Dark Knight Rises: Bombs, Masks, Planes Can Fire Up Overseas Ticket Sales?

With the launch of The Dark Knight Rises approaching, fans and critics highly anticipate a grand finale to director Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. Expectations are high for domestic along with overseas ticket sales as 15,000 screens are prepped for the opening day on July 20th.

The Dark Knight Rises is expected to surpass the $1 billion success of Nolan's last Batman film "The Dark Knight." In comparison to other billion dollar films, The Dark Knight did not roll out spectacular numbers overseas in comparison to domestic sales as 47% came from international sales. The Dark Knight Rises' biggest competitor "The Avengers" raked in 58% of its total gross from international tickets.

Though things may be different this time around as the upcoming Batman film will be the last for director Nolan and actor Christian Bale, both proclaiming that this will be curtain calls for them in the Dark Knight franchise. The appeal of superhero films continue to spread beyond American borders and Batman is no exception. China initially refused to show The Dark Knight in theatres, but is expected to release The Dark Knight Rises, which can be a significant boost in ticket revenue.

The cast of The Dark Knight Rises consists of several international superstars that can appeal to a worldwide audience. Though the gigantic success from The Avengers overseas marketing will be tough to beat.

"It really is going to be a dominant film internationally, but I don't know that it will have quite the same appeal as 'The Avengers' for everyone from 8 to 80," said an executive from a competing studio.

To help stir even more hype for the upcoming film, a released production notes document was published on the official Dark Knight Rises website. Fans dug through 49 pages of contents describing details and possible spoilers on the film's plot, characters, costumes, and vehicles.

Set 8 years after The Dark Knight film, Gotham City benefitted from the cleanup efforts from Batman. A time of peace arrived and Batman went into retirement.

"The reason we decided on a gap of eight years is that there needed to be significant enough time for the Batman legend to have faded a bit, and we wanted Bruce Wayne himself to have withdrawn behind a veil of rumor and mystery," said writer David S. Goyer.

The document also spoke of the film's lineup of new characters including Batman's toughest villain to date, Bane. The masked muscle bounded terrorist has repeatedly been featured in trailers, hijacking planes, bombing bridges, and fist fighting with the Batman.

He wears a mask to "anesthetize himself against excruciating pain, resulting from injuries he suffered long ago."

"Bane is a terrorist in both his mentality and his actions," said Tom Hardy, who plays Bane's role. "He is physically intimidating and he's also very intelligent, which makes him even more dangerous," added Hardy.

The document continues to describe Bane as a stone cold militant who's only mission is to complete the job without remorse or shame. He is a horrible piece of work, one that Batman must face and defeat.

Bane and his militant army may prove to be too much for Batman.

"You don't stand a chance against these guys," said Catwoman.

"With your help I might," replied Batman.

Fans watched Catwoman, played by actress Anne Hathaway, emerge as an ally riding alongside Batman in the new Bat Plane "The Bat" and riding solo on the Bat-Pod. The notes indicate that it wasn't solely Bane who pulled Bruce Wayne out of retirement but also the encouragement of Catwoman.

"I think Bruce owes Selina a big thank you because he was leading a pretty lonely life until she came in and got his blood pumping and reminded him that there are fun people out there in the world," said Hathaway.

"What really impacts Bruce is that, after years of isolation, he's meeting this woman he finds fascinating and funny. He suddenly recognizes he's been seeking something, even unconsciously...that he's lost all the color in his life and needs some human contact," said Christian Bale, who played the role of Bruce Wayne.

Last but not least, the notes covered details on Batman's new gadgets and vehicles. The Tumbler and Bat-Pod returns joining a new airborne vehicle called "The Bat." Fans will notice that a slew of camouflage Tumblers also makes its way into the film possibly for some destructive mayhem.

"My mother warned me about getting into cars with strangers," said Catwoman as she boards The Bat in The Dark Knight Rises trailer.

"This isn't a car," replied Bruce, with a scene of The Bat flying down a building.

"Throughout the trilogy, Fox has equipped Batman with his ever-evolving resources, from his Batsuit, to the Tumbler, to the agile Bat-Pod, which enabled the Dark Knight to maneuver nimbly through the streets of Gotham City. In this film, he can finally navigate above them, via his new airborne vehicle-part helicopter, part jump jet and aptly named The Bat," wrote the production note.

Fans who want to learn more about The Dark Knight rises can check out a new 13 minute video that includes new footage, interviews, and behind the scenes clips of how Nolan put together his final Batman film.

Check out the video below. The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters July 20th.