the keaton films and the west show/film had amazingly clear distinctions between the two, plus nearly 25 years.

the keaton films and the bale films will be compared and confused, without question, by the casual fan. the looks are similar, the tone is similar, the scenes are similar ("i'm batman"), etc. 16 years of separation is not all that much, and thats from batman 89 to begins. the last of the previous era, batman and robin, was only 8 years before batman begins, which is where the confusion about this being a new era will mostly stem.

regardless, i dont see it serving as a major sticking point, as continuity concerns rarely are to casual fans. harvey dent changed shades and personas between 1 and 3, im sure its not such an issue to see him again in "6."

and if "dark knight" is even nearly as kick ass as begins, i dont think anyone will care.

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