chris nolan Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Here's a quick look at the recent news regarding Chris Nolan's highly anticipated return to the Batcave:

ComingSoon is reporting an established release date for the second film to hit theaters. Apparently, Nolan and company are shooting for a July 18, 2008 date, which fits nicely into the "summer of 2008" time frame initially targeted by the studio. Yeah, it is a bit of a long wait, but it will almost certainly be worth it. Summer of '08 will be a hot time for superhero flicks -- are we in danger of oversaturation damaging box office receipts?

Show and Stay says talented costume designer Gary Page will start up work on the caped crusader and his friends shortly after he finishes his current work on the current Harry Potter flick. The man sure gets to work on some high-profile films, eh? I guess that's what happens when you're one of the best in the business. Designing the costume of one of the most popular superheroes in history has to be a great gig.

Finally, MTV is reporting Heath Ledger plans to start filming for The Dark Knight "sometime in the middle of next year" (Ledger's words). Again, this fits nicely into the expected time frame established by the studio. Ledger sure has some enormous shoes to fill when it comes to playing the Joker on screen. How many of you out there believe he'll be up to it? I still support him, even though I'm not quite sure why.

Geek news culled from the great harvest of the internet while I was watching Angry Beavers reruns:

• It just wouldn't be a Geek Bytes without some new eye candy from 300, now would it? Okay, maybe it would, but it wouldn't be a good Geek Bytes. Swing by CanMag for a new 300 video journal showcasing some of the creatures which will appear in the film. As always, be warned: viewing the material will only make you more hungry for the full film.
• Speaking of movies we love to talk about, Sci Fi Wire has a new chat with director Chris Nolan in which he breaks down the structure of The Prestige. As always, Nolan is entertaining and instructive.
• Still at Sci Fi Wire, Henry Czerny says his new horror/comedy Fido is "the thinking man's zombie movie." I only point this out because there seems to be an irony there, what with zombies loving to eat brains and all. Zombies would feast on the thinking men who watch this film.
• Looking for some classic Transformers action? Dig the 20th anniversary DVD website, where they're offering some new downloads. (via Comics2Film)
• For those of you who share Cinematical's love of all things Muppet, you may want to know they've released a new CD of Christmas music this week. Yeah, yeah, it is way to early for Christmas ... but it features new music from Rowlf the Dog and Doctor Teeth and the Electric Mayhem -- characters who have been sadly silent since the passing of Jim Henson. Familiar muppeteer Bill Barretta has worked long and hard on the voices, so it oughta be interesting to hear what he has to say.

Geek news I stumbled across while cursing the inept Pittsburgh Pirates management for passing up on Jim Leyland this past off-season:

• Remember that enormous blue Optimus Prime head? There are new pictures of it. It is still large and blue ... and that's really about all. But if you're interested, you can have another look. After all, what would a day be without some news from the Transformers camp?
• Check out KryptonSite for a nifty look at "the many faces of Jimmy Olsen." You can see all the actors who have portrayed Superman's pal on film over the years.
• Remember, remember, the 31st of October ... Specs on V For Vendetta HD, hitting shelves the end of this month!
• Sci Fi Wire: Presenting Ed Speleer, savior of cinema!
• IGN Filmforce gives you a look at the other Chris Nolan/Christian Bale/Michael Caine team up flick, The Prestige. If any of you out there are not excited for this movie, I simply do not understand your existence.
  
• Hellboy animated movie? Yes, please! Check out Comics Continuum for a passel of stills from the production. I love Hellboy in any and all media, and this looks to be no exception.
  

Yes, Heath Ledger is officially the Joker, in a movie which is officially named The Dark Knight. You can shut down the rumor mill now, at least as far as those two issues are concerned. I know, people keep talking, but the important people -- the ones who know things -- have confirmed it for us. The most recent confirmation came from none other than the Dark Knight himself, Christian Bale, who just gave an interview to Film Focus. You can read the full text of the interview over there, but allow me to share with you the important bits.

1. Yes, the movie will be called The Dark Knight. In case you somehow did not know this, the Dark Knight is an old nickname for Batman, so the title makes sense. Bale absolutely loves the title, partially because it does not include the word "Batman". He thinks this helps to separate director Christopher Nolan's take on the franchise from anything that has come before.
2. Heath Ledger will do the Joker, and Bale thinks he will do it very well indeed. He told Film Focus Ledger was very much into the first film, and is "very passionate" about his role in the second one. More of my own thoughts on this in a later post.
3. Don't ask Bale -- or anyone else involved with the franchise -- many Batman related questions, or he says people will be "coming out and shooting you in the head." Um, alrighty then.
   

Here's a weird one for the ever-growing Batman sequel casting rumor mill -- although you can likely rest assured this one will remain safely in the realms of hypothetical. In a recent interview with Latino Review, none other than Robin Williams expressed his interest in playing the Joker; albeit it in an off-handed, joking (sorry) manner. Towards the end of the interview, Williams was asked if he'd like to work with Chris Nolan (Batman director) again. Williams responded in the affirmative, and then answered the follow up question of taking the role of the Joker with a resounding "Oh God yeah!"

Memory serving, good old Rob was actually considered for the role last time around, when he was young enough to pull off the part. I'm not really a huge Robin Williams fan, but I think it's fantastic he's so positive about the film in general. It'll certainly be interesting to finally learn who is really going to land this role.

It just wouldn't be right to start a new week without at least a few updates on the ever turning Batman rumor mill. Today's update comes to us courtesy of SuperHeroHype, who landed themselves a tip from an insider named Alexander. Our buddy Alex claims to be serving as a grip on the set of Begins reunion flick The Prestige. According to Al (whose name keeps getting shorter each time I refer to him), director Chris Nolan and actors Bale and Caine get together every lunch break for what the rest of the cast/crew calls "the Batman meetings." Apparently, the three sit around in their own private tent and discuss the early plans for the sequel, while Big A and company are supposed to keep away, but of course find "ways to sneak by." Here is what our man has overheard:  I would just like to point out I have heard the names Paul Bettany followed by Joker and Jake Gyllenhaal followed by Dent.

Nothing particularly new there, at least in terms of names that have popped up on the radar previously. However, if Alexander is who he claims he is and heard what he says he heard, it would seem to lend a bit more legitimacy to the popular rumors. I myself would be pleased by both castings - but also wouldn't be painfully disappointed if they didn't pan out. Thoughts?