The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collectors Edition Blu-ray Set Overview

The very recently released “The Dark Knight Trilogy” Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray set is truly for a fan that has to have the latest and greatest iteration for a set of films. In this case, the transfers remain the same from the original single releases on Blu-ray, as well as the Trilogy set from a year ago, so nothing new on that front.

However, thrown into this set are the Mondo art prints featuring the different villains of this trilogy. Additionally, there’s a 48-page booklet entitled “The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy” with behind the scenes and production photos from all three films. That right there may be enough for someone to purchase this set that retails for around $100. But wait, there’s more. The set also comes with three Hot Wheels-style vehicles, the Tumbler, Batpod, and the Bat.

In the end, the real gem of this set is the bonus disc with a new documentary entitled: The Fire Rises: The Creation and Impact of The Dark Knight Trilogy. The best part of this doc in my opinion is the inclusion of not just the screen tests for Christian Bale as Batman, but you also get a glimpse at how director Christopher Nolan’s first choice for the role of the caped crusader would have been, Cillian Murphy. Yes, that’s right, he was Nolan’s guy until the studio intervened. He (Cillian Murphy) may have looked a little too young to pull off Bruce Wayne, but the intensity of his eyes may have helped the younger look, and I think he certainly looked capable in the suit as Batman nonetheless.

Also, you’ll possibly recognize the voice of the actress who stood in for Bale’s screen test, a younger Amy Adams who was on the cusp of becoming more mainstream in Hollywood. Last but not least, there’s also a sit-down of sorts with Christopher Nolan, and Richard Donnor as they talk shop about their respective contributions to superheroes in cinema, mainly focusing on Donnor’s Superman The Movie influences on comic book films that came about down the road.

I think if you’re the type of person who is interested in the little known facts about a set of films, and added collectibles, that may make it worthwhile to roll the dice. Nuff said.