Back from vacation, Christopher Nolan is now talking about a possible second sequel. He's hinted that he might not return for a third film. Read his comments and pretty much everything else regarding the next film over at Yahoo! Movies.

Interesting interview.  Christopher Nolan is certainly staying tight lipped about making a third instalment.  Talk of a third film most definitely has been said and Warner Brothers are probably happy for Christopher to do his own thing for the time being.  I bet there is a third script that needs to be polished up.  Or at least an outline.  Chris is just worried that a third film won't work out for him.  The Bourne films were fantastic.  So it certainly is possible to make another great film.

I heard about this on television and he said something like how many films that go to three are good.

A handful exist.

My question to him is how many directors would turn down the money they will throw at you when the film comes up? The answer is zero.

If he turns it down, someone else will take it.

So there have been a few updates on this film in the last few months, and now that the activity around Inception has died away it seems that Christopher Nolan is gearing up to get this one up and running.

Here is what we know:
*Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are back in their respecive roles.
*Christopher Nolan will direct. The screenplay is by Chris Nolan and his brother, Jonathan. Based on a story by Jonathan Nolan & David S. Goyer
*Tom Hardy will play an unspecified role.
*The film already has a release date: July 12, 2012.

Everything else (including The Riddler being the main villain, to be played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt or possibly Johnny Depp) is speculation. No title has been announced.

Several fan-made posters, some of them very well done, have been circulating the net recently. My three favourites feature Marion Cotillard as Catwoman, David Tennant as The Riddler and Kristen Bell as Harley Quinn.

        

The problem is Heath Ledger died.

During a gig the other week I did my piss poor impression "Did I tell you about these scars?"

The scary bit was everyone in the room got it. And the room was full.

Life and Batman go on. But Heath left a big hole in the Batman universe. Of course, you could get some fool like me to do a HL impression for ten minutes. But Nolan's no fool. BIII is gonna be fucking brilliant. And it will rake in way more than fecking AvaBlueTar on ltd edition BluRay complete with ltd edition numbered Smurf Dolls.

Roll on Nolan. G'luck. But you don't need it.

R xo

I think this could be good so long as they don't try to resurrect the Joker and the rumors about the cast sound fantastic. Even the fan posters look great (except the Catwoman mask). Can't say I'm particularly excited though. Not to say I think it'll be a letdown. Only that I believe The Dark Knight is the closest anyone will get to the definitive Batman film and anything that follows it will just pale in comparison, even with Nolan and an already terrific cast.

Also, the Riddler's the lame villain. Joker-lite. Really hope they go with someone else.

Click here for Christopher Nolan’s interview with the Hero Complex. He reveals the title of the third Batman film and that the Riddler is not the next villain.

I don't like it. It's not a bad title in and of itself but it could only be the title of a sequel. I'm relieved there's no Riddle though. Even more so, no Mr. Freeze...

Come to think of it, I haven't a clue who it could be at this point.

It's great to hear that Nolan is still steering clear of the 3D fad, a major plus in my book. No Riddler and no Mr. Freeze - another two plusses. I hope they opt for an original character as the villian but whatever happens, I have complete faith in Nolan. The man always delivers.

Catwoman is in and that's a given... I think it might be just her really.  Then again, I heard his brother was pondering Clay Face at one point and time.  Which would take the believability down a notch.  Since he's going for a more "It "could" happen but probably not" approach.

Batman has no short order of foes, though.  Riddler, to me, was a shoe in.  I thought he'd be in it.  I'm not sure he won't be, either.  I have a feeling this is a stone throw off the trail and that he'll be in it.  

With this all said, I cannot stand the new batman movies.  They're boring and lack soul.  They are more action man than batman to me.  I just can't get into them.  Then again, I'm not a 10 year old boy anymore, either.  I think Superhero's in general are a little meh... Except for the Flash.  He's from Missouri and that automatically makes him cool.

Title's cool. A little obvious, but cool.

I'm not that fussed about who the villain is going to be. I trust Nolan to make the right choice as long as he's not spreading himself too thin working on that Superman movie.

Fact is Nolan's doing it.

You and I know it's gonna be massive.

CN does not make mistakes. Hasn't so far, never will.

The rest is conjecture.

DK.

R ox

Quoted from rendevous Fact is Nolan's doing it. You and I know it's gonna be massive. CN does not make mistakes. Hasn't so far, never will. The rest is conjecture. DK. R ox

Everyone makes a shitty film eventually. Spielberg, Scorsese, even Kubrick. No one is immune, even Nolan. He'll make a piece of shit eventually, let's just hope it's not this one.

MC,

No one is immune. But their worst is our best.

Such is the world.

Nolan ain't a put foot wrong yet. Can't seeing him doing so anytime soon..

EWS was a disaster for SK. Yet I still liked it. As it was better than most. K's worst is still better than everybody else's best.

So be it.

I know CN's work will be a killer. Always is.

And that is that.

P&L

R ox

So this rumour has been going around for a while but now there looks to be serious consideration about taking unused footage of Heath Ledger from TDK and editing it into DKR to give us a new Joker scene.

I don't know how I feel about this. It didn't work when Superman Returns resurrected Marlon Brando, it didn't work when they did it with Nancy Marchand on The Sopranos and I'm not so sure it'll work this time. They should just leave him be and move on to other things, IMO. What do you guys think?

Quoted from Matt Chisholm I don't know how I feel about this. It didn't work when Superman Returns resurrected Marlon Brando, it didn't work when they did it with Nancy Marchand on The Sopranos and I'm not so sure it'll work this time. They should just leave him be and move on to other things, IMO. What do you guys think?

I'm mixed on this one. I think you are spot on with the two examples you have given of when it didn't work, and you make a good case for not doing with Heath Ledger.

But then again look at what they have done with Ikea Knightly, I swear to God I almost get fooled sometimes into thinking she is a real actress and not just CGI. Okay, yes maybe in Pirates of the Caribbean it was pretty obvious, but I think that was more to do with cost cutting. In Atonement I would defy anybody to tell the difference, on first viewing anyway.

Get the same guys in as Atonement then maybe it could work.

this clip is pretty old.  Is there anything new to report?


Phil

Here are all the rumors that Collider feels are fit to print about The Dark Knight Rises.

http://www.collider.com/2010/11/22/the-dark-knight-rises-rumor-batman-prey/

It makes sense they would return to the graphic novel series that inspired these movies.
I think Doc Strange is the kind of psychological foil for Batman that Nolan digs.
Tom Hardy has a Herculean presence on the screen, ever see Bronson? Whoa.
If its to be Hardy, and we know how Nolan likes to reuse actors on new films...
I hope this project won't interfere with Hardy playing Mad Max in Miller's new films.

Curiously, there's no mention of the Heath Ledger appearance here.
As the article says, this is all "educated speculation" right now.

E.D.

How's this for new:

Nolan himself has debunked the rumor that Ledger will be DKR in an interview that can be read here.

The interview goes on to say that the script is due next month.

It's now January. So the script for this should be due at some point this month.  Starting to anxious.  I say we start taking cracks at when the first teaser trailer will be released in theaters.

My vote is the premiere of the The Dark Knight Rises teaser trailer will be with the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part two film in july.  That would make just about one year until the release of The Dark Knight Rises.

Too bad the Riddler got canned, this pic was kind of interesting...


I suspect if this is Nolan's last film it's the last film in the franchise for WB at least for the foreseeable future, and that means Catwoman should make an appearance.  If I remember correctly going back to the early comics, Catwoman was a jewel thief and was Batman's equal.  Of course with the Halle Berry travesty I'm not sure Nolan would go that route though if anyone had the kehonies to do so, it be CN.  So from a relastic standpoint CW is not issue, it's just the stereotype effect of a general consensus bad movie.  

I think you might want to tweak her costume.  Maybe a like a panther suit - you know like Batman but black panther ala - Catwoman. Cowl, etc.  She is Batman's equal so she should have similar money, and gadets, maybe make her a mutual friend of Lucius - well okay maybe that's stretching it, but hopefully you get my drift.

The Penguin can work. Have him working as a crime boss in a nightclub called The Igloo or if that's too worn out, call it the Ice Box.  I wrote a short film, and my idea for Harley Quinn and The Penguin were right up Nolan's ally.  The scripts I don't believe I ever published them, let alone even transcribed them from paper to computer - I'll have to check on that.  

I'm not suggestion those will be in the film - only if the right circumstances play out, and my guess is as good as anyone elses -with the exception of those that already know.  

Yes I was reading an entertainment article about three weeks ago with an update on the film and they were casting for two female leads... So I can only assume, one will be... I'm not saying catwoman but maybe one could be a female villian.  Of course, 4 the record, it's just a rumor.

Now I'll try and go back and find that article... or I wont be able to sleep tonight.  Wait a minute, I don't sleep... I'm ghosting.

Ghostwriter

Ghost/Anyone - Are they casting for stocky twenty somethings?  Lol.  I told myself I'd be in the next Batman film... this goal is slipping fast and will soon be out of reach.  

hmmm, oooh lookey Mr. Nolan's phone number...

Dial...

No answer... damn.


Okay so obviously I don't have Mr. Nolan's number and I'm not in Chicago, and have not been cast in The Dark Knight Rises... well as far as you know :)

Though I think I could play a pretty good crime boss.   Or maybe a socially awkward botanist might work better and be a little more challenging. :)

I'm sure a lot of you guys probably know this already but the villains have been announced as Catwoman and Bane, played by Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy, respectively.

Source: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=73379

This seems like a weird direction to go in. Hathaway and Hardy are both damn good actors, but the character choices are a bit of a worry.

Catwoman didn't come as a shocker, I suspected that much.  Hathaway didn't see her in the role, but I'm sure she'll be outstanding.  Bane on the other hand, didn't expect him.  Oh well, it should be pretty good.

Ghost

Quoted from Matt Chisholm This seems like a weird direction to go in. Hathaway and Hardy are both damn good actors, but the character choices are a bit of a worry.

Not sure people will believe me, but one night (Before the thought of Batman reboot talks - people were still shivering over the you-know-what-suit, lol) and I was watching on of my favorite teen movies 10 Things I Hate About You and there was a scene where Ledger smiles and it's the joker smile.  I said to the TV "If they ever do a batman reboot Heath should play the joker"  

Of course a few years later - boom he's announced as the Joker to plethra of "OMG Nolan has ruined the Batman franchise and tainted the Joker's name, etc."  

I'll admit I was one of those that went Heath Ledger - Joker? Nah I just don't see it.  Not remembering my comment to the TV.  

So now while they are odd choices, the last odd choice made The Dark Knight pretty memorable.

It will be interesting to see Chris and Jon's take on this Catwoman, if it's like before - they've been reading my imdb posts and should really consider my Catwoman suit - that is if we even see the Catwoman persona, though being Nolan's last film I'm sure we will at least a little.  

Oh and if WB wants to do another Batman film after this - I'm available to Direct :D


P.S. If you've seen 10 Things I Hate About You the scene I'm referring to is when Patrick tells Joey he's just up'd his price.  I believe the scene is in the school hallway by the lockers.  

Maybe I should become a CD... lol

As much as I like Anne Hathaway, I don't think he's right for Catwoman; she doesn't have that dark side to play the role.  Atleast, she never played anyone with a dark side.  Rosario Dawson would've been an ideal choice.


Phil

I was kind of hoping Tom Hardy would portray Hugo Strange and we'd get to see the Prey storyline (which kicked ass). Bane just reminds me of how bad Batman & Robin was. I trust Nolan, but then I trusted Sam Raimi...

Spider-Man 3 still wakes me up at night.

I think it'll just have to be a case of 'In Nolan we trust.'

EDIT: I'm not a comic book reader, and so my only impression of Bane comes from Schumacher's Batman and Robin (dear God). But a quick glance at Wikipedia throws this up: "Bane is convinced that the demonic bat that haunted his dreams since childhood is a representation of the Batman." Also, apparently Bane paralyses Batman at one point. Something there? A wheelchair-bound Bale being tended to by Caine, facing his darkest hour...and then The Dark Knight Rises. :)

So maybe there's ways for Nolan to have him fit the tone of the series so far. But Catwoman? I know Ledger's Joker was completely different to Nicholson's, but Pfeiffer's Selina Kyle was pretty dark already, wasn't it? Be interesting to see what approach Nolan and Hathaway are going to take.

I didn't like Pfeifer's portrayal of Catwoman.  She didn't seem natural.

I would've liked to have seen Johnny Depp play the Riddler.  Or Neil Patrick Harris.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe As much as I like Anne Hathaway, I don't think he's right for Catwoman; she doesn't have that dark side to play the role.  Atleast, she never played anyone with a dark side.  Rosario Dawson would've been an ideal choice. Phil

One thing that stood out in the press released from Warner Brothers...
Nolan says that Anne Hathaway is playing Selena Kyle.
Perhaps sans the Catwoman persona? Just a love interest.
Maybe its a foregone conclusion she'll become Catwoman.
But, it's Nolan, you never know.
Princess Diaries to Catwoman, that's a tough sell in my mind.

E.D.

Anne Hathaway can do action; she was impressive as Agent 99 in Get Smart.  I just can't see her as a villain.


Phil

At least Bane will be handled with more TLC than  B&R back in 97.

I'm excited to see Hathaway as Kyle/Catwoman. I think she's one of the best actresses of her generation working today. She survived two Princess Diaries and Havoc. What a trooper!

Bane, on the other hand, I could do without. What a lame villain. Not even a classic one. He was created in the 90's. I'm sure this incarnation will be better than Schumacher's holocaust of a Batman sequel but I could still care less.

Should be interesting in any case, especially with a female character who's not tacked on as a token love interest, played by someone with formidable chops.

If I had to list ten actresses I'd like to see as Catwoman, I don't think that Anne would make the list.  She's a great actress; I just don't think it's her role.

Rosario Dawson, Maggie Q, Scarlett Johanssen, Rachel Weiss, etc.  Hell, with the right script, even Halle Berry could erase that abortion from her resume.


Phil

When Heath Ledger was announced as the Joker, we all know there was a negative vibe doing the rounds, but anyone who saw 'Brokeback Mountain' knew this guy was capable of something special and he was reprising the greatest comic book villain around to many minds.

Now, I personally think Tom Hardy is a perfect fit for Nolan's Batman universe but am very sceptical about the character - then again, it is Schumacher's version which paves the way for this feeling in the main. Hardy was simply jawdropping as Bronson. Couldn't take my eyes off him. The guy got that performance pitch perfect. The film itself was lost without him.

Hathaway massively impressed me in 'Brokeback Mountain' and has shown a versatility that will serve her well. Again, though, Catwoman is a dubious character for Nolan's series, I think. He's likely to turn the character on its head, however.

The acting choices seem spot on but the character selection is the underlying concern. Why is the Riddler or Penguin silly but these two characters are OK. I can only assume Nolan sees the evolution and birth of the characters as what governs his views on what is 'silly'.

Nolan has obviously shown his talent and he'll most likely deliver another excellent film but he has helped whip up his own inevitable backlash. Either way, I look forward to the film, as well as his reboot of Superman (producing duties) where we'll hopefully see the massively underrated and talented Brandon Routh given another chance to don the suit.

I am looking forward to this as are all of you. I think Anne has shown enough acting chops to pull off CW. I think we'll be pleasantly surprised. My only concern is that Batman will be going up against two villains at the same time. It leaves for less character development in our beloved villains.

This failed in Spiderman 3 IMO. I hope Nolan has the the ideas to pull it off.

James

Nolan has a poor record when it comes to casting female leads - Katie Holmes in Batman. Ellen Page in Inception. I'm sure Nolan's directing can get a decent performance from Hathaway, but unless the character of catwoman takes a whole new appraoch, this could go very wrong for Nolan. I think Tom Hardy will make a great Bane. Nolan will probably portray him as the strategic sane genius he was intended to be rather than the insane venon freak he is commonly denoted to be.

Quoted from Electric Dreamer Nolan says that Anne Hathaway is playing Selena Kyle.   Perhaps sans the Catwoman persona? Just a love interest. Maybe its a foregone conclusion she'll become Catwoman.

Perhaps they're setting her up to play Catwoman in the next movie?  Something turns her into a villain?

Quoted from jwent6688 My only concern is that Batman will be going up against two villains at the same time. It leaves for less character development in our beloved villains.

I thought it worked pretty well with the last Batmovie.  Joker and Two-Face were handled nicely.  The problem with Spiderman 3 was that there were two many villains, like fifteen of them.  

Two villains seem good if they offer the hero enough challenge.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I thought it worked pretty well with the last Batmovie.  Joker and Two-Face were handled nicely.  The problem with Spiderman 3 was that there were two many villains, like fifteen of them.   Two villains seem good if they offer the hero enough challenge. Phil

I guess i have to agree with you there. Though, I really didn't think of Harvey Dent as a villain, because he becomes one so late in the movie.

Btw, Phil, I know you're a New Yorker, I just hope you're not a Jets fan. Not going to end well for them today. Go Steelers!!!

James

It's Bane!



We'll see how that goes.


Phil

In Nolan I trust.

As long as he's different from the last Bane.


Phil

Didn't this story break months ago?

Anne Hathaway playing Selina Kyle, and so on...

The photo is new...


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe The photo is new... Phil

That is true.

Quoted from JonnyBoy Anne Hathaway playing Selina Kyle, and so on...

It's probably just fanfic, but here's Anne:




Phil

Yeah, it's from a fan.

EDIT:  It hasn't actually been confirmed yet that Catwoman will appear, just Selina Kyle.

Dammit Matt!  Don't start screwing with my fantasies!

BTW, IMDB credits her as Selena Kyle and Catwoman.  It would be great if they modeled her after Frank Miller's Selina Kyle/Catwoman, from The Dark Knight series.


Phil

Oh My God, Phil!  How could you fantasize about Anne Hathaway!?!  I feel so betrayed!  Halle Barry I could understand and support, but Anne...??



Hey Mike, don' worry about it.  I do understand Phil's sense of humor.  And mine's much more warped, trust me.  :)  

Though Phil's writing is definitely his own...he was writing long before we met.  Besides, I strongly doubt we could ever collaborate on a script - we're both too individualistic as writers...

Cheers,

--WV

Quoted from wonkavite Oh My God, Phil!  How could you fantasize about Anne Hathaway!?!  I feel so betrayed!  Halle Barry I could understand and support, but Anne...??

Riddle me this, caped crusader:  why is the rapture like Phil getting a little something-something from Janet?

Answer:  Because neither will happen for a very long time (after this)!


In memory of Frank Gorshin:  1933-2005

Merged threads.

I'm still trying to make up my mind. I think I like Nolan's Bane. I think Tom Hardy can pull it off but I have an uneasy feeling about this movie. I trust Nolan. But then I trusted Sam Raimi and then Spider-Man 3 happened...  

i love the skepticism on SS involved with this movie simply because everyone else in the world seems to be sporting a huge nolan-boner over it. lets be honest. this movie is probably going to sub-par at best. its becoming a huge inception reunion and will most likely parallel spiderman 3 (if bruce wayne has an emo dance scene in a bar, im walking out). my biggest gripe with this series is that the dark knight wasn't nearly as good as everyone thought it was. it had some gaping plot holes and the lead character was the worst actor. and dont get me started about all those cockloafs who sported joker t-shirts yet couldn't comprehend the political metaphors within the film. if you dressed up as the joker for halloween or even muttered the phrase "why so serious" even once, then you deserve to be butt raped by the batarang. so maybe my gripe is more with the fan base, rather than the films themselves. either way, the newly found rumors for the dark knight rises seems to be resurrecting all of my deep seeded resentment for the first two films and their reception from american audiences (and college frat boys).

Quoted from albinopenguin i love the skepticism on SS involved with this movie simply because everyone else in the world seems to be sporting a huge nolan-boner over it. lets be honest. this movie is probably going to sub-par at best. its becoming a huge inception reunion and will most likely parallel spiderman 3 (if bruce wayne has an emo dance scene in a bar, im walking out). my biggest gripe with this series is that the dark knight wasn't nearly as good as everyone thought it was. it had some gaping plot holes and the lead character was the worst actor. and dont get me started about all those cockloafs who sported joker t-shirts yet couldn't comprehend the political metaphors within the film. if you dressed up as the joker for halloween or even muttered the phrase "why so serious" even once, then you deserve to be butt raped by the batarang. so maybe my gripe is more with the fan base, rather than the films themselves. either way, the newly found rumors for the dark knight rises seems to be resurrecting all of my deep seeded resentment for the first two films and their reception from american audiences (and college frat boys).

I am a big fan of CW and his films, and I really like BB, and enjoyed most of the TDK, but TDK did have plot holes and such, not to mention I thought it was too serious a film to be a comic book film. I understood Nolan's desire to make it as real-world as possible to set the stage of intensity, but when I go to the movies to see a superhero movie, I go to be suspended in disbelief not brought back into the current happenings.  I got the political undertones that the Joker was uttering... I thought they were quite out in the open and not intended to be missed.  I'm not one to really delve deep into politics because it gives me a giant headache but I caught the metaphors.

I still trust Nolan to to dish out at a least a summer blockbuster. I don't expect it to be a oscar nominee, so I'll wait until TDKR comes out before I weigh in on that too much.

Doesn't really show anything...but so what?

i honestly didnt think it showed enough to form an opinion about it either way. excited about it for sure, but also being realistic about it

Quoted from sniper Doesn't really show anything...but so what?

It's only a teaser. It wouldn't show a whole lot. The first Dark Knight trailer just had a few voice overs. I'm also for trailers not giving away the farm too much too soon. My interest is peaked though wondering what Gordon's doing in the hospital.

When I gauge Bane -- I don't wanna see someone whom I dwarf play him.  I wanna see someone more like Glenn Jacobs play him, and someone less like Hardy play him.

Below is a picture of Hardy, without his shirt, on set...  Nolan, in typical Nolan fashion, went out of his way to cast an all foreigner Batman.

Bale -- Wales
Liam -- Scottish or Irish
Ledger -- Australian
Cain -- English
Oldman -- English

I can continue... But this isn't Bane --

Hopefully in a few years we'll see a new Batman series of films, with different actors and director.

I'd like to see the same done for the Lord Of The Rings too

Quoted from Baltis. Nolan, in typical Nolan fashion, went out of his way to cast an all foreigner Batman. Bale -- Wales Liam -- Scottish or Irish Ledger -- Australian Cain -- English Oldman -- English

Morgan Freeman -- American
Ann Hathaway -- American

Thomas Hardy isn't that big, physically, but some camera angles can change that.  It worked for Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile.


Phil

The casting of Hardy as Bane never made sense to me until I saw Bronson. I recommend everyone see that film, if only to see an excellent film that has nothing to do with Batman.

I think Hardy has a shot at the character. Regardless, I don't think this will have anything on The Dark Knight. It's called The Dark Knight Rises. No matter how good it is (and I think it has a chance to be very good), it will be standing on the shoulders of its predecessor.

Quoted from dogglebe Morgan Freeman -- American Ann Hathaway -- American Thomas Hardy isn't that big, physically, but some camera angles can change that.  It worked for Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile. Phil

Michael Clarke Duncan is 6'5, so they didn't need to use angles to make him look big.  Dude is huge.

Hardy is about 5'10, while Bale is around six feet, so in that case they will need to use some tricks.  Bane is supposed to tower over Batman.   Hardy looked ripped in Warrior, but in that photo he looks like he's been hittin the fish n chips pretty hard.

Quoted from dogglebe Morgan Freeman -- American Ann Hathaway -- American Thomas Hardy isn't that big, physically, but some camera angles can change that.  It worked for Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile. Phil

I do hope so... And they do have software that adds muscle volume and can make one thinner, taller, fater or shorter.  I seen some demos of it used on like Baywatch of all things.  They also used it in Lord of the Rings with the hobbits.

I dunno - I think it'd just be easier to hire a big guy and have him play the role than to tinker with settings on software in hopes of making your small guy a big guy.  All I'm saying.

As it is -- I could've played Bane.  And that's troubling for someone, like me, who really got into the series when he 1st arrived in Gotham.

Quoted from Ryan1 Michael Clarke Duncan is 6'5, so they didn't need to use angles to make him look big.  Dude is huge.

In The Green Mile they used camera angles and platforms to make him look even bigger.  In reality, David Morse is only an inch shorter than Duncan.  In the movie, it looks like there's six inches difference.


Phil

Quoted from Ryan1 Michael Clarke Duncan is 6'5, so they didn't need to use angles to make him look big.  Dude is huge. Hardy is about 5'10, while Bale is around six feet, so in that case they will need to use some tricks.  Bane is supposed to tower over Batman.   Hardy looked ripped in Warrior, but in that photo he looks like he's been hittin the fish n chips pretty hard.

Yeah, he's big, but as Phil pointed out, they made him look 7ft tall and even more physically imposing in The Green Mile.

Tom Hardy was in great shape for Warrior. His neck and traps are almost out of proportion with the rest of his body. In the scenes where he fights Brendan (Joel Edgerton) it seems as if Brendans shoulders are almost flat in comparsion.

There where so many unresolved issues in Warrior, it seems as if they left it wide open for a sequel.

The big question is, will Nolan kill off Batman??

I think Batman should be killed off.  It was have a lot of impact.  Hollywood will bring him back in its next reboot.

I stopped reading Superman comics after Doomsday killed Superman; I knew he wasn't dead and was put off by how DC Comics was trying to make him look like he died.  A year later, he was back and everything was back to normal.  Then they (kinda) did the same thing with Batman.  Bane crippled him and left him for dead (spinal damage or something).  I knew he'd be back but was annoyed that DC Comics was playing the same game, so I stopped reading Batman.


Phil

Quoted from James McClung The casting of Hardy as Bane never made sense to me until I saw Bronson. I recommend everyone see that film, if only to see an excellent film that has nothing to do with Batman.

I second this motion.

Hardy is a force of mature in this film.
I was enthralled with the energy of the story.
And the director went to helm "Drive" for Ryan Gosling.

E.D.

Quoted from Baltis. Bale -- Wales Liam -- Scottish or Irish Ledger -- Australian Cain -- English Oldman -- English

I'm curious, Balt, who you would've chosen (among Americans) for these roles.

If I had my choice (and a time machine), I'd go back to Michael Keaton.  Bale was a better Bruce Wayne, but Keaton was the better Batman.

Ras al Ghul was a foreigner, anyway.  Don't see a problem with a foreigner in the role.  Anyone with an 'American look' would be distracting.

If I had to pick an American actor for the joker, I would go out on a limb and say Jim Carey.  Sure he sucked as the Riddler, but that was because he had nothing to work with.  If not him then someone should find out if Steven Tyler can act; he looks like the Joker.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I'm curious, Balt, who you would've chosen (among Americans) for these roles. If I had my choice (and a time machine), I'd go back to Michael Keaton.  Bale was a better Bruce Wayne, but Keaton was the better Batman. Ras al Ghul was a foreigner, anyway.  Don't see a problem with a foreigner in the role.  Anyone with an 'American look' would be distracting. If I had to pick an American actor for the joker, I would go out on a limb and say Jim Carey.  Sure he sucked as the Riddler, but that was because he had nothing to work with.  If not him then someone should find out if Steven Tyler can act; he looks like the Joker. Phil

I know a whole host of possible candidates for the role of the Joker. They are all well versed in the role, no method acting required and have raided banks and caused anarchy in society. These individuals are of course Irish politicans and bankers. the only problem of course is that they are foreign. Sigh.

Don't believe Jim Carey would have made a good Joker and certainly not a great one. Heath Ledger brought an incredible intensity and level of mania to that character. I think Johnny Depp could have taken a weird stab at it, but still, not right. Michael Fassbender certainly has the grin and has the acting chops, but again, I have reservations.

Quoted from dogglebe I'm curious, Balt, who you would've chosen (among Americans) for these roles. If I had my choice (and a time machine), I'd go back to Michael Keaton.  Bale was a better Bruce Wayne, but Keaton was the better Batman. Ras al Ghul was a foreigner, anyway.  Don't see a problem with a foreigner in the role.  Anyone with an 'American look' would be distracting. If I had to pick an American actor for the joker, I would go out on a limb and say Jim Carey.  Sure he sucked as the Riddler, but that was because he had nothing to work with.  If not him then someone should find out if Steven Tyler can act; he looks like the Joker. Phil

Keaton was king.  He was Batman and Bruce to me... but he's gotten a bit too old.  I do think he pulled together both ends of the character and made a truly memorable performance.  The suit was also better.  It actually looked like Batman.    I am a huge Bale fan -- I think he's one of the best actors going today, but he's not batman to me.

So in a perfect world -- and I held all the cards.

Bruce Wayne/Batman -- Ryan Gosling (if he bulked up again, dyed his hair darker... He would turn out an amazing performance of both Bruce and Batman.)

Joker -- Adrian Brody (such a talent.  I think he'd look awesome with long, nappy green hair and white paint)

Bane -- Glenn Jacobs (no questions)

Catwoman -- Natalie Portman (because I think she can act -- and I'd like to see her in tight leather.  *looks around* Next!)

Two Face --  William H. Macy or Trevor Saint John (I'd lean to Trevor, cos' I love the guy, but Macy would be crazy good too.  Trevor has an awesome way of playing both the good and bad at the same time, though.  Watch his work.  He's amazing.)

Riddler -- David Hyde Pierce (easily)

Scarecrow -- Steve Buscemi (was there ever a question?)

Mr. Freeze -- Andrew Howard (this is one of my favorite actors.  So talented)

Ras Al Ghul -- Daniel day Lewis (if it had to be a foreigner)

Those are my picks...

Quoted from Baltis. Keaton was king.  He was Batman and Bruce to me... but he's gotten a bit too old.  I do think he pulled together both ends of the character and made a truly memorable performance.  The suit was also better.  It actually looked like Batman.    I am a huge Bale fan -- I think he's one of the best actors going today, but he's not batman to me. So in a perfect world -- and I held all the cards. Bruce Wayne/Batman -- Ryan Gosling (if he bulked up again, dyed his hair darker... He would turn out an amazing performance of both Bruce and Batman.) Joker -- Adrian Brody (such a talent.  I think he'd look awesome with long, nappy green hair and white paint) Bane -- Glenn Jacobs (no questions) Catwoman -- Natalie Portman (because I think she can act -- and I'd like to see her in tight leather.  *looks around* Next!) Two Face --  William H. Macy or Trevor Saint John (I'd lean to Trevor, cos' I love the guy, but Macy would be crazy good too.  Trevor has an awesome way of playing both the good and bad at the same time, though.  Watch his work.  He's amazing.) Riddler -- David Hyde Pierce (easily) Scarecrow -- Steve Buscemi (was there ever a question?) Mr. Freeze -- Andrew Howard (this is one of my favorite actors.  So talented) Ras Al Ghul -- Daniel day Lewis (if it had to be a foreigner) Those are my picks...

Can't argue with those selections, especially Buscemi as Scarecrow.  I could also see him as the Riddler.  Gosling would be good as Batman, even though he's not American, haha.  But I personally think Bale owns that role and is even better than Keaton because of the almost psychotic intensity he brings to the character.

Yeah, I just realized Gosling is Canadian... (shakes fist)

Cillian Murphy, who played scarecrow, rather unconvincingly I thought, was originally offered the role of Wayne/Batman by Nolan but declined because he didn't have the physique for it. What in the name of God was Nolan thinking!?

Neil Patrick Harris was suggested to play the Riddler.  I think a fanfic poster was even made up.  I would like to see Doogie play this part.


Phil

While I think The Dark Knight was an good movie, and Ledger made a fantsatic Joker, I wonder how good Batman: Year one would have been?
If memory serves the guy who was going to direct it directed the Black Swan.

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Val Kilmer or George Clooney?  They were the best Batman's of em all.  I guess I'm in the minority on that one!

After watching Bronson and Warrior I think Tom Hardy will be a excellent Bane but Anne Hathaway as Catwoman...not too sure?

Bat Nipples? Kilmer wasn't bad, but the script for Batman Forever was (I blame Akiva Goldsman). EVERYTHING, even Clooney, was bad about Batman & Robin (and it was even more Akiva Goldsman's fault).

Anyway, I liked both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, but preferred Batman Begins. Of course, that's not saying a lot because on my list of Nolan directed movies, they're fourth and fifth respectively behind Inception (3rd), The Prestige (2nd) and Memento (1st).

Quoted from CoopBazinga ...but Anne Hathaway as Catwoman...not too sure?

I thought that, too, until I saw her in Get Smart.  She played a formidable Agent 99 in both the action sequences as well as eye candy.  I think she'll do well as Catwoman.


Phil

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Bat Nipples? Kilmer wasn't bad, but the script for Batman Forever was (I blame Akiva Goldsman). EVERYTHING, even Clooney, was bad about Batman & Robin (and it was even more Akiva Goldsman's fault).

It was a horrible movie, but I'd blame Joel Schumacher a lot more than Goldsman.  From what I understand, it was his idea to turn Batman into that nip-sporting wuss, and also to turn the entire franchise into a bad broadway show.  

Quoted from CoopBazinga I can't believe nobody has mentioned Val Kilmer or George Clooney?  They were the best Batman's of em all.

Pretty much where I stopped reading.

Quoted from Ryan1 It was a horrible movie, but I'd blame Joel Schumacher a lot more than Goldsman.  From what I understand, it was his idea to turn Batman into that nip-sporting wuss, and also to turn the entire franchise into a bad broadway show.

But not to hear Joel talk today -- Nope!  He says he wanted to make a darker, grittier more viceral batman than Burton did, but WB wouldn't allow it.  At this time the Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles were opting out from using their weapons in their movies and violence had to be cut down dramatically.  He said they wanted more of an artistic approach for the films... He just complied.

I don't buy any of it.   I'll track down his statement.

While I think Nolan's films are the best Batman films, Christian Bale is a terrible batman. He's good at playing Wayne, but not Batman. Just terrible. Almost laughable.

Quoted from Baltis. Pretty much where I stopped reading.

It got better, I went on to mention how Chris O'Donnell should be back as Robin :D. My partner has always said I suck at sarcasm!

The kids at Movieworld this morning. We have annual passes and live only 5 minutes drive away. Good value to hang out for a couple of hours.

Quoted from Elmer While I think Nolan's films are the best Batman films, Christian Bale is a terrible batman. He's good at playing Wayne, but not Batman. Just terrible. Almost laughable.

Unfortunately there's no almost about it for me. I was laughing out loud at the Dark Knight.

Bring back Adam West.

Buckets of charisma!

Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, just all wrong. Give me Michelle Pfeiffer anyday. Natelie Portman is just far too meek and too small to play Catwoman. She just wouldn't be able to pull off Catwoman with that small annoying voice. Now, I'm not saying that an actress who's physcially small couldn't pull it off, but of all the actresses I can think of, she has too many hurdles to jump (no scarcasm intended)

Remember that disaster of a flim from the Blade trilogy (I think Goyer directed the last one, if memory serves) where Jessica Biel played Whistlers daughter. They gave her access to top trainers and STILL she didn't look belivable in any of the fight scenes. Fit, yes, but not believable.

Charliez Theron would make an impressive Catwoman. But my No 1 choice for Catwoma has to be Gina Carano. She plays the lead in Soderbergh's film Knockout. She has the MMA backround and looks good too .

Natalie Portman showed some fighting skills in Your Highness.  It was a shit movie but she got to play in an action role.

Rosario Dawson would probably be a great Catwoman.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Natalie Portman showed some fighting skills in Your Highness.  It was a shit movie but she got to play in an action role. Rosario Dawson would probably be a great Catwoman. Phil

100% agreed on looking the part. She's gorgeous. But, if we're talking about a balance between looks, acting ability and CV that says fighting ability and belivablity in action scenes, then, for me anyway, Gina gets a thumbs up.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Unfortunately there's no almost about it for me. I was laughing out loud at the Dark Knight.

Yep. still wish I had've walked out on this movie. it just went on and on. Its the last movie I've seen in a cinema(except for kids films).

I am a huge Batman fan - Burton's first is the best one IMO - but the dark knight wasn't even remotely entertaining. Bale's voice was bearable in Batman Begins but it completely ruined tdk. I won't be going near this new one and hopefully in a few years a decent reboot will be done.

Quoted from Elmer While I think Nolan's films are the best Batman films, Christian Bale is a terrible batman. He's good at playing Wayne, but not Batman. Just terrible. Almost laughable.

Agreed. Christian Bale is best when he's playing an emotionally shallow character. When he has to try and act angry or upset, it just doesn't work. That's not to mention the fact that he has a tendancy to growl. The interrogation room scene (which Rifftrax makes fun of, perfectly) is Christian Bale at his worst in the series, so far.

You can't lay all the blame at Bales feet, the director and actor collaborate on what they want from a character. The idea seems to be that Nolan wants a different voice for Batman and even different facial expression to add to the disguise. I mean, there's only so much a cowl can cover. Hence, Bales growl and snarl as Batman.

The growl was played with in post.  Don't blame Bale for this.




Phil

Quoted from dogglebe The growl was played with in post.  Don't blame Bale for this. Phil

Lol! That was more entertaining and acted better than anything in the original. Should've stopped halfway though as the comic impact faded about then.

new bootlegged trailer is up. catch it now while you still can...

http://www.iheartchaos.com/post/14385216450/the-bootlegged-shakycam-new-dark-knight-rises#disqus_thread

Kind of underwhelming.  The best part of the trailer was Alfred (Michael Caine) and he was on for only a few seconds.


Phil

Bane's prolouge is also out:

http://thenexusnews.com/dark-knight-rises-imax-6-minute-trailer/852153/

This just isn't resonating with me... I want a more stylized approach next Batman go around.  

meh...



Phil

i hope they use subtitles for Bane...

Looks good - maybe a little too Call of Duty'ish but way better than anything Burton put together when he had his chance (I'm not even gonna mention Schumacher here). Still worried about the inclusion of Catwoman though. Not because of Anne Hathaway (although she sucks) but because it's a ridiculous character.

Edit: Trailer is up over at Apple.

Quoted from sniper Edit: Trailer is up over at Apple.

I had trouble getting that link to work, I watched the trailer here.



Bane sounding like a Speak 'n Spell with the flu does not excite me.  :-/

E.D.

Quoted from albinopenguin i hope they use subtitles for Bane...

Don't hold your breath...

http://collider.com/dark-knight-rises-bane-voice-christopher-nolan/133367/

It appears Nolan is playing the, "It's my Franchise and I'll Whine if I want to", card.
Granted, he has that right, but the knee-jerk reaction looks a tad petty, IMO.

E.D.

I always try to reserve judgement until I've seen movies, but the Bane prologue felt more suited to a Bond villain intro?

Oh no.

What is it with Nolan and people who can't speak?

Looks good other than that, but fuck me...not AGAIN!!!!!

He's secretly promoting the issue of speech disorders through his artistic endevours . . . I admire and support him for it. :)

At this rate, The Dark Knight VI will be a silent film...


Phil

I'm sorry, but Batman towering over Bane just isn't going to work...  Bale is a big guy.  Well, he can be.  (note: not the machinist), but hardy just isn't Bane.  They can try and scary up his voice and give him an equally as scary Sears and roebucks coat -- it's just not working on screen.

Granted it's a very little chunk of a much bigger movie...

I love Bale, not in a man crush way, just admire him a great deal -- but I'm finding this  troubling to get excited about.

Quoted from dogglebe At this rate, The Dark Knight VI will be a silent film... Phil

Let's hope this is the last of them.  I want a reboot < god I thought I'd never say that about any film.  

I don't know. I think it looks pretty good. Anne Hathaway seems fine. I still don't understand the overwhelming objection to her presence in the film.

Bane's voice in the prologue didn't bother me as much as it seems to everybody else.

That said, Nolan's response to the complaints makes him sound like a total ass. This isn't a lack of understanding for a complex plot or something. This is technical. If hundreds of fans can't understand the dialogue because of ADR, there's probably something wrong with the ADR. You can't say audiences should just try to keep up when the whole reason they can't is because the audio in the film is actually a hinderance. If this were another director, I might not take as much offense (note, as much). But what with Nolan's laborious attention to detail for everything else and the constant mockery of Batman's voice, this really isn't something he can just let slide. Not with integrity, anyway.

Nevertheless, I'm still as excited for this as I was before the trailer and prologue hit... mildly excited.

Let's hope it's good, I guess.

Quoted from James McClung Bane's voice in the prologue didn't bother me as much as it seems to everybody else. That said, Nolan's response to the complaints makes him sound like a total ass. This isn't a lack of understanding for a complex plot or something. This is technical. If hundreds of fans can't understand the dialogue because of ADR, there's probably something wrong with the ADR. You can't say audiences should just try to keep up when the whole reason they can't is because the audio in the film is actually a hinderance.

I agree in principle, but the actual quote didn't come from Nolan.
Supposedly, it was a "high level executive" that said the "keep up" thing.

http://collider.com/dark-knight-rises-bane-voice-christopher-nolan/133367/

E.D.

True. But he also says "Chris wants the audience to catch up and participate rather than push everything at them." Aren't these still Nolan's sentiments?

My point stands, regardless. Very poor form. Did anyone involved even need to comment on this at all?

https://twitter.com/MuffledBane

this should help explain things...

I like the trailer. Impressed by it. Was good to see my Pittsburgh Steelers homeboy get some love. Thats Hines Ward running that touchdown as the field collapses. For Obvious reasons they didn't use the actual Steelers. But, this was shot in Pittsbugh after all...

James

there's actually a bit of buzz over hines ward. burt ward played robin in the tv series. although that's probably just a coincidence. furthermore, the "R" in Rogue looks a little suspicious...

glad they kept the steeler's colors. the last name of pittsburg's mayor also appears on the back of one of the jerseys.

Quoted from James McClung I don't know. I think it looks pretty good. Anne Hathaway seems fine. I still don't understand the overwhelming objection to her presence in the film.

I'm still rooting for Anne Hathaway.  And, if Nolan wanted to be daring, he could've asked Hallie Berry play Catwoman.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I'm still rooting for Anne Hathaway.  And, if Nolan wanted to be daring, he could've asked Hallie Berry play Catwoman. Phil

Heavens no...

Hailey Berry just had a shitty script.  I think she could pull it off.


Phil

I liked the trailer, thought it looked good but i'm still not sure about Hathaway! Roll on next July

The guy playing batman looks like he could be Glenn Beck under that mask.  

Gordon was the glue here.  Did good.

Trailer and prolouge look alright.

Nothing to moan about, nothing to get really hyped about either.

Not as good as the TDK trailers but thats probably down to the Joker being the main rouge - everyone knows who he is and its an exciting character. Bane might be known to comic fans but the majority ( audience. not comic fans ) might struggle with him.

The first time I watched TDK I said it was a good flick but slightly overrated and got slaughtered. I've seen it a few times since and I still like it, I'd give it a 7/10 but I still don't fully understand the hype. Good film but by no means a great one.

As the Dark Knight Turns...

http://collider.com/dark-knight-rises-bane-audio-cleaned/135038/?_r=true

Personally, fatigue has set in over this continued press glut.
I hope they give us a brief respite until the Super Bowl ads plaster the airwaves.

E.D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=g8evyE9TuYk

If you haven't already seen it, the final trailer, cant wait.

Oh wow, they really do talk like in the video dogglebe posted.  I think it'll be good, but I do not care for the way Bane looks.  This one's a DVD from the library for sure!

I love Hans Zimmer. That's the best thing I can say about the trailer. It looks...alright. I'm not getting the same level of anticipation that I got from the main Joker trailers before the last movie.

Having said that, I'll be in line when it's realeased. I might even go IMAX.

I like the look of this. It seems as though Batman will be put into jail or something. Will have all of his toys taken away. Have to battle out of his scenario like a normal man.

Bane apparently kicks his ass, at least once. Catwoman seems like she helped in his capture and may be second guessing herself.

Christian bales character slacked next to Heath's in the last one. This would be a time to let him shine at his weakest. I'm looking forward to it!

James

In the comics Bane broke Bruce Wayne's spine, leaving him a paraplegic, and Bruce passes the mantel of Batman on to Azreal.  We'll have to see what they do in the movie.

Would probably see this if Bale wasn't in it

Quoted from stevie Would probably see this if Bale wasn't in it

Why?  Would you go if it were George Clooney?  :)

Quoted from steven8 Why?  Would you go if it were George Clooney?  :)

Lol. Bring back Keaton! Or even Kilmer...

Quoted from stevie Lol. Bring back Keaton! Or even Kilmer...

Maybe even Adam West but he's busy being the mayor of Quahog ;D

Quoted from steven8 In the comics Bane broke Bruce Wayne's spine, leaving him a paraplegic, and Bruce passes the mantel of Batman on to Azreal.  We'll have to see what they do in the movie.

if Batman suffers a similar fate at the hands of Bane....which appears likely....my guess would be Nolan favorite Joseph Gordon Levitt would inherit the batmam baton

Quoted from steven8 Why?  Would you go if it were George Clooney?  :)

Does anybody really want Bat Nipples back? Granted, I enjoy Clooney overall, but he is, contrary to popular belief, not Batman.

Quoted from stevie Would probably see this if Bale wasn't in it

Bruce Thomas?

;D

(OnStar commercials)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Bat Nipples

You know, the sad thing is, not only did someone have to come up with that design -- someone else had to approve it!