THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY: The Complete Screenplays with Storyboards

by Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer

… 849 counts racketeering, 246 counts fraud, 87 counts conspiracy murder …

  Judge Surrillo turns the page. A playing card sits there. A Joker. He glances at it, curious, puts it to one side.

  … how do the defendants plead?

  An army of defense lawyers jostle, yelling all at once. The stenographer looks up, helpless.

  INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE – DAY 92

  The Mayor, Commissioner Loeb and Gordon look up as Dent enters.

  MAYOR

  Dent! What was that circus?!

  DENT

  I asked Gordon to make some arrests.

  LOEB

  (looks at report)

  Five hundred and –

  GORDON

  Forty-nine, sir.

  Gordon nods at Dent, approving. Dent grins back.

  MAYOR

  549 criminals at once?! How did you convince Surrillo to hear this farce?

  DENT

  She shares my enthusiasm for justice. After all, she is a judge.

  MAYOR

  Even if you blow enough smoke to get convictions out of Surrillo, you’ll set a new record at appeals for quickest kick in the ass.

  DENT

  It won’t matter. The head guys make bail, sure … but the mid-level guys, they can’t, and they can’t afford to be off the streets long enough for trial and appeal. They’ll cut deals that include some jail time. Think of all you could do with eighteen months of clean streets.

  The Mayor waves Gordon and Loeb out.

  MAYOR

  The public likes you, Dent. That’s the only reason this might fly. But that means it’s on you. They’re all coming after you now. Not just the mob … politicians, journalists, cops – anyone whose wallet’s about to get lighter. Are you up to it?

  Dent smiles.

  MAYOR

  You better be. They get anything on you … those criminals will be back on the streets …

  The Mayor turns to look out of the window. Quiet.

  Followed swiftly by you and me –

  Bang! A dark shape cracks the glass in front of the Mayor’s nose. Dent rushes to the window, looks out …

  EXT. CITY HALL – CONTINUOUS 93

  Pedestrians look up, someone screams, someone points – five storeys up … swinging from a flagpole …

  Batman. hanging by his neck. Dead. His mouth roughly painted in a demonic clown smile.

  EXT. CITY HALL – MOMENTS LATER 94

  ‘Batman’ is lowered from the flagpole. The same fake Batman we saw earlier. Pinned to his chest by a knife, a playing card. A Joker. Gordon moves closer to the body. The card has writing on it: WILL THE REAL BATMAN PLEASE STAND UP?

  INT. WAYNE PENTHOUSE – DAY 95

  Wayne comes into the living room, excited. Alfred is supervising party arrangements.

  WAYNE

  How’s it going?

  alfred

  I think your fundraiser will be a great success, sir.

  WAYNE

  And why do you think I wanted to hold a party for Harvey Dent?

  ALFRED

  I assumed it was your usual reason for socializing beyond myself and the scum of Gotham’s underbelly: to try and impress Miss Dawes.

  WAYNE

  Very droll. But very wrong. Actually it’s Dent. You see –

  Wayne trails off as he spots something on the television: the Batman hanging as from a news camera, framed by a graphic that reads BATMAN DEAD? Image cuts to Engel in the studio.

  ENGEL

  (voice-over)

  … Police released video footage found concealed on the body. Sensitive viewers be aware: it is disturbing.

  The image cuts to a blindfolded man, wearing a makeshift Batman costume – face bruised and bloody. In some kind of bright, fluorescent-lit room.

  VOICE

  (o.s.)

  Tell them your name.

  MAN

  (weak)

  Brian Douglas.

  VOICE

  (o.s.)

  Are you the real Batman?

  MAN

  No.

  VOICE

  (o.s.)

  Why do you dress up like him?

  MAN

  He’s a symbol … that we don’t have to be afraid of scum like you …

  VOICE

  (o.s.)

  But you do, Brian. You really do. You think the Batman’s helped Gotham?

  Brian nods uncertainly …

  Look at me.

  Brian looks down.

  LOOK AT ME!

  Brian looks up – the camera swings into the face of the Joker, in chalk-white make-up, red smear of lipstick on his scars.

  THE JOKER

  This is how crazy Batman’s made Gotham. You want order in Gotham? Batman has to go. So … (Leans in.) Batman must take off his mask, and turn himself in. Every day he doesn’t … people will die. Starting tonight. I’m a man of my word.

  The tape cuts to static.

  Wayne turns to Alfred. Silent.

  INT. WAYNE PENTHOUSE – EVENING 95A

  Dent and Rachel get off the lift. Dent stands in awe of the penthouse and its guests.

  RACHEL

  Now I’ve seen it all: Harvey Dent, scourge of the underworld, scared stiff by the trust fund brigade.

  Rachel spots someone and darts off.

  DENT

  Rachel –

  ALFRED

  (o.s.)

  A little liquid courage, Mr. Dent?

  Dent turns to see Alfred with drinks on a silver tray.

  DENT

  Thanks. Alfred, right?

  ALFRED

  Yes, sir.

  DENT

  Rachel talks about you all the time. You’ve known her her whole life?

  ALFRED

  Not yet, sir.

  DENT

  (smiles, surveys crowd)

  Any psychotic ex-boyfriends I should be aware of?

  ALFRED

  Oh, you have no idea.

  Alfred leaves Dent standing there, puzzled. The crowd reacts as a loud roar drowns conversation … Dent looks out.

  EXT. HELIPAD, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – CONTINUOUS 95B

  Wayne’s chopper touches down. He spills out with a clutch of supermodels …

  INT. WAYNE PENTHOUSE – CONTINUOUS 95C

  Wayne and the supermodels come out of the helipad elevator.

  WAYNE

  Sorry, I’m late – glad you started without me! Where’s Rachel?!

  Rachel cringes slightly. Wayne spots her.

  Rachel Dawes – my oldest friend. When she told me she was dating Harvey Dent, I had one thing to say … the guy from those god-awful campaign commercials?

  Laughter. Dent shifts, embarrassed.

  ‘I Believe in Harvey Dent.’ Nice slogan, Harvey. Certainly caught Rachel’s attention. But then I started paying attention to Harvey, and all he’s been doing as our new DA, and you know what? I believe in Harvey Dent. On his watch, Gotham can feel a little safer. A little more optimistic. So get out your checkbooks and let’s make sure that he stays right where all of Gotham wants him … (Raises his glass.) All except Gotham’s criminals, of course. To the face of Gotham’s bright future – Harvey Dent.

  Dent smiles accepting the toast.

  INT. CORRIDOR, MCU – EVENING 96

  Ramirez catches up to Gordon, holding paperwork.

  RAMIREZ

  That Joker card pinned to the body? Forensics found three sets of DNA.

  GORDON

  Any matches?

  RAMIREZ

  All three.

  Gordon stops. Turns to face her.

  RAMIREZ

  The DNA belongs to Judge Surrillo. Harvey Dent and Commissioner Loeb.

  GORDON

  The Joker’s telling us who he’s targeting – get a unit to Surrillo’s house, tell Wuertz to find Dent – get them both into protective custody. Where’s the Commissioner?

  RAMIREZ

  City Hall.

  GORDON

  Seal the buildi
ng. No one in or out till I get there.

  EXT. DECK, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – EVENING 96A

  Wayne walks out to the edge of the balcony and looks over Gotham. Hears someone behind him – Rachel.

  RACHEL

  Harvey may not know you well enough to understand when you’re making fun of him. But I do.

  WAYNE

  (shakes his head)

  I meant every word.

  Wayne moves closer to Rachel. Takes her arm.

  WAYNE

  The day you once told me about, the day when Gotham no longer needs Batman. It’s coming.

  Rachel looks at Wayne. Conflicted. He moves closer.

  RACHEL

  You can’t ask me to wait for that.

  Wayne takes Rachel’s arms, looking at her, excited.

  WAYNE

  It’s happening now – Harvey is that hero. He locked up half the city’s criminals, and he did it without wearing a mask. Gotham needs a hero with a face.

  DENT

  (o.s.)

  You can throw a party, Wayne, I’ll give you that. Thanks again. Mind if I borrow Rachel?

  Rachel glances back at Wayne as she moves to Dent. Wayne watches them head inside.

  EXT. STREET, GOTHAM HEIGHTS – EVENING 97

  Two Men in suits knock at a brownstone. The door is opened by Judge Surrillo. The two Men hold up badges.

  EXT. CITY HALL – EVENING 98

  Gordon enters through a tight police presence at the doors.

  INT. POLICE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE – EVENING 99

  Gordon enters to find Loeb, flanked by armed cops.

  LOEB

  Gordon, what are you playing at?

  Gordon checks the window. Turns to his men.

  GORDON

  We’re secure. I want a floor-by-floor search of the entire building. (Turns to Loeb.) I’m sorry, sir. We believe the Joker has made a threat against your life.

  LOEB

  Gordon, you’re unlikely to discover this for yourself, so take my word – the Police Commissioner earns a lot of threats …

  Loeb pulls a bottle of whiskey and a tumbler from a drawer.

  I found the appropriate response to these situations a long time ago …

  EXT. STREET, GOTHAM HEIGHTS – EVENING 100

  The second Man is waiting by the Judge’s car.

  SURRILLO

  Gordon wants me to go right now?

  MAN 1

  These are dangerous people, Judge. Even we don’t know where you’re going.

  He hands Surrillo a sealed envelope. Opens the car door.

  MAN 2

  Get in, then open the envelope. It’ll tell you where you’re headed.

  Surrillo climbs in. They drive away. She opens the envelope – pulls out a sheet of paper. One word on it: ‘Up’.

  Surrillo’s car explodes, heaving the car upwards on a fireball.

  A Passerby is thrown to the ground. After a moment, burning debris flutters down on him. Playing cards. Jokers.

  INT. POLICE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS 101

  Loeb pours himself a glass of whiskey.

  LOEB

  You get to explain to my wife why I’m late for dinner, Lieutenant.

  GORDON

  Sir, the Joker card had a trace of your DNA on it –

  A bang at the door. Gordon pulls his weapon, then opens it.

  STEPHENS

  Just the normal number of bad guys in the building – and they’re all city employees. Here’s a list.

  LOEB

  How’d they get my DNA?

  Gordon looks at Stephens’s list.

  GORDON

  Somebody with access to your house or office must’ve lifted a tissue or a glass …

  Gordon, realizing, spins around –

  Wait –

  But Loeb is already choking – he drops his tumbler onto the desk – the spilled whiskey is smoking, eating into the wood.

  Get a medic!

  Loeb collapses.

  SCENES OMITTED 102–105

  INT. KITCHEN, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – EVENING 105A

  Dent pulls Rachel into the kitchen, away from the crowd.

  DENT

  You cannot leave me on my own with these people.

  RACHEL

  The whole mob’s after you and you’re worried about these guys?

  DENT

  Compared to this, the mob doesn’t scare me. Although, I will say: them gunning for you makes you see things clearly.

  RACHEL

  Oh, yeah?

  DENT

  Yeah. It makes you think about what you couldn’t stand losing. And who you want to spend the rest of your life with …

  Rachel looks at Dent. Smiles.

  RACHEL

  The rest of your life, huh? That’s a pretty big commitment.

  DENT

  Not if the mob has their way.

  RACHEL

  Don’t.

  DENT

  Okay. Let’s be serious. What’s your answer?

  Rachel looks at him.

  RACHEL

  I don’t have an answer.

  INT. LIVING ROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 106

  Half the guests are on their cell phones. An Assistant DA turns to his colleague.

  ASSISTANT DA

  Surrillo and Loeb?

  There is a knock at the front door. Alfred opens it to find Detective Wuertz, who holds up his badge. Alfred beckons him in – there is a shotgun at the back of his head held by –

  The Joker – purple suit, make-up. With friends. The Joker smashes Wuertz over the head – steps over him, racking the shotgun.

  THE JOKER

  Good evening. We’re the entertainment.

  INT. KITCHEN, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 107

  Rachel is looking at Dent. Torn.

  DENT

  I guess no answer isn’t ‘no’.

  RACHEL

  I’m sorry, Harvey. I just …

  DENT

  It’s someone else, isn’t it?

  Wayne is moving up behind him. Fast –

  Just tell me it’s not Wayne. The guy’s a complete –

  Rachel’s eyes go wide as Wayne puts Dent in a sleeper hold.

  RACHEL

  What are you doing?!

  Dent slumps, unconscious, in Wayne’s arms.

  WAYNE

  They’ve come for him.

  From the main room – a shotgun blast followed by screams.

  Wayne stuffs Dent in a closet, puts a mop through the handles. Rushes past Rachel.

  WAYNE

  Stay hidden.

  INT. LIVING ROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 108

  The Joker and his Thugs pour into the room, weapons raised.

  INT. HALLWAY, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 109

  A Thug appears in front of Wayne, toting a shotgun.

  THUG

  Hands up, pretty boy.

  Wayne flips the shotgun around in the man’s hands, uses it as a fulcrum to snap his forearm, smashes him in the jaw with the stock without breaking step, field-stripping the shotgun and tossing the pieces in different directions.

  INT. LIVING ROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 110

  The Joker moves through the terrified guests. Smiling.

  THE JOKER

  I only have one question: where is Harvey Dent? (Silence.) I’ll settle for his loved ones …

  A distinguished Gentleman steps into the Joker’s path.

  GENTLEMAN

  We’re not intimidated by thugs.

  The Joker stops. Stares at the man. Smiles affectionately.

  THE JOKER

  You know, you remind me of my father.

  Grabs him.

  I hated my father.

  The Joker has his blade in the Gentleman’s mouth.

  RACHEL

  (o.s.)

  Stop!

  The Joker drops the Gentleman. Turns to Rachel.

  THE JOKER

  Hello, beautiful. You must be Harve
y’s squeeze. (Runs his knife across her cheek.) And you are beautiful. You look nervous – it’s the scars, isn’t it? Wanna know how I got them? I had a wife, beautiful like you. Who tells me I worry too much. Who says I need to smile more. Who gambles. And gets in deep with the sharks. One day they carve her face, and we’ve got no money for surgeries. She can’t take it. (Presses knife into her cheek.) I just want to see her smile again. I just want her to know I don’t care about the scars. So I put a razor in my mouth and do this to myself … And you know what? (Starts laughing.) She can’t stand the sight of me … (Or crying.) She leaves! See, now I see the funny side. Now I’m always smiling.

  INT. MASTER BEDROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 111

  Wayne walks in. A couple are hastily putting themselves back together, alerted by the noise.

  MALE GUEST

  What’s going on out there, Wayne?

  Wayne doesn’t answer. He walks into a closet and pulls at a false wall. Wayne steps into the safe room.

  FEMALE GUEST

  Thank God – you’ve got a panic room.

  The door slams shut and seals with a hiss.

  MALE GUEST

  Wait! You can’t –

  FEMALE GUEST

  You’ve got to be kidding me.

  INT. LIVING ROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 112

  The Joker raises his knife from Rachel’s cheek. She slugs him. He smiles.

  THE JOKER

  A little fight in you. I like that.

  BATMAN

  (o.s.)

  Then you’re going to love me.

  The Joker turns. Batman catches him with a blow, spins him down and disarms him. The Joker’s men jump him. Batman takes them out two at a time – disarming thugs, breaking forearms. The Joker clicks a blade from the toe of his shoe and kicks – jabbing between the plates of armor covering Batman’s ribcage.

  Batman hurls the Joker across the room. One of the Joker’s men lunges – Batman lays him out cold.

  The Joker has another knife pressed to Rachel’s neck.

  BATMAN