Jonathan Nolan Might Rewrite Akira Script

Variety has expanded on their original tweet involving Warner Bros. looking to rewrite Steve Kloves' (Harry Potter films) script for Akira. They mention that the studio is currently looking at Jonathan Nolan and Michael Green for the rewriting job. Nolan is the younger brother of Christopher Nolan and is responsible for helping him write films like Memento, The Prestige, The Dark Knight and the upcoming Dark Knight Rises. The former of which earned the screenwriter an Oscar nomination. Michael on the other hand is mostly known for television work and last summer's biggest flop Green Lantern. He apparently was hired to write a sequel to Green Lantern (why?) and for an adaptation of The Flash. The Nolan name could bring some much needed pedigree to the ailing project. Which in turn could attract better known and established actors to the cast.

Feature Trailer For Dark Knight Rises

Irish Actor Aidan Gillen Confirmed For Dark Knight Rises

While I won't spoil any of the story details from The Dark Knight Rises prologue there is something interesting I had to share. It's been confirmed by multiple sources that Irish actor Aidan Gillen (Blitz, The Wire, Game of Thrones) is featured in the footage which was screened tonight. I'm sure it's just a cameo but it's the first news of his involvement. You can see the footage yourself if you check out Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol on December 16th at selected IMAX locations.

More Dark Knight Rises Images From Empire

Juno Temple Playing Harley Quinn Rumor Resurfaces

This has been mulling around ever since the British actress was initially listed as a possible addition to the cast of The Dark Knight Rises. Yet there is another go at the previous rumor that Juno Temple might very well end up playing Harley Quinn, best known as The Joker's lover/sidekick.

Jeff from ShowBlitz (Variety) says he heard the rumor again and reported it on his Twitter account. Of course it could be people rehashing old rumors but it very well could be legit as well. Knowing Nolan he more than likely would be throwing in as many rouges and characters as he can fit. Quinn seems a likely go between villain, since we won't be seeing Joker. Little known fact, Harley was created from the animated show and not the comic books.

100% RUMOR, no confirmation: Overheard at lunch in Beverly Hills - JUNO TEMPLE may be playing HARLEY QUINN in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

Joesph Gordon-Levitt & Marion Cotillard Confirmed For Dark Knight Rises

Warner Bros. has finally confirmed both Joesph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard for The Dark Knight Rises. The press release also gives us their roles in the film. Joe will play John Blake, a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon. Marion will play Miranda Tate a Wayne Enterprises board member.

Three Actors Join The Dark Knight Rises

Variety has confirmed that three new actors are expected to join The Dark Knight Rises. They include Daniel Sunjata (Rescue Me), Burn Gorman (Layer Cake) and Diego Klattenhoff. Sunjata is in talks to play a special forces operative while Degio has been offered a role as a rookie cop. Burn will play an unspecified supporting role. They would join new cast members Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joesph Gordon-Levitt, Juno Temple and Josh Pence.

Juno Temple Confirmed For Dark Knight Rises

Variety has confirmed that Juno Temple (Atonement) has joined The Dark Knight Rises. It's unknown who the up and coming actress will be playing but the role is described as "a street-smart Gotham girl". Previous rumors have suggested Harley Quinn or Robin (Carrie Kelly/Stephanie Brown) but it's likely just a small role. Temple joins Batman newbies Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway and recently confirmed Joesph Gordon-Levitt.

Is Joesph Gordon-Levitt Playing Alberto Falcone Or Black Mask In TDKR?

Today has been a confusing day for people following the casting development of Joesph Gordon-Levitt joining Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Rises. First EW debunked Variety's scoop that JGL would be playing Alberto Falcone also known as the Holiday Killer. BatmanNews picked up on BatmanOnFilm editing their story removing Black Mask as a possible role for Joesph. So currently it's up in the air who he is actually playing.

Previously Gary Oldman confirmed another unnamed villain would also be added.  It could be nothing but combined with the debunk helps fuel previous rumors that had Joesph was playing Black Mask. The Gotham villain has been a fan favorite since the film was first announced. Considering Roman Sionis is a reality based villain and is well known/liked it's still possible. To be honest Black Mask is a strong villain as he focused his threats on Bruce Wayne not Batman and is an enemy of Catwoman. I also wouldn't be shocked to see Nolan develop a hybrid villain combining Alberto Falcone (Holiday Killer) and Roman Sionis (Black Mask) into one character.

RUMOR: Juno Temple Playing Robin In Dark Knight Rises?

When Juno Temple was initially linked for a role in The Dark Knight Rises most were quick to believe she might be playing Harley Quinn. While that is a possibility AICN is floating the rumor that Juno very well could be up for the role of Carrie Kelly/Stephanie Brown the female Robin.

"When we last saw Barbara “Batgirl” Gordon she was still pretty tiny, so my suspicion is they might be casting something akin to a female Robin."


Robin had been rumored previously when the character had been linked to location scouting. Of course this is just speculation but AICN is known to have insider information. I'm glad all avenues of Dick Grayson have been axed so far. If Robin does make the film I'd rather see an alternative version never seen in the films like Carrie or Stephanie. Carrie Kelly was a character created by Frank Miller and if this is indeed the last Batman film I'd hope to see some of Miller's characters in Dark Knight Rises.

Joesph Gordon-Levitt Will Play Alberto Falcone In Dark Knight Rises

Variety has learned the role Joesph Gordon-Levitt will be playing in The Dark Knight Rises. It's Alberto Falcone the son of mafia kingpin Carmine Falcone played by Tom Wilkinson in Batman Begins. It fits with previous reports that the Holiday Killer would be involved along with a bigger mob presence in the final film.

Gary Oldman Confirms Catwoman Costume & Another Villain

During press for his upcoming film Red Riding Hood Gary Oldman talked about The Dark Knight Rises. He didn't give solid answers to questions he gave another tidbits to wet any fan's appetite. Gary first said that a classic Batman villain has yet to be revealed via UK's EOnline. He also confirmed to Flicks&Bits a costume for Anne Hathaway as he was privy to Catwoman concept artwork.

"I think it's a villain from one of the old, old, from way back from the old comics. It is a Batman villian... It's not going to be the Joker....I think she'll probably wear the cat suit pretty well, don't you?"


"I went to the production offices the other day and there’s all these fantastic pictures across the wall, Catwoman, this, that, and I thought where’s my wall? I don’t have a wall, I just have a rack of very very dull clothes (laughs). I’m looking forward to working with the gang again, Academy Award winning Christian Bale, I bet he won’t get my coffee anymore (laughs)."

If they are going with a classic/old school villain it could end up being Deadshot (1950), Calender Man (1958), Clayface (1940), Solomon Grundy (1944), Hugo Strange (1940), Talia al Ghul (1971), The Penguin (1941), Mad Hatter (1948) or Killer Moth (1951). I would have included both Freeze and Riddler but Nolan has previously stated that neither will be in the film. Talia, Deadshot, Hugo Strange and Calender Man seem like the best bet of bunch. Yet I wouldn't rule out a Nolan version of Red Hood.

RUMOR: League of Shadows Returning For Dark Knight Rises?

There is an interesting and more believable rumor circling online today concerning possible plot points of The Dark Knight Rises. This time BadassDigest says that we will be seeing the return of League of Shadows, the mysterious vigilante group that trained Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. They go on to reveal that Talia al Ghul (Marion Cotillard?), Bane (Tom Hardy) and whoever Joseph Gordon-Levitt is playing will be leading them.

The League was my favorite part of Begins and bringing them back could make for an excellent ending to the trilogy. This rumor seems a lot more plausible than the previous ones as it sounds in line with Nolan's more reality based plots and villains. Having the group exact revenge on Gotham and Wayne for their fallen leader/father (Ras' al Ghul) sounds fitting. Also talk of Nolan globetrotting/scouting locations in Europe, Asia and India could fit with the League of Shadows as they are an international group.

Anne Hathaway Confirms Playing Catwoman In Dark Knight Rises, Not Just Selena Kyle

There had been a question when it was announced that Anne Hathaway was cast in The Dark Knight Rises if she'd also be playing Catwoman as well. Now the actress has come out and given a bit of a confirmation on Oprah. As secretive as this third film is any tidbit of story information is big. It's unknown what incarnation we'll be seeing but I can bet that it won't be anything like the Tim Burton version.

Possible First Set Photo From Dark Knight Rises?

NolanFans (via JoBlo Forums) has posted what could be the first set image from The Dark Knight Rises. The film is expected to start production in March-April and it's possible sets have already been constructed at Pinewood Studios in London. If this a true set piece and not some picture of the original set from Batman Begins we could be seeing a return to Arkham Asylum. What fuels this further is that there have been rumblings of Nolan trying to get shots of New York City streets covered in snow before it melts and has already begun production on his own.

Joseph Gordon Levitt In Talks For Dark Knight Rises

Deadline is reporting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is talks for a role in The Dark Knight Rises. This brings us back to the original rumor that Hardy, JGL and DiCaprio were testing for roles in the film. Hardy is in playing Bane and now Joseph is being linked as well. It's very doubtful we'll see Leonardo involved as he's starting production soon on Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar. They don't name the role but it's likely it could be the long rumored addition of Detective Harvey Bullock, Black Mask or Deadshot.












Should JGL Join The Dark Knight Rises? Who Should He Play? Leave Your Comments!

RUMOR: Robin Williams Playing Hugo Strange In Dark Knight Rises?

The Dark Knight Rises rumor of the day comes from both Batman-News and Batman-On-Film who believe Robin Williams could be playing Hugo Strange. Robin Williams has stated before he'd love to be in one of the new Nolan films. He previously had been pursed for the role of the Joker in Tim Burton's Batman and Riddler for Batman Forever. Williams has worked with Christopher Nolan before as the villain in Insomnia.

It had been long rumored that Tom Hardy was going to play Hugo but was officially cast as Bane. Hardy seemed way too young to play older villain. Robin on the other hand seems like the perfect actor to take on the role. He's had a steady stream of badass roles in films like Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo and Insomnia. Nolan has previously used more than one villain in the previous films so it does seem likely. Of course like with any rumor until it's confirmed by the studio it's just wishful thinking.




Would You Like To See Robin Williams Play Hugo Strange? Does The Film Need Another Villain? Leave Your Comments!

Monsters' Scoot McNairy Lands Role In Big Superhero Film?

While Monsters director Gareth Edwards has gone on to helm Legendary Pictures' Godzilla reboot. There hasn't been much talk of big roles for the cast of the sci-fi indie. The film's male lead Scoot McNairy has mentioned to TotalFilm that he is indeed been cast in a large superhero film. He and his publicist don't mention the project but there are lots going into production soon. Let the speculation begin!

The three big ones include Joss Whedon's Avengers, Dark Knight Rises and Zack Snyder's Superman: Man of Steel. The other large scale superhero productions that are starting up soon include Darren Aronofsky's The Wolverine, Edgar Wright's Ant-Man and Tony Scott's Nemesis. I think McNairy would make an excellent Jimmy Olsen in the new Superman.

Kate Mara, Jessica Biel & Charlotte Riley Testing For Dark Knight Rises

It looks like that Dark Knight Rises casting information from Collider isn't as solid as first thought. HeatVision has a new shortlist of actresses who are testing for the two lead female roles. The list includes previously reported names like Keria Knighley and Anne Hathaway but now lists Kate Mara (127 Hours, Iron Man 2), Jessica Biel and newcomer Charlotte Riley who is engaged to Tom Hardy. While this report doesn't include Eva Green or Naomi Watts they however confirm previous reports of Talia al Ghul as being one of the roles.

Gemma Arterton was also a hopeful but could be out of the running with her signing on to star alongside Jeremy Renner in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.

GEEKDOM: Hugo Strange Is The Best Villain For Dark Kngiht Rises!

Hugo Strange has been rumored for months now as the main villain in The Dark Knight Rises. Until this is confirmed it's pure speculation but it's very likely since he's a real-world based villain. There had been reports that Batman: Prey would heavily influence the next movie. The comic featured Dr. Hugo Strange a bizarre psychologist who is obsessed with Batman to point of wanting to replace him. Strange figures out Batman's identity then starts attacking him on a personal and psychological level.

Batman of course is a sociopath vigilante and psychology could be a great theme for the next film. Now that Batman is on the run after taking the blame for Harvey Dent's murders and the death of Dent himself. It's likely the manhunt would include a criminal psychologist brought in to analyze the situation and the identity of the masked killer.  

Christopher Nolan's track record of using obscure real-world villains speaks for itself. In Batman Begins he combined Ras al Ghul with Henri Ducard also using Dr. Crane (Scarecrow), Carmine Falcone and he teased Victor Zsasz. The Dark Knight used better known villains with The Joker and Harvey Dent (Two Face) but used lesser known Sal Maroni as the face of the mob. Nolan has excluded Mr. Freeze and The Riddler which gives the impression others like Poison Ivy, The Penguin and Catwoman could very well not be in the film.

While Hugo isn't very well known even to a Batman fan like myself. He soon will be courtesy of Arkham City the sequel to the massively successful video game Arkham Asylum. Strange is one of the game's main villains and with the new trailer he'll soon be known to the target audience of the next film. Considering the expectations from the gaming community it looks like the game could exceed the first installment. Giving Nolan and Warner Bros. their first promotion of the little known villain.