Wednesday, November 18

• January May Be Decision Time for Batman 3

  Ever since Christopher Nolan finished The Dark Knight, speculation has lingered over whether he will return for a third installment. Batman-on-Film reports that there is "scuttlebutt" that Warner Bros. may be finalizing their plans on Batman 3 in January of next year. Whether or not their announcement will include Nolan is unknown, but it appears that Warners wants kick off the year by clearing up the mystery over who will be directing the movie.

  As the site points out, this may work in Nolan's favor, since it would quiet down the speculation about Nolan's participation in Batman 3 before he begins to do press for his upcoming feature Inception. However, the source providing the story also claims that Warner Bros. is planning to make the sequel with or without Nolan.

  
  

  Posted 11/18/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christopher Nolan | The Dark Knight | Batman 3

Friday, November 13

• Michael Caine Says Batman 3 Might Not Happen

  Batman's faithful butler, Alfred, has dropped bad news ... again.

  Batman fans everywhere have been furiously blogging and discussing the twists and turns in the will-they-or-won't-they debate over a third installment of Christopher Nolan's revamped Batman franchise. Early on it was announced that, although lead actor Christian Bale was contractually obligated to appear in Batman 3, Nolan had no such obligation and might decide not to direct another one.

  Screenwriter David S. Goyer gave fans some hope when he said that he believed Nolan would return if he could "find the story that he's happy with." Then, Gary Oldman got everyone excited when he announced that filming would begin in 2010, only to recant his statement a couple days later.

  Actor Cillian Murphy, who played The Scarecrow in the first two films, is hopeful that another film will be made, and Aaron Eckhart, said that he "would do anything" Nolan asked of him, including reprise his TDK role of Two-Face.

  Michael Caine, who plays butler Alfred in both Batman films, initially gave fans some intriguing news when he announced that Johnny Depp and Philip Seymor Hoffman had been cast respectively as The Riddler and The Joker in Batman 3. However, a year later he retracted his statement saying that Depp was not involved and that there was "nobody ... no script, there's nothing."

  Now, Caine is at it again, this time announcing that fans shouldn't hold their breath for another installment of bat-justice.

  As for the future... if they ever make another Batman, I will be in, I will be the butler...

  But I don't know if they are ever going to make another Batman. If they do it won't be for quite a while."

  
  
  

  The Dark Knight - Trailer

  Why So Serious? - Now On DVD

  Posted 11/13/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Aaron Eckhart | Christian Bale | Gary Oldman | Michael Caine | Christopher Nolan | Cillian Murphy | David Goyer | Batman Begins | The Dark Knight

Wednesday, November 11

• Dane Cook for The Riddler in Batman 3?

  It's still unclear whether director Christopher Nolan will be returning for a third chapter in the Batman revamp, let alone what villain(s) will square off against the Dark Knight. Still, there have been rumors for months now that The Riddler will make a return appearance some fifteen years after Jim Carrey portrayed the character in Batman Forever.

  Everyone from Eddie Murphy, to Johnny Depp to Curb Your Enthusiasm funnyman Larry David have been mentioned in connection to the roll of Edward Nigma, the villain who compulsively confesses to his crimes in riddle form. So when MTV recently sat down with actor and comedian Dane Cook (My Best Friend's Girl), they asked him if he would be interested in the part.

  If they brought back The Riddler — a new Riddler the way they did with The Joker — that would be badass. I would do that.

  When they were making the new one and they were doing The Joker, I always thought it [should be] kind of like The Crow — having that dark element but still comedic. It would probably have to be something in that vein, even though I think what Heath Ledger did with the Joker was the greatest comic book villain ever.

  Cook also said that he would like to star in "anything sci-fi or comic book related," but that he hasn't been auditioning because he has been on tour.

  
  

  Posted 11/11/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Dane Cook | Batman Begins | Batman 3 | The Dark Knight

Tuesday, October 27

• A Few Inception Details Sneak Out

  The mystery surrounding Christopher Nolan's upcoming thriller Inception has been extremely hard to penetrate. Along with the earlier trailer revelation that it contains airborne hallway battles, there's the photographic "reveal" this weekend that the movie will feature a sharply dressed Leonardo DiCaprio sitting dangerously on a window sill.

  In addition, Nolan favorite Michael Caine has offered up a small tidbit about his role: "I play a professor who's teaching a guy science," Caine told Empire. "It's Leonardo DiCaprio. He's going off to do a science project and he speaks to me before he goes."

  Caine couldn't reveal more because he was only handed his one scene, but another Nolan regular, Cillian Murphy, has seen the entire script and still wouldn't reveal much about the movie to MTV.

  This is my third film with Chris. He showed me the whole script. It's very very complex and amazing. I'm hugely excited for next year when it comes out. It's conceptual. It doesn't fit into any genre. There are elements of different types of things in it but it is all from Chris' imagination. I've never read anything close to it before.

  There is one thing Nolan can't keep secret: Inception opens July 16, 2010.

  
  

  Posted 10/27/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Michael Caine | Christopher Nolan | Leonardo DiCaprio | Cillian Murphy | Inception

Friday, October 23

• Cillian Murphy "Hopes" For a Batman 3

  Cillian Murphy recently told MTV that he hopes "they make a third [Batman]." The actor portrayed the villain Scarecrow in both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

  [The Dark Knight is] one of the greatest blockbuster mainstream movies. If anyone can match that or top that it's [director] Chris [Nolan]. Fingers crossed.

  Murphy is currently working with Nolan on his mysterious thriller, Inception. However, that doesn't mean Murphy has heard anything about Nolan's return for Batman 3.

  We don't talk about those things. It's out of my control.

  
  

  Posted 10/23/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Cillian Murphy | Inception | The Dark Knight | Batman 3

Friday, October 2

• Ellen Page Keeping Inception a Secret

  Inception, Christopher Nolan's upcoming thriller, is still shooting, which is about all Ellen Page is willing to say about the mysterious project. Page told Collider that working on the movie has been "a blast."

  We've shot in a lot of different places so it kind of feels like ... you know you do your England leg and then your France and then we were in Morocco and now we're in L.A. It is a blast and I’m having so much fun. Working with Chris Nolan is a dream. He's amazing to work with and a lovely guy. There is no ego at all. He's just a filmmaker. You know what I mean. And that is totally obvious in his films. He's an incredible filmmaker ... but working with him is such a pleasure and often me and the other cast members will reflect on just how excited we are just to be in his movie. I feel like a little kid.

  Other than how much she's loved working with Nolan, Page stayed quiet on Inception details.

  Just don't try and find out more. Just love it when it comes out in July. It's going to be really cool.

  While Page's silence can be frustrating for those wanting to know Inception's secrets, there is one spoiler we can bring you: Inception will be released simultaneously in IMAX theaters as well as conventional theaters when it opens on July 16, 2010. You can't hide from us, Nolan!

  
  
  

  Inception - Trailer

  Gravity defying trailer starring Leonardo DiCaprio

  Posted 10/02/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Ellen Page | Christopher Nolan | Inception

Thursday, September 24

• Michael Caine Says No Johnny Depp in Batman 3

  Michael Caine may be in hot water again. He got in trouble when he confirmed rumors with MTV that Johnny Depp would play The Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman would play The Penguin in Batman 3. At the time, Caine said:

  When Christopher [Nolan] said we were going to do The Dark Knight next, I didn't [know] what that meant in Batman terms. I said, "What's the story?" and he said The Joker. I said, "Oh, s**t! How are you going to top Jack [Nicholson]?" He said, "Well, I've cast Heath Ledger. And I went "Ha! I couldn't top Jack, but if anyone could, maybe Heath could." And he did.

  I was with [a Warner Bros.] executive and I said, "Are we going to make another one?" They said yeah. I said, "How the hell are we going to top Heath?" And he says "I'll tell you how you top Heath — Johnny Depp as The Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin." I said, "S**t, they've done it again!" [Laughs]

  A year later, Caine is trying to do damage control, speaking with MTV again, and refuting those same newspaper rumors he was so quick to confirm.

  Johnny Depp is great in anything, but there is no Johnny Depp in this Batman. They tell me in no uncertain terms.

  Depp has claimed he'd "juggle" his schedule for the chance to appear in Batman 3, though there's little reason to worry about that now, since Caine says there's little chance that Batman 3 will see the light of day soon.

  There is nobody, there's no script, there's nothing. It can't possibly be made before 2011 because [Nolan's upcoming thriller] Inception is such a big picture.

  Of course, after all the trouble he made last year, Caine is currently the last man to know anything about Batman 3.

  [They] won't tell me anything because I said this before. No one will tell me anything now. They say, "Don't tell Michael, he'll tell everybody."

  
  

  Posted 09/24/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Johnny Depp | Michael Caine | Christopher Nolan | Philip Seymour Hoffman | Batman 3 | Inception

Monday, September 21

• Inception Shoot Has Action-Packed Weekend in Los Angeles

  Christopher Nolan has kept details of his upcoming thriller Inception a mystery, only allowing that the movie is about the "architecture of the mind." The teaser trailer revealed that the "mind is the scene of the crime." And rumors say the movie involves technology that allows people to enter the dreams of others.

  Whatever Inception is about, what is known for sure is that the movie will include action. The scene description for last weekend's Downtown L.A. shoot reveals a variety of action scenarios:

  EXTERIOR SEMI-AUTO ¼ LOAD GUNFIRE BEFORE 9:00 A.M. EXTERIOR AUTO, FULL LOAD GUNFIRE AFTER 9:00 A.M. Simulated car crash with train. Breaking glass. Simulated bullet effects on body and things. Atmospheric smoke effects. Weapons brandished. Driving scenes. Equipment on property, sidewalk, curb lane and across the street. Exterior dialogue. Occasional traffic and pedestrian control. Near hits & misses. Stunt driving. Process trailer. Rain effects. Wetting of the street. Camera car. Condor and crane. Generator. Picture vehicles. Scissor lifts.

  Inception opens July 16, 2010, and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Caine.

  
  

  Posted 09/21/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Inception

Friday, September 11

• Aaron Eckhart Would Return for Batman 3, If Asked

  While Batman 3 still technically lives in limbo, The Dark Knight's Aaron Eckhart wouldn't object to a return to the franchise, should Christopher Nolan officially decide to make it. There's only one issue: Eckhart's character, Harvey Dent a.k.a Two-Face, fell off a construction site, and, sort of, well, died. Eckhart explained to MTV that Two-Face's death complicates his return.

  As far as I'm concerned, my character's dead. I've sort of just gone on with my life. I don't have any expectations of being in the next Dark Knight, if there is a Dark Knight.

  Still, Eckhart would return, if Nolan wanted him to.

  If Chris called me, I would certainly do it. I would do anything for Chris. If Chris wanted me to ... I don't know, bring his tea or something like that, I would do it. I had such a good time making that movie, and he's such a great filmmaker.

  It isn't too hard to see how Eckhart could return. Considering Gary Oldman's Commissioner Gordon fakes his death in The Dark Knight, Eckhart's Two-Face could do the same, opening up the possibility of a return. However, Eckhart thinks that Batman 3 may focus instead on new villains.

  I think [Dark Knight] was always Heath [Ledger]'s movie, and Heath was definitely the motor and the vehicle that was to continue on. I'm not sure that it's not better just to start all over and find different characters for the [next] movie.

  
  

  Posted 09/11/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Aaron Eckhart | Christopher Nolan | Heath Ledger | Batman 3 | The Dark Knight

Thursday, August 27

• Christopher Nolan to Shoot Batman 3 in IMAX?

  AICN reports that should Christopher Nolan return to direct the third installment of the Batman series, which is becoming closer to reality, that Nolan may shoot the entire movie in IMAX.

  This, of course, is merely rumor. However, in the past Nolan admitted to USA Today that he has a deep, burgeoning love for IMAX, even shooting four action sequences in The Dark Knight in the complicated format.

  There's simply nothing like seeing a movie that way. It's more immersive for the audience. I wish I could shoot the entire thing this way.

  Nolan has wanted to shoot an entire movie in the format for some time, but hasn't done so yet because of the difficultly and expense of the IMAX process, not to mention the "loud" volume of the cameras which makes shooting dialogue scenes complicated. Nolan has described a plan where he would shoot action scenes in the IMAX format and dialogue scenes in the traditional, 65mm format as a solution. Yet, besides the four scenes in Dark Knight, he has yet to carry out that plan.

  For now, Nolan is immersed in working on his mysterious thriller Inception, a movie that AICN speculates Nolan chose to do before Batman 3 for a good, IMAX-specific, reason.

  Part of the reason that Nolan went forward with Inception first — besides taking a creative break from the cape and cowl adventures ... was possibly to create a few new IMAX cameras made to his specs. Once again — the cost of shooting an entire feature film on IMAX ... the stock, the time it takes to reset, to load, to move the cameras ... is daunting, but as Nolan proved with Dark Knight — the difference is stunning.

  No word on whether Inception will include any use of the IMAX format, or if Nolan will indeed return for Batman 3.

  
  

  Posted 08/27/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Inception | Batman 3 | The Dark Knight

Monday, August 24

• Inception Trailer Brings More Questions

  Little has been revealed so far about Inception, Christopher Nolan's thriller about the "architecture of the mind." The trailer, released over the weekend before Inglourious Basterds, only brings more questions, such as how can anyone fly up to the ceiling? Perhaps the newly launched official website will answer some questions. Meanwhile, the trailer (see below) has 58 seconds of curious footage to keep people guessing.

  
  

  Posted 08/24/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Inception

Friday, August 21

• Christopher Nolan Leaves The Prisoner, Possibly Batman 3 After Inception?

  

  Christopher Nolan was set to direct a big-screen adaptation of the British TV series The Prisoner back in 2006, and it was believed that he would start work on The Prisoner after finishing The Dark Knight. When Nolan chose to direct Inception after Dark Knight, it was assumed that The Prisoner would be next, except that Prisoner producer Barry Mendel told CineFOOLS that Nolan has dropped out:

  Chris Nolan has dropped out of it, but we have a first draft by David and Janet Peoples who wrote Twelve Monkeys and David wrote Unforgiven and it's a good draft and we're working on the script right now.

  Could Nolan be clearing his schedule for Batman 3? Fans are hoping so, though Nolan isn't saying a word. The director is hard at work on his extremely secret Inception, for which so little is known that some Paris-set photos and discovering the characters' names are the only revealing items outside of a curious synopsis that describes the movie as "a contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind."

  More will hopefully be revealed about Inception when the trailer plays before Inglourious Basterds, but Nolan's involvement in Batman 3 will remain a secret.

  
  

  Posted 08/21/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Barry Mendel | Christopher Nolan | David Peoples | Janet Peoples | Batman 3 | Inception

Monday, July 27

• Oldman Recants His Batman 3 Announcement

  

  

  Fans at the San Diego Comic-Con went crazy when Gary Oldman — who played James Gordon in the first two Batman films since the relaunch — dropped the news that Batman 3 would be going into production soon, with an expected 2011 release. Since then, the internet has been abuzz with wild rumors and speculations about the plot of the movie, the villains, and whether or not director Christopher Nolan would be on board.

  Now, however, it appears that Oldman's announcement was premature. In a recent interview, Oldman said that it might be a few years before we see another Batman movie. The big question is: was Oldman premature in the announcement or just misinformed? We'll just have to wait and see.

  
  

  Posted 07/27/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Gary Oldman | Christopher Nolan | The Dark Knight | Batman Begins

Friday, June 19

• David Goyer Thinks Christopher Nolan Will Return for Batman 3

  The possibility of Christopher Nolan returning for Batman 3 was in question this week when a report revealed that Nolan would need much convincing to come back.

  IGN spoke with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight writer David Goyer, who gave a brief and positive disclosure that Nolan would return to the Batman franchise.

  Well, I believe he said if we can find the story that he's happy with, that he would return. And unfortunately, respecting Chris... You know, talk to him after he finishes Inception, which he's shooting right now. That just started shooting.

  What Goyer means by "unfortunately, respecting Chris..." is anyone's guess. It's best to concentrate on the "he would return" part.

  
  

  Posted 06/19/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christopher Nolan | David Goyer | Batman Begins | The Dark Knight | Batman 3

Wednesday, June 17

• Christopher Nolan May Not Return for Batman 3

  Christian Bale has already bemoaned that he is contractually obligated to return for Batman 3 whether Christopher Nolan is involved or not. While Nolan and writer David Goyer have been discussing possible story ideas for some time, Bale may be without the director that revitalized the Batman franchise with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

  According to a source speaking with Batman-on-Film, it took a lot of convincing to bring Nolan back for The Dark Knight, but after Heath Ledger's tragic death, it may be impossible to convince the director to come back again. The source confirmed that Nolan, Goyer, and Jonathan Nolan have discussed story ideas, but had originally intended for the Joker to return in Batman 3, creating a problem they have not been able to solve. So far, no decisions have been made regarding the story for Batman 3, pushing the movie's release until 2012 or, possibly, 2013.

  Nolan is currently working on Inception, his sci-fi thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Obviously, fans would love to have Nolan return for the third Batman, but until Nolan's involvement is official, they will have to find solace in a report from February that said Nolan's studio deal for Inception included an agreement to make Batman 3. Keep your fingers crossed.

  
  

  Posted 06/17/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christian Bale | Jonathan Nolan | Christopher Nolan | Leonardo DiCaprio | Heath Ledger | Inception | Batman Begins | Batman 3 | The Dark Knight

Tuesday, May 5

• Ken Watanabe and Tom Hardy Join Cast of Christopher Nolan's Inception

  An update on the casting of Christopher Nolan's Inception:

  Ken Watanabe has been cast as the villain of the movie, which Nolan vaguely and teasingly described as a psychological thriller about "the architecture of the mind." You might remember Watanabe as the Japanese general in Clint Eastwood's Letters From Iwo Jima, or as Tom Cruise's Samurai-sword-wielding better half in The Last Samurai.

  Tom Hardy, who portrayed the villain in Star Trek: Nemesis, has also been signed. He'll play an associate of Leonardo DiCaprio's successful businessman, who will most likely be the protagonist.

  Hardy and Watanabe join a cast that also includes Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Caine.

  
  

  Posted 05/05/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Ken Watanabe | Tom Hardy | Inception

Sunday, April 26

• Michael Caine Takes Small Role in Inception

  Christopher Nolan regular Michael Caine confirmed he will appear in the director's upcoming sci-fi thriller Inception:

  I have a little part in it, yes. Just a tiny part. Chris and I are very good friends so I’ll do that little part. I think I’ll work about three days. It’ll be extraordinary, wait until you see this one. I think if I say another word he’s going to kill me!

  With Joseph Gordon-Levitt recently joining the cast, and Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard and Cillian Murphy already on board, this is turning out to be quite an ensemble. No new details about the movie's plot was revealed, with Inception remaining shrouded in secrecy.

  
  

  Posted 04/26/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Ellen Page | Michael Caine | Marion Cotillard | Christopher Nolan | Cillian Murphy | Joseph Gordon Levitt | Inception

Friday, April 24

• Joseph Gordon-Levitt On Board for Christopher Nolan's Inception

  Along with starring in the upcoming G.I. Joe movie, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has officially joined the cast of Inception, the next film from Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan. Gordon-Levitt will replace James Franco, who was originally slated to star, but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts. The movie is scheduled to go into shooting this summer and has a tentative release date of July 16, 2010.

  The plot line has been kept under strict secrecy, although Nolan gave a vague and teasing descritption of the movie as a sci-fi thriller involving "the architecture of the mind." Already cast are Leonardo DiCaprio as a successful business man, 2007 Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard as his wife, Juno's Ellen Page as a brainy sidekick, and Cillian Murphy -- who played Scarecrow in Nolan's Batman Begins -- in an unknown role.

  
  

  Posted 04/24/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Joseph Gordon Levitt

Sunday, April 5

• Inception Cast Going Indie

  Leonardo DiCaprio's getting some company for Christopher Nolan's Inception that reads like a who's who of indie movie all-stars. Variety reports that Warner Bros is negotiating with Juno's Ellen Page, La Vie En Rose's Marion Cotillard and Sunshine and Nolan semi-regular Cillian Murphy to join the cast of the Nolan-scripted sci fi thriller.

  DiCaprio will play a CEO type, and Cotillard is reportedly playing his wife. Page will play a grad student that is DiCaprio's sidekick.

  
  
  Next Showing: Inception opens July 16, 2010

  Posted 04/05/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Ellen Page | Marion Cotillard | Christopher Nolan | Leonardo DiCaprio | Cillian Murphy | Inception | Sunshine | Juno | La Vie en Rose

Thursday, March 19

• Brett Ratner May Never Get a Comic Book Franchise

  X-Men: The Last Stand director Brett Ratner wants to keep working with comic book adaptations, but may never get his chance. Ratner told MTV:

  I was so upset when I left Superman [Bryan] Singer has his X-Men, [Christopher] Nolan has Batman -- there's nothing left. Hulk has been exploited already. There's nothing left for me.

  Ratner originally left the Superman adaptation because he could not find a suitable actor to play the Man of Steel. Ratner's Superman script, written by J.J. Abrams, "took place on Krypton for about half of the movie," and was "darker, because there was a civil war on Krypton," according to Ratner. He then turned to the highly criticized X-Men: The Last Stand, which Singer had ironically left to direct Superman Returns.

  Is there a franchise Ratner wouldn't have touched? Yes, Iron Man. "I wouldn't have been interested in Iron Man. I have a lot of respect for [Jon Favreau] because, to me, it was a B-character.... But look what he did."

  Ratner still has a chance for a comic book franchise, just not a traditional, super hero one. The director, hard at work possibly killing off another franchise with Beverly Hills Cop 4, is close to officially signing on to direct a Conan reboot.

  
  

  Posted 03/19/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Brett Ratner | Bryan Singer | Jon Favreau | Christopher Nolan | J.J. Abrams | Beverly Hills Cop IV | Iron Man | Superman Returns | X-Men: The Last Stand

• Green Lantern Starts Rolling in September

  Looks like the adaptation of Green Lantern is doing better than "moving forward." It's going into production. Apparently, the movie will start shooting in mid-September in Australia. Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) will direct the movie, which is based on the DC comic book about a test pilot named Hal Jordan who receives a ring of limitless power.

  This is good news for DC, who only has few comic book movies in the works (Suicide Squad, possibly Wonder Woman, and another Batman movie whenever Christopher Nolan is ready to make one). DC is also vying to compete with Marvel, who has several Avengers movies in the works.

  A casting decision on Hal Jordan has yet to be made. However, IESB reports that Star Trek's Chris Pine is on the "short list" of candidates.

  
  
  Next Showing: Green Lantern opens December 17, 2010

  Posted 03/19/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Chris Pine | Christopher Nolan | Martin Campbell | The Avengers | Wonder Woman | Green Lantern | Casino Royale | Batman 3 | Star Trek

Thursday, March 12

• Terminator Salvation Stars to Swap Batman Role?

  Rumors about the third Batman movie are nothing new, and with director Christopher Nolan hard at work on his sci-fi thriller Inception, it's hard to believe anything written about a Batman 3 until Nolan or Warner Bros. make an official announcement. However, the Herald Sun reports that instead of Christian Bale returning as Batman, it could be his Terminator Salvation co-star Sam Worthington in the black cowl for the next movie.

  Why Bale would require replacing is curious, but the Herald Sun speculates that Bale's angry, expletive-filled, on-set outburst may have damaged his profile, necessitating a change. Of course, Worthington, like the Herald Sun, is Australian, so perhaps they're just creating a rumor to help boost what could be their country's next breakout star, with Worthington not only opening Salvation this May but also James Cameron's Avatar in December.

  What do you think? Should Bale get replaced?

  
  

  Posted 03/12/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christian Bale | James Cameron | Christopher Nolan | Sam Worthington | Avatar | Batman 3 | Terminator Salvation

Wednesday, March 4

• Leo to Join Nolan's Inception

  Director Christopher Nolan's sci-fi thriller Inception, otherwise known as the movie that's keeping a sequel to The Dark Knight on hold, has found the star power it needs to compete on its tough opening day of July 16, 2010, the same opening day as possible superhero blockbuster Thor. Variety reports that Leonardo DiCaprio will join Nolan for the first time to star in the thriller about the "architecture of the mind."

  If going up against Thor wasn't pressure enough, consider that Thor's director Kenneth Brannagh used to be married to Inception producer and Nolan's current wife, Emma Thompson. You sure you don't want to just make another Batman, Nolan?

  
  

  Posted 03/04/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Emma Thompson | Christopher Nolan | Leonardo DiCaprio | Kenneth Branagh | Inception | The Dark Knight | Thor

Wednesday, February 25

• Warner Brothers Sets Release Dates for Green Lantern, Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, and More

  ERCBoxOffice reports that Warner Bros. has announced official release dates for several movies, including the DC Comic adaptation of Green Lantern, which just recently nabbed director Martin Campbell, and will arrive December 17, 2010, months after First Avenger: Captain America and Thor have hit theaters. So instead of competing with Marvel's comic book movies of the summer, Green Lantern will attempt to capitalize on the success or failures of Marvel's Avengers movies.

  Not that Warner Bros. isn't trying to compete with Marvel's Avengers movies, just not with Green Lantern. Instead, Christopher Nolan's Inception will go head-to-head with Thor on July 16, 2010, with Josh Brolin as DC's gun-for-hire Jonah Hex following less than a month later on August 6. The Avengers will also get some competition from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II when they both open on July 15, 2011.

  With Green Lantern set as Warner's December blockbuster or 2010, Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes is set for this year, bumped to December 25 rather than the original release date of November 13.

  Other notable movies include The Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier's Clash of the Titans which will fight for box office dominance on March 26, 2010, while Zack Snyder's Watchmen follow-up, Sucker Punch, an action movie with an "all-girl" cast that Snyder describes as "crazier than anything" he's ever done, opens with a "definite" R rating on October 8, 2010.

  
  

  Posted 02/25/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Guy Ritchie | Christopher Nolan | Josh Brolin | Louis Leterrier | Martin Campbell | Zack Snyder | Green Lantern | Jonah Hex | First Avenger: Captain America | The Incredible Hulk | Watchmen | Clash of the Titans | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 | Thor | The Avengers | Sherlock Holmes

Wednesday, February 18

• Christopher to Direct Inception, Not Batman 3

  With the announcement a week ago that Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan was set to direct Inception this summer from a script Nolan wrote himself, it seemed like any Batman sequel would have to be put on the back burner. However, Batman-on-Film reported days later that "three sources" said the Inception deal includes "an agreement between the studio and the acclaimed director to helm his second sequel to Batman Begins". This backs up the story by referring to their December report that Nolan himself mentioned he and David Goyer were discussing a third story that they both liked.

  MTV News then brought the Batman-on-Film report to a Nolan rep, who denied the report was true.

  "He is doing Inception next. We haven’t announced any deal or anything on the next Batman as that is all speculation," said the rep. We get it, wait for an announcement from Nolan.

  Inception, described as a "a contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind," should start shooting this summer for a summer 2010 release.

  
  

  Posted 02/18/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Christopher Nolan | David Goyer | Inception | The Dark Knight | Batman Begins | Batman 3

Friday, January 30

• Batman 3 in Script Stage?

  Despite recent statements from The Dark Knight producer Chuck Roven that work on a sequel was limited to "talking and thinking" stage, apparently a script is indeed in the works.

  Citing an "extremely reliable source," ReelzChannel's Jeff Otto, representing IESB, went to Roven for confirmation, to which Roven replied: "The creative driver of the project at this point is Chris [Nolan]. There's really nothing more for me to say about that. When he feels that he's got something to talk about, then we'll be able to talk about it."

  Furthermore, Roven told Access Hollywood: "Chris Nolan is the guy who's had the vision of 'The Dark Knight' and this incarnation of Batman and we know that he's thinking about [it] -- if he can think all the way through what another one would be like. We'll know if he's gotten to the end of that process when he tells us." Perhaps Roven doesn't realize that IESB heard about the script from an "extremely reliable source."

  IESB claims they've "double-checked" and that the script is indeed happening. As usual, we remain cautious on Batman rumors until official word is released. Check back to ReelChannel.com for more updates.

  
  

  Posted 01/30/2009 by reelz

  Related: Charles Roven | Christopher Nolan | Batman 3

Friday, January 9

• Batman 3 Moving Forward?

  It's easy to get caught up in the rumors swirling around a possible Batman sequel, but finally it looks like director Christopher Nolan is working on the project. MTV spoke to Dark Knight producer Chuck Roven who said: "I know that Chris [Nolan] and [writer] David Goyer are talking and thinking. We're hoping, of course, that they find and rest on something that they'll find is worthy to do, but we don't know anything more than you do right now."

  As far as whether Nolan will keep the next Batman villains as real as before: "All I can say -- because I really don't know more than you do -- is that I see no reason why, tonally, Chris would do anything different than he's done in the first two films."

  That means no more Eddie Murphy as Riddler rumors, everyone.

  
  

  Posted 01/09/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Eddie Murphy | Christopher Nolan | David Goyer | Batman 3

Monday, October 27

• Nolan Talks Dark Knight Success, Joker Return, and Third Movie

  In the first of a three-part interview with LA Times Columnist Geoff Boucher, the director reflects on the massive success of The Dark Knight, whether he had intended for The Joker to return and his thoughts on a third film.

  Although the director doesn't dismiss returning for a third Batman adventure, he does make the point of "How many good third movies in a franchise can people name?" Regarding The Joker, Nolan says that he hadn't really thought beyond the second film in regards to whether Heath Ledger may have returned to the role if not for his untimely death.

  Part One of the Nolan interview is available online in today's Los Angeles Times.

  
  

  Posted 10/27/2008 by reelz

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Heath Ledger | The Dark Knight

Monday, July 14

• The Dark Knight Review

  The most talked-about movie of the year (and perhaps the decade) finally makes its way to the multiplex this weekend. The Dark Knight, director Christopher Nolan's hotly anticipated follow-up to 2005's Batman Begins, arrives in theaters carrying with it, among other things, major Oscar buzz for Heath Ledger's haunting performance as The Joker. Can the latest installment of the Batman franchise possibly live up to all the hype? Check out our The Dark Knight review to find out.

  
  

  Posted 07/14/2008 by reelz

  Related: Christian Bale | Christopher Nolan | Heath Ledger | The Dark Knight

Tuesday, March 11

• Chris Nolan Named Showest Director of the Year

  Christopher Nolan, director of the upcoming Dark Knight as well as Batman Begins, Memento and The Prestige, will be honored at this week's Showest as Director of the Year.

  Nolan debuted in 1998 with the super low-budget The Following before gaining widespread acclaim in 2000 for the mixed-up mind trip Memento. Most recently, Nolan has brougth new life to the Batman franchise with the beloved Batman begins and this summer's highly anticipated sequel, The Dark Knight.

  For more on Nolan, check out our Christopher Nolan page!

  
  

  Posted 03/11/2008 by reelz

  Related: Christopher Nolan | The Dark Knight

Tuesday, July 31

• That wiley Joker is at it again!

  We brought you the update on The Dark Knight last week in which another image of the joker and a teaser for the movie was unveiled during Comic-Con.

  Everything went live on a mysterious site, including a police report showing Heath Ledger as the Joker and images of his "wannabes" showing fans in the Joker make-up. Creepy stuff.

  The site where all of this activity went down, whysoserious.com, now automatically takes you to a new site called www.rent-a-clown.com, which has a whole new set of images advertising, well, clown rentals. It also shows fans in the Joker make-up.

  So what do we make of this latest development? I haven't the slightest clue, but it sure is getting Batman fans buzzing!

  
  

  Posted 07/31/2007 by reelz

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Heath Ledger | The Dark Knight

Friday, July 27

• Whither The Dark Knight?

  Curiously absent from the Warner Bros. Comic-Con presentation today was any news regarding The Dark Knight. While Warners hosted panels for several other projects, including Watchmen and The Invasion, there was absolutely no mention of Christopher Nolan's highly-anticipated sequel to Batman Begins.

  Now we know why: Warners decidedly to go entirely viral with their Dark Knight Comic-Con promotions, utilizing strange posters, fake dollar bills and other wacky gimmicks to lead fans to the ultimate prize, a teaser trailer and a new image of Heath Ledger as the Joker.

  Click here for the teaser trailer.

  Click here for the full-sized Joker image.

  
  

  Posted 07/27/2007 by reelz

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Heath Ledger | The Dark Knight | Batman Begins

Monday, May 21

• What do you think of the Joker's new look?

  Opinions are split around the offices here on the recently revealed look of Heath Ledger's Joker in the sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight. I've heard creepy, twisted and something about his eyebrows being just a little too perfect.

  Personally, I think it's pretty cool and nicely in line with what we saw from director Christopher Nolan in the excellent Batman Begins.

  But what do you think? Drop some feedback in the "comments" section of our Dark Knight detail page or email me right here: jotto@reelzchannel.com

  
  
  Next Showing: The Dark Knight will surface Summer 2008.

  Posted 05/21/2007 by reelz

  Related: Christopher Nolan | Heath Ledger | The Dark Knight