darth_ender said:
Jesus Christ allowed himself to be captured, imprisoned, tortured, and executed, all as part of his master plan to resume his place as Ruler of the Universe. So I guess it doesn't get much older than that.
Very clever analysis of the roots of that theme. Wether it's been obvious or not, Sci-Fi and Fantasy has often built it's narrative 'house' on the foundations of Christian stories/imagery to great sucess... Robocop, LOTR, Frankenstein, Narnia, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Superman... hell even one of my favourites 'Short Circuit 2'!
The depth to which these stories permeate our culture is probably the reason films that borrow from them are so succesful, even if we aren't consciously aware of it the first time we watch.
The 'hero rising from death/defeat' trope is somewhat similar when you thhink about it e.g. Batman rises from near-death in a pit of the damned in TDKR through an act of faith. Also Bruce is tempted by the life of peace he could have with Rachel if he forsook his destiny as mankind's saviour. He of course chooses to sacrifice himself and the people of Gotham cast him down because of it at the end of TDK.
"You'll hunt me. You'll condemn me. Set the dogs on me... because that's what needs to happen... because sometimes the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more... sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded" - Batman TDK 2008