thefonz on 1/8/2006 at 06:45
Spoilerish...
Quote:
BURBANK, CA, 31 July 2006 – As a follow up to last year’s blockbuster Batman 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.
(
http://www.aintitcool.com) source
Personally I'd rather have seen Robin Williams take on the role of Joker; but Heath Ledger is a relative unknown quantity to me so I'll not discount his suitability outwith. Plus, I trust Nolan not to fuck this up after he totally changed the franchise with Begins.
Clearly the Joker character isnt going to be "zany" and "nicolson" like though; he'll be far more psychological to meet the brain fuck up that is Bale's Batman.
Anyway, badass title for the next movie aswell. I was thinking last night what they could call it:
Batman Continues
Batman Part Deux
Batman Squared (leading onto Batman Cubed)
BatEman (where batman becomes an owner of a seedy hotel just outside gotham's suburbs).
Vraptor7 on 1/8/2006 at 11:38
Ledger was definitely not one of my choices, but after Batman Begins I'm willing to trust Nolan on this one. If he was convinced by Ledger's interpretation then I'm looking forward to seeing it myself.
Agent Monkeysee on 1/8/2006 at 15:11
Robin Williams?! What an insane choice.
Spitter on 1/8/2006 at 15:19
I want Cillian Murphy back! :mad: :mad: :mad: I guess the screen isn't big enough for two loony baddies.
Scots Taffer on 1/8/2006 at 23:38
Hopefully you'll hear about Scarecrow in the background. I wouldn't think that he's entirely vanquished as a villain.
Anyway, the
rumoured choice of Joker is seemingly weak but I'll wait to see the performance that Ledger turns in before I get too judgemental. Ledger is an actor who I've never taken to. In the few films I've seen him in (A Knight's Tale and Brokeback Mountain, he's always played second fiddle to much stronger leads) he's never really left a lasting impression.
My choice always was and is Crispin Glover.
Inline Image:
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Events/4156/CrispinGlo_Vespa_7142774_400.jpgOH McFLY!!!demagogue on 2/8/2006 at 03:14
So is this movie supposed to conflict with Batman 1 re: the meeting of Batman and Joker, or is that just obvious and everyone has accepted that it's not an issue?
Scots Taffer on 2/8/2006 at 03:46
What? Batman Begins acted as though there were no other Batman movies ever.
Fafhrd on 2/8/2006 at 05:21
Quote Posted by Scots_Taffer
Anyway, the
rumoured choice of Joker
when a studio press release says "Heath Ledger is playing the Joker" it's not a rumour anymore.
Scots Taffer on 2/8/2006 at 05:24
Oh, right. I didn't follow through on the link.
thefonz on 2/8/2006 at 06:35
Quote Posted by Scots_Taffer
Oh, right. I didn't follow through on the link.
In what way is that line a
rumour? Seems pretty straight forward to me...
:thumb:
