November 9, 2005 - Batman-on-Film has the latest skinny on the sequel to Batman Begins and which actors are rumored for the role of D.A. Harvey Dent, a.k.a. the future villain Two-Face. The next Batman film is said to introduce him as an ally of Batman's before a third flick establishes him as The Dark Knight's foe.

Long rumored contender Liev Schreiber (The Manchurian Candidate, Sum of All Fears) recently took part in a chat session over the weekend via his official site where he was asked about the Dent rumors. Schreiber denied knowing about the role but that doesn't mean he wouldn't consider it.

As BoF points out, " 'Yes,' said Schreiber when asked if he was interested in the role. 'Write your congressmen now! Sounds like fun to me. Again, I seem to be the last one to hear because I know nothing about it.' "

Fanboys also couldn't help but wonder if Hugh Jackman, best known as Wolverine in the X-Men films, might be in the running for Dent given that his next project will be Nolan's The Prestige, opposite Batman co-stars Christian Bale and Michael Caine.

BoF ran this past a trusted source of theirs who advised them, "I very much doubt it will happen. Jackman's got several projects in the works and I don't know if he would be available to shoot it in 2007. Plus, why would he get involved with another comic book franchise? Anyway, I'm still hearing it is [Liev] Schreiber's role if he wants it."

Schreiber is currently filming the remake of The Omen in Prague for a 2006 release.

I always think of good baddies as oldish - like Willem Dafoe

Agreed.

I wonder if this is all true though, cause Batman Begins ended with a Joker's card... unless they are gonna have Two Face team up with the Joker.

That said, I wonder who they would get in as the Joker. Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's Batman was brilliant, but sadly is a tad TOO old now (even though he manages to bag young chicks).

Yeah Jack would have been great! They'll probably go for Jim Carry laugh.gif

... and some bad news... it seems Katie Holmes will return in the sequel... despite the fact that she 'fact' up, and rapped "War of the Worlds" louder than "Batman:Begins" angry.gif She might not be there for the whole film though!

For the role of The Joker, the big-name actor that Warners and director Christopher Nolan are said to be eyeing "has a major film coming out this summer and it's a sequel to one of his biggest hits. In fact, his performance in the first movie was nominated for an Oscar."

That actor, of course, is Johnny Depp, an oft-mentioned fan fave to play The Joker.

Moviehole's source adds that "rumor is that he might be interested depending on the script, which is being written right now."

For the femme fatale role, Moviehole's source claims that "this is the first screen appearance for this character in the Batman films and she has a very close connection with a major character in Nolan's first Batman movie. She will be out for revenge against Bruce Wayne and Gotham in a major way."

The unnamed actress is said to be a SAG and Golden Globe nominee who is currently five months pregnant. "She will be in tip top fighting shape once production begins to roll early next year but not before she throws a few coins in a fountain."

That actress would be Rachel Weisz, a nominee for her role in The Constant Gardener, who is pregnant with the child of Darren Aronofsky, who directed her in The Fountain.

But which character is the scooper referring to? The most likely choice seems Ra's Al Ghul's daughter Talia, given that "she has a very close connection with a major character" in Batman Begins and is "out for revenge against Bruce Wayne and Gotham."

Jack wouldn't be great again, this is a different Batman than the one that Burton presented us (oh I love his vision of Batman so much), Jim Carrey probably won't agree to star in Batman again (probably won't even get it offered after that piece of shit that Batman Forever was, not as bad as Batman & Robin). Basically every A-list actor has been mentioned on the internet to play the Joker. A grab in that list gives us Johnny Depp :

Paul Bettany is trying on the villain role in 2006 with the upcoming releases of two high-profile films: Firewall and The Da Vinci Code. Could the role of the Joker in the next "Batman" movie be far behind?

Responding to rumors on the Internet linking his name to the role, Bettany said, "Nobody has rung me up officially and asked, 'Would you like to be in it?'" In fact, the only information Bettany has heard has been from friends who have told him they've heard the rumor too.

Asked if he was flattered about the rumors connecting him to the Batman Returns sequel, Bettany said, "Well, I'm just wondering if my mother started the rumors."

Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan is currently filming The Prestige with his "Begins" stars Christian Bale and Michael Caine (plus the "X-Men" films' Hugh Jackman). After that project they are expected to start concentrating on the sequel.

Warner Bros. Pictures is already planning the next installments to Batman Begins and Superman Returns, with respective helmers Christopher Nolan and Bryan Singer in line to return, reports Variety.

While neither director's deal is closed, the studio has hired Jonathan Nolan -- Christopher's brother -- to write the screenplay for the untitled "Batman" project. The studio has options on "Begins" star Christian Bale and "Returns" star Brandon Routh.

Next installment in the Caped Crusader franchise is further along in the process since "Begins" was released last summer; Singer's "Returns," now in post-production, doesn't get released until June 30. "Batman" and "Superman" sequels could make their debut in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

Legendary Pictures, which put up half the financing for both "Begins" and "Returns," is expected to board the sequels and split the budgets 50/50 with Warner Bros. In return, Legendary would split all profits, also 50/50.

One idea being tossed about is for Singer to direct a "Superman" sequel soon after he finishes with Warner's remake of sci-fi thriller Logan's Run, which he's also expected to direct.

The trade says Logan's Run is tentatively scheduled to begin shooting this fall in Vancouver. If Singer did pact to direct the "Superman" sequel, that film could be shot in Vancouver as well.

Singer is also set to direct The Mayor of Castro Street, which is in development at Warner Bros.

One you’ll love, one you’ll hate.

Actor John Cusack is apparently ardent to play D.A Harvey Dent – the law-abider who eventually becomes the stained Two-Face – in the next “Batman” movie, according to a scooper for Batman On Film.

In the film, Dent teams with Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) and Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) to catch the villainous ‘Joker’.

Though this is the first anyone’s heard of Cusack being interested in the role –Live Schrieber and Hugh Jackman have been rumoured to be in the running for that part – there could be something in this. Maybe. Possibly. For the sake of the news item. The “Con Air” and “Say Anything” star has pretty much cleared most of his schedule for 2007, so he could easily fit the role in. But then again, Joey Travolta’s schedule is rather clear too, and he’s not being considered.

Should Cusack - who I love by the way, and I think he’d be a treat in the role! - snag the role, he’d be signing for two movies, in essence : The next film, and the one after – in which he’d turn into the abovementioned Two-Face.

And here’s another one to throw on the rumour mound…

TV series, G4, ran a report saying that Paul ‘Pee Wee Herman’ Reubens will be playing The Joker in the next film. Yep, according to the show, he’s the man. The new Clown Prince of Crime. The Smiling assassin.

Anything in that? I doubt it.

I’d say they’ve simply gotten their Paul’s mixed up (Paul Bettany is actually an oft-rumoured candidate for the role), or have been slipped a bogus rumour. I could be wrong, but I just don’t see Reubens being the star catch the sequel so dearly needs. (He actually had a role in one of the ‘other’ “Batman” movies too, “Batman Returns”, playing The Penguin’s father, so I think that would involuntarily rule him out. I believe they don’t want this new series to bare any tie to the original foursome.)

Insiders have started muttering Robin Williams' name in connection with that of The Joker in the "Batman Begins" sequel. While it's too early to say if Mork from Ork will indeed be the one picked to thrash it out with the Dark Knight, one thing's for sure - the actor is definitely interested.

Speaking to IGN FilmForce, Williams - next appearing in the thriller "The Night Listener" - says he'd "love to do that one" when asked about the "Batman" rumours.

If director Christopher Nolan - who Williams worked with on "Insomnia"- gives him the nod, he says he'd like to play the role as a mesh of both nutty and nasty.

"Well, you want to do a different Joker. You know, if they do Arkham Asylum, it would be amazing. Arkham Asylum is one of the greatest, nastiest comic books ever. It's truly, it's like the Marquee de Sade on that level, and wonderfully damaged and quite tragic, in terms of when you realize [what happened to] create these characters..."

"You can go both [over-the-top and dark]," Williams said. "As in madness, there's a lot of ways to go. I think you can really explore how bright and how nasty-funny he is, just like I guess what Kevin [Spacey] did with Lex Luthor, made him really funny, but yet still damaged... As evil is, accessible and yet still horrific".

Williams, who was once linked to the role of The Riddler in "Batman Forever" (1995), says he loves comic books and graphic novels. "It's interesting now that they're doing, they all kind of realize, with all the adult comic books or graphic novels for those who are trying to upscale themselves... Is that a comic book? No! It's a graphic novel! Is that porn? No! It's adult entertainment!"

"They're making these really interesting pieces and there's a lot of great, great comic books and graphic novels out there that could make wonderful movies. They're looking for them, and it's great... I read this comic book called DMZ [by Brian Wood], which is about New York after kind of a Civil War. Could it happen? Every time the helicopters fly over my house I'm going, 'Welcome to Baghdad!' But it's kind of fascinating, because they treat it like the country's divided. All these cities like Lebanon and Beirut and Baghdad and military zones of control, yet it's still the village and it's still its own. Fascinating concept. That's what's good about alternative forms of literature or stuff that you read..."

i liked the older batman movies, those were cool, as i remember them to be anyway. didn't enjoy the new one.

July 20, 2006 - After months of speculation about the casting of The Joker in the forthcoming Batman Begins sequel, a large stable of actors have been linked to the part including Jude Law, Robin Williams, Paul Bettany and Steve Buscemi. The Batman rumor mill began churning again this morning and this time it appears that a legit announcement on who will play Batman's arch rival is imminent.

The final verdict? Heath Ledger.

The Latino Review website first reported the news this morning, prompting a slew of websites to follow.

IGN FilmForce looked into the rumor and can confirm, after checking with a number of reliable sources, that it is indeed true. There has been no official confirmation as yet, but we can claim confirmation of the "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" variety.

The final word may come during this weekend's Comic Con 2006 in San Diego, where some sources are claiming that Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan could make an appearance to announce Ledger as The Joker.

Ledger, who has made a career resurgence of late, is generating strong buzz for his upcoming portrayal of Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes' I'm Not There.

After a promising start to his career in The Patriot, Monster's Ball and the hit A Knight's Tale, Ledger was headlining "it" lists everywhere. But a series of flops including The Four Feathers, Ned Kelly and The Order put the actor's career in brief jeopardy.

In 2005, things took a sudden upturn for Ledger, garnering an Oscar-nod for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in one of last year's most acclaimed films, Brokeback Mountain. Ledger also received kudos for his amusing portrayal of Skip in Lords of Dogtown.

Stay tuned to IGN FilmForce for more on this story as it develop

Heath Ledger seemed signed, sealed and delivered after word that he was offered the role of The Joker in the BATMAN BEGINS sequel. But now we get word from Batman-on-Film, courtesy of their "best source," that Ledger has not in fact signed a deal and instead has become reluctant to sign the contract. "Ledger is not a lock," their source says. The same report also confirms that The Penguin will be the second villain in the film and director Christopher Nolan has also offered that part to an actor. That actor just so happens to be the one who beat Heath Ledger in the Best Actor Oscar race last year - Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman however is even less of a lock than Ledger though as he's sending out signals that he may pass on the offer. So if you had your druthers, who would YOU cast as Joker and Penguin? After all, Christopher Nolan could be reading this right now and absorbing all these great ideas... Thanks to Dave for the heads-up.

Warner have just dropped us a line – no doubt to put to rest all these rumours, whispers and exploratory info - to report:

“The next feature film installment of Batman will be called The Dark Knight. It will be directed by Chris Nolan and Heath Ledger will play the role of The Joker. An official release will be sent out tomorrow”.

So there you have it. Dark Knight. Joker Ledger. Announcement pending.

Thanks to ‘Tiffany’

UPDATE : The official press release has just flown into the inbox. Here it is :

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN TO DIRECT

WARNER BROS. PICTURES' UPCOMING BATMAN MOVIE,

THE DARK KNIGHT

CHRISTIAN BALE REPRISES TITLE CHARACTER,

HEATH LEDGER JOINS CAST AS THE JOKER

BURBANK, CA, 31 July 2006 - As a follow up to last year's blockbusterBatman Begins, Christopher Nolan is set to direct Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight, written by Jonathan Nolan, based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. The film will be produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan. Additionally, Christian Bale will resume his role as Bruce Wayne and Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has been cast as The Joker. The announcements were made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Christopher Nolan revamped the Batman franchise in 2005 with the immensely successful Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale in the title role, which chronicled the early years of the superhero. Nolan first garnered attention from critics and fans in 2000 with the groundbreaking drama Memento, which he wrote and directed. He went on to direct the thriller Insomnia, starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and recently wrapped production on The Prestige, with Hugh Jackman and Bale.

Bale was most recently seen in the ensemble cast of Terrence Malick's The New World. His other credits include Little Women, Portrait of a Lady, Metroland, American Psycho, Laurel Canyon and Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, which was his first starring role.

Ledger most recently earned Oscar Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the award-winning drama Brokeback Mountain. His other credits include Casanova, Monster's Ball, Lords of Dogtown, The Brothers Grimm and The Patriot.

"Chris' unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight," said Robinov. "We also can't wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker."

"I'm excited to continue the story we started with Batman Begins," added Nolan. "Our challenge in casting The Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless. Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale's Batman is going to be incredible."

Production is set to begin on The Dark Knight in early 2007.

Nolan and Ledger are represented by CAA.

Here’s an interesting titbit. Heath Ledger was never Warner’s – not exactly a shock, but exemplary gay cowboy movies helped change their minds – first choice for the role of The Joker in the “Batman Begins” sequel.

Batman-on-Film.com reports today that Sean Penn was actually offered the role. Penn, a little bit older than “Brokeback Mountain” star Ledger, interestingly enough, considering they're doing a young 'Joker' storyline, reportedly nixed the part. You may remember Christian Bale [drunkely] revealed that the filmmakers were chasing Penn for the role at one point. Not for Sean though, it seems.

Again, it proves how smart the studio and/or Christopher Nolan are by chasing the ‘best’ actors around – i.e. those that don’t need a good editor to see them through – for these parts in the new Batman series. Interestingly enough, Penn is a good friend – and constant collaborator – of Jack Nicholson, the Joker from the first [1989] “Batman” movie. Do wonder whether Penn gave Jack a call when the offer came through..

In related news, I touched base with a contact at Warner this week, regarding these rumours that Ryan Phillippe may be up for the role of D.A Harvey Dent/’Two Face. Now whilst my contact can’t confirm anything, he/she did say “he [Phillippe] has been mentioned in relation to that one, for a while now”. So, sounds like he’s definitely in the mix - - but then, there could be another 50 guys also in that mix.

Bob Hoskins tells IESB that although he hasn’t been offered the role, he definitely wants Christopher Nolan to know that he’s keen on playing cinema’s next ‘Penguin’ in Bat-sequel “The Dark Knight”.

The actor, currently starring in “Hollywoodland”, admitted his fanaticism to play the villainous Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin when asked about rumours linking him to the role. Although the Brit downplayed the rumours, he did express an interest in such a role, if it ever did come his way.

Hoskins has starred in quite a few high-concept fantasy pics, including “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and “Super Mario Bros”.

Meanwhile, the new ‘Joker’, Heath Ledger, talked to The Toronto Star about his plans for the character.

“It's definitely going to stump people. I think it'll be more along the lines of how the Joker was meant to be in the comics, darker and more sinister”, says Ledger.

“I wouldn't have thought of me, either. But it's obviously not going to be what Jack Nicholson did. It's going to be more nuanced and dark and more along the lines of A Clockwork Orange kind of feel. Which is, I think, what the comic book was after: less about his laugh and more about his eyes.”

Meanwhile, the new ‘Joker’, Heath Ledger, talked to The Toronto Star about his plans for the character.

I could live with Hoskins as The Penguin.

Also good that we will see darker, more sinister Joker.

Wonder if he will be propositioning the main man (or any other male character) in this one

IGN FilmForce reports that Christopher Nolan talked about the Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood last night. Here's a clip:

When we asked if District Attorney Harvey Dent – a.k.a. Batman's future nemesis Two-Face – would indeed be in the film, Nolan replied, "I don't want to go into too many specifics. Yes, he is."

IGN caught up with Nolan as he was exiting the event and asked if Dent had been cast. "Not yet." Would that actor be an American, an Aussie or a Brit? "You'll see," Nolan promised.

“Batman” rumours are about as common as tight-fitting underoos causing chafing.

One little whispering wedgie is that Jake Gyllenhaal has been in final talks – so final that many are claiming he’s already signed – to play Harvey Dent in the “Batman Begins” sequel, “The Dark Knight”.

As hard as it is to break Rupert Everett’s heart – I’m sure he’d love to see Gyllenhaal and “Brokeback Mountain” mountee, Heath Ledger, back in business together – IGN FilmForce have done some digging and discovered that the rumour is as false as an insurance salesman’s handshake.

Gyllenhaal’s management tells the site that "No, the other guy from Brokeback Mountain is in it if you haven't heard." (Ah, buck for the belly-laugh).

Another rumour is that Ryan Phillippe has been contacted about the same role – but calls to his people came up trumps, too.

Interestingly enough, Batman-On-Film.com says that the role of Harvey ‘Two Face’ Dent has been cast.

So whose got it? My money’s on Billy Dee Wiilliams.

Bale Doesn't Talk About The Dark Knight
Source: Heather Newgen, Edward Douglas October 14, 2006


One of the most exciting superhero movies of the last few years was Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, and Nolan reunites with his star Christian Bale this coming weekend for The Prestige, a turn of the century magician thriller based on the book by Christopher Priest.

So when ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! had a chance to talk to Christian Bale about the movie, you would think that we could get a few scoops from him about what to expect from the 2008 sequel The Dark Knight, right?

As Luthor might say? WRONG!

Apparently, Bale hasn't even read the script yet, or at least so he claims. He's an actor, so who knows whether we should believe him when he told us, "I've spoken to Chris about it. I haven't read anything yet. I trust him completely. I'm sure he's been coming up with something improved upon our first one. We also have the knowledge that everyone has confidence in what we're trying to do now because the first one worked. People embraced it. Beyond that, Chris is just a real solid foundation. You don't worry too much if he's going to come up with the goods. He is. He's one of the best around."

"I have no clue what we're going to be doing and I haven't paid a lot of thought to it," Bale continued. "I'll pay a lot of thought to it once Chris sits me down and tells me what he's trying to achieve for the next one. When I sit in the safety vault and read the script being monitored on all sides then I'll know more and I'll move forward with it from there. Before then, I'm truly not thinking about it. I've got total trust in him and I have no problem reading the script a week before we start. I'm actually pretty confident."

"I mean look of course, I'd love to be able to talk with you more and we will [talk] about the actual character and where we can take that and where we want to take him. But beyond that, I enjoy this kind of air of secrecy about it and I don't mind not being in right there in the inner circle until Chris decides he needs me to know about it and he needs my input as well. So far, that hasn't happened."

We also asked Bale if he's worried at all about being thought of just as Batman or Bruce Wayne, to which he responded, "My feeling has always been with anything like that it all depends on the following roles I take and just ability as well you know. If it turns out that I'm just doing different variations of Bruce Wayne for the rest of my life, than who would want to keep hiring me for anything? I wasn't that worried about that, especially because of the way that we approached that of doing "Batman" and "Batman Begins." Although he's obviously larger than life, obviously we were referencing many of the graphic novels. It's somewhat in my mind less of a character than he was represented in many of the other versions. I kind of watch it and believe him as a real character in this sort of ridiculous animated personality."

The Brothers Nolan on The Dark Knight
Source: Heather Newgen October 15, 2006


ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! talked to The Prestige director/co-writer Christopher Nolan and his brother (and co-writer) Jonathan about their anticipated Batman Begins follow-up, The Dark Knight, coming to theaters in June of 2008:

ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype!: You said you don't think about casting until you've finished a script, but you cast Heath Ledger [as Joker], so does that mean that "The Dark Knight" script is actually finished?
Christopher Nolan: Umm, no it doesn't, what it means is that we finished constructing that character and so we were able to sorta think about that. You know, his casting was a series of fortunate events, he expressed an interest. I hadn't really thought that he would be interested in doing it but it was worth a try so it was actually a very early conversation. Then, you know, we realized we were seeing the same character.

CS/SHH!: You also said that Harvey Dent will be in the new film, but does that mean that Two Face will be in the film?
Christopher: I couldn't say, you'll find out.

CS/SHH!: How much have you written?
Christopher: You want to know what page I'm on? I wouldn't tell the studio that, I'm not going to tell you that (laughter). What I will say is it's coming along.

CS/SHH!: Christian [Bale] has said that even he hasn't had a conversation about what the next [Batman] movie is going to be about. How important is it to keep it with [David] Goyer, your brother and yourself before releasing it to executives?
Christopher: We keep it very close to the chest. I mean, we, it's part of the process. We've been working on the script for a long time, over a year now one way or another with David Goyer and my brother, but it has to be right. We are almost finished.

CS/SHH!: Are we going to see the detective side of Batman in this one?
Christopher: I can't really say any more about it (laughter).

CS/SSH!: It will be darker than the first one?
Christopher: To be honest, I really don't think in those terms, the story will be what the story is and it will be for you guys to say whether it is or not. I honestly don't think of it like that.

CS/SHH!: How close are we to hearing who Harvey Dent is going to be?
Christopher: I don't know who is going to be him and I am the only person who would know so...I don't know.

CS/SHH!: Are we a couple months away?
Christopher: I don't know. We'll have to know fairly soon I suppose is what you are asking. We're shooting in February so...


CS/SHH!: So who is the bigger comic book fan prior to Batman was it you or [Christopher]?
Jonathan Nolan: You know it's funny, I have told this story a couple of times at the risk of sounding like I am repeating myself, when I was 14 years old, my brother, I was not a big comic book fan when I was a kid, a little bit of this a little bit of that, but Chris gave me a copy of Dark Knight Returns for my birthday when I was 14 and that was it. That was the only superhero that I was interested in. Fifteen years later to the day, last year we went to the premiere of "Batman Begins," which I worked on sort of on and off, not as a writer but as a consultant. It was really, really cool to be there because Batman is really the only, well, as you know he's the best superhero. For me he was the only superhero, so to work on that sort of material doesn't happen often but when it does happen you just feel very, very lucky.

CS/SHH!: How much of "The Dark Knight" are you involved in, are you heavily involved as a co-writer?
Jonathan: I wrote my draft, now Chris is...

CS/SHH!: What can you tell us about your draft?
Jonathan: There's actually a Warner Brothers team of ninjas that will double execute me if I say anything about the script.

CS/SHH!: Is it darker than the original one?
Jonathan: The name says it all.

CS/SHH!: Batman is a detective in the comic books, are we going to see that side of him in the next film? Are you hoping to see the detective side?
Jonathan: Wouldn't that be great. That would be fantastic. I would love that, that would be wonderful. (smiling)

CS/SHH!: I was curious; you turned in your draft, now how does it work when the two of you write together? Is it very much a question of, you turn in a draft, he looks at it, rewrites and comes back to you and then you come up with other ideas?
Jonathan: The way it's worked on all the films, we tried at one point for like a day to try and write together and that wasn't working. We tend to work on...separate drafts, both Chris and I think of writing as a sort of tortured solitary existence which is probably how you arrive at the best material but then the process that we found that works very well is you go off and lose your mind and write the draft and come back in and then the other guy says, this sucks, you know, and you have to sort of fight for the ideas that are good. It tends to be the case that the best stuff from each of the films are the ones that we argued about, the ones that went back and forth, but yeah, I'll write a draft, he'll write a draft...

CS/SHH!: Now David Goyer is also a part of this writing team isn't he?
Jonathan: Yes.

CS/SHH!: So is he also coming up with a draft or is he just putting notes in?
Jonathan: At this point, Dave's a really busy dude, a really busy guy, we're very lucky to be able to get him to collaborate with Chris on the story. So those guys gave me the s....I wish I could tell you all about it because it's awesome, they gave me this awesome story...

CS/SHH!: Which is what (laughing)?
Jonathan: My job was really easy because they just gave me this fantastic story and I just sort of put it together. But we were lucky to get David [Goyer] but he's been super, super busy so I don't know how it's going to work from here on out.

CS/SHH!: So Chris writes, David writes and they both direct. When are we going to see you crossover and direct a comic book?
Jonathan: Yeah, right? I am still concentrating on, I think I still have a lot to learn about the writing and I do have an interest in directing but I really want to nail the writing part first.

October 11, 2006 - Director Christopher Nolan continues to good-naturedly answer reporters' questions about his next project, The Dark Knight. Nolan has previously said that the film's depiction of The Joker will draw most heavily from his first two appearances in Batman #1. His most recent comments confirmed this approach.

"We're drawing from the entire canon. I don't want to talk too specifically about it," Nolan tells InFocusMag.com. "The thing I will say is that if you go back to the very first appearance of the Joker in the comics [the character is colder and more vicious]."

"There's a very clear direction [for him]," Nolan added. "It's pretty surprising how clearly drawn that character is in that book."

The Joker is portrayed as a "grim jester" in those first two appearances rather than as the clownish madman seen later on. Given that realistic approach, Nolan says the casting of Heath Ledger as The Joker "certainly makes sense to me."

Nolan also confirmed that the word "Batman" would not appear anywhere in the title, which will simply be The Dark Knight. Oddly enough, he would not comment on whether Harvey Dent and The Penguin would be in the sequel, although Nolan recently confirmed for IGN that Dent will appear. He also wouldn't address rumors that Ryan Phillippe and Philip Seymour Hoffman might play those respective roles.

This is going to spark a few Mailbag contributions.

According to Latino Review – and they do seem to have some solid contacts at Warner Bros; remember who scooped the web on Brandon Routh playing Superman? – Katie Holmes will not be back in “The Dark Knight”, despite the fact that her character, Rachel Dawes, will appear in the film.

I assume Holmes has opted not to reprise the role – or the producers have opted to save money and recast another actress – because the part she’ll play in the sequel is super-small. I’m talking ten-minutes or less. She’ll still be a pivotal part in the movie, but, well, let’s just say that it doesn’t much matter who plays her. It’ll only really affect the film’s accountant… who’ll probably have a few bucks left on the table because he hasn’t hired Holmes. I liked Holmes in "Batman Begins", I thought she fit the bill. I think It'll be a minor injury to the film having a different actress play the part. Pity.

So yep, they’re looking for another young brunette to play Dawes in the film.

The site also reports that producers still haven’t found their Harvey Dent. Apparently Matt Damon was made an offer – but passed. Still in the mix are Josh Lucas, Jamie Foxx and Edward Norton.

And who’ll be playing Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin? Well… nobody. The site has confirmed the character is no longer part of the movie – if he indeed ever was.

New roles being cast in the film include Eastern European Heavy - tough bad guy mobster, 40s-50s, Female Cop - Latin, 30s. 'Elizabeth Pena' type, and an Asian Accountant - male, 40s.

The site also reports that producers still haven’t found their Harvey Dent. Apparently Matt Damon was made an offer – but passed. Still in the mix are Josh Lucas, Jamie Foxx and Edward Norton.

Rising newcomer Emily Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada") is rumoured [this week, anyway]to be in line to replace Katie Holmes for the forthcoming "The Dark Knight", reports Cinema Blend.

The site heard from a "reliable" scooper who let slip that the folks behind the upcoming second "Batman" jaunt are in big fat gushy love with the actress, and want her to take over the role that Holmes (who quit the part recently) originated in "Batman Begins".

The site says that "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.

"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."

With Forest Whitaker so hot right now, I reckon he'll be in with a chance too.

I hope that gate is strong enough to hold the Katie Holmes’ fans back for a while…

…Because it looks like Maggie Gyllenhaal has been chosen to replace Mrs Cruise in the forthcoming “Batman Begins” dessert, “The Dark Knight”.

According to Latino Review, Gyllenhaal (“World Trade Center”, “Sherry Baby”) would slip into the well-worn shoes of Rachel Dawes, long-time confidante of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), and assistant to D.A Harvey Dent.

Do I have an opinion? Nah, not really. I don’t believe there’s much of a role here in the sequel for either actress…. though, Gyllenhaal could’ve demanded her scenes were increased – it wouldn’t surprise me – because last I heard, the character only appeared briefly in the film. Can’t see why they’d hire someone of Gyllenhaal’s caliber unless they planned on using her… taking advantage of her talent, if you will…. Right?

Amusingly, Maggie’s brother, Jake Gyllenhaal, was short-listed for the role of Batman there for a while. Wouldn’t that have been…um… disturbing? (Though, of course, Warner would never steep to such sickly levels, right?).

I don’t like actors being recast – especially when their character has already been established in an earlier film. Just don’t like it. It puts you off a bit. I’m not talking about lousy direct-to-video sequels having to recast – “Splash Too!” comes to mind; though I wish I didn’t – I’m talking about lead characters being recast for theatrically released sequels. It’s been done quite a few times (The “Batman” series being one of the main guilty parties). But, apparently there was no way around this – Holmes didn’t care to be involved, Warner didn’t care to have her involved – so they had no choice but to find a worthy replacement. Gyllenhaal, for better or worse, is definitely worthy. Lets see what they give her to do, now.

Now let’s get a move on and find Harvey Dent, hey?

Latino Review have been spot-on with their “Batman” and “Superman” scoops before, so I’d put a fair slab of weight on this rumour – it’ll hold.

To end, why don't we take it out with a bit of footage of Katie in action, as Rachel, from "Batman Begins".... Ah, the memories.

Finally. We have our Two-Face.

After months and months of speculation – everyone from Liev Schrieber to Josh Lucas, Ryan Phillippe and recently, Jamie Foxx, has been rumoured for the role of the Gotham villain – Warner Bros has chosen their Harvey ‘Two Face’ Dent.

The winner in the Bat bingo? The oft-rumoured Aaron Eckhart – recently seen in the weak as piss “Black Dahlia”, and before that, “Erin Brocokovich” and “The Core” – a terrific actor that's rarely given enough meaty parts to chew on. He won’t be getting bored on “The Dark Knight” though – as everyone knows, his character, D.A Harvey Dent, has quite the character arc. (In the film to follow ‘Knight’, Dent transforms into ‘Two Face’; so in essence, Eckhart will have a chance to play both a good guy and a bad guy in the one film series).

In Batman lore, Dent is the district attorney of Gotham City and an ally of Batman. After half his face is disfigured by acid, Dent becomes the insane crime boss known as Two Face. He chooses to do good or evil by flipping a coin. Tommy Lee Jones played the character in 1995's "Batman Forever."

"Knight" sees Christopher Nolan back in the director's chair with Christian Bale reprising his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Gary Oldman are also returning. Heath Ledger joined the cast last summer, signing up to play the sardonic and murderous villain the Joker, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The script was written by Nolan's brother, Jonathan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. Producing are Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan.

In recent times, Eckhart’s been showered with praise for his role in the satirical smokers spruik “Thank You for Smoking” (Didn’t love the film that much myself- though I will admit Eckhart was great in it) which nabbed him Golden Globe and Spirit Award nomination. He no doubt landed on Warner’s radar following that…. Or did he?

A few years back, you may recall, Warner was toying with the idea of bringing Frank Miller’s “Batman : Year One” to the big screen. And do you remember who was rumoured to be the frontrunner for Commissioner Gordon? Yup, Eckhart.

Interestingly enough, Batman-On-Film ran a poll recently asking who fans would like to see play Dent/Two Face. The winner by a huge margin? (60% of the votes) Aaron Eckhart.

Warner again may have proven themselves friends of the web.

Didn't thimk to highly of batman Begin,s i thought that they spent too long getting to the point and then when they did there wasn't much left. Lets hope that this one will be better