Warner Bros. Pictures, the owners of the Batman franchise, has officially announced that the next villain in the forthcoming Batman sequel will be none other than Catwoman.

The new Batman movie, entitled Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, is already in preproduction and according to Warner Bros. honchos, the role of Catwoman has been given to Anne Hathaway. Director Christopher Nolan said that Hathaway will be a great addition to the cast.

Another villain will also be included in the third movie. Bane will be played actor Tom Hardy, who was most recently seen in Nolan’s Inception. The Dark Knight Rises is expected to be released summer of 2012.

www.wizardworld.com

Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, and DC Comics will present the world premiere of Batman Gotham Night DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 movie in Wizard World Chicago on June 28, 2008.

The movie Batman Gotham Knight will be an exciting and fresh entry into the Batman mythos, spinning out of a 40-year animation history including Batman: The Animated Series, which is an Emmy-winning series widely considered as a pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of acclaimed writers, award winning producers, and distinguished creators weave six interlocking stories that reveal the journey of Bruce Wayne to The Dark Knight, and each with a styling art that came from the most revered animation visionaries of the world.

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The stellar talents of Brunett have already merited two Humanitas Prizes, three Annie Awards, and four Emmy Awards. His work within the Batman realm includes as a series producer on Batman Beyond and Batman and Superman. Most recently, he has been the story editor and supervising producer for The Batman, Warner Bros. Animations four-time Emmy Award-winning series.

Speaking of Batman Gotham Knight, he said that this is the most stylized Batman that has come out of Warner Bros. if you will consider a visual point of view. What they have done truly expands his world, and is really eye-catching, especially the stunning visualization of Gotham City.

batman.ugo.com

Several of the most talented scribes of comic books, animation, and film are has featured stories in this movie. Aside from Burnett, the film also has award-winning comic writers Brian Azzarello and Greg Rucka, Jordan Goldberg (The Dark Knight, Associate Producer), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins), and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence).

Olson, Azzarello, and Burnett, along with Bruce Timm (producer), have already confirmed their participation on the panel following the Chicago Wizard World premiere of Batman Gotham Knight. This will arrive on July 8, 2008 on Blu-Ray disc and DVD. It will also be available On Demand via download through broadband sites and digital cable on the same day.

www.retrojunk.com

Warner Home Video has done an interview with the award-winning writer Alan Burnett regarding Batman Gotham Knight, which is the third DC Universe animated original movie that is coming on July 8.

Burnett has been helping to bring the Batman legacy into animation since 1991 including Batman: The Animated Series, which is an Emmy-winning production. Now, he serves as the writer and movie story editor of the anchoring segment of Batman Gotham Knight.

As an anime fan himself, Burnett said that he was very inspired and intrigued by the idea of allowing Japanese directors to have a relatively free reign on the animated look of Batman.

Batman Begins is a 2005 superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman. Christopher Nolan directed the film, which stars Christian Bale as Batman, as well as Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman and Tom Wilkinson. The film reboots the Batman film series, telling the origin story of the character with inspirations from classic comic book storylines such as Batman: The Man Who Falls, Batman: Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween.

After a series of unsuccessful projects to resurrect Batman on screen following the critical and commercial failure of Batman and Robin (1997), Nolan and Goyer began work on this film in 2003. Aiming for a dark and realistic tone, the filmmakers created a new interpretation of the Batmobile, here a military vehicle called the “Tumbler”. The film was primarily shot in England and Chicago, and relied on traditional stunts and miniatures; computer-generated imagery was used minimally. Batman Begins was critically and commercially successful, and a sequel titled The Dark Knight was commissioned for a 2008 release with both Nolan and Bale returning.

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Christopher Nolan is set to return as director of the film. His brother Jonathan, AKA Jonah, is writing the screenplay. David Goyer is credited for writing the story along with Chris Nolan. The title of the film is THE DARK KNIGHT. This is the first Batman film without “Batman” in the title.

Christian Bale will reprise his role of The Batman/Bruce Wayne (This is the first time the same actor has played The Batman in back to back films since Michael Keaton did so in BATMAN and BATMAN RETURNS).

• Heath Ledger will portray The Joker.

• Sir Michael Caine will reprise his role as Alfred Pennyworth.
• The character of Harvey Dent will be in the film.
• According to producer Chuck Roven, a preshoot will take place in January ’07 with full production set to begin in April.
• Hans Zimmer confirmed that he and James Newton Howard would return and score TDK.
• TDK will be released JULY 18, 2008.
• Lindy Hemming will return as costume designer for TDK.
• Wally Pfister will return as the director of photography for TDK.
• Nathan Crowley will return as the production designer TDK.
• TDK will return to Chicago, Illinois, USA for location filming during the summer of ’07.
• Katie Holmes will not return and be a part of the cast of THE DARK KNIGHT.
• Aaron Eckhart will portray Gotham D.A. Harvey Dent.
• Maggie Gyllenhaal has joined the cast as “Rachel Dawes” in TDK.
• Morgan Freeman is returning to reprise his role as “Lucius Fox.”
• Chris Corbould is the F/X Supervisor for TDK. Nick Davis will supervise Visual Effects.
• William Finchtner is portraying a “bank manager.”
• Eric Roberts is portraying mob boss Sal Maroni.
• THEDARKKNIGHTMOVIE.COM goes live, 5/11/07.
• Nestor Carbonell is portraying the mayor of Gotham.
• IBELIEVEINHARVEYDENTTOO.COM goes live, 5/19/07.
• Anthony Michael Hall has been added to the cast.
• Bruce will live in a downtown penthouse ala the 70s comics.
• The Batman will wear a new Bat-Suit in TDK.
• A new Bat-Vehicle will be used in TDK — The Batpod.
• Melinda McGraw and Nathan Gamble have joined the cast as Jim Gordon’s wife and son, respectively.
• Michael Jai White has been cast as the gangster “Gamble.”
• Monique Curnen has been cast as “GPD Detective Ramirez.”
• Vincenzo Nicoli has been cast as a “Mob Boss.”
• Nydia Melroy has been cast as a “Gotham Judge.”

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Burbank, Calif., June 19, 2007 — Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced today that it has named the worlds leading toy manufacturer, Mattel, Inc., as the global master toy licensee for both Speed Racer and The Dark Knight, two of the biggest summer films coming out in 2008 from Warner Bros. Pictures. Mattel will apply its expertise across virtually all product lines including vehicles, action figures, action play, remote control vehicles, handheld electronics as well as games and puzzles. In Mattel, we have the best partner with the strongest track record of bringing great products and great stories together for a winning combination in the toy aisle. With these deals, we know that two of our most important tentpole films for 2008, Speed Racer and The Dark Knight, will be brought to life through products created by the most creative toy designers in the world,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

We have a strong, long-standing relationship with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and are thrilled to partner with them for two of the most anticipated films of 2008, said Neil Friedman, President, Mattel Brands. The distinctive visuals and stimulating races of Speed Racer, coupled with one of the most popular super hero film franchises of all time in The Dark Knight, provides us with a unique opportunity to create fun and innovative toys and games that bring the excitement and action of both films to life in a way that kids will love and remember.

On July 18, 2008, The Dark Knight, the second Batman film from director Christopher Nolan, arrives in theaters. Batman (Christian Bale) raises the stakes in his war on crime in Nolans The Dark Knight. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker (Heath Ledger).

The Dark Knight producer, Charles Roven added: Batman is an incredible franchise, and we are really excited about taking it to the next level with The Dark Knight. Along with the Batmobile we are introducing a new vehicle, the Batpod, a new Batsuit and some classic characters in The Joker and Harvey Dent. We are confident that fans around the world will enjoy the increased action and the continuation of a great story and we hope they appreciate the integrity and respect we’ve shown for this iconic character.

For their film-inspired product lines, Mattel will utilize the multiple elements introduced in The Dark Knight. A new Batsuit, a new vehicle in the form of the Batpod and multiple key action scenes that set the stage for inspired play. Mattels action figure line will feature Batman and the new Batsuit. Tyco R/C vehicles bring to life the speed and action of the Batmobile and the new Batpod. An entire line of action play items will allow boys to role-play being The Dark Knight. Additionally, Mattel will release a line of games and puzzles that will capture the film action through board games, puzzles and a special-edition UNO card game.

Products based on The Dark Knight are expected to begin arriving at retailers around the world beginning in early June 2008.

Source : TDK Official Press Release

The last 24 hours have been full of conspiracy theories, sadness, reaction, and grief. Not only from family and friends, but also the many millions of fans Ledger had around the world.

The first medical examination of his body has now taken place, and the results were reported to be inconclusive. The medical examiner has said that it will take about 10 days for the results. This is unfortunate as it will just add fuel to the rumours that there was more to Heath’s death than first meets the eye.

Whatever the cause, the whole of the movie industry has been shocked and saddened by the loss of such a promising young actor, and someone many people admired as just a nice guy.

His friends and colleagues have paid their respects and shared their grief over his premature death.

Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain director told Hell.Ca:

Working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life.

While Mel Gibson said:

I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss.

And Khaled Ali (stage manager for a Broadway show) eulogised:

I felt a connection with him as an actor, as a fellow in the theater community. With Brokeback Mountain he touched me personally in telling the story of my community. It was very touching.

There’s no doubt Ledger will be missed dearly, and my thoughts go out to everyone who knew him personally. This is certainly going to make watching The Dark Knight a unique experience this summer.

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The Dark Knight is an upcoming 2008 American superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman and is part of the Batman film series. The film is a sequel to 2005′s Batman Begins, which rebooted the Batman film series after an eight-year hiatus. Christopher Nolan returns as the director, and Christian Bale reprises the lead role. Batman’s primary conflicts in the film come from his fight against the Joker (Heath Ledger) and his strained friendship with district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart).

For the film Nolan took inspiration from the Joker’s first two appearances in the comics, and like the first film, he used Batman: The Long Halloween as a major influence on the story. The Dark Knight was filmed primarily in Chicago, (as was Batman Begins), as well as several other locations in and outside the United States. The director used an IMAX camera to film four major action sequences, including the Joker’s first appearance in the film. The Batsuit was redesigned, with a cowl allowing Bale to move his head. A recreation of the Batcycle, known as the Batpod, will be introduced.

Warner Bros. created an aggressive viral marketing campaign for The Dark Knight, developing several websites revealing details of the film, such as screenshots, as a reward for collaboration among Batman fans, leading to some press attention concerning how its campaign might be altered by Ledger’s January 22, 2008 death, as the Joker had been a chief promotional focus. Other marketing ventures include a new toy line as well as an animated direct-to-DVD anthology titled Batman: Gotham Knight that is set between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. The film will be released on July 17, 2008 in Australia, on July 18, 2008 in North America, and on July 25, 2008 in the United Kingdom. Early footage screened at ShoWest 2008, a cinema industry convention held in Las Vegas from March 9 through March 13, 2008, has received “an enthusiastic response.”

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I’m gonna watched this movie because of the Joker… I think the Joker will give me nightmares… but nevertheless I will still watch it for the Joker!