The Official "The Dark Knight" Speculation Thread, Part 2 (Possible Spoilers)

[BatKid]

Part 2 of the Official "The Dark Knight" Speculation Thread (Possible Spoilers) -- (View Part 1 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=143359))

Let's see what ya'll make of this:


Ledger on The Joker & Bale: No To The Same "Old Road"
Author: Jett
Monday, September 11, 2006 - 10:17 AM:

Heath Ledger actually "F'n HATES" comic book movies, but he digs The Joker. Read more (via DARK HORIZONS):

"I actually hate comic book movies, like f***ing hate them, they just bore me sh**less and they're just dumb. But I thought what Chris Nolan did with [BATMAN BEGINS] was actually really good, really well directed, and Christian Bale was really great in it."

"He's going to be really sinister and it's going to be less about his laugh and his pranks and more about just him being a just a f***ing sinister guy."

[Asked if he decides to do a big movie like this, because of agent pressure.] "I'm sure they're super happy that I'm doing this [THE DARK KNIGHT], because this is the first time I've really kind of taken something like that, so they're over the moon. But I think it's just going to be a really fun experience, and I love to dress up and wear a mask."

[How will his Joker look?] "I've seen a few interesting designs on the look and I think that it's going to look pretty cool."

Thanks to "Brock" for the lead...

original source: :http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/ledger.php (http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/ledger.php)

:shrug: :eek: :confused: :sweat:

[Cortez2301]

Wow despite Ledger's interest in the movie,I can only say he is not really interested.

[ShadowGUN]

Sound like Ledger must have watch Elektra, Daredevil, Punisher, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,X3: the Last Stand and Blade Trinity to pass judgement on comic book movies like that. He does have a point except for the Spider Man movies, the first 2 Xmen movies, SR and Batman Begins most comic book movies suck.

[ManicWebb]

Sound like Ledger must have watch Elektra, Daredevil, Punisher, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,X3: the Last Stand and Blade Trinity to pass judgement on comic book movies like that. He does have a point except for the Spider Man movies, the first 2 Xmen movies, SR and Batman Begins most comic book movies suck.
Superman Returns and X-Men 1: Good movies, but I'm sure they also bored him ****less. I love Bryan Singer, but things have a habit of moving so slowing in his films.

[Silly McGooses]

I'm less than shocked that he's say that.

[BatKid]

MSNBC: (http://movies.msn.com/movies/hitlist/9-12-06_2)

It's Ledger's next role as Batman's nemesis The Joker in Chris Nolan's "The Dark Knight" that has fanboys' tongues wagging. Ledger says he hasn't paid attention to the scuttlebutt on the Web about his casting and wasn't that surprised to get the offer from Nolan.

"When he explained to me the angle he wanted to take, I was like, 'Yeah, I could do that,'" Ledger says. "[Nolan's] going to make it a lot more sinister, and we've got a little plan for him, but it's exciting. Any opportunity to don a mask is always exciting to me."

[BATMAN (1989)] was dominated by Jack Nicholson's acclaimed performance as the psychotic villain, but Ledger isn't intimidated by his predecessor's turn.

"I love, love, love what Nicholson did," Ledger says. "[But] his performance was catering to the style of directing the movie was made under. It was a Tim Burton film. It wasn't Chris Nolan."

[Damien]

The Joker...doesn't...wear...a mask. Dear Lord.

He better deliver in a monumental way. Otherwise, it'll be the fans who knew better all along that will have the last laugh. (Oh yes, there will be pun.)

[BatKid]

With statements previously indicating Nolan using Joker's more original elements, I doubt Heath was referring to an actual physical mask.

I hope. :sad:

[Robin2099]

I think he was probabbly just talking abpout the make up process that he would go through, as opposed to wearing an actual mask.

[Cortez2301]

Yeah he won't be wearing a mask.Unless they actually make him don the red hood costume in this movie...

[BatKid]

Ledger is also slated to co-star in "The Dark Knight," the upcoming sequel to "Batman Returns," as the Joker, a character played by Jack Nicholson in the 1989 film "Batman." "I love wearing masks. I like falling behind and into a character and I know this will be a beautiful mask to wear," Ledger said.

"And obviously we’re not going to head down the same path that Jack Nicholson took. We’re going to make it more sinister. Its very new to me right now and I’ve got a lot of thinking to do about it. It’s going to require a lot of energy and preparation. But I feel like it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’ve never been a fan of comic book movies. But I saw (‘Batman Begins,’ directed by Christopher Nolan) and I thought it was good. He’s a good director. Christian Bale who plays Batman is awesome. And for some reason Joker is the one character that has intrigued me. I feel like there’s a joker within us all."
So far he's saying all the right things, at least he's invested into taking Joker into new territories never seen in live-action.

[BatKid]

Ledger from the Berlin XM Saturday radio show:


On his getting the coveted role of The Joker...

"You have to remember I watched those films as a boy and me and my mates used to play Batman in the streets, so I kind of had a knowledge of the characters and the mythos. I’ve wanted to do something that could cement me and after viewing Batman Begins I was interested in working with Nolan. When I was contacted I was not super keen on the idea but after learning about the things they wanted to do I became very interested in The Joker. It’s an actors dream to play an iconic role and The Joker is so far removed from anything I’ve done yet that I am looking forward to it and to the ideas that were presented to me..."

On what kind of Joker character angle can we expect to see...

"Well this is just in the infant stages right now but I receive character data from the writers on an almost weekly basis ; my fax is loaded with profiles on The Joker to give me an idea of what they are going to do. I’ve also been given some of the comic book material to look over and I just become more and more interested as it develops. To play a villain one must throw it all out the window and I have not yet really explored that kind of dark side, which makes me enthusiastic to play him. This role, I am told, will be like watching a car wreck that won’t stop, and from the script pieces I’ve been sent on my character’s angles, its just gets deeper and deeper. This guy is a shark, a fearless shark and I know I can bring that alive..."

On what The Joker will look like...

"That is my question as well, I suppose he will look like me, but I’ve been told that they are still in preliminary stages and I’ve seen no ideas yet. I’ve been told it will be The Joker and that the iconic look will be true, I hope it is..."

On working with Bale...

"Christian is actually in this film I am doing now on Bob Dylan so I’ve met him a few times. He is excited as well and that has galvanized me to do it too, he had a lot to do with them contacting me. Right now we are focused on this film but once we get to Warner it will be all Dark Knight..."

On the fans who don’t like him...

"This kind of things affects me zero. It would not matter who is chosen to play the character in any film, there is always someone who does not like you and I am secure in my choices and my record, and if I must say anything directly to them it is that I am going to do the best possible work I can do as an actor. But I know at the end of the day you are never going to please anyone 100 percent. As an entertainer I chose what I want to do based on where I want to go. I am an actor and it’s my job to do this. But it’s a dream. I am grateful for getting the role and I have to say I will do whatever it takes to make it the best possible product I can."

On the Jack Nicholson’s Joker...

"That was a film I watched with my mates coming up, to say it was not a great film would be an understatement. I loved and was scared of the Joker in that film so it’s very inspiring that I’ll be in those shoes, but at the same time what we are going to have to do is something never done before - that was one of my requirements. I refused to carbon copy a performance, that would not be a challenge and it would be mocking Mr. Nicholson whom I have much respect for..."

On what it will feel like to be an action figure...

"I’ve always thought that would be the point where I really made it, I mean I am an action packed guy so making a toy for me is ok with me mates..."

[James Harvey]

Batman-On-Film (http://www.batman-on-film.com/batmovienews.html) (the best site for Batman movie news) states that Warner Bros. plans to release some official statement within the next few weeks concerning The Dark Knight. These insiders speculated that it could be announcements about the film’s crew, new/returning cast, or both.

[Cortez2301]

Thats great news Mr Harvey.we will probably have some info on Scarecrow's return.

[Justice League 2000]

Heath is playing the Joker? I am so glad.:)

[Cortez2301]

Heath is playing the Joker? I am so glad.:)Don't tell me you just found out after reading that post batkid put.

[Cortez2301]

Here it is:http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=4741

Michael Caine is an excellent charater in Batman Begins.He returns as alfred Pennyworth in "The Dark Knight".

[Stu]

I really hope they bring back both Racheal and Dr. Crane in the sequel. I think the perfect start for the film would be Batman going after Scarecrow. I'm really hoping that they don't do what they did in the previous franchise and bring in a new villian and forget about everyone else.

Hollywood demands that a love interest be in most of it's films, it seems silly to ignore a perfectly good character and waste the time introducing a new one.

[Young Justice]

Hollywood demands that a love interest be in most of it's films, it seems silly to ignore a perfectly good character and waste the time introducing a new one.

What about Catwoman? She is more interesting as love interest than Rachel. The pun intended. :)

[BatKid]

Hollywood demands that a love interest be in most of it's films, it seems silly to ignore a perfectly good character and waste the time introducing a new one.
Like that wonderful decision to replace Harvey Dent and Selina Kyle, both deserving to be in a genesis Batman story....with Rachel, a completely new character? :o

[rggkjg1]

I really hope they bring back both Racheal and Dr. Crane in the sequel. I think the perfect start for the film would be Batman going after Scarecrow.
agreed. rachel should have a "small" part in the movie. i see it like this: harvey dent comes into gotham and becomes rachel's new boss. rachel then introduces bruce to harvey and they become good friends. i kind of want to see rachel killed off as one the first of the joker's victims (dying with the gas that makes you laugh and gives you a joker grin).

scarecrow should return because cillian murphy is the greatest actor of all time. ;)

also, fan poster?:
http://i5.tinypic.com/21njgus.jpg

from http://imdb.com/title/tt0468569/posters

[BatKid]

^^ Yup, that's a fan poster. Don't expect any pics of Joker until next year. You'll know when it'll hit though so don't worry.

Also, Nolan mentioned his brother writing the screenplay:




"When [Batman Begins co-screenwriter] David Goyer and I sat down about a year ago to hammer out the story treatment for another Batman, he was going off to direct a film [The Invisible] and I was going off to direct a film [The Prestige]," Chris Nolan recalls in the Sept./Oct. issue of Creative Screenwriting magazine.

He continued, "Jonah seemed the most obvious choice for someone to crack on the script and see if our story held any water. You sit there with your cue cards [note cards], but till you have to write a screenplay you never actually know what you've got. So we pulled the pin and tossed the grenade."

Jonah credits Chris with turning him onto Batman in the first place after buying him Frank Miller's graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns for his 14th birthday. "I have loved and cherished that character from that point, but through the lens of Frank Miller: Batman: Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One."

Jonah also draws comparisons between Batman and the magician protagonists in The Prestige. "What's cool about Bruce Wayne and these magicians is that they are a stand-in for the filmmaker. They recognize that it's a normal world, and so they build a more interesting one."

Great to know even if the screenwriter has changed (for the better might I add), it's still written by somone that's a fan since a young age.

[Cortez2301]

I really hope they bring back both Racheal and Dr. Crane in the sequel. I think the perfect start for the film would be Batman going after Scarecrow. I'm really hoping that they don't do what they did in the previous franchise and bring in a new villian and forget about everyone else.

Hollywood demands that a love interest be in most of it's films, it seems silly to ignore a perfectly good character and waste the time introducing a new one.I don't think we'll be seeing Rachel again...could be wrong though...

[Azrael24]

I think itd be pretty stupid of nolan not to have rechel in the next movie. it'd be like yin suddenly disappearing from The Batman, only yins a much better character than rachel.

thy should introduce selina and not have her become a love interest till the 3rd movie after rachel dies

[BatKid]

The thing is, there's nothing left for her to do. Or at least what she was intended to do in BB, which was to "guide" Bruce to what he would eventually become. Plus at the end, she basically finished their relationship (sort of), because she knows there is no room for her whenever Batman is around.

Selina or Talia is the next logical love interest to gracitate towards for the sequels.

[Gpoliceman]

I've said this again and again and again in soooo many threads about Batman Begins, the Dark Knight, and speculation. I guess I'll say it again, because I am extremely passionate about this, and I think it would be a HUGE mistake to not have...Rachel Dawes return.

I'll summarize my points from previous threads.

1) droppping characters is stupid. Let characters grow, evolve. For the love of God, do not emulate Batman 1989, Batman Returns, Bat Forever, Bat & Robin by having each Batman movie have a new love interest for Bruce. It's repetitive, mundane, and comes off as a marketing ploy to get females into the theater by adding in the "obligatory love interest". Follow Spiderman's example. Peter/Mary Jane's relationship continues to evolve and change. THAT is interesting. New love interests in every sequel is BORING.

2) THE BEST REASON TO KEEP RACHEL: Let me summarize: Every Batman villain attacks an aspect of Batman/Bruce Wayne's personality. The Joker attacks Batman's sanity and resolve to serve justice. How does the Joker do this? By killing the people Batman cares for. In the comics, the Joker is the only villain who gets to kill/cripple main characters (Robin II, Batgirl, Sarah Essen Gordon). Think about it. Mr. Freeze kills nobody important. Who does the ManBat kill? Nobody important. This applies to Batman's other rouges. Everyone EXCEPT the Joker. So this is my point: Batman serves justice. He swears he wont take a life. The Joker tempts this resolve by killing those Batman is close to. The Joker wants to drive Batman insane. The Joker wants the Batman to break his vows, go nuts, and kill, kill, kill. So, bring Rachel back, have her relationship with Bruce grow, have her do great, wonderful things, then let the Joker shoot her in the head. Batman flips out, swears he'll kill the Joker, and Batman's resolve/sanity is tested. See? Then Gordon's trust in Batman will also be tested. Is he a server of justice or a complete whack job who wants to kill all of Gotham's criminals.

If the Joker kills a new character who the audience barely knows, it won't have as great an impact. And we all know the Joker can't kill Alfred or Gordon. And it would just be weird if he killed Lucious Fox. So who's left?

Rachel.


This story idea makes perfect sense to me. If this doesn't happen, okay, fine, I trust Nolan and his screenwriter. But this story idea is just so obvious I can't possibly see how it can't be considered.

Plus, Batman is a darker character than Spiderman/Superman. It would be great to let the Batman franchise have a fantastic, shocking death in the 2nd of 3 movies of the new trilogy.

Greg

[The Penguin]

I was always under the impression that Rachel not coming back had more to do with Katie Holmes than it did plot points. I could be wrong though. I think you make a great point, Greg. It would make for great story-telling.

[BatKid]

The fact that it IS obvious, is even more the reason why I believe it won't happen. Nolan's not one to do things fans would expect, it's not a good story if the audience is one step ahead of you.

Do I see Joker killing Rachel? Maybe, probably not. However, it'd be a great twist if we were led to believe he did, when it was Harvey/Two-Face that really did it. ;)

And uh, the love interest thing? Rachel never was one. :p

[rggkjg1]

Do I see Joker killing Rachel? Maybe, probably not. However, it'd be a great twist if we were led to believe he did, when it was Harvey/Two-Face that really did it. ;)
i want to see her be killed by a villian because i think it will make this more "personal" for bruce/batman.

i wanted to make sure about this, i remember awhile back that they might be filming the 2nd movie and the 3rd movie at the same time. is this going to be happening? if not, are the 2nd and 3rd movies going to be one complete story over 2 films?

[Cortez2301]

Ok this could be a possible situation in the movie (It is in a random order and is jsut an opinion): AS the batman is looking for the joker,at this point it will be a gangster in the mob obsessed with playing cards and leaving that as his trademark.Scarecrow and Zsasz are still on the loose.Falcone is cured from the fear gas but not completely.His family (who are introduced in this movie) bail him out.Rachel decides to travel to Chicago to work there.A new DA appears and his name is Harvey Dent.The batman tracks down "the joker" and some memebers of the gang at the ace chemical plant.The joker is dressed up as "the red hood'.The cops arrive before the batman does and there is a fiery shootout at the plant.A few members of the gang get shot dead,One cop is wounded.The red hood and 2 other gangsters start going up to the higher levels of the plant.The batman meeets them.He takes down both of them.the red hood gets scared so h pulls out a gun.batman kicks his arm and he loses his balance and falls into the vat of chemicals below.Batman has a horrified look on his face and blames himself entirey fo his "death".2 cops come up the stairs and batman leaves the plant.The next day, a news paper headline has reads " 2 men found dead with throats slashed".It seems that the men were arranged in lifelike positions and could not be told if they were dead at first sight.The police investigate this murder.

Ok I'm going to say thta this is part 1 of the plot and I will continue Part 2 later.Tell me what you think but please don't start bashing me.

[Young Justice]

If the Joker kills a new character who the audience barely knows, it won't have as great an impact. And we all know the Joker can't kill Alfred or Gordon. And it would just be weird if he killed Lucious Fox. So who's left?

Rachel.



What about crippling Barbara Gordon? She would be a "new" character, but I bet the audience will care more about her than Rachel.

[Discloner]

What about crippling Barbara Gordon? She would be a "new" character, but I bet the audience will care more about her than Rachel.To someone not well versed in the Batman universe, I highly doubt they'd care. To them Barbara Gordan is but another name and another new character; Rachel has already been established as a character and thus people would tend to have more of a vested interest or connection with her well-being.

Also...judging from Batman Begins, isn't Barbra like...a toddler?

[ManicWebb]

To someone not well versed in the Batman universe, I highly doubt they'd care. To them Barbara Gordan is but another name and another new character; Rachel has already been established as a character and thus people would tend to have more of a vested interest or connection with her well-being.

Also...judging from Batman Begins, isn't Barbra like...a toddler?
Actually, that toddler in "Begins" was clearly a boy. I think that's Jim Gordon Jr. Barbara is Lt. Gordon's neice, but he adopted her after her parents (his brother & sister-in-law) died. So really, we have no idea how old Barbara is in the movie universe.

[Cortez2301]

Christopher Nolan confirmed the characters appearance in the movie:http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=4768

This is great news even though we knew it was going to happen but still.


Here is the full interview:http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/736/736931p1.html

Enjoy!

[Hanshotfirst113]

Is Ledger a sure thing for the Joker now?

[Hanshotfirst113]

Like that wonderful decision to replace Harvey Dent and Selina Kyle, both deserving to be in a genesis Batman story....with Rachel, a completely new character? :o

It was probably streamlined into one character for storytelling purposes.

[Cortez2301]

Is Ledger a sure thing for the Joker now?Obviously.I mean I don't mind Ledger being the joker since Nolan will know what to do.I was rather hoping Johnny Depp would play him.

[Hanshotfirst113]

Obviously.I mean I don't mind Ledger being the joker since Nolan will know what to do.I was rather hoping Johnny Depp would play him.

I was thinking Mark Hamill, as DCAU fan, of course ;). In the Knight's Tale days, I'd have been apprehensive, but after Brokeback, I'll be very interested.

[Cortez2301]

I was thinking Mark Hamill, as DCAU fan, of course ;). In the Knight's Tale days, I'd have been apprehensive, but after Brokeback, I'll be very interested.Obviously I wish Mark could have played Joker afterall I am a major DCAU fan (believe me). Mark is kind of old to play him in a way.Johnny Depp is okay because he is still in his forties and can really pass off easily.

[HaagenDas]

Rachel being the guide of the early years bothers me because I would rather have had Zatanna fill that role.

[Cortez2301]

Co-composer Hans Zimmer will be in "THE DARK KNIGHT".Here is the source:http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=4787

And here is the full interview:http://www.soundtrack.net/features/article/?id=206

Probably not the most exciting news...But still...

[Silly McGooses]

Ugh...I hated the score in Batman Begins.

[BatKid]

There was no real "main theme" for BB. It had a few bits, but ultimately the theme was never played. If you're wondering what the theme is, it's the first track played right as the credits are shown.

Anyway, I think this is good news. The score felt at home with this flick, and I can't imagine any other themes (i.e. Elfman's) working with Nolan's version. Hopefully since Batman is now established, we'll get a more defined character theme. The composers have both proved in their ability to make powerful and recognizable scores in previous films, so fingers crossed.

[Cortez2301]

Oh come on you guys.I mean I loved elfman's theme more but the theme wasn't bad.I loved the opening music.That was gold.

[rggkjg1]

i thought the theme was was the music played when the dvd menu comes up and when we see the bat signal.

[Cortez2301]

i thought the theme was was the music played when the dvd menu comes up and when we see the bat signal.What are you referring to?

[rggkjg1]

What are you referring to?
what i think is the "main theme" or at least "batman's theme" for begins. i used those 2 as examples, but that piece of music is heard through out the movie.

[silverwings]

Please get the rights to "the" batman theme. I just want to hear that piece of fanfare in theaters again. :D

[Cortez2301]

what i think is the "main theme" or at least "batman's theme" for begins. i used those 2 as examples, but that piece of music is heard through out the movie.To tell you the truth the theme you can hear in the opening of batman begins is the theme I think Batman should have in the movies now.The music really fits the mood as much as Elfman's theme.

[BatKid]

http://www.infocusmag.com/06October/prestige.htm

Much of “Batman Begins” was about Bruce Wayne coming to terms with what he is and what he does. Will you need to modulate his inner struggle in a sequel?

What do you mean by “modulate”?

Well, at the end of the first film, he sort of comes to terms with what he’s doing. He’s got this mission now. So I’d imagine that mission will have to evolve a bit.

Oh, yes. Or the world … Let me put it this way, without being too specific: When you embark on a mission, it’s extraordinarily rare that things turn out according to the mission plan. [laughs] The world is going to react in ways you don’t expect.

He did indeed achieve a certain sense of purpose or a certain resignation, in terms of how his life is going to wind up being dedicated to this — which is something that we begin with. But the world itself responds to our actions in ways we don’t anticipate.

You said something interesting about introducing The Joker at the end of “Batman Begins”: “That’s the point of the final scene. That [fighting evil] is not going to be easy. It’s going to get harder.” Is that a touchstone for the sequel?

Very much. Obviously, I can’t really talk much about it at this stage — but I think if you watch that last scene, it gives you a very, very clear direction of where the story’s going.

When Commissioner Gordon turns over that playing card, there’s a sense of dread.

Yeah.

Are the villains going to try to define themselves as extremely as Batman defines himself?

Yeah, in their own way.

Are you drawing any inspiration from Alan Moore’s “Killing Joke” — which made a point of grounding The Joker not in this “Clown Prince of Crime” stuff, but more in sadness and failure?

We’re drawing from the entire canon. I don’t want to talk too specifically about it. The thing I will say is that if you go back to the very first appearance of the Joker in the comics …

Which I’ve read. And he’s a bastard.

[emphatically] Yeah. And there’s a very clear direction … It’s pretty surprising how clearly drawn that character is in that book.

If you’ve read those early stories, Heath Ledger makes sense as a casting choice.

It certainly makes sense to me.

We got to see a lot more of Bruce Wayne out of costume in “Batman Begins” than in the prior “Batman” movies. He was also a lot more fun — buying hotels and engineering corporate takeovers. Will Batman’s alter ego play as prominent a role in the sequel?

Yeah. I mean, Bruce, to me, isn’t just Batman. There are also aspects of Bruce Wayne that are private and public.

Given how muted “Batman Begins” was, in terms of tone and color, do you see any risks in overstuffing a movie with colorful villains?

Well, you have to be careful about everything. [long, long pause]

[laughs] Well. You’ve said, “I actually see myself as a very mainstream filmmaker and always have.” Why do some people keep pegging you — even after “Batman Begins” — as an art-house director?

God, I have no idea. [laughs] The press tends to pigeonhole filmmakers from where they begin — which is actually not necessarily completely wrong — but I directed a “Batman” film, and people still talk about my independent-filmmaking roots.

Ridley Scott is a favorite filmmaker of mine — and for years, anything he did was immediately related to advertising, because he started out there. He’s only just about past it.

I certainly don’t have any complaints if people relate what I do to the independent films I started with. I would hope that all my films would have a personal and sincere foundation — whether they’re on a grand scale or not.

Certainly all your films have trafficked in misdirection. Even in “Batman Begins,” with Liam Neeson’s character.

Well, Batman is an interesting case in point, because you’re dealing with a mythic character. And one of the qualities of mythic stories is familiarity — and, to a certain extent, predictability.

I don’t mean “predictability” in its usual pejorative sense. I mean it in the sense of the inevitable thing — the thing that allows a story to take on the character.

There’s a tension in the storytelling between the familiar elements that make up the myth and being able to surprise people. What it ultimately amounts to is a need for the filmmaker to achieve the inevitable in surprising ways.

Right. Superhero movies are prone to discussions of whether they’re “faithful” or not … Superhero fans want their characters to be comforting, in a way.

That’s exactly the tension I’m talking about. It’s something I find very interesting. Because to me, being faithful to the character in the story is not about slavishly following a particular treatment of one comic or graphic novel — it’s about distilling the essence of the myth.

That’s always been the challenge of Batman, and its strength. You treat the essential elements as mileposts, and all the elements in between — all the other layers and threads — can be fresh and different and surprising. Get that stuff right, and you see the myth in a powerful way.

On a superficial level, when we approached re-designing the Batmobile, we weren’t too specific about what it had to be — other than that it had to be the most powerful car you’ve ever seen. And it had to be black. Other than that, we didn’t say, “It has to have a fin,” or anything like that. And so you’re able to create something completely original and fresh — a renewed concept of “the most powerful car.”

Well, having read the original comics, we’re just lucky you didn’t make it a red sedan. Is the script for “Dark Knight” finished?

I couldn’t tell you that.

Of course you couldn’t.

A script’s never finished with me. I write even as we’re shooting. But we’ve been working at it for quite a while now.

Will the title be “The Dark Knight”? Or do you think it will end up being “Batman — colon — The Dark Knight”?

No, it’ll be “The Dark Knight.”

It sets such a tone.

Yes. Well, that’s the idea.

You’ve said you’re not a huge Internet hound. Were you able to stay away from the ’net during the “Batman Begins” pre-release brouhaha?

Yeah, yeah. Certainly, when you’re making a film that everybody’s watching, you’re going to read a lot of stuff about your film and you’re not necessarily going to like all of it. So. If you’re happy doing that, fine. If you’re not…

When you take on something like Batman, that increases exponentially, and you’re already being hit from all kinds of other directions … I don’t have e-mail.

You know, with “The Prisoner,” you’re going to go through that again with an entirely different obsessive cult.

Yeah. Well. You know. I’ve been through it once before. You have to get on and do what it is you’re going to do. Which is not the same thing as being in any way disrespectful of the material. You have to take responsibility for yourself and get on with it and do a good job.

[Cortez2301]

Here is a small interview superherohype had with Bale: http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=4806

[Cortez2301]

Here is the link:http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4808

So they start shooting in february.Great!

[Cortez2301]

Check this out:http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=4811

More news about filming.COOL !

[Damien]

Guys...real?

http://www.evilology.net/uploaded/joker2ge1nx.jpg

If so, sweet.

[BatKid]

No. Fake.

You'll know when the official pics are released (which you can count on them not being seen this year). It'll be everywhere.

[Damien]

Yeah, I remember reading a Bob Kane interview where he said he got the idea from that film. Apparently, the title character is sold to criminals as a baby, criminals that carve a smile into his face. Now that's an origin.

[Anarky]

I have no intention of seeing "The Prestige" however, if Hugh Jackman enjoyed working w/ Bale and Nolan perhaps he'll be cast a Bat-Rogue in the 3rd installment (assuming he's available following the Wolverine solo feature).

Hugh Jackman as Harvey Dent in "The Dark Knight"
has Dent already been casted???


The Joker...doesn't...wear...a mask. Dear Lord.

He better deliver in a monumental way. Otherwise, it'll be the fans who knew better all along that will have the last laugh. (Oh yes, there will be pun.)

I think the "mask" he was referring to is the hours of make-up he'll be subjected to

i admit i don't know squat about ledger's filmography but i'm certain he's never had a role that req'd such a transformation of appearance.


Sound like Ledger must have watch Elektra, Daredevil, Punisher, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,X3: the Last Stand and Blade Trinity to pass judgement on comic book movies like that. He does have a point except for the Spider Man movies, the first 2 Xmen movies, SR and Batman Begins most comic book movies suck.

I liked LXG and had hoped for a sequel and an animated series ([as] or Sci-Fi)

Edit by Bird Boy: Please watch the multiple-in-a-row posts. You can always reply to others posts in the same post, no need for duplicates.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I have no intention of seeing "The Prestige" however, if Hugh Jackman enjoyed working w/ Bale and Nolan perhaps he'll be cast a Bat-Rogue in the 3rd installment (assuming he's available following the Wolverine solo feature).

Hugh Jackman as Harvey Dent in "The Dark Knight"
has Dent already been casted???

Woah, Jackman would make a great Two-Face, now that I think about it.

[Cortez2301]

Oh my god you guys are amazing! Especially with the success of "the prestige",Jackman's acting gave Nolan a chance to study him and see the way he would commit to the role.Besides the guy is handsome (I am perfectly straight but I am referring to the fact that Harvey dent was known to be the handsome DA before the tragic accident.You really woke me up now.Remember in one of the many interviews with Nolan,they asked if the guy who will play Dent is an Aussie to which Nolan replied "You'll see".OH MY GOD MR NOLAN YOU NEED TO BRING HUGH JACKMAN INTO YOUR BATMAN UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[HaagenDas]

Another Bale-Jackman movie? Interesting.

And straigh men dont call other men "handsome" they call them good looking haha. No worries. :p

[Cortez2301]

Another Bale-Jackman movie? Interesting.

And straigh men dont call other men "handsome" they call them good looking haha. No worries. :pOh God Man I'm feeling a bit embarrassed...(whispers to HaagenDas)...Hide me...I might be the laughing stock of Toonzone...You gotta help me...

[Young Justice]

There's a rumour on Batman-on-film website saying that Dent could be portraited by Ethan Hawke. I find it interesting.

I don't see Hugh Jackman as Harvey Dent. If it has to be done by an actor who previously worked with Nolan I would prefer Guy Pearce instead.

[Silly McGooses]

Batman-on-Film has not posted one true thing except for press releases on WB for its entire coverage of this movie. So I take everything Jett posts now with an atom of salt.

[BatKid]

NEWSARAMA: (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=90305)

by Daniel Robert Epstein

I recently got the chance to talk with Heath Ledger at a press roundtable for the movie Candy. While on the hot seat I got the chance to grill Ledger about his upcoming role of The Joker in The Dark Knight.

Daniel Robert Epstein: Have you started to think about how you will play The Joker?

Heath Ledger: Yeah. I’ve been trying to delay my commitment to the preparation process on that because I’m trying to extend my holiday time. I definitely have an image in my head. I definitely have something up my sleeve. I want to be very sinister. It’s so early that I’m trying to be open at this point. I don’t want to be glued down to anyone.

DRE: Have you read many Batman comics?

HL: No and I think that’s kind of helping me a little bit. I was never really a fan of comic books or comic book movies. I never despised them but I was never one to read them. I never sought out the films but I would sit down and enjoy them. So because of that I really feel that I’m not carrying much pressure.

DRE: Have they given or asked you to read certain comics?

HL: The Killing Joke was the one that was handed to me. I think it’s going to be the beginning of The Joker. I guess that book explains a little bit of where he’s from but not too much. From what I’ve gathered, there isn’t a lot of information about The Joker and it’s left that way.

DRE: Is doing the role of The Joker scary after Jack Nicholson did it so well?

HL: I’m not going for the same thing he went for. That would be stupid. It is also two very different directors with different styles. Tim Burton did a more fantastical kind of thing and Chris Nolan is doing nitty gritty handheld realism. I love what [Jack] did and that is part of why I want to do that role. I remember seeing it and thinking how much fun it would be to put on that mask and attempt to do something along those lines. But it would obviously be murder if I tried to imitate what he did.

DRE: They’re talking about bringing in the co-creator of The Joker, Jerry Robinson, as a consultant on The Dark Knight. I don’t know if it would be more of an honorary title.

HL: It probably is [laughs].

DRE: Have you ever wanted to do superhero movies before?

HL: Not really. With the tights and undies and the boots, I would just feel stupid and silly. I couldn’t pull it off and there are other people who can perfectly. But I just couldn’t take myself seriously. I feel like this is an opportunity to be in one and not do that. I just gravitated towards the villain role because I felt I had something to give to it. I instantly had an idea.

DRE: Have you done screen tests with The Joker makeup yet?

HL: No, but I did do 3-D image scanning. I don’t know what they’re doing with it. This Bat truck turned up at my place in L.A.. It had these gadgets and cameras that zoom around you and up and down you. It instantly projects a three dimensional image of you. I’ve never used anything that high tech before in a film. I felt like I was in the truck from Knight Rider.

[Cortez2301]

Whats this I hear:http://batman-on-film.com/batmovienews.html

Ethan Hawke!??!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!!?!? WHAT ABOUT HUGH JACKMAN? I can imagine him now flipping the coin! Mr Nolan don't do this! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Discloner]

It says it's rumor right on the blurb...don't get too worked up until there's something a tid bit more definative.

Edit: Also, I'm not really familliar with Ethan Hawke's prior works, but he looks the part in my own opinion...

[Azrael24]

Personally i think Hugh Jackman would be a bad choice because he is too tied up with the Xmen movies and you wouldnt want people thinking "theres Wolverine playing TwoFace." thats the same reason why i didnt like jonhy depp for joker.

[Cortez2301]

Personally i think Hugh Jackman would be a bad choice because he is too tied up with the Xmen movies and you wouldnt want people thinking "theres Wolverine playing TwoFace." thats the same reason why i didnt like jonhy depp for joker.Well he would do good as both.I mean look at antonio Banderras (not sure how to spell last name).To me he is both Zorro and El Mariachi.Jackman is a great actor.I am really sure he can handle both roles.Btw I still really wish Depp was the chosen one for "the dark knight".

[dc_gothamite]

ethan hawke's fine with me... but it is only speculation...

as for hugh jackman... definitely a good choice... only time will tell.

[Hanshotfirst113]

The first film was the origin story, so they had Year One to fall back on. I wonder what they'll use for this film.

[Young Justice]

The first film was the origin story, so they had Year One to fall back on. I wonder what they'll use for this film.

Mainly "The Killing Joke" by Alan Moore. In the Batman Begins they've used also "The Long Halloween" as inspiration. This miniseries deals also with The Joker and Harvey Dent, so they probably will continue to use this mini series.

[Cortez2301]

Mainly "The Killing Joke" by Alan Moore. In the Batman Begins they've used also "The Long Halloween" as inspiration. This miniseries deals also with The Joker and Harvey Dent, so they probably will continue to use this mini series.Dent will probably kill falcone.

[Hanshotfirst113]

Mainly "The Killing Joke" by Alan Moore. In the Batman Begins they've used also "The Long Halloween" as inspiration. This miniseries deals also with The Joker and Harvey Dent, so they probably will continue to use this mini series.

The art was great, but compared to some of his other work, I found The Killing Joke to be slightly overrated. Don't get me wrong, Moore is a genius full deserving of his repuation, I just that The Killing Joke doesn't have the same weight as Watchmen or erudite cleverness of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

[Cortez2301]

The art was great, but compared to some of his other work, I found The Killing Joke to be slightly overrated. Don't get me wrong, Moore is a genius full deserving of his repuation, I just that The Killing Joke doesn't have the same weight as Watchmen or erudite cleverness of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.Yeah the killing joke wasn't my favourite batman comic book.I hated those sick people at the circus.The story was good but it was sick.

[Cortez2301]

HERE IT IS:http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=4918

I WISH IT WAS IN JUNE BUT THIS COULD BE TEMPORARY.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

HERE IT IS:http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=4918

I WISH IT WAS IN JUNE BUT THIS COULD BE TEMPORARY.

Well, this is good news, all around. Here's hoping it works...

[Young Justice]

I'm sorry for the shameless self promotion, but I think some people who reads this thread could be interested in a fan fic I've wrote about Batman Begins sequel: The Dark Knight

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=179244

Please, mods, let me know If I'm doing something innapropriate so I could delete this post.

I hope you enjoy it.

[]s

YJ

[Cortez2301]

I'm sorry for the shamless self promotion, but I think some people who reads this thread could be interested in a fan fic I've wrote about Batman Begins sequel: The Dark Knight

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=179244

Please, mods, let me know If I'm doing something innapropriate so I could delete this post.

I hope you enjoy it.

[]s

YJYou are a genius.Great story.

[Young Justice]

You are a genius.Great story.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you have enjoyed. Wait for the third part. :)

[Young Justice]

There's a rumour that Rachel McAdams (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1046097/) will play a role in The Dark Knight. Maybe she would be Catwoman, or perhaps Dr. Harleen Quinzel.

What do you think about it? Do you like it? And do you have other suggestions for these possible particular roles?

I think, personally, that Kate Beckinsale would be a good Catwoman.

[Cortez2301]

I love Rachel Mcadams and I think she is beautiful too.I'd say she will play harley though it is too early.Most probably Selina Kyle.

[Cortez2301]

Here we see the filming locations:http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=5082

[Young Justice]

There's more rumours in the Batman-on-film website. They are saying that appears the casting to be nailed down to these guys: Eion Bailey, Edward Norton, and Jamie Foxx.

Check it out:
http://www.batman-on-film.com/batmovienews.html

I prefer, myself, Eion Bailey if I have to choose between those three.

[Silly McGooses]

Batman on Film has yet to be the first to post an accurate piece of information during the entire rumor mill proccess. "Jett's" stories about the Joker seemed questionable at the time and are hilarious in retrospect, so I really don't trust it's going to be one of those guys.

[Cortez2301]

What the hell? Why do they have to bring Rachel Dawes back:http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=1369

Especially with a different actress.Won't that ruin the film?

[Discloner]

What the hell? Why do they have to bring Rachel Dawes back:http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=1369

Especially with a different actress.Won't that ruin the film? It happened in all the previous Batman films...why not?

Considering most people disliked Katie Holmes in the film - perhaps recasting will be for the best. The Dawes character was rather important to the first film, and the Bruce Wayne character in general...having her just gone in a sequel would only feel forced in light of the Big Studios vs Cruise debacle.

[Young Justice]

It happened in all the previous Batman films...why not?

Considering most people disliked Katie Holmes in the film - perhaps recasting will be for the best. The Dawes character was rather important to the first film, and the Bruce Wayne character in general...having her just gone in a sequel would only feel forced in light of the Big Studios vs Cruise debacle.

I thought that Rachel Dawes was important in the first film, but her role in the story could be divided into other main characters as Alfred, Dent and a more classic love interest like Vicky Vale. I thought that Katie Holmes was ok. The only part of her role that I didn't like it was when Batman reveals to her his secret identity.

But since Kate Holmes is not returning I think they could leave this character off, and give more room to other, more classic ones, like Catwoman and Barbara Gordon.

[Young Justice]

In this latino review story they also stated other character being casted:





Eastern European Heavy - tough bad guy mobster, 40s-50s
Female Cop - Latin, 30s. Elizabeth Pena type.
Asian Accountant - male, 40s

The second one appears to be Montoya. It would be very cool if she shows up in TDK. It will be her fist interpretation in the live action universe.

[rggkjg1]

What the hell? Why do they have to bring Rachel Dawes back
so she can quickly get killed off and be one of the joker's first victims. i think this will be nothing more than a cameo apperance. maybe very early in the film she'll be handing over her district attorney job to harvey as well. i really hope she's the first joker victim.

[Cortez2301]

so she can quickly get killed off and be one of the joker's first victims. i think this will be nothing more than a cameo apperance. maybe very early in the film she'll be handing over her district attorney job to harvey as well. i really hope she's the first joker victim.BUT THEY ARE CHANGING THE ACTRESS! LOOK AT THE FIRST FOUR BATMAN MOVIES! LOOK WHAT HAPPENED NOW! Oh god...I just hate it when they do stuff like that......Anyway do you think they will bring Harvey Bullock in the movie?

[rggkjg1]

imdb.com's daily poll asks

Should Katie Holmes be given the chance to play Rachel Dawes again in The Dark Knight?

http://imdb.com/poll/

i voted yes. im surprised more people say no.

moviehole.net is reporting that rachel dawes will appear for about 10 minutes, but still be pivotal to the film.
http://www.moviehole.net/news/20070126_katie_holmes_character_recast.html

ok, i'm calling it. they're killing her off. she IS going to be the first joker victim or A joker vicitim. i don't want to see her dead or anything. killing rachel will make batman's fight with the joker more "personal".

i really hope cillian murphy comes back, his scarecrow was awesome. i don't care even if it's just a cameo durring a scene at arkham.

Young Justice, i thumbed through your story and was surprised to see tony zucco. i think that is kind of of close to "Eastern European Heavy - tough bad guy mobster, 40s-50s". at least in dark victory anyway. if zucco is indeed in this picture, dick grayson/robin WILL be in the third one. we'll wait and see. right now i'm putting all my chips in for rachel getting killed off. after that, i'll go all in with dick grayson/robin in batman begins III (roman numeral's aren't used that much anymore ;)

[Cortez2301]

imdb.com's daily poll asks

Should Katie Holmes be given the chance to play Rachel Dawes again in The Dark Knight?

http://imdb.com/poll/

i voted yes. im surprised more people say no.

moviehole.net is reporting that rachel dawes will appear for about 10 minutes, but still be pivotal to the film.
http://www.moviehole.net/news/20070126_katie_holmes_character_recast.html

ok, i'm calling it. they're killing her off. she IS going to be the first joker victim or A joker vicitim. i don't want to see her dead or anything. killing rachel will make batman's fight with the joker more "personal".

i really hope cillian murphy comes back, his scarecrow was awesome. i don't care even if it's just a cameo durring a scene at arkham.

Young Justice, i thumbed through your story and was surprised to see tony zucco. i think that is kind of of close to "Eastern European Heavy - tough bad guy mobster, 40s-50s". at least in dark victory anyway. if zucco is indeed in this picture, dick grayson/robin WILL be in the third one. we'll wait and see. right now i'm putting all my chips in for rachel getting killed off. after that, i'll go all in with dick grayson/robin in batman begins III (roman numeral's aren't used that much anymore ;)I voted yes.Katie did a good job as rachel,I mean her acting wasn't bad but not as good as any other supporting character.I thought Batman Begins was going to make its own world where everybody will still look the same without changing characters.I know that one day Michael Caine Will die (God forbid) and they will have to look for a new actor but still...

[The Penguin]

I know that one day Michael Caine Will die (God forbid) and they will have to look for a new actor but still...Michael Caine is 73. He's not a young man, but I'd say the guy still has plenty of life in him (the other movie Alfred, Michael Gough, is 89 and still kickin'). Caine will outlast this franchise, it's not as if Bale can be Batman for 15 years.

And I'm with rggkjg1, Rachel will either die or be in some flashback/transition and not be a major part of the film. If this 10 minutes thing is true, it's possible they might not even have gotten Katie to do it.

[rggkjg1]

And I'm with rggkjg1, Rachel will either die or be in some flashback/transition and not be a major part of the film. If this 10 minutes thing is true, it's possible they might not even have gotten Katie to do it.
would you like to call my "all in" in regards to dick grayson/robin when the time comes? ;)

friendly reminder: I WANT DICK GRAYSON/ROBIN IN BATMAN BEGINS III!!!!!

[The Penguin]

would you like to call my "all in" in regards to dick grayson/robin when the time comes? ;)I think I'll place my bet after I see this one. ;) With the story more focused on Batman and his evolution, I think it will depend on where we find him at the end of the movie.

[Young Justice]

imdb.com's daily poll asks

Should Katie Holmes be given the chance to play Rachel Dawes again in The Dark Knight?

http://imdb.com/poll/

i voted yes. im surprised more people say no.



I really don't understand this poll. Katie Holmes if off the movie. I think this is a already done decision, there is no turning back. I thik she could stepped out of the movie for several reason:

- She dropped because she had other movies to do.

- She dropped because she didn't want to do a movie when she would only appear for such little time.

- WB dropped her because she asked too much money for a short part

And the list goes on...

Of couse, assuming that the thing MovieHole.net told about the little screen time of Rachel Dawes is true



Young Justice, i thumbed through your story and was surprised to see tony zucco. i think that is kind of of close to "Eastern European Heavy - tough bad guy mobster, 40s-50s". at least in dark victory anyway. if zucco is indeed in this picture, dick grayson/robin WILL be in the third one. we'll wait and see. right now i'm putting all my chips in for rachel getting killed off. after that, i'll go all in with dick grayson/robin in batman begins III (roman numeral's aren't used that much anymore ;)

I would like to remember all that my story is a FanFic and is not so ever related to the actual movie.

I was not planning to use Tony zucco, but I ended after the Moroni death and was figuring who would give the acid to Joker, to throw in Dent. After some consideration I thought that Zucco would be a nice character to do that. And it will start setting things up for Dick Grayson, who I hope to be in Batman Begins 3.

I'm preparing a fanfic about a TDK sequel. When I have posted I'll leave a message here.

[rggkjg1]

is production for the dark knight following the same "timeline" as batman begins? i was looking back at the batman begins speculation thread and we got the first pictures of the tumbler and the web site in late march along with bale as bruce and batman in april. finally the teaser in july '04. should we expect more info, pictures, and a teaser around the same time as info for batman begins started popping up (early spring, march/april '07)?

[Young Justice]

is production for the dark knight following the same "timeline" as batman begins? i was looking back at the batman begins speculation thread and we got the first pictures of the tumbler and the web site in late march along with bale as bruce and batman in april. finally the teaser in july '04. should we expect more info, pictures, and a teaser around the same time as info for batman begins started popping up (early spring, march/april '07)?

In IMDB they are stating that pre-shotting started last 11th. The cast is probably already closed but not announced.

[rggkjg1]

now imdb is asking "Now that we know your opinons on Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes; if the role is recast, who should play Ms. Dawes?"
http://imdb.com/poll/

i didnt vote. just get a katie holmes look alike, she won't need much acting skills. all they're gonna need the actress to do is shake hands with harvey and introduce him, then later on have her laughing hysterically and drop dead to the floor. all that grinning make up will definately fix this problem of a new actress replacing the old one.

[Young Justice]

now imdb is asking "Now that we know your opinons on Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes; if the role is recast, who should play Ms. Dawes?"
http://imdb.com/poll/

i didnt vote. just get a katie holmes look alike, she won't need much acting skills. all they're gonna need the actress to do is shake hands with harvey and introduce him, then later on have her laughing hysterically and drop dead to the floor. all that grinning make up will definately fix this problem of a new actress replacing the old one.

I voted for Zooey Deschanel http://imdb.com/name/nm0221046/ because given the options was the one that was most Katie Holmes lookalike. I think the options were poor. They putted some high profile names as Natalie Portman and Scarlet Johanson. And also some african-american girls too. The top 3 on that poll are: 1-Rachel McAdams (good choice, but she could be better employed in another part). 2-Natalie Portman (good choice too, but too high profile). 3-Zooey Deschanel (the one I voted).

[Gpoliceman]

Supposedly Edward Norton is in the running to play Harvey Dent, as well as Jamie Fox, according to Latino Review and other movie websites.

My vote is for Edward Norton. I haven't seen a Norton movie I didn't like.

On Katie Holmes...

I don't think Holmes is a poor actress, but not an especially strong one. She seems like the same person to me in every movie I see her in. However, I still thought she did fine in Batman Begins.

I HATE RECASTING. I find it totally jarring and it pulls me out of the movie. I'm not sure if I rather Rachel Dawes just be MIA in Dark Knight now that Holmes will not be returning.

If it's true Dawes is killed in the first ten minutes (Joker's victim), I think that's a great idea. Although I wouldn't want it to be in the first ten minutes of the film. It wouldn't have much emotional value if The Dark Knight began with BAM! Rachel dies!

The audience needs to be introduced to the Joker slowly. If he just pops up as soon as the film begins and shoots Rachel that would be like...

...i dont know...

...umm...just too much too quickly.

Greg

PS: I want Renee Montoya and Harvey Bullock. I LOVE Bullock from Batman: The Animated Series. I thought it was a fantastic dynamic to have a police officer on the GCPD who disagrees with the methods of Batman and butts heads with him.

[DarkAngel]

However, I still thought she did fine in Batman Begins.

I HATE RECASTING. I find it totally jarring and it pulls me out of the movie. I'm not sure if I rather Rachel Dawes just be MIA in Dark Knight now that Holmes will not be returning.
I feel exactly the same way, both about Holmes and recasting. If there was a conflict with another role, though, I can understand that. If she isn't available, there's not much to be done.

I don't mind seeing Dawes killed, but if that's the only reason she's returning, I think I'd agree with your initial thought of just leaving her out of the film.

Whatever happens, I'm sure it won't be a problem. Unless Holmes' replacement is terrible, I'm think it'll turn out all right.

For Dent, I had been hoping for Guy Pearce, and had thought it a possibility since he'd worked with Nolan before. Has his name been mentioned at all recently?

[The Penguin]

Supposedly Edward Norton is in the running to play Harvey Dent, as well as Jamie Fox, according to Latino Review and other movie websites.I hope that's wrong, I don't want to see either of them. Norton is always just a skinny jerk to me and I just don't think he'd work as Harvey. Tim Burton and Billy Dee Williams confused a lot of people about Harvey's ethnicity and origins in 1989 (including a younger version of me) so I'd rather not that revisit that with Foxx.

[Cortez2301]

I hope that's wrong, I don't want to see either of them. Norton is always just a skinny jerk to me and I just don't think he'd work as Harvey. Tim Burton and Billy Dee Williams confused a lot of people about Harvey's ethnicity and origins in 1989 (including a younger version of me) so I'd rather not that revisit that with Foxx.You know I always thought that Jamie foxx would make a prefect Lucious Fox at least in his younger years.I saw a picture of Lucious smiling once in the comics and he looked exactly like Jamie.

[HaagenDas]

Foxx playing a younger Fox. Hmmm.

I am still pissed off they didnt introduce Zatanna and Zatarra from the first film. They would have been great additions to the movie playing off R'as.

Future Casting (some to be controversial):

Mila Kunis as Huntress
Colin Farrel as Green Arrow
Scott Foley as The Question

James Gandophini as Mandagorra
Robin Williams or Mike Myers or Christopher Walken or William Shatner as The Riddler
The Rock as Bane
Jayne Seymour as Red Claw

[Cortez2301]

Foxx playing a younger Fox. Hmmm.

I am still pissed off they didnt introduce Zatanna and Zatarra from the first film. They would have been great additions to the movie playing off R'as.

Future Casting (some to be controversial):

Colin Farrel as Green Arrow


STOP! STOP! STOP! Not him! Please not Colin!

[Ruffian]

I HATE RECASTING. I find it totally jarring and it pulls me out of the movie. I'm not sure if I rather Rachel Dawes just be MIA in Dark Knight now that Holmes will not be returning.


I hate recasting too, and would prefer the character MIA in the case of no Katie Holmes. A good friend emailed me her thoughts on the latest sequel news recently and I pretty much agree with her on who the filmmakers should focus on:

"Though, with DK, I'd be just as happy (if not more so) if they didn't have a romantic angle to it. I mean, Joker and Harvey Dent? There's plenty to go on with the foundations of the Batman-Joker dynamic plus the working relationships between Bats, Gordon and Dent for the film. I'd like those relationships to take front and center in the next film. After all, at what point does it become "Bats takes down villains because they threaten his girl" instead of "Bats takes down villains because they threaten his city"? That's just selling Batman short. I say save the tortured romance storyline for another film with either Catwoman or Talia."

If they bring back the Rachel Dawes character just to kill her off, I say no thanks.

[BonyT]

^ Your friend makes a lot of sense. I'd prefer the Rachel Dawes character simply be written out rather than cast with a different actress. There was, after all, acceptable closure in her final scene, putting her relationship with Bruce on indefinite hold. She could simply relocate, following a job oportunity to some other city, thus opening the DA's office free and clear for Mr. Dent.

[DisneyBoy]

I was about to post something about how moronic Canada's (and I'm cringing now) ETalk Daily crew is for running a bit last night about how Rachel McAdams "might be in the running to play Katie Holme's character in the next Batman movie"...but judging from the posts above mine, that's actually TRUE. I just thought the ETalk people were too stupid to know McAdams is up for either Catwoman or Harley, from what I'd heard.

Anyhoo...why not just completely omit Dawes from this film? Don't mention her AT ALL. NO ONE WILL CARE. She was a stupid irritation in the first picture, and we all know Batman doesn't have one obvious true love in the sense that the writers were trying to turn Dawes into an Mary Jane-type.

JUST FORGET HER. MOVE ON.

[Stu]

Why waste time building up a new romantic lead when you've already got a perfectly interesting one already established? The characters job fits well enough into the world of Batman, she has the connection with Bruce Wayne and there was definate chemistry there.

Shame they can't get Holmes back but if they insist on having a romance angle (which they will), I'd hope they'd continue this one rather than setting up another one, if only to give it a true conclusion. Does she feel that Gotham still needs Batman or is she happy to play second fiddle for the good of the city? There's still a lot of mileage left in the character, should they choose to use it.

[DisneyBoy]

You liked her Stu? I found her horridly generic.

there was definate chemistry there.

:confused: Not my views.

With Selina and Talia as possible loves in the next films, I see far more promise there. I thought people liked Begins because it was close to the comics. Why not stick to them then, and lose the make-believe character...?

[rggkjg1]

i don't see the point of bringing in an "established" actress for a 10 minute role. they'll put mcadams in the "top billing" in the posters and trailers and some people will complain that she was barely in the film. just get an unknown look alike, especially if its for 10 minutes.

If they bring back the Rachel Dawes character just to kill her off, I say no thanks.

Anyhoo...why not just completely omit Dawes from this film? Don't mention her AT ALL. NO ONE WILL CARE. She was a stupid irritation in the first picture, and we all know Batman doesn't have one obvious true love in the sense that the writers were trying to turn Dawes into an Mary Jane-type.

JUST FORGET HER. MOVE ON.
first joker victim, batman vs joker more personal. i hope this will be the end of love story/love interest for the movies. i don't mind it as an "act" for bruce wayne, but DisneyBoy is right. batman doesnt' have an "obvious" love interest. he's had them but the "relationship" ends and we never see the characters again. there is just too much to do after the dark knight *caugh* dick grayson/robin *caugh*. a love story will just be way too much to put in along with all the other stuff that has to be done.

anyway, what's the deal with batman begins iii? are they going to film it back to back with the dark knight (very early rumor)? would they give us that information if they were/werent?

[HaagenDas]

STOP! STOP! STOP! Not him! Please not Colin!
LOL would you prefer Brad Pitt?

[Nygma]

Anyhoo...why not just completely omit Dawes from this film? Don't mention her AT ALL. NO ONE WILL CARE. She was a stupid irritation in the first picture, and we all know Batman doesn't have one obvious true love in the sense that the writers were trying to turn Dawes into an Mary Jane-type.

JUST FORGET HER. MOVE ON.

Nothing personal Disneyboy but who are you referring to by No ONE? I know many people inside and outside the internet that loved the relationship.

Personally I love the relationship and hope to see more of it. It sort of reminds me of Bruce and Zatanna, only much deeper.

Think about it, both of them grew up as childhood friends and no one outside of Rachel would really understand as much as she would how the events of Bruce's childhood have traumatized him. She was pretty much the closest childhood friend thats been with Bruce since the events of Crime Alley to present day. Could you see any other love interest that would understand Bruce as much as SHE does? Chances are you probably wouldn't find her. THAT is why I the relationship between Bruce and Rachel is one of the best relationships (the best in my opinion) in any DC medium.

Dumping off Rachel Dawes as a character would be really stupid in my opinion. It would feel like Spider-Man 2 not having Mary Jane reappear after the first movie.

Quite frankly if you had two groups (a & b) between those who'd want to see her again (group a), and those who didn't(group b); I think you'd find that group a heavily outweighs group b by a wide margin. And if the guys behind the sequel are (gasp...) smart enough to listen to the majority of fans, were going to see Rachel Dawes in the next one.

I think that most of the people that didn't like the relationship, are mostly people who think that the things Katie Holmes does in her celebrity life make her a bad actor. I'm not in that group personally, the only way I could see her not working in her role is if she was over hyped like Nicole Kidman was in Batman Forever. But luckily she wasn't and she played her role very well, if not better then expected.

Also Disneyboy most fans of the movie liked BOTH the relationship and Batmans origin. Think of it as icing on the cake if you will.

[Cortez2301]

LOL would you prefer Brad Pitt?...fine keep Colin for now.

[Young Justice]

Think about it, both of them grew up as childhood friends and no one outside of Rachel would really understand as much as she would how the events of Bruce's childhood have traumatized him. She was pretty much the closest childhood friend thats been with Bruce since the events of Crime Alley to present day. Could you see any other love interest that would understand Bruce as much as SHE does? Chances are you probably wouldn't find her. THAT is why I the relationship between Bruce and Rachel is one of the best relationships (the best in my opinion) in any DC medium.

Rachel Dawes would work lovely if you could compare Batman with Superman or Spider Man who have a more constant love interest during their stories. But Batman never actually did that. His love interests are more complicated: Selina Kyle is a burglar. Talia is a daughter of one of his most deadly foes. Vicky Vale is too shallow to put in comparision here, and in BTAS we had Andrea Beaumont (very similar to Rachel in the aspect that she first met Bruce when he was somewhat young) ended up being a killer vigilante.

I never falled in love for Rachel in BB but I thought she was ok. But her job is done as far as the Batman story is concerned and I think it's time to let more room to other more interesting love interests just like Selina and Talia.

[BatKid]

anyway, what's the deal with batman begins iii? are they going to film it back to back with the dark knight (very early rumor)? would they give us that information if they were/werent?
It's looking like they'll be filmed separately. News just came out that they'll be filming in Chicago for 13 weeks (not a typo), so there's a slight chance they'll film some scenes for a third, but that's stretching.



Quite frankly if you had two groups (a & b) between those who'd want to see her again (group a), and those who didn't(group b); I think you'd find that group a heavily outweighs group b by a wide margin.
Lol, you must be dreaming. It was practically universal that Rachel was the most unneeded character in this film. Hell, the whole character was created because it was a WB mandate to have a love interest. Nolan barely made it work.


And if the guys behind the sequel are (gasp...) smart enough to listen to the majority of fans, were going to see Rachel Dawes in the next one.
...hopefully, to die. :sweat:

I'm sorry, but I just can't stand Rachel taking away the time from more important characters such as Selina and Harvey.


I think that most of the people that didn't like the relationship, are mostly people who think that the things Katie Holmes does in her celebrity life make her a bad actor.
Or perhaps she was just severely outclassed by the likes of Bale, Freeman, Caine, Neeson, and Oldman. She's barely average in her other roles, but it stands out much more when everyone around you is top-class in acting.

[Ruffian]

Think about it, both of them grew up as childhood friends and no one outside of Rachel would really understand as much as she would how the events of Bruce's childhood have traumatized him. She was pretty much the closest childhood friend thats been with Bruce since the events of Crime Alley to present day. Could you see any other love interest that would understand Bruce as much as SHE does? Chances are you probably wouldn't find her. THAT is why I the relationship between Bruce and Rachel is one of the best relationships (the best in my opinion) in any DC medium.

But that doesn't mean the relationship should turn from a friendship to something romantic. The romance, what little of it there was, ended in the first movie. Rachel acknowledged that the man she knew never really came back and I don't think she's interested in starting anything with Batman. Bruce maybe, but not Batman. That's enough closure on her relationship with Bruce for her character to drop out for the sequel.

[Young Justice]

anyway, what's the deal with batman begins iii? are they going to film it back to back with the dark knight (very early rumor)? would they give us that information if they were/werent?

I think BB 3 will be for 2011 indeed. There's no rumours that a script is being made for TDK *and* its sequel and Nolan has already a project scheduled for 2009: The Prisioner.

[DisneyBoy]

Dumping off Rachel Dawes as a character would be really stupid in my opinion. It would feel like Spider-Man 2 not having Mary Jane reappear after the first movie.

And you're hitting on the real truth of Holmes' "character" in BB. She was a barely retooled Mary-Jane, forfully inserted where she didn't belong.

Lol, you must be dreaming. It was practically universal that Rachel was the most unneeded character in this film. Hell, the whole character was created because it was a WB mandate to have a love interest. Nolan barely made it work.

A-ha! I'm not delusional after all...thank goodness. Now as I was saying...MOVE ON. FORGET KATIE/RACHEL.

Early on in the BB rumors, I was hoping Katie would be playing Talia. THAT would have been a smart move.

[Young Justice]

Early on in the BB rumors, I was hoping Katie would be playing Talia. THAT would have been a smart move.

Not with Katie Holmes! :)

[sdp]

Most people hated the Rachel character, hardcore fans and regular ones.

ignore her like it never happened? that'd be dumb, not after all the time they spent on her, it'd feel stupid and a plot hole on it, i also don't want her recasted, a great way si havign 2 face or joker killing her early in the movie. It'd make Batmans character more tragic. If they have to i'd even prefer a new love interest for Batman if they still want to make it 'mainstream friendly'.

[Young Justice]

Most people hated the Rachel character, hardcore fans and regular ones.

ignore her like it never happened? that'd be dumb, not after all the time they spent on her, it'd feel stupid and a plot hole on it, i also don't want her recasted, a great way si havign 2 face or joker killing her early in the movie. It'd make Batmans character more tragic. If they have to i'd even prefer a new love interest for Batman if they still want to make it 'mainstream friendly'.

I think Joker crippling Barbara Gordon is a personal tragedy for Batman as well and it would be more interesting to see, as it will be more faithful to comics. And it makes more sense because Joker knows that Gordon and Batman are related. And Joker does not know that Rachel and Batman are related, hence he doesn't know that Bruce is Batman.

[Young Justice]

Oh, man. Please no Oracle B.S. Ugh.

Of course this is a matter of personal taste but Oracle, to me, was one of the most cool things they did with DC comics in the post-Crisis universe. Batgirl was one of the lamest characters of DC and they corrected that with Oracle. Birds of Prey is one of comic series that I most enjoy these days.

But I think I've already saw one post from you saying that you didn't liked the post-Crisis DC universe. I think Oracle was one of your reason for thinking that way.

[Young Justice]

I don't get the "Pre Crisis Batgirl and Supergirl were lame" sentiment, but I guess that's only the reverse of you not getting why I would think Oracle, Nightwing and Azreal are lame.

I liked Azrael, and even liked the whole KnightFall saga, but after that I think they pushed the character too much. I think he never deserved to have his own comic series.


All that aside, I'd much rather see some Batman movies continue for awhile that are about, you know, Batman.

I think that's personal views either. I think that the Gotham Knights (Robin, Oracle, Nightwing, etc.) are a very important part of the Batman history and should be adressed in later movies.

[DisneyBoy]

Not with Katie Holmes!

Well duh! :shrug: :p But I figured back when the casting was announced that they wanted a "name" for Talia. Not that Katie is much of name.

Anyhoo...

ignore her like it never happened? that'd be dumb, not after all the time they spent on her, it'd feel stupid and a plot hole on it, i also don't want her recasted, a great way si havign 2 face or joker killing her early in the movie. It'd make Batmans character more tragic. If they have to i'd even prefer a new love interest for Batman if they still want to make it 'mainstream friendly'.

...no. Killing off a stupid character that they forced on us in the first movie would not make Batman more tragic. It would make the film more tragic, for having wasted time and money on something so completely forgettable.

Burton was smart with Vapid Vale, and left her out of the second film, making room for Superb Selina. I don't want a love interest in every movie, and really felt the first film would have been stronger without one. Because Katie was in the first flick, I really don't want another love interest in this one. Which is hardly fair, since there's Catwoman and Talia waiting in the wings...but thems the breaks. The pushed me too far with cruddy Katie.

Oh, man. Please no Oracle B.S. Ugh.

Seriously. They're probably going to kill off M-J in the next Spidey flick...and I've at least come to care slightly about that couple. Don't try to dramatize this horrid mistake of a character. Not worth the trouble.

I think that the Gotham Knights (Robin, Oracle, Nightwing, etc.) are a very important part of the Batman history and should be adressed in later movies.

Yes, they're important, but everyone still remembers how crowded the Joel films were. It would be a mistake to over-saturate these new films with too many faces and bring back bad memories. Robin should really be saved for the third or fourth film...but I doubt this series will even get that far before Bale gets bored. There's no way to do a trilogy and keep Joker, Harley, Gordon, Lucius, Alfred, R'as, Catwoman, Two-Face, Talia, Riddler, Penguin, Robin, Batgirl and Nightwing in there. That's nuts.

I think I just really hate that these films seem molded after the Spidey flicks.

[HaagenDas]

If WB mandated a love interest making one up doesnt make sense. Talia or Zatanna would have been best to have. In fact, having Zatanna and Bruce drift apart because of his obsession...she knows that she, as much as she cares for him, would always be his 2nd love...to crimefighting, and thus leaves to pursue her "magic" elsewhere. Would be able to set up her return in any JL movie with real magical powers that she learned in her hiatus.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I liked the Rachel character in Batman Begins and would be kind of bummed if it was recast. She reminded me a lot of my tough-as-nails-but-only-5-foot-tall, social worker wife. :D

I really hope that bit about her ending up as the Joker's first victim is just fan speculation -- I'd hate to be spoiled on a major plot point like that a year and a half in advance.

I really doubt Catwoman or Harley would be in this movie. Maybe, maybe I could see brief cameo easter egg type appearances or mentions of Selina Kyle or Harleen Quinzel, like Dr. Connors showing up as a minor character in Spiderman II...

Alright, I'm going to be nitpicky here and say this, the motion picture is not titled 'Spiderman II' it is Spider-Man 2, please for the love of God get it right!

Just keep Dawes out, I hate recasting, look at the X-Men franchise...

By the way, when should we expect teaser posters or Joker pictures???

[Nygma]

Lol, you must be dreaming. It was practically universal that Rachel was the most unneeded character in this film. Hell, the whole character was created because it was a WB mandate to have a love interest. Nolan barely made it work.


At least she had a role in the film that actually made her a target(district attorney), unlike most superhero movies who spend majority of a superhero film being a target because the villain knows about HER as a romantic interest.

To those that found Katie Holmes to be awful in her role, I could count on more than one hand the number of people that played her type of role, and did MUCH MUCH worse.

[Nygma]

Not with Katie Holmes!

Well duh! :shrug: :p But I figured back when the casting was announced that they wanted a "name" for Talia. Not that Katie is much of name.

Anyhoo...

ignore her like it never happened? that'd be dumb, not after all the time they spent on her, it'd feel stupid and a plot hole on it, i also don't want her recasted, a great way si havign 2 face or joker killing her early in the movie. It'd make Batmans character more tragic. If they have to i'd even prefer a new love interest for Batman if they still want to make it 'mainstream friendly'.

...no. Killing off a stupid character that they forced on us in the first movie would not make Batman more tragic. It would make the film more tragic, for having wasted time and money on something so completely forgettable.

Burton was smart with Vapid Vale, and left her out of the second film, making room for Superb Selina. I don't want a love interest in every movie, and really felt the first film would have been stronger without one. Because Katie was in the first flick, I really don't want another love interest in this one. Which is hardly fair, since there's Catwoman and Talia waiting in the wings...but thems the breaks. The pushed me too far with cruddy Katie.



Once again Disneyboy you say potato I say patato. And IF YOU REALLY watched the Spider Man movies more closely, you'd realise that there are more differences between Rachel Dawes and Mary Jane then you'd think.

I don't really want them to do Catwoman again. Not that I wouldn't mind it, but because a relationship between Bruce and Selina has been done before already in a movie and I don't want them going back to the status quo. Thats another thing that gets on my nerves. People who want want to end the Bruce/Rachel love interest just to go back to the status quo of their expectations (in the form of Selina and/or Talia). Also I don't think Talia would be nearly as interesting without her father.

[Young Justice]

Yes, they're important, but everyone still remembers how crowded the Joel films were. It would be a mistake to over-saturate these new films with too many faces and bring back bad memories. Robin should really be saved for the third or fourth film...but I doubt this series will even get that far before Bale gets bored. There's no way to do a trilogy and keep Joker, Harley, Gordon, Lucius, Alfred, R'as, Catwoman, Two-Face, Talia, Riddler, Penguin, Robin, Batgirl and Nightwing in there. That's nuts.

A crowded story can work if you do it right. The Long Halloween and Dark Victory is very crowded and worked very well. The trick is do not spend too much time in characters that don't deserve it. BB is also somewhat crowded: Batman/Bruce, Alfred, Gordon, Ducard, Lucius, Rachel, Ra's, Crane, Falcone, Flass.

The worst thing of the Joel movies were not exactly because they were crowded, it's because they were bad written. And not being crowded would not save those movies from that.

I agree that Robin should only be adressed in the third or fourth movie. But I would go for Oracle in TDK. Barbara becoming Oracle by the end of this movie. But I think my idea is not shared with many other fans.

In this supposed trilogy some characters have to remain, but other can appear and vanish giving room to others. Ra's for instance, in my opinion, wouldn't return anytime soon, and this includes no Talia for the time being.

[Young Justice]

If WB mandated a love interest making one up doesnt make sense. Talia or Zatanna would have been best to have. In fact, having Zatanna and Bruce drift apart because of his obsession...she knows that she, as much as she cares for him, would always be his 2nd love...to crimefighting, and thus leaves to pursue her "magic" elsewhere. Would be able to set up her return in any JL movie with real magical powers that she learned in her hiatus.

That idea is genious. It's a shame that Nolan didn't use it.

[Young Justice]

I don't really want them to do Catwoman again. Not that I wouldn't mind it, but because a relationship between Bruce and Selina has been done before already in a movie and I don't want them going back to the status quo. Thats another thing that gets on my nerves. People who want want to end the Bruce/Rachel love interest just to go back to the status quo of their expectations (in the form of Selina and/or Talia). Also I don't think Talia would be nearly as interesting without her father.

But Joker as the arch-enemy of Batman is status quo. Harvey Dent becoming Two-Face is also status quo and no one is complaining about that. Status quo is nice if you are dare enough to make a twist on it, adding something new to the established story. That's what Nolan did with Batman, changing the relationship between Bruce and Lucius and making Ra's the mentor of Batman. He also did that using the character of Rachel, and it worked. But I think it's time to let her out for the future stories.

[S.C.B]

I think bringing Oracle into the movies would be a bit too much of a forward leap. Remember, this is about Batman's early years. Barbara Gordon should debut far later in Bruce's life. The only fellow crime fighter that has a chance of showing up is Dick Grayson Robin, although that seems highly unlikely, given the dark and brooding atmosphere of these films. They'd probably give him a serious re-tooling before bringing him in.

[BatKid]

At least she had a role in the film that actually made her a target(district attorney), unlike most superhero movies who spend majority of a superhero film being a target because the villain knows about HER as a romantic interest.
That's why I previously said that Nolan barely made it work. Besides managing to tie the love interest into Batman, it still followed the damsel-in-distress cliche, which I will always hate no matter what.


To those that found Katie Holmes to be awful in her role, I could count on more than one hand the number of people that played her type of role, and did MUCH MUCH worse.
So because she wasn't as bad as other people, that excuses her? :confused:

Here are some new casting rumors, and little tidbits that shed some light on the whole Katie Holmes thing:

Cinemablend (http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Emily-Blunt-In-The-Dark-Knight-4397.html)

With Katie Holmes out, The Dark Knight casting rumors are flapping around at a torrid pace. I’m afraid we’re going to have to be responsible for starting this particular one.

Obviously Chris Nolan is actively looking for someone to take over Katie Holmes’ Rachel Dawes character in the new Batman film. Earlier this week rumor had it that they were considering Rachel McAdams for the part, but according to one of our regular scoopers, they may end up going with Devil Wears Prada star Emily Blunt. Word is that the folks behind the Batman Begins sequel are impressed with her, and may bring Blunt in to read for the role.

Our same anonymous source insists that Katie didn’t leave the project, but was dropped. Anything you’ve heard otherwise is just PR spin to save face. Of course, anyone with half a brain could have figured that out. You don’t intentionally ditch a recurring role in Batman to star in a crappy romantic comedy with Queen Latifah. Nobody, not even Katie Holmes, is that stupid.

I like the idea of Emily Blunt as Rachel Dawes a lot better than Rachel McAdams. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer McAdams as an actress, but somehow she just doesn’t seem like she belongs in the smudged brown world of the caped crusader.

file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Kane/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpgfile:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Kane/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpghttp://www.imagesharing.net/images/madsci/4397.jpg

For now though, just pencil this in as a wild rumor. My source is one that’s been right before, yet even if this is true it only means that Emily Blunt is being considered for the part of Rachel Dawes. It doesn’t mean she has it. Sit back and wait for Nolan to make up his mind.

Latino Review (http://www.latinoreview.com/scriptreview.php?id=47)


Before I begin, I want to address something.

I love how the trades say that Katie Holmes “dropped out” of The Dark Knight. Let’s keep it real folks. We all know she was kicked to the curb!

In terms of who is replacing Katie, I feel all the net rumors with Rachel McAdams is just fanboy speculation. Keep in mind folks that Rachel McAdams is the current Hollywood “it” girl at the top of everyone’s list. She gets offered everything under the sun.

I asked some of my contacts if there is any truth to the McAdams/TDK rumor and they told me it was just that, a rumor.

So can we plllleeeaaasssee end this "Holmes" crap? Majority of the audience didn't like her, and apparently neither did the studio or the BB crew. :yawn:

[Young Justice]

So can we plllleeeaaasssee end this "Holmes" crap? Majority of the audience didn't like her, and apparently neither did the studio or the BB crew. :yawn:

I think our crap wasn't about Katie Holmes but the character Rachel Dawes, if she would be in the franchise, even with recasting or not.

[BatKid]

Yeah, that is true. But part me of disliking Rachel WAS because of Holmes. So if Nolan is adamant on keeping the character, and can nab a better actress...it's all gravy. :sweat:

[Young Justice]

Yeah, that is true. But part me of disliking Rachel WAS because of Holmes. So if Nolan is adamant on keeping the character, and can nab a better actress...it's all gravy. :sweat:

For me too. I was watching one BB Making Of today and I've saw Katie during shotting, and I think of her being with a look too childish, too girlie. Rachel was supposed to look like a woman, not a girl. She seems to be more mature than Bruce, doesn't she? 80% of me that didn't liked Rachel from BB was because of Katie Holmes.

[DarkAngel]

For me too. I was watching one BB Making Of today and I've saw Katie during shotting, and I think of her being with a look too childish, too girlie. Rachel was supposed to look like a woman, not a girl. She seems to be more mature than Bruce, doesn't she? 80% of me that didn't liked Rachel from BB was because of Katie Holmes.
I thought Holmes was just fine. Not great, but hardly bad. I think way too much is being made of this.

[Nygma]

But Joker as the arch-enemy of Batman is status quo. Harvey Dent becoming Two-Face is also status quo and no one is complaining about that. Status quo is nice if you are dare enough to make a twist on it, adding something new to the established story. That's what Nolan did with Batman, changing the relationship between Bruce and Lucius and making Ra's the mentor of Batman. He also did that using the character of Rachel, and it worked. But I think it's time to let her out for the future stories.

The reason I said that I'd rather not see Catwoman again is more because that I don't see them being able to top the Bat/Cat relationship from Batman Returns. With Joker in the next film I can see them easily see their take toping the first movie's take on (but come on, how hard can toping the first Batman movie really be?) I don't mind them using characters that have been in the movies. But only those that haven't been done justice on the big screen (see Riddler, Two-Face, Mr.Freeze,etc.) Catwoman has been done justice, why can't we leave it at that?

My problem is with the people who bash Rachel's character (an original new take on a character) but yet want to do something that has been done before (Catwoman) in the movies, or they want to do a character that probably wouldn't work (Talia) without another (Ra's).

I'd rather see a string of Batman movies that have new things and fresh approaches, rather than retreading old ground. So maybe, JUST MAYBE we can have a Batman universe WITH ITS OWN IDENTITY.

[Nygma]

Latino Review (http://www.latinoreview.com/scriptreview.php?id=47)


So can we plllleeeaaasssee end this "Holmes" crap? Majority of the audience didn't like her, and apparently neither did the studio or the BB crew. :yawn:

I'm sorry Batkid, but I can't take this site seriously.

Any site that has a review calling Superman Returns "one of the most exciting action films in a long time." doesn't deserve any credibility in my books.:p

Also you absolutely have no way of actually proving majority of fans, the studio, or BB crew hated Katie Holmes with anything other then rumors and opinions. And neither do they. True I don't have any way of proving any of my opinions either. But at least I'm being straight forward and saying that.

[BatKid]

The reason I said that I'd rather not see Catwoman again is more because that I don't see them being able to top the Bat/Cat relationship from Batman Returns. With Joker in the next film I can see them easily see their take toping the first movie's take on (but come on, how hard can toping the first Batman movie really be?)
The first Batman film is one of the most highly acclaimed superhero films, so I'd say it would take a lot. Not to mention Jack made Joker a legendary character on film, the TDK crew has a lot cut out for them.


I'd rather see a string of Batman movies that have new things and fresh approaches, rather than retreading old ground. So maybe, JUST MAYBE we can have a Batman universe WITH ITS OWN IDENTITY.
By that logic, Batman, Alfred, or Gordon shouldn't have been in Batman Begins because there were already takes on that in the previous franchise. There is nothing wrong with re-using characters as long as, like you stated, do a "fresh take".


I'm sorry Batkid, but I can't take this site seriously.

Any site that has a review calling Superman Returns "one of the most exciting action films in a long time." doesn't deserve any credibility in my books.:p

Also you absolutely have no way of actually proving majority of fans, the studio, or BB crew hated Katie Holmes with anything other then rumors and opinions. And neither do they. True I don't have any way of proving any of my opinions either. But at least I'm being straight forward and saying that.
LR is a very trustworthy site. They don't run rumors much, but they certainly have a lot of big scoops. For instance, they broke the news of Routh becoming Supes weeks before the announcement, same with Ledger being Joker, and they also had the first ever script review of Batman Begins. I'd say whatever they report, is pretty much as close to fact as you can get without an official statement.

[Young Justice]

The reason I said that I'd rather not see Catwoman again is more because that I don't see them being able to top the Bat/Cat relationship from Batman Returns. With Joker in the next film I can see them easily see their take toping the first movie's take on (but come on, how hard can toping the first Batman movie really be?) I don't mind them using characters that have been in the movies. But only those that haven't been done justice on the big screen (see Riddler, Two-Face, Mr.Freeze,etc.) Catwoman has been done justice, why can't we leave it at that?

I agree with you that in the former Batman franchise, Catwoman was one of the best characters portraited, but I don't think that a shy and clumsy secretary tranforming into a costumed villain with a lot of agility and fight skills just because of a fall of a bulding and having hers fingers bitten by a bunch of cats is what we could call "been done justice". Catwoman can be much better than that. This "supernatural" transformation of Michelle Pfeifers's Selina Kyle into Catwoman was the whole idea behind Halle Berry's most hated Catwoman.


My problem is with the people who bash Rachel's character (an original new take on a character) but yet want to do something that has been done before (Catwoman) in the movies, or they want to do a character that probably wouldn't work (Talia) without another (Ra's).

I agree with you again that Talia time is gone now. She was supposed to appear in BB. If she didn't, she missed the boat. Maybe if Ra's appears again in a future film of Batman or even JL franchise. But that's unlikely.

Again, Catwoman was done before, but it was done in the fantastic universe of Tim Burton. I would like to see Catwoman in the "grounded in reality" universe of Nolan.


I'd rather see a string of Batman movies that have new things and fresh approaches, rather than retreading old ground. So maybe, JUST MAYBE we can have a Batman universe WITH ITS OWN IDENTITY.

I think a Batman universe could not be complete without Catwoman as well as other characters as Penguin, Riddler, Two Face and Robin.

[Young Justice]

Aaron Eckhart is the new actor rumored to play Harvey Dent.

http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=1396

I think he is great for the role.

[BonyT]

Aaron Eckhart is the new actor rumored to play Harvey Dent.

http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=1396

I think he is great for the role.
Sounds good to me.

Folks may quibble about Katie Holmes; but Scarecrow, Bale-the best fit yet for Batman (... although I realize that, given the competition to date, that's perhaps something akin to being the nicest guy in prison ;) ), Morgan Freeman as Fox, Gary Oldman was an inspired choice for Gordon --- Nolan & Co. knocked it out of the park with the casting in Begins. They get the benefit of the doubt from me on their casting choices for TDK.

[Aldrius]

I could see a Rachel-Bruce-Talia love-triangle being interesting. If they made Rachel an interesting character who represent's Bruce's past and his humanity...

I really like Talia and think she could fit into a movie without Ra's. As long as they pull her away from the 'hot girl in a bikini' and more towards the 'bad-ass with a pistol wearing leather.' =S

[Nygma]

LR is a very trustworthy site. They don't run rumors much, but they certainly have a lot of big scoops. For instance, they broke the news of Routh becoming Supes weeks before the announcement, same with Ledger being Joker, and they also had the first ever script review of Batman Begins. I'd say whatever they report, is pretty much as close to fact as you can get without an official statement.

I wasn't talking about the news they dug up, I was talking about the moron stating his biased opinion how everybody hates Katie Holmes and blah blah blah.

I also thought the first Batman movie was one of the most OVER RATED movies of all time, if it weren't for Jack Nicholson as The Joker I would probably hate this film even more.

Also Peter Fries, yes that plane scene is great, but DID anything remotely good even top that. I don't watch superhero movies for the best moment to be at the beginning of the movie.

[Anarky]

Ugh...I hated the score in Batman Begins.

I recommend buying the cd. True, it doesn't have an identifiable theme like John William's Superman or Elfman's Spider-Man however it does ring true to the character. It's subdued yet forceful at times...and there are sections of the score that sounds like Friday the 13th (chchch-hahaha). I also like the bits f. Ra's al Ghul's theme.

[BatKid]

The Dark Knight Casting News!
Date: February 13, 2007

By: El Mayimbe
Source: Latino Review (http://latinoreview.com/news.php?id=1458)

Yo!

El Mayimbe here with news from THE REAL DARK KNIGHT CENTRAL or as we Latinos call it THE DARK KNIGHT BODEGA!

Anyway...

WE first reported Eckhart...
WE first reported Maggie...

I won't even bring up Heath...

...and now it looks like Maggie Gyllenhaal will be the new Rachel Dawes! Confirmed by two of my strongest on the money sources.


Until The Dark Knight Bodega opens up again for business...

...YO SOY EL MAYIMBE!

mayimbe@latinoreview.com



http://latinoreview.com/images/maggie.jpg

[Young Justice]

...and now it looks like Maggie Gyllenhaal will be the new Rachel Dawes! Confirmed by two of my strongest on the money sources.


I second that choice. I think Maggie is a good actress. Although not as beatiful as Katie Holmes and a little older, I think the Maggie somehow looks like Katie.

[James]

I also thought the first Batman movie was one of the most OVER RATED movies of all time, if it weren't for Jack Nicholson as The Joker I would probably hate this film even more.


I don't see how it can be over-rated. It was never given any major cascades in the press. It had it's nay sayers as well as it's yay sayers. People did feel it was too much of a Nicholson vehicle at the time as some do now. I think it sits at the heart of many Bat fans because it was so damn inovative at the time in regards to fantasy and superheroes. I think when one judges "Batman" one does have to judge it in context to what it was then as much as it is now. It does have it's faults, but it plays out very well in it's own intentions (if not closely to it's source) and dispelled Adam West from the mainstream memory. That alone paved the way for more decently inspired superhero films.

That evolution brought us Batman Begins. So I don't think anyone can call Batman overrated being it made vital changes to the perception of superheroes and treated the concepts of the title seriously and with conviction.

Anyhow.. I'm disappointed to hear they are doing recasts. I had no problem with Holmes, though I felt the character was a little superfluous aside from being audience puller and "proof" that Batman wasn't homosexual. I always felt Dent would have worked far better in the role if it wasn't for the need of sexual allure and orientation affirmation.

But I do agree with what's been said. The casting for BB was spot on, and I have faith they'll do the same here - even if they have to do recasts.

[Discloner]

I second that choice. I think Maggie is a good actress. Although not as beatiful as Katie Holmes and a little older, I think the Maggie somehow looks like Katie.I'm going to agree...I'd LOVE to see Maggie in this film. She'd fit the character perfectly!

[BonyT]

I second that choice. I think Maggie is a good actress. Although not as beatiful as Katie Holmes and a little older, I think the Maggie somehow looks like Katie.I'm not familiar with her at all; but based on this pic, I agree with you that she does resemble Holmes. Seems like a good choice if Nolan & co. deem it essential to keep the Rachel Dawes character for TDK.

[Young Justice]

Anyhow.. I'm disappointed to hear they are doing recasts. I had no problem with Holmes, though I felt the character was a little superfluous aside from being audience puller and "proof" that Batman wasn't homosexual. I always felt Dent would have worked far better in the role if it wasn't for the need of sexual allure and orientation affirmation.

But I do agree with what's been said. The casting for BB was spot on, and I have faith they'll do the same here - even if they have to do recasts.

I don't like recasts either. I would prefer they have written out Rachel from the sequel rather than recasting. But if the recast is absolutely necessary, I think Maggie is a good choice.

About replacing the Rachel character I agree that it could be done, but she would have to be replaced by a mix of characters. The most important Rachel scene in BB is where she slaps Bruce in the face after she discovers that he wanted to kill Joe Chill and avenge his parents. We couldn't replace her for Dent in that particular scene. Replacing her for Alfred wouldn't work either, because I can't see Alfred being that harsh agains Bruce.

Rachel could have been replaced by a combination of Harvey Dent with Vicky Vale, adding to her background that she was a friend of Bruce since their childhood, just like Rachel was.

[Young Justice]

I'm not familiar with her at all; but based on this pic, I agree with you that she does resemble Holmes. Seems like a good choice if Nolan & co. deem it essential to keep the Rachel Dawes character for TDK.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0350454/ Check out her page at IMDB. The most famous movies are:


Stranger Than Fiction (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420223/) (2006) .... Ana Pascal
World Trade Center (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469641/) (2006) .... Allison Jimeno
Mona Lisa Smile (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304415/) (2003) .... Giselle Levy
Donnie Darko (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246578/) (2001) .... Elizabeth Darko (with her brother Jake)

[screw on head]

I would much prefer Gyllenhaal over Holmes as Rachael Dawes anyway. If this pans out then it's an upgrade in my book!

[DisneyBoy]

I just see what the point of keeping Dawes around is. She must be pretty important to Nolan's view of this franchise if she's worth recasting...

Maggie's a great actress, but her energy is serious/crazy. Can't see her as a boring/lawyer type.

Who is playing Harley?

[Silly McGooses]

Who is playing Harley?

Nobody, I'd guess...

[rggkjg1]

Nobody, I'd guess...
unless its a "cameo" for dr. harleen quinzelle for some scenes at arkham ;).

[Silly McGooses]

That would be pretty cool.

[Young Justice]

unless its a "cameo" for dr. harleen quinzelle for some scenes at arkham ;).

She could be the one character who states that Joker is insane and could not be sentenced to death in his trial by the end of the movie, or the beginning of the third.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I'm not familiar with her at all; but based on this pic, I agree with you that she does resemble Holmes. Seems like a good choice if Nolan & co. deem it essential to keep the Rachel Dawes character for TDK.

The second I saw the above picture, I said to myself "Dunst?"

[HaagenDas]

The second I saw the above picture, I said to myself "Dunst?"
You werent the only one lol.

I dont know why they dont do a flashback scene to Bruce's travels and show Zatanna.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I dont know why they dont do a flashback scene to Bruce's travels and show Zatanna.

Not worth it, really.

[PeterFries]

Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i4fa3c1e4b8d5d363ce4c6a784d360cab) says Eckhart is Harvey Dent :D

[Cortez2301]

Damn! Is that really official?

[BatKid]

It's pretty much a done deal. LR comes up with another great scoop. :D

[PeterFries]

Also worth mentioning is that this is the first time I've seen Morgan Freeman definitively listed as returning. He sounded guarded when asked just recently about it.

[James]

I would much prefer Gyllenhaal over Holmes as Rachael Dawes anyway. If this pans out then it's an upgrade in my book!

Same here. I'm surprised the Dawes character is so vital to need retaining, but if she has to, I think Gyllenhaal will bring a far more "real" interpretation to the role - and I think Nolan's Batman aspires to tap that more gritty realism to people and how they interact. Fine choice.

[Discloner]

Also worth mentioning is that this is the first time I've seen Morgan Freeman definitively listed as returning. He sounded guarded when asked just recently about it.I was just about to mention that...wasn't it recently noted that Morgan Freeman's reps said he hadn't been contacted about returning yet or something?

[Aldrius]

Rachel could have been replaced by a combination of Harvey Dent with Vicky Vale, adding to her background that she was a friend of Bruce since their childhood, just like Rachel was.

But Vicki Vale is so BORING.

[Gpoliceman]

I'm pretty sure I've read Morgan Freeman/Katie Holmes were NOT under contract to return, but I've read multiple times that Morgan Freeman said he would return if they asked him too. And I am 100% sure Lucius Fox will return. He's a part of the Batman lore and somewhat vital to his crusade.

Katie Holmes was always the "iffy" one. Now we know she's not coming back.

I hope they introduce Leslie Tompkins, give Alfred someone to flirt with. Plus you have to explain who Bruce turns to whenever he gets injured badly.

Aaron Eckhart is a fine choice. He was amazing in Thank You for Smoking.

Two-Face is my favorite Batman villain. I really hope they delve into his tragic split personality disorder and make him a tragic villain. I HATED his portrayal in Batman Forever where he was reduced to a brainless lunatic.

Greg

[Azbatz]

Finally some casting news! Aaron Eckhart? "Hey Eckhardt think about the future." He's fine actor (Thank You For Smoking, The Descent) and I also think Maggie Gyllenhaal (World Trade Center) will make Tomcat a bad memory! Still I'm looking more forward to the revival of the Indiana Jones franchise and Iron Man more.

[Young Justice]

But Vicki Vale is so BORING.

I think it depends how she is portrayted. In 89 Batman she is boring. But I've read comic stories with her that she was not boring.

I'm suggesting Vicky Vale here only to use a classic comic character instead to create a new one. For BB, Vicky could be friends of Bruce from the childhood. An idealist photo journalist trying to bring Gotham to its golden old days. In combination with a younger assistant D.A. Harvey Dent, the duo could have been replaced Rachel Dawes.

[Silly McGooses]

I think Eckhart is a great choice for Harvey Dent! He was the only actor I heard rumored that I thought would be good...

[Cortez2301]

I think Eckhart is a great choice for Harvey Dent! He was the only actor I heard rumored that I thought would be good...I've only seen him in "Frasier".He did a pretty good job there but not enough to covince me on this role.Any movies you can recommend so I might change my mind?

[Young Justice]

I've only seen him in "Frasier".He did a pretty good job there but not enough to covince me on this role.Any movies you can recommend so I might change my mind?

He was good in every movie I've saw with him. I would recommend:

The Black Dahlia (2006) .... Sgt. Leland 'Lee' Blanchard
(Not because of the movie, which I think it was merely ok, but his performance was good in it. And here he looks a lot like Harvey Dent)

Thank You for Smoking (2005) .... Nick Naylor
(This movie didn't came here in Brazil yet, but Eckhart got a lot of good reviews for it)

Neverwas (2005) .... Zach Riley

Suspect Zero (2004) .... Thomas Mackelway

Erin Brockovich (2000) .... George

[Terminatah]

I've only seen him in "Frasier".He did a pretty good job there but not enough to covince me on this role.Any movies you can recommend so I might change my mind?THANK YOU FOR SMOKING is his greatest work. Ironically co-starring Katie Holmes.

-Terminatah

[Cortez2301]

He was good in every movie I've saw with him. I would recommend:

The Black Dahlia (2006) .... Sgt. Leland 'Lee' Blanchard
(Not because of the movie, which I think it was merely ok, but his performance was good in it. And here he looks a lot like Harvey Dent)

Thank You for Smoking (2005) .... Nick Naylor
(This movie didn't came here in Brazil yet, but Eckhart got a lot of good reviews for it)

Neverwas (2005) .... Zach Riley

Suspect Zero (2004) .... Thomas Mackelway

Erin Brockovich (2000) .... GeorgeWow thanks.I'll probably see "the black Dahlia".

[FireWarrior]

Wow that's great news, glad to hear that Eckhart is Dent. Saw him in "Frasier", Thank You For Smoking, and Paycheck and he's been very good in all of them. Looking foward to his interpretation of Dent.

[mr.happy]

She will apparently replace Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. She's a competent actress, but about as unsexy as they come. Very poor choice. I would rather have had Holmes back, to be honest.

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5310

[Terminatah]

She will apparently replace Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. She's a competent actress, but about as unsexy as they come. Very poor choice. I would rather have had Holmes back, to be honest.

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5310Sensational actress and very sexy. Wish they would have cast her in the first one.

-Terminatah

[ShadowGUN]

She will apparently replace Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. She's a competent actress, but about as unsexy as they come. Very poor choice. I would rather have had Holmes back, to be honest.

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5310


What are you talking about. Maggie Gyllenhaal is sexy.

[mr.happy]

What are you talking about. Maggie Gyllenhaal is sexy.Nothing against her as a person, she seems nice enough, but her face is average-looking at best, she's got kind of an odd body, and she's nowhere near Katie's league in the boobs department. Sexy? Nope.

[Young Justice]

Nothing against her as a person, she seems nice enough, but her face is average-looking at best, she's got kind of an odd body, and she's nowhere near Katie's league in the boobs department. Sexy? Nope.

I don't think Katie Holmes is sexy either. Comparing the two of them, I prefer Maggie. I think she is a way better actress. But I didn't like the recast. I would prefer that the Rachel Dawes could be written off of the script, since I don't care much for the character.

[Young Justice]

There's a rumour that Batman will have a new suit in the middle of the movie and that suit change will be an important plot point.

http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5313

I like the idea. I'm a fan of the superhero side of Batman so I'm all for suit improvements, more gadgets and more vehicles. Which I don't like is when those stuff comes randomly. If they are part of a good story, I'm all for it.

[DarkAngel]

There's a rumour that Batman will have a new suit in the middle of the movie and that suit change will be an important plot point.
I hated the suit in Begins, so hopefully the change will be for the better.

[Young Justice]

I hated the suit in Begins, so hopefully the change will be for the better.

There's another rumour (which I don't have a source) that the new suit will be less bulkier and more streamlined.

[ShadowGUN]

There's a rumour that Batman will have a new suit in the middle of the movie and that suit change will be an important plot point.

http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5313

I like the idea. I'm a fan of the superhero side of Batman so I'm all for suit improvements, more gadgets and more vehicles. Which I don't like is when those stuff comes randomly. If they are part of a good story, I'm all for it.


Again with suit changes. Let hope the second bat suit isn' t as lame as the second one from Batman & Robin. I did like the second one from Batman Forever

[Young Justice]

Again with suit changes. Let hope the second bat suit isn' t as lame as the second one from Batman & Robin. I did like the second one from Batman Forever

I didn't care too much for the second Forever suit, but I liked its concept. The using of the sonar and such.

The entire Batman & Robin movie was a big toy commercial. The suit change on the end just reflected that. The snow-vehicles were also very lame. With a powerful gun like the one Mr. Freeze had, if you attack with simple cars you would get yourself frost. Batman had to get to the observatory in a stealth way. It would be the perfect opportunity to introduce the Bat-train like the one we saw in KnightFall.

[Young Justice]

I'm sorry for the shameless self promotion, but I think some people who read this thread could be interested in a fan fic I've wrote about The Dark Knight sequel: The Gotham Knights.

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=185626

Please, mods, let me know If I'm doing something innapropriate so I could delete this post.

I hope you enjoy it.

[]s

YJ

[ShadowS]

Someone has taken the first pictures of Ledger as The Joker on the set!!! You guys can see them here:

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5530

[Batman91]

Someone has taken the first pictures of Ledger as The Joker on the set!!! You guys can see them here:

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5530

Thats awesome, thanks ShadowS.

[Damien]

Kind of disappointed they're going for the more traditional look. That scary photoshop of The Man Who Laughs that I put up a link to awhile back was definitely the way to go.
For those who didn't see it: http://www.evilology.net/uploaded/joker2ge1nx.jpg
Tell me that doesn't capture the dark, gritty flavor of the first one.

[langden alger]

here....we.....go!!!!!!!!!!:D :D :D :D

the green hair dye looks pretty cheap in the natural sunlight like that, but no doubt it will look good in the photography.

can't wait to see how those creepy clown doll heads play into the movie...

please let it be july 08 tommorow!!!

[BatKid]

Kind of disappointed they're going for the more traditional look. That scary photoshop of The Man Who Laughs that I put up a link to awhile back was definitely the way to go.
For those who didn't see it: http://www.evilology.net/uploaded/joker2ge1nx.jpg
Tell me that doesn't capture the dark, gritty flavor of the first one.
Except...that's not remotely Joker unless you count white skin. There are plenty of ways to make a gritty looking, dark-version of Joker without even having to change the fundamental look. May I point to exhibit B:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/robin91939/jokerbermejomanip2copyar4.jpg

As for this alleged spy pic..I'm waiting out. Something tells me either this is somewhat manipulated (color-wise), the make-up isn't done, or this is simply too botched up of a photo to make any logical critiques.

[Silly McGooses]

Someone has taken the first pictures of Ledger as The Joker on the set!!! You guys can see them here:

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5530
Damn, I knew these wouldn't do whatever make-up he's wearing justice, and that they'd probably be taken from a crappy cell phone picture, but I can barely make out the outline of his head. Which is probably a good thing, so I don't "judge" until WB finally wakes up and releases a picture before a some decent leaked pictures get out. Which WILL happen.

[Cortez2301]

My God those masks or mannequin heads that they are carrying look terrifying.

[Michael24]

Interesting pics. Although I like a lot of different interpretations of Joker, the traditional look is still my favorite, so I'm naturally glad they're sticking with it. But I'm sure the look on film be appropriately dark and menacing. Although I didn't care for Batman Begins, I'll give this one a chance because I'm curious to see what Christopher Nolan does with this Joker. :)

[Cortez2301]

Although I didn't care for Batman Begins, I'll give this one a chance because I'm curious to see what Christopher Nolan does with this Joker. :)Don't forget Two Face.

[Michael24]

I assume Harvey won't become Two-Face until the third film. But yes, I'm curious to see Nolan's version of him as well, and I think Aaron Eckhart will be great in the role. Joker and Two-Face are probably my top two favorite comic villains of all time. :)

[Cortez2301]

To be honest I think we might see a glimpse of Two Face just at the end of the movie.I mean he might kill Marone or Falcone (if he is in the movie) and then the shot shows the good side of him and then we might see the entire face and then the movie ends.

[Young Justice]

To be honest I think we might see a glimpse of Two Face just at the end of the movie.I mean he might kill Marone or Falcone (if he is in the movie) and then the shot shows the good side of him and then we might see the entire face and then the movie ends.

I've wrote a fan fic about The Dark Knight when the last scene is a cliffhanger where Harvey Dent is laying down in coma in his hospital bed right after being scarred in his trial. Batman talks to him, but knows he can't listen. Batman leaves and then Dent wakes briefly from his coma. He tosses his two-faced coin, and we first see the scratched side of it, as it falls up.

The End.

[Cortez2301]

I've wrote a fan fic about The Dark Knight when the last scene is a cliffhanger where Harvey Dent is laying down in coma in his hospital bed right after being scarred in his trial. Batman talks to him, but knows he can't listen. Batman leaves and then Dent wakes briefly from his coma. He tosses his two-faced coin, and we first see the scratched side of it, as it falls up.

The End.I think that would be great! To be honest though I really want to see his face at the end,at least the scarred side.

[Young Justice]

I think that would be great! To be honest though I really want to see his face at the end,at least the scarred side.

I think seeing his face scarred for the first time would be much more dramatic when he is fully tranformed into Two-face, just like it happens in The Long Halloween.

[Cortez2301]

I think seeing his face scarred for the first time would be much more dramatic when he is fully tranformed into Two-face, just like it happens in The Long Halloween.You mean the part where Falcone sees him and the other criminals at his office or the part when Maroni throws the acid at his face?

[Young Justice]

You mean the part where Falcone sees him and the other criminals at his office or the part when Maroni throws the acid at his face?

In Long Halloween we don't see his scarred face in the moment of the incident. We only see it when he shots Falcone twice. And in that moment Harvey Dent is fully tranformed into Two-Face. I think that's the better way to go in terms of storytelling. If Nolan and Co. choose to go that way, is likely that we are going to see Harvey's scarred face by the 3rd movie.

[BatKid]

From the script excerpts I've read, we'll definitely get Harvey's scarring somewhere during the movie. Unclear at which point, so no clue if it's the ending or not, but I doubt it. Since TDK will very much lead into Two-Face being the main villain, I'd bet we will get some glimpse at him near the very end to build up some hype ala BB's ending.

[rggkjg1]

maybe the final last scene will be gordon and batman on the rooftop again.

gordon: he leaves a calling card....
(hands batman a coin. batman turns it over and the other side has scratches on it)
batman: i'll look into it.

:p

[Azrael24]

Beware, this a spoiler thread so im gonna post spoilers without the tags:

ive heard rumours of a similar ending to Batman Begins, but in this one alfred tells bruce he needs a woman, then something about selina kyle. cant remember exactly how it goes :sad:

[Cortez2301]

In Long Halloween we don't see his scarred face in the moment of the incident. We only see it when he shots Falcone twice. And in that moment Harvey Dent is fully tranformed into Two-Face. I think that's the better way to go in terms of storytelling. If Nolan and Co. choose to go that way, is likely that we are going to see Harvey's scarred face by the 3rd movie.Oh yeah I thought you meant we actually see harvey's face burning after the acid is thrown.Thats what I thought you meant.

[Young Justice]

maybe the final last scene will be gordon and batman on the rooftop again.

gordon: he leaves a calling card....
(hands batman a coin. batman turns it over and the other side has scratches on it)
batman: i'll look into it.

:p

We can create a playgame with this: Create a Batman movie end in the Batman Begins fashion.

gordon: We only find this at the crime scene...
(hands Batman a piece of a rope. Batman looks closefuly and see it's snapped)
Batman: I'll look into it.

[Marvel_Knight]

If WB were smart they'd see these spy pics and quickly just give us a studio shot of Ledger in all his Joker-y goodness since they must hate all this leaked stuff. And honestly, they need to keep the production on TDK really super closed, because spoilers really suck. I never should've read that leaked 'Begins' script (although it didn't reall hamper my experience on watching the movie THAT much), tsk tsk :sad:.

Although, as excited as I am to see Eckhart has Harvey, Two-Face should not be revealed AT ALL until the third, simply just to rattle the fanboy cages until that one comes out.

And I'll go along with the endings:

Gordon: He leaves a calling card. Like, literally.
(Gordon hands Batman a card. Batman turns it over, revealing a business card with the name 'Bruce Wayne')
Batman: Uhh...
Gordon: What do you think? Do you have any idea who this could be?
Batman: Err...not at the moment Jim. I'll, you know, look into it.

[Anarky]

There's a rumour that Batman will have a new suit in the middle of the movie and that suit change will be an important plot point.

http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5313

I like the idea. I'm a fan of the superhero side of Batman so I'm all for suit improvements, more gadgets and more vehicles. Which I don't like is when those stuff comes randomly. If they are part of a good story, I'm all for it.

yeah, it's a symbiote that makes Bats surlier than usual:D


I've only seen him in "Frasier".He did a pretty good job there but not enough to covince me on this role.Any movies you can recommend so I might change my mind?

which "Frasier" ep did he appear?
was he Tom, the gay station manager from the early years?


She will apparently replace Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. She's a competent actress, but about as unsexy as they come. Very poor choice. I would rather have had Holmes back, to be honest.

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5310

maggie gylenhall...unsexy???
next you'll tell me that ileanna douglas and selma blair aren't sexy
if it's "boobs" you want, go rent Tomb Raider, Barb Wire, or some Denise Richards film.

[Aldrius]

which "Frasier" ep did he appear?
was he Tom, the gay station manager from the early years?

Aaron Eckhart? He was Charlotte's boyfriend in the last season before she got together with Frasier.

...I hated Charlotte.

I loved her actress. Hated her.

[BatKid]

If you're interested in Eckhart's ability, definitely check out 'Thank You For Smoking'. He just oozes charm and personality, which is perfect to play Gotham's Golden Boy. 'Black Dahlia' also showcases a bit of Eckhart's "dark" side, so check that out as well if you're curious. I think you'll be convinced once you see these 2.

P.S. I still wish Damon hadn't denied the role, he would've added a huge boost to this cast. :sweat:

[Michael24]

Kind of disappointed they're going for the more traditional look. That scary photoshop of The Man Who Laughs that I put up a link to awhile back was definitely the way to go.
For those who didn't see it: http://www.evilology.net/uploaded/joker2ge1nx.jpg
Tell me that doesn't capture the dark, gritty flavor of the first one.

Here's something interesting I just found regarding The Dark Knight's Joker.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=415104

Definitely doesn't seem to go with those spy pics of Ledger in the traditional-looking suit, so I'm guessing perhaps he wasn't completely in costume in those pics or maybe the details just didn't show up.

[Damien]

Cool. Yeah, the article even mentions spy pics., so I'm guessing maybe this one was leaked on purpose. As in, leaked to throw everyone off and create buzz around the message boards...like this.

[TheScarecrow]

There's also the possibility that people who said he would be "raggedy" are flat out wrong, and that Joker will be far more traditional than we thought, and that the leaked pics are not fake at all.

Just a thought. ;)

[langden alger]

really interesting stuff from that article....i guess if that is a bank robbery sequence they're filming right now, maybe those big creepy clown doll heads were masks for his gang to wear during the heist.

[BatKid]

AICN reports:

Let's try this again... Is this The Joker?


Ahoy, squirts! Quint (quint@aintitcool.com) here again. I posted the last picture of Heath Ledger as the Joker (CLICK HERE FOR THAT STORY!) (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32380) and got slammed for it. But in that article I clearly stated that I believed the pic to be a proof of concept picture, which is almost always a preexisting photo that is played around with to prove the make-up ideas can work. It's still to be determined if that's the case, but because of that story posting, we got a new image from a new scooper, calling himself Rockatansky. Check it out.

http://www.aintitcool.com/images2007/jokerledger1.JPG (http://www.aintitcool.com/images2007/jokerledger.JPG)
I believe both images to be real, the one I posted before and the one I'm posting now, but the one I'm posting now is an actual make-up test, not a proof of concept photoshop job that'd be up on a casting director or production office wall.
If you look closely at the two images I've posted today, you'll see the scarring is in the same place (corners of the mouth and above the left eye). I like the sunken-in scarring more on the photoshop job because this one looks a little bit more like Ichi The Killer.
Until this is confirmed by Warner Bros, it will still be a rumor, a potential image, but like I said in the previous report... This fits with the word I've been hearing out of this particular production.

[dc_gothamite]

looks very 'the crow' hahaha...

if that is a taste of what's to come, its lookin pretty good so far... given the down-to-earth tone of "Begins," i'm not really expecting the most outlandish appearance for the Joker...

i like the more shriveled look of this... i'm diggin' the scarring aspect as well... its not like he just got his grin from the vat of chemicals; it's all self-induced...

[AlienOmega]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes the new look. Now if only I could see it in motion....

[BatKid]

Yup, the manipper just came forward over at the Hype forums. Thank god, I was ready to write this film off. :sweat:

[langden alger]

actually the guy in that pic looks more like rider strong than ledger.

[Anarky]

Aaron Eckhart? He was Charlotte's boyfriend in the last season before she got together with Frasier.

...I hated Charlotte.

I loved her actress. Hated her.

thanks, he was awesome in that role
loved his line about the whales!:D

i'd prefer the classic, well-tailored Joker.
but then again, i'm a white-collar banker

[Cortez2301]

Apparently he is going to play a mafia kinpin...Maroni!...I hope.Anyway here is the news: http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5573

[Doctor Nick]

I'm REAL worried Heath L. as Joker may not pull his weight. What other good roles has he had?

[Young Justice]

http://one.revver.com/watch/247845/flv/affiliate/83874

[Batman91]

Thats a pretty neat video, but when the Joker's gang was sliding down the cable was that their real laugh of did someone just add that in. It sounds pretty cartoony for this version of Batman.

[Damien]

Video looks okay. It'll look better on the big screen, but it's cool.

Kind of disappointed that the latest picture was fake. The dark purple works so much better. The scarring is cool, as well, especially knowing that the mouth scars are just a foundation for that trademark permanent smile.
But oh well. Can't wait to see the official images.

[langden alger]

Thats a pretty neat video, but when the Joker's gang was sliding down the cable was that their real laugh of did someone just add that in. It sounds pretty cartoony for this version of Batman.

sounded to me like just an excited stagehand. i don't think the laugh will be added to the actual scene.


the clown masks got me thinking. at first i imagined that maybe some heat from a car crash or something singes the imprent of the mask on jokers face to give him the trademark look....but i don't think we're getting a joker origin in this like tim burton's batman, so he'll probably already be the joker from the get-go in this one.....especially since on the set he already had the green hair(or possibly streak of green) in those bank robbery scenes.

[PeterFries]

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/images/tdk_logo.jpg

This logo went up on the official site (http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com) tonight...

[langden alger]

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/images/tdk_logo.jpg

This logo went up on the official site (http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com) tonight...


:D:D it begins.:D :D

[Young Justice]

This logo went up on the official site (http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com) tonight...

I was hoping that they would gradually change the logo for a more traditional one, but without the yellow containter.

[Spider-Man]

Apparently AICN (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32663) has a description of the teaser trailer.


Hey Harry,
My brother IM'd me a moment ago with a description of the Dark Knight teaser, saying I may report this to the nearest movie site or whatever. Apparently news about this has not been heard yet, but here goes: Black background, cards begin to fall in slow motion, the joker whispers things directed at Batman, the audience, the final card to fall is the joker, with also a picture of the bat signal on fire. My bro works in Holywood, got the video from a guy who does the credits for videos. yep.

[rggkjg1]

batman-on-film is saying that the teaser will be with the new harry potter in july. seems like we're getting things along the same "timeline" as batman begins, but a little earlier. i think the teaser for begins came out in late july. so this is good. maybe we'll get some pics or something before the teaser comes out.

batman-on-film is also saying cillian murphy will back as scarecrow! yay!

[Cortez2301]

I want to see Joker's face so badly...I wonder if Zsasz will return in the next movie for a minor role.I just want to see a body full of scars.He needs to be taken more seriously.

[PeterFries]

batman-on-film is saying that the teaser will be with the new harry potter in july.

Annnnd now they say, no, it won't.

AICN, consistently wrong about everything.

[Spider-Man]

I have to wonder what movie this trailer will be attached to. Spider-Man 3 would have been perfect. Maybe it will be attached to Pirates of the Carribean 3, FF2, or Transformers. Harry Potter 5 would make the most sense though.

[Young Justice]

Maybe this is old news, I don't know. But I've read an article that confirms his role:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05142007/entertainment/heroic_save_entertainment_michael_kane.htm?page=0

[Batman]

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/images/tdk_logo.jpg

This logo went up on the official site (http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com) tonight...

I hope this movie tops BATMAN BEGINS :cool:

[Young Justice]

I hope this movie tops BATMAN BEGINS :cool:

I will be hard to, because Batman Begins was an excellent movie. It has room for improvement, but it has more room for deterioration.

[Batman]

I will be hard to, because Batman Begins was an excellent movie. It has room for improvement, but it has more room for deterioration.

I have no doubt Bale, Cain, Oldman , & Freeman will once again give a great preformance .

I'm only fear is that Ledger is going to suck Big Time as The Joker in this movie. And he won't even come close to topping Nicholson .

[PeterFries]

And he won't even come close to topping Nicholson .

Nicholson ruined Burton's Joker, I mean Batman movie, so the bar's not exactly very high there for Ledger to top him.

Back to the main thread subject, YoungJustice, I don't think that was old news about the confirmation on Roberts playing Moroni. Seems a bit unlikely that Nolan deliberately passed on Gandolfini and Hoskins for Roberts, though...

[Young Justice]

Nicholson ruined Burton's Joker, I mean Batman movie, so the bar's not exactly very high there for Ledger to top him.

Back to the main thread subject, YoungJustice, I don't think that was old news about the confirmation on Roberts playing Moroni. Seems a bit unlikely that Nolan deliberately passed on Gandolfini and Hoskins for Roberts, though...

In the article there's a story about how Roberts got the part. His role in Heroes had a great part in the deal.

Nolan has a history in casting unexpected actors for some roles. In Batman Begins it happened in a lot of cases: Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow, Tom Wilkinson as Falcone, Gary Oldman as Gordon and now Heath Ledger as Joker. Maybe Gandolfini and Hoskins were too obvious choices for Moroni.

I myself prefer see Hoskins doing Tonny Zucco. He looks a lot like the Zucco from Dark Victory.

[Young Justice]

His imdb page:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004801/

He was just confirmed in the movie:
http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5690

I think he is a bit youger to be the Gotham's Mayor. What do you think?

[PeterFries]

His imdb page:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004801/

He was just confirmed in the movie:
http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5690

I think he is a bit youger to be the Gotham's Mayor. What do you think?

WOW

Mayor Richard Alpert! :eek:

Holy crap -- I never made the "Batmanuel" connection between that guy in Lost and the Tick actor. HA HA HA

[Young Justice]

It appears to be official:
http://ibelieveinharveydent.warnerbros.com/

I wonder, Harvey would be a Republican or Democrat? :)

[rggkjg1]

the pics slowly begin to show up. is that harvey dent thing a "real" pic from the production of the dark knight or a random pic of the actor from a previous movie?