Since releasing the first images of Tom Hardy as Bane, fans of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises started asking, “What’s up with that mask?” A new article in Rolling Stone seems to have answered the question along with a point-by-point graphic detailing just why the muscle-bound madman needs a mask at all (and the answer provides a key plot point). On the other side of the spectrum is the also-masked vigilante known as Batman (Christian Bale), and in this new wanted poster supposedly released by Warner Bros., we see exactly what the Caped Crusader is accused of doing.
The Dark Knight Rises also stars Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman and Liam Neeson. Look for the bat to bow on July 20th. Hit the jump to check out the images.
Update: Thanks to a number of readers emails, we’ve been informed the Wanted Poster was part of the earlier viral marketing campaign.
First up from 
Rolling Stone magazine (via Batman-News) comes a look at Bane and his mysterious mask. While the comic version of Bane links the South American menace to a forced addiction to the experimental drug, Venom, Nolan’s version takes a more “realistic” approach, as the director himself commented to Rolling Stone:
Bane is someone ravaged by pain from a trauma suffered long ago, and the mask dispenses a type of anesthetic that keeps his pain just below the threshold so he can function.
And, as if we needed confirmation for Mr. Nolan’s bat-knowledge, costume designer Lindy Hemming revealed a similar notion in an earlier interview with Empire magazine:
He was injured early in his story. Hes suffering from pain and he needs gas to survive. He cannot survive the pain without the mask. The pipes from the mask go back along his jawline and feed into the thing at the back where there are two canisters of what ever it is…the anesthetic.
There you have it, Bat fanatics. Bane isn’t a super roided up freak in this iteration, but rather a fit fighter who can simply dial up his medication to the point that he can’t feel pain. Which would you rather fight? (And do you think Bane’s weakness will be the same in The Dark Knight Rises as it is in the comics, considering this new information?)
Also new on the internet frontier is a wanted poster supposedly provided by Warner Bros. I’ve had a tough time tracking down the source, so for now it was found at Films Worth Talking About (via Sound on Sight). Check it out below in its grayscale, self-explanatory glory:
- The ongoing Tumbler and Batpod tour.
- A new TV spot for The Dark Knight Rises for the 2012 NBA Playoffs.
- New images from The Dark Knight Rises.
- The Bat-Pod and Tumbler from The Dark Knight Rises Head Out on a Road Tour to a City Near You
- Warner Bros. Has Begun Selling The Dark Knight Rises Merchandise
- New Trailer for The Dark Knight Rises Shows Off a Sassy Catwoman and a Terrifying Bane
- The Dark Knight Rises Viral Campaign Begins Unmasking the New Trailer
Here’s the official synopsis for The Dark Knight Rises:
Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar(R) winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar(R) winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar(R) winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar(R) winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox. The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.
First Trailer for ELYSIUM Starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, and Sharlto Copley
AMC Considers Saul Goodman BREAKING BAD Spin-Off
Mondo’s CEO Justin Ishmael Talks Future Gallery Shows, Drew Struzan’s DARK TOWER, HBO, Alex Ross, Olly Moss’ SPIRITED AWAY, Future Projects, and More
24 Hi-Res Images from STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS
Legendary Pictures CEO Thomas Tull Says MAN OF STEEL Is “the Superman Movie I’ve Always Wanted to See”
I thought the Wanted poster was a part of the viral marketing that was released couple of days before the 3rd trailer emerged. It wasn’t a new material I think. The source itself was the official site of the movie.
eat a dick Parsons
The Wanted pic is old – from the Batman graffiti viral campaign. Pic was on the official site.
love the telephone number on the poster
The costume designer said Bane’s coat is a cross between a revolutionary’s and a dictator’s, whatever the hell that means.
like josef stalin
It’s impossible to be both at once, even if one can lead to the other. This sounds like a feeble attempt to confuse incompatible ideas.
Why does Bane look like a plastic action figure in that article? Weird.
Sooooooo I take it Nolan never saw STAR WARS??? Banes new mask functionality is identical to Darth Vaders mask.
I like the realistic spin, but its been done before in a big way that everyone knows about. I woulda preffered the original ROID aspect but have it as a pain numbing drug so he can take more hits, rather than hiding some old Vader injuries.
That said, i would love to see Banes mask removed and reveal some horrible scars. Maybe no nose and a messed up mouth like Maniac-cop.
I am still pscyched for this movie! What it lacks in Joker it looks to make up for in devestation and all out warfare.
LOL ….. His not doing the mask because of Star Wars ……. Bane in the comics which this movie is based on Knightfall, he wears a mask similar to this one, so I don’t think Nolan had Darth Vader in mind when he decide to put the mask on Bane that he already wears in the comics hence CBM “Comic Based Movie”. Plus the joker is not needed we have enough with Bane, Catwomen, and a potential Talia and maybe her daddy bringing in a different Joker would be in bad taste.
Hmm, I think you misunderstood my comment. ?
I know Bane wears a mask in the comics!!!
In the comics, Bane famously wears a mask yes, but the “functionality” is that he takes a steroid that gives him super strength.
But Vader wears a Mask for the same reasons Nolan has chose to give Bane in this take. A survival suit to keep him alive due to injuries of his past.
You are wrong, Vader wears a mask so he can breathe not to provide him with anesthesia.
If you look at the newest trailer, BAIN is WITHOUT a MASK AND HE’S BIGGER!
so there’s no venom-stuff like in the comics, that gives him more strength? so his power is still at human-level, only with the difference that he can take more pain than others? did i get this right?
that makes it more realistic, ok, but it also makes it more unlikely that batman shouldn’t be able to handle him… seems weird to me
I can understand missing a viral campaign. But thinking it’s new when Collider used it for a story already……
They’re desperately hunting for hits right? You know because of the ads and stuff…
That’s not what I was saying. This is like the main movie site I use. I just thought it was a funny mistake. Sorry to give you a false alarm Mr. Assumption King.
So he’s not addicted to “venom”?
Everything about this movie looks and feels like it should have been part 2 in the trilogy. It should do well in the box office.
Thanks collider.
Is that an action figure/toy/model/whatever being used in said photo of Bane?
If so, fantastic sculpt….
Anyone know or have a solid idea?
So basically Bane is a pussy. He can’t handle the pain so needs to resort to drugs. Total pussy. Man up you bitch.
I think it’s funny that nobody is picking up on what Nolan said about the script being base on A Tale of Two Cities… anybody happen to remember what happened to the hero in that novel???
He sacrifices himself and dies.
“That’s a Bingo!”