The Dark Knight
| Untitled Batman Begins sequel | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Christopher Nolan |
| Written by | Comic Book: Bob Kane Story: David S. Goyer Christopher Nolan Screenplay: Jonathan Nolan |
| Produced by | Emma Thomas Michael Uslan Benjamin Melniker Charles Roven |
| Starring | Christian Bale Michael Caine Gary Oldman |
| Cinematography | Wally Pfister |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Language | English |
As of 2006, an untitled sequel to the film Batman Begins has been planned. Rumored titles include Batman Attacks and Batman Strikes.[citation needed] The title Batman Continues was shot down by Christopher Nolan as stated in an interview.[1] Following the successful reboot of the Batman film franchise, the sequel was commissioned for a 2008 release. Currently, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Gary Oldman are the only actors confirmed to reprise their roles of Batman/Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, and James Gordon, respectively, from the previous film. It will be directed by Christopher Nolan. Although Morgan Freeman has expressed interest in returning as Lucius Fox, there is uncertainity as to whether or not the character will be featured. The Joker will be the main villian, with The Penguin making a cameo appearance.
Plot
Template:Spoiler Batman Begins screenwriter David Goyer has been quoted in Premiere magazine as saying: "The next one would have Batman enlisting the aid of Gordon and Dent in bringing down the Joker... but not killing him. In the third movie, the Joker would go on trial, scarring Dent in the process."
Among the suspected plots and rumours are:
- Crime boss Sal Maroni and Roman Sionis (soon to become Black Mask) are in an arms deal with the Penguin. Batman, with the help of James Gordon, attempts to foil their plans. In addition, the Penguin works with William Earle (Rutger Hauer), the man who wants revenge on Bruce Wayne after he was fired in the conclusion of Batman Begins. In this war in the streets of Gotham City, neither side expects to encounter the Joker to further complicate matters.[2]
- Arkham Asylum (which featured in the previous film) has been closed and "The Narrows" surrounding it is still a disaster area and a haven for criminals. There is a subplot about Wayne trying to help fund the clean up and rebuild of The Narrows, involving "tenement complex" that will be the setting of perhaps "the most spectacular action sequence in the film".[3]
- Batman-On-Film.com was given insider information that Lucius Fox may be harmed or threatened by The Joker in some way, causing Batman to have to save his life as opposed to the usual damsel-in-distress.[4]
- An old rumor suggests that The Joker murders Rachel Dawes.[5]
Cast
Returning
Other than Christian Bale in the lead role, only Michael Caine and Gary Oldman have been confirmed to return. Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox) has expressed interest in reprising his role if the character were written into the script. Due to the negative fan reaction of Katie Holmes' character, Rachel Dawes, there is a rumor that the character might not appear in any future films. The rumor further intensified when Holmes entered a much publicized romance with actor Tom Cruise and in April 2006, they had a baby daughter, suggesting she would be busy with both the marriage and her child. There are rumors that The O.C. star Mischa Barton may get the role of Batman's new love interest.
Tom Wilkinson has also been rumoured to be making a return appearance as gangster Carmine Falcone. However, the actor has been quoted saying that his "character's mad and possibly dead" and went on to say he wouldn't count on an appearance.[6]
A possible reprise of The Scarecrow by Cillian Murphy is not expected to be in this film, although Murphy may return for another installment in the future. It has been rumored that Linus Roache will return as Dr. Thomas Wayne in more flashback sequences.[7] Other characters rumored to return are Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb (Colin McFarlane) and Detective Flass (Mark Boone Junior), the latter character being absent from the police force.
New characters
The Joker
Many actors have been mentioned as possible candidates for the role of the Joker, previously played by Jack Nicholson in the 1989 Batman film. Rumoured choices include:
Recently on Tony Martin's Australian radio talk show, Hulme confirmed some involvement and expressed that he is an avid comic book fan. According to IMDb, he is currently "in talks" with Warner Brothers. Sydney's Daily Telegraph has reported in its Murmurs column that Hulme has emerged as the frontrunner.[18] He has confirmed on Australian radio that he has met with the producers, but not director Christopher Nolan as yet [19]. Sean Penn was reported by Blightly's Now Magazine to be Christopher Nolan's first choice for the role of the Joker. According to the article, a drunken Christian Bale let slip at the premiere of Batman Begins that Nolan was courting Penn for the role.[20] Robin Williams, in a recent interview with IGN FilmForce, says that he is a longtime fan (having read the Arkham Asylum graphic novels) and would love to play the Joker. This was misinterpreted by reporters for G4, who announced that Williams had been cast as the Joker. Multimedia news websites such as Batman on Film, IGN, Movie News, and Latino Review have all confirmed that Heath Ledger has been offered and accepted the role as the Joker. At the San Diego Comic-Con 2006, Warner Brothers officially confirmed that Ledger will indeed be playing the role of The Joker. [21]
Two-Face
Two-Face's alter ego Harvey Dent is expected to to be introduced as well. Actors rumoured for the role include:
There are rumours that Lucas has met with the studio, although he, Schreiber, Gyllenhaal, and Jackman have expressed interest in the role. In David S. Goyer's interview regarding the sequel, his plan was to have Joker as the one who scars Dent.
Talia al Ghul
Talia al Ghul is also a rumored character to enter the scene since her father, Ra's Al Ghul, was the villain of the first film. Actress Rachel Weisz has been rumored for the role.[28] Ra's's daughter is not mentioned in the previous film, yet is referred to several times in the novelization.
Catwoman
Christina Ricci has spoken out about her interest in playing the role of Catwoman, saying "I heard they want to bring Catwoman into the next one. I so loved Michelle Pfeiffer's performance in the original one, and I think if they want someone to play the lead role - it's her. However, if they're looking for a younger Catwoman, someone more around Christian's (Bale) age - I'm available!", she said. "It would be great. That suit, the whip....wow. I will definitely have to get my agent onto that one."[29]
Robin
Nolan has stated that Robin will not be in any of the sequels, although he has stated the reason is that at the time he's portraying Batman as a young man, Dick Grayson is a little kid at this point. Nolan joked in an interview that "Dick Grayson's still in a crib somewhere." In speculating who he would cast if he were forced to do it, Nolan suggested Frankie Muniz for the role to the horror and disgust of the audience.[30]