Time to change my desktop background. The only thing that would make me more excited about the July 20, 2012 release of The Dark Knight Rises would we if it were the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field getting blown up by Hurricane Ditka instead of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Second favorite team, though? I’ll take it.
A lot to be discussed here. Must Batman vanquish two+ villains at once? Will Anne Hathaway pose nudie throughout the movie? Will Bane break the bat’s back? WILL JOKER RETURN?
My answer to these questions and many more is: No, but (in order) neither Bane nor Catwoman will die; no need; it’s possible; not likely.
I can’t imagine this final installment coming out better than the penultimate The Dark Knight. As pumped as I was for the 2008 sequel to Batman Begins, the film surpassed my expectations. I anticipate my anticipations will increase* as the film’s viral marketing takes off.
*Should I skip the waiting and just have high expectations right now?
A.M.Roth 
I disagree. I think this will be better than The Dark Knight; I don’t believe Christopher Nolan would have followed up the sequel unless he knew it would be perfect (as perfect as it can get, that is). Also, while I agree that Catwoman will probably not die, I do believe Bane will… Along with (wait for it….) Bruce Wayne. This trilogy has been the story of Bruce Wayne, and yes, in Knightfall, Bane breaks Bruce Wayne’s back; however, I do not believe Christopher Nolan will simply copy Knightfall. That is not his MO. He will make it his own and the only way to end the story of Bruce Wayne, will be to kill him. The bat symbol is greater than Bruce Wayne, and while Bruce Wayne is gone, the Batman still lives on (Perhaps, in the form of JGL who plays a “beat cop?”). I’m very excited for TDKR… it’s killing me!