Would you kill Batman?

So, let's say that they're making a third Batman movie starring Christian Bale. Only, let's say that Christian Bale has decided that he doesn't want to play Batman anymore, and this will be his last time playing the role. Rather than find a new Batman, the studio decides that they won't be making anymore movies. Well, since they won't be making anymore movies, they decide that they may as well kill Batman.

Does this make sense to you? 'cause it doesn't make any sense to me!!

Why can't you kill Batman? HELLO? Batman is a legend, and he's been around for around a thousand years! (In case you hadn't figured out, I'm not actually talking about Batman here. I'd be referring to another legend. Carry on, then.) Just because YOUR measly little studio can't make any more Batman movies doesn't mean you can kill the legend! You can't kill legends! I mean... that's.... that's just something... you.... YOU DON'T DO THAT.

Look, not saying that the series was the most terrific thing ever written. In fact, the show got rather cheesy in the third season. When your leading female actor leaves the show, you can't kill off the character that is pretty much central to the story. You send her away, yes, but you don't kill her. Granted, it did make some interesting plot lines going for the bad guy, yes. But still. And by the way, the new girl they got to replace her? The blonde? HATE HER. Seriously, so annoying.

But back to the issue at hand. I mean, the legend goes on for years, covering... uh... Batman's whole life! It's well established that he's a very old very white-haired man when he dies. And you're just gonna screw with that? You're gonna play with the continuity like that?

Who do you think you are, George Lucas???

When your series ends, you have your legendary character, your Batman, going off into the forest to continue his fight. Because the legend must always continue. What you DON'T do is have him poisoned, then have him wander off to die alone while hallucinating about his dead girlfriend. Seriously. You just don't.

You don't.