You pretty much just summed up my feelings on the subject. While I have a personal liking of the Mad Hatter, I know many hate that character so I'll just forget about it.
I think the Bane story line could work very well, but mostly I'd like the Joker back. I realize that many think it a sacrilege, but did anyone seriously think Heath Ledger couldn't be bested before his performance became known? Of course not. I think there is someone out there vaguely similar looking to Ledger who could do just as well if not better at making the joker their own, while keeping him in the same spirit of Ledger's incarnation.
Having said that, I don't think the Joker has to be a main character. I think having Bane brought in would be perfect, especially if they followed the basic Knightfall story and had him broken out of Arkham by Bane.
Your idea for Catwoman and Robin/Nightwing were exactly how I thought they could be done, as heroes inspired by Batman. Selena Kyle of course would be an anti-hero, but I'm sure falling in love with Bats would work fine as justification for a string of heroics.
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It's a rare pleasure in this world to get your mind fucked. Usually it's just foreplay.
M.B. Keene
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