were changed from the original draft of the climatic battle:
*** [[spoiler: ComicBook/GreenArrow was absent, and instead it is Bruce who releases the Kryptonite Gas from his suit. There was also a moment where the sky momentarily opens up and reveals the sun, briefly healing Superman and thereby avoiding the CurbStompBattle that we all know and love. Bruce also taunts him about Lois to engage his BerserkButton, which ultimately leads to his defeat. In this version, however, Bruce barely survives the battle and ends up in a intensive care, where Federal Agents anxiously wait to question him. Alas, Bruce manages to swallow a pill hidden inside his arm that allows him to fake his death and to continue to work undisturbed. The final shot would've emphasized the theme that while Bruce Wayne dies, the Dark Knight lives.]]
*** In the book itself, it's only implied that the Joker killed Jason Todd. Rumor has it that not only was that fact going to be originally outright stated in the text but that it'd be stated the Joker ''raped'' Jason before he killed him. Supposedly, DC stepped in and made Frank take it out. However, even so, Frank Miller's Joker has been stated anyway to be a rapist in further works set in the Dark Knight Universe, aside the hint that he may have raped Selina Kyle after mind-controlling her.
*** While the book ends with Batman faking a heart attack, symbolizing that Bruce Wayne has died but the Dark Knight lives on, Frank Miller [[https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/10/28/frank-miller-original-ending-batman-dark-knight-returns/ revealed]] at the London Comic Con 2018 that his original ending was more a TheHeroDies-one in which Batman would have been gunned down by the GCPD members led by Commissioner Ellen Yindel.

* RoleReprisal: In the French dub, several voice actors from previous adaptations reprised their roles here:

*** In the book itself, it's only implied that the Joker killed Jason Todd. Rumor has it that not only was that fact going to be originally outright stated in the text but that it'd be stated the Joker ''raped'' Jason before he killed him. Supposedly, DC stepped in and made Frank take it out.

** From ''Film/{{Batman}}'' [[Film/BatmanReturns and]] [[Film/BatmanForever its]] [[Film/BatmanAndRobin sequels]]: Jacques Ciron as Alfred.

* CastingGag:
** Late night talk show host Creator/ConanOBrien voices late night talk show host [[Creator/DavidLetterman David Endochrine]].
** Creator/JimMeskimen voices UsefulNotes/RonaldReagan. This isn't the first time he did so; Meskimen also voiced Reagan in ''WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks'' episode "The Passion of Reverend Ruckus".

** Creator/RobPaulsen voices Rob (one of the Mutant Gang members) and a robber

** From the WesternAnimation/DCAnimatedUniverse: In addition to Alfred, Jean-Claude Sachot as Commissioner Gordon and Emmanuel Jacomy as Superman/Clark Kent.

* CastingGag: Late night talk show host Creator/ConanOBrien voices late night talk show host [[Creator/DavidLetterman David Endochrine]].

** Carlos Alazraqui voices Hernando and Congressman Noches
** Grey DeLisle voices Anchor Carla and Sarah Eissen Gordon

** Maurice LaMarche voices Anchor Tom and Dr. Herbert Willing
** Yuri Lowenthal voices a rookie police officer and a Son Of Batman
** Tress MacNeille voices Bruno, Selina Kyle, and an old lady
** Jim Meskimen voices General Briggs and the President
** Rob Paulsen voices Rob (one of the Mutant Gang members) and a robber
** Tara Strong voices Michelle, Anchor Trish, Kevin Ridley, the young Bruce Wayne, Elsie, and a boy the Joker kidnaps

** James Arnold Taylor voices Mr. Hudson and a store owner
** Bruce Timm voices Thomas Wayne and a fireman
** Frank Welker voices Mayor Stevenson, Lieutenant O'Halloran, Frank, and a weather man
** Gary Anthony Williams voices Anchor Bill and a mutant gang leader

* SimilarlyNamedWorks: Amazon has had issues with people mistaking the film as the DVD for ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'' or thinking that it's [[OlderThanTheyThink a ripoff]] of it.

** From ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'': In addition to Gordon, Alfred, and Superman, Xavier Fagnon as the Joker[[note]]except for Part 1, where his only line of dialogue is done by Jérôme Pauwels[[/note]] and Kelvine Dumour as Selina Kyle.

** From ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'': In addition to Gordon, Alfred, and Superman, Xavier Fagnon as the Joker[[note]]except for Part 1, where his only line of dialogue is done by Jérôme Pauwels[[/note]].

* HeyItsThatVoice:
** Creator/PeterWeller (Franchise/RoboCop, [[Film/TheAdventuresOfBuckarooBanzaiAcrossThe8thDimension Buckaroo Banzai]], [[Series/TwentyFour Christopher Henderson]]) is Batman.
** Creator/ArielWinter ([[Series/ModernFamily Alex Dunphy]], [[WesternAnimation/DCShowcaseGreenArrow Princess Perdita]] [[WesternAnimation/YoungJustice of Vlatava]]) is Carrie Kelley.
** Creator/WadeWilliams is Harvey Dent.
** Michael [=McKean=] ([[Series/LaverneAndShirley Lenny Kosnowski]], [[Film/{{Clue}} Mr. Green]], [[Series/{{Smallville}} Perry White]]) is Dr. Bartholomew Wolper.
** David Selby ([[Series/DarkShadows Quentin Collins]]) is Commissioner Gordon.
** Creator/MichaelEmerson ([[Series/{{Lost}} Benjamin Linus]], [[Series/PersonOfInterest Harold Finch]], [[Film/SawI Zepp]]) is the Joker.
** Mark Valley ([[Series/HumanTarget Christopher Chance]], [[Series/BostonLegal Brad Chase]], [[Series/HarrysLaw Oliver Richard]], [[Series/{{Fringe}} John Scott]]) is Superman.
** Gary Anthony Williams ([[StarWarsTheCloneWars Riff Tamson]], [[WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks Uncle Ruckus]], [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold Mongul]]) is the Mutant Leader (Part 1) and Anchor Bill (Part 2).
** Michael Jackson II ([[WesternAnimation/GreenLanternEmeraldKnights Ganthet]]) is Alfred Pennyworth.
** Gwendoline Yeo ([[WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen Domino]], [[WesternAnimation/TheBatman Mercy Graves]]) is Lola Chang.
** Richard Doyle ([[XMenLegends Beast]], [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4 Big Boss]], [[WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen Senator Kelly]]) is the mayor.
** Creator/MariaCanalsBarrera is Ellen Yindel.
** Creator/PagetBrewster is Lana Lang.
** Creator/FrankWelker is Deputy Mayor Stevenson.
** MauriceLaMarche is Dr. Herbert Willing (Part 1) and Anchor Tom (Part 2).
** Creator/BruceTimm is Thomas Wayne.
** Creator/RobPaulsen is [[TheDanza Rob]] and Creator/DeeBradleyBaker is Don.
** Cathy Cavadini ([[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls Blossom]], [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitans the Cirolneilien Chrysalis Eater]], [[WesternAnimation/AllStarSuperman Cat Grant]]) is Joanie.
** Creator/TaraStrong is Michelle.
** Gary Sturgis ([[WesternAnimation/StaticShock Ebon]]) is Silk.
** Greg Eagles ([[Manga/{{Bleach}} Zommari]], [[WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy Grim]]) is Mackie (Part 1) and Ben Derrick (Part 2).
** Jim Wise ([[WesternAnimation/TimeSquad J.T. Laser]]) is Femur.
** Creator/CarlosAlazraqui is Hernando (Part 1) and Congressman Noches (Part 2).
** Creator/JimWard ([[WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}} Diamondhead]], [[WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes Baron Strucker]], [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil4 Jack Krauser]]) is Femur's Lawyer.
** Sam [=McMurray=] ([[WesternAnimation/{{Recess}} Bob Spinelli]]) is News Anchor Ted.
** Creator/JimMeskimen is General Briggs (Part 1) and the President (Part 2).
** Danny Jacobs ([[VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries Victor Zsasz]]) is Officer Merkel.
** Music/GreyDeLisle is News Anchor Carla and Sarah Essen. The latter being ironic, considering [=DeLisle=] voiced Gordon's first wife in ''ComicBook/BatmanYearOne''.
** Townsend Coleman (WesternAnimation/TheTick, [[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated Sentinel Prime]]) is Morrie.
** Creator/JamesArnoldTaylor is Mr. Hudson.
** Creator/YuriLowenthal is the spokesperson for the Sons of Batman.
** Creator/ConanOBrien voices [[CastingGag TV host David Endocrine]].
** TressMacNeille is Selina Kyle and Bruno.
** RobinAtkinDownes is Oliver Queen.
** Creator/LexLang is a rescued man.
** Jason Charles Miller ([[VideoGame/DiabloIII Radek the Fence]]) is a fireman.
** James Patrick Stuart ([[WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen Avalanche]]) is a voice-over radio.

** Gary Anthony Williams ([[StarWarsTheCloneWars Riff Tamson]], [[TheBoondocks Uncle Ruckus]], [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold Mongul]]) is the Mutant Leader (Part 1) and Anchor Bill (Part 2).

** Paget Brewster ([[Series/CriminalMinds Emily Prentiss]], [[DanVs Elise]]) is Lana Lang.

** BruceTimm is Thomas Wayne.
** RobPaulsen is [[TheDanza Rob]] and Creator/DeeBradleyBaker is Don.

** TaraStrong is Michelle.

** Music/GreyDeLisle is News Anchor Carla and Sarah Essen.

** Creator/JimWard ([[WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}} Diamondhead]], [[WesternAnimation/AvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes Baron Strucker]], [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil4 Jack Krauser]]) is Femur's Lawyer.