For now, Nolan and Batman will rest in 'Dark' glory



LOS ANGELES — Since he took over the Batman franchise in 2005, Christopher Nolan has produced two No. 1 movies, generated $1.4 billion in worldwide ticket sales and created the second-highest-grossing film of all time in The Dark Knight.

So what's stopping him from making a third installment?

For starters, most third acts in Hollywood stink. Look at the disappointing threequels for The Godfather, Superman and the original Batman. The conclusions weren't much better for the more recent Shrek, Spider-Man and Pirates of the Caribbean.

MORE: Nolan's stories about four of his favorite 'Dark Knight' scenes

"I don't know why they're hard to do," Nolan says. "Maybe there's so much expectation to them. But I wouldn't want to do one if it weren't going to be as good as the first or second. That's not respectful to the fans."

Nolan says that reverence informed the making of The Dark Knight DVD and Blu-ray, out Tuesday. Then on Jan. 23, fans get another chance to see the film on the big screen as it's re-released the day after Academy Award nominations arrive.

Many consider Heath Ledger, who died of a prescription overdose on Jan. 22, a shoo-in for a supporting-actor nomination. But fans won't find much more of Ledger's Joker in DVD extras. There are features on the staging of the film's elaborate stunts, alternate angles and a segment on the technology behind Batman's gadgets, but not a single deleted scene or outtake from Ledger's performance.

Nolan says he wasn't keeping deleted scenes from fans. "For my past three films, I really haven't had scenes that didn't make it in the movie," he says. "If it's in the final script, I tend put it on screen."

Any outtakes, however, were intentionally left off the DVD. "I don't like outtakes or gag reels," Nolan says. "I don't think it's respectful to the actors, who signed on to have their performance on screen, not the takes that didn't work out. It discourages actors from going all-out if they think every mistake is going on the disc."

Nolan says he is jotting notes and doing some rough outlines for a third story, but he hasn't yet found anything he's willing to commit to film, despite Warner Bros.' eagerness to get a new film underway.

"It was obvious when the box office was so big ($530 million domestically) that we had underestimated how ready fans were to reboot the franchise," he says. "The worst thing you could do now that you've gotten the plane back in the air is mess up the landing."

Warner Bros Wants Seven Batman Movies



While the sequel to The Dark Knight is just in the beginning stages of development, Warner Bros is already looking much further down the line. During today’s Time Warner earnings call, CEO Jeff Bewkes compared the Batman series to the Harry Potter film franchise, saying that they hope to release a long line of sequels.

“We look at Harry Potter. It’s fantastic to have franchises that last that long. We want to do that with Batman and Superman and perhaps Sherlock Holmes. The sequels are as good, with new characters added, as were the originals. That wasn’t the case in the years ago. Warners has more tentpoles as an on-going strategy taht very much lifts its distribution and performance. We think that’s going to hold up our slate in the 2009 - 2010 period. We’ve got four more big tentpoles coming this year.”

I kinda get the impression that if Christopher Nolan does a third Batman film, it will probably be his last. He seems like a filmmaker that wants to move on to his own passion projects, and while Warner Bros has been very patient with him in regards to a Dark Knight sequel, the studio/company is clearly looking much further down the line. Warner Bros wants to make a lot more Batman movies? I know, this is a pretty obvious story, but it’s the first time that Time Warner/Warner Bros has said publicly that they are looking beyond the next film.

I know Zack Snyder has expressed interest in filming an adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns, and even got Frank Miller’s blessing at Comic Con last year. If Nolan isn’t interested in making a fourth Batman film, I would love to see Warner Bros take the leap and do the alternative future story with Snyder in the director’s seat. That way you could give the A-team (cast and crew) behind the Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and Batman 3 a break and still make another Batman flick. Sounds like a much better idea than possibility tanting the franchise with a Justice League movie featuring a recast younger Bruce Wayne

LOL frankie muniz???!?!!

YOUR NOT THE BOSS OF ME NOW, YOUR NOT THE BOSS OF ME NOW AND YOUR NOT SO BIGG!!!

lol.

it is a coincident that the last batman series start to go down the drain after Robin is added to the cast, Robin will make any batman movie gay.

maybe the next movie to fast forward 20 year to the event of Dark Knight return 

batman will be gay once robin arrive.

didnt u see the comic, they sleep on the same bed

batman will be gay once robin arrive.

didnt u see the comic, they sleep on the same bed

lol... this is some serious s***. I never knew they actually slept on the same bed! Oh no, please don't let there be a Robin in the the next Batman movie!

1 news has been announced on johnny depp as the riddler for the next batman sequel.

Apparently Julie Newmar, who played Catwoman in the original Batman TV series, told the New York Daily News that she has knowledge that Angelina Jolie has inquired about playing Catwoman in the not yet announced third film in Christopher Nolan’s series. Here is what she had to say, to be exact: "Angelina would own the part. My industry friends tell me [she] has made inquiries about the role. I can understand how it would pique her interest."

And another one for Jolie as Catwoman
--> http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/ange...-box-office.php

In addition, Nolan considered the Penguin difficult to portray on film, explaining, "There are certain characters that are easier to mesh with the more real take on Batman we're doing. The Penguin would be tricky." Recently the Warner Bros execs wishes Philip Seymour Hoffman to take up the role."

1 news has been announced on johnny depp as the riddler for the next batman sequel.

Where's the source? Do post it up yea. By the way, how many times la you already watched The Dark Knight? Last I heard was 7 times. 

lol the news are in front at the main page for this thread 

well yeah its still 7 times but my last one will be the 8th time which ill watch it this wenesday just for 7 or 8 ringgit    cant wait man     

Ops, I must have completely overlooked it. You are seriously a big fan of the movie but I've got to admit that it's one darn bloody movie that stands out from the rest for the time being. Anyway, enjoy your 8th screening, dude and oh yea... you are going in as the Joker, this time? 

Me want me JIM CAREY AS TEH RIDDLER!!!

I dont really understand how many ppl can watch TDK for many times, there are quite a of plot hole at the firsthalf of the movie and the HK arc is quite draggy.

August 22, 2008 - With The Dark Knight not only the biggest hit of 2008 but also one the highest grossing movies of all time, Warner Bros. is understandably eager to bring director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale back to the Batcave as soon as possible.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters."

Given the success of the grim and gritty Dark Knight, Warner Bros. Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov says the studio's upcoming DC movie slate is "going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it."

It was recently reported that Warners has an offer out to Nolan to direct Batman 3 but that the director had yet to commit to it. Studio boss Alan Horn told Variety at the time, "We have no idea where Chris is going with this. ... We haven't had any conversations with him about it."

Emboldened by this summer's success with "The Dark Knight," Warner Bros.' movie studio is setting a new strategy.

The Time Warner Inc. unit, like some other Hollywood studios, is planning to release fewer films into the crowded marketplace. But the studio, known for making more big, expensive movies than most rivals, plans to make even more of those -- some centered on properties from its DC Comics unit, such as Batman.

Warner Bros. Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov wants the studio to release as many as eight such movies a year by 2011. "The long-term goal of the studio is to take advantage of what has become a very global market by focusing on bigger films that require a bigger commitment," he says. Warner Bros. films released last year grossed $2 billion internationally, about 42% more than their $1.4 billion domestic take.

Mining the comic-book franchise is central to the success of Warner Bros.' strategy. Its lineup of "tent poles" -- Hollywood-speak for big movies that are the foundation of a studio's slate -- has thinned. Warner Bros. has been slow to capitalize on DC, and it now faces a rival in Marvel Entertainment Inc.'s Marvel Studios, the company behind box-office gusher "Iron Man."

Superhero films based on comic-book legends, like "The Dark Knight," have emerged as some of the strongest players in the global market, in part because they're natural candidates for tie-ups with consumer products and games that can also be marketed globally.

"Superheroes are more global than ever in today's commercial world, existing in 30 languages and in more than 60 countries," says Paul Levitz, president and publisher of DC Comics. The characters are "a world-wide export," he says.

"Films with our DC properties have the opportunity to support other divisions in the company in a way that our other movies don't," Mr. Robinov says, for example, with products such as a Superman game or toys. By 2011, Mr. Robinov plans for DC Comics to supply the material for up to two of the six to eight tent-pole films he hopes Warner Bros. will have in the pipeline by then.

While big ambitions can result in a huge payoff, they can also end in huge losses. Warner's car adventure "Speed Racer" bombed at the box office in May. The film, said to have cost as much as $150 million, has taken in only $43.9 million in the U.S. Some other big-budget Warner films, such as spy comedy "Get Smart," also have failed to meet expectations.

Earlier this year, Warner Bros. shut its two art-house labels, Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures. The studio currently releases 25 to 26 films a year. By 2010, Mr. Robinov plans to pare production to 20 to 22 movies a year.

A movie referred to internally as "Justice League of America," originally said to be for next summer, was planned as one of the studio's major releases. With that film, starring a superhero team, Warner hoped to spark interest in DC characters like Green Lantern who haven't yet attained the level of popularity of Batman. But script problems, among other things, have delayed the movie.

The studio said last week that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," originally slated for November release, would come out next July -- on the same weekend that "The Dark Knight" opened this year. The Batman sequel made more than $150 million in the U.S. that weekend. "We just needed a July movie," said Alan Horn, president of the studio, at the time.

Warner Bros. also put on hold plans for another movie starring multiple superheroes -- known as "Batman vs. Superman" -- after the $215 million "Superman Returns," which had disappointing box-office returns, didn't please executives. "'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," says Mr. Robinov. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned." "Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009," he adds. "But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."

One of the studio's other big releases planned for 2009, "Watchmen," is the subject of a high-profile copyright lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox.

Based on the premise that superheroes are real people grappling with their own problems, "Watchmen" is an apocalyptic vision of their world. Fox says it is seeking an injunction to enforce its copyright interest in the film. Last week, a federal judge ruled that it may have rights to the property. News Corp. is the parent of Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones & Co.

With "Batman vs. Superman" and "Justice League" stalled, Warner Bros. has quietly adopted Marvel's model of releasing a single film for each character, and then using those movies and their sequels to build up to a multicharacter film. "Along those lines, we have been developing every DC character that we own," Mr. Robinov says.

Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.

The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters. Movies featuring Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman are all in active development.

Many of the studio's directors credit Mr. Robinov for taking Warner Bros.' films in a darker and deeper direction. Christopher Nolan, who directed "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," says Mr. Robinov "really encouraged the logic of the villain" from "Batman Begins." That led to focusing heavily on the Joker in the sequel. "At the script stage, Jeff really wanted us to be very clear on the Joker's lack of purpose," he says.

i think that they should reserve Johnny Depp for Joker's return... that is IF Joker is returning...

batman will be gay once robin arrive.

didnt u see the comic, they sleep on the same bed

Me want me JIM CAREY AS TEH RIDDLER!!!

batman will be gay once robin arrive.

didnt u see the comic, they sleep on the same bed

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/christophernolan_blog.html

i've got some bad news guys....huhuhu....

To me its good news.

That's the overriding question. On a more superficial level, I have to ask the question: How many good third movies in a franchise can people name? [Laughs.] At the same time, in taking on the second one, we had the challenge of trying to make a great second movie, and there haven't been too many of those either. It's all about the story really. If the story is there, everything is possible."

At least Nolan is not that money-minded.

Like he mentioned earlier, TDK completely stand on its own and hits the point where no other possible sequels will top it if he intend to continue the Batman franchise.

Harvey Dent: You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain.

But Lord of the Ring : The Return of the King wasn't that bad, right ?
At least Christopher Nolan's Batman series deserve a 3rd sequel I'd said.

Fans want Depp and Jolie in next Batman movie



Give audiences a blockbuster Batman movie called “The Dark Knight” with zany villains, and all of a sudden everyone’s a casting director.
   
A survey by movie rental company Blockbuster has found Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie — in that order — are the top two favorites of fans for starring roles in an expected next Batman film.
   
Keith Leopard, director of film product for Blockbuster, said Depp or Jolie could really bring a Batman villain to life.  However it will be up to Warner Bros, the studio behind the film,  to cast the next Batman movie.



The survey also listed fans most requested villains for the next Batman movie are: The Riddler (a clue-giving criminal); Harley Quinn (a Harlequin jester); Cat Woman (Batman’s bad girl love interest); The Penguin (a mobster with a penchant for umbrellas); and Bane (a muscle-bound foe).
   
Several of those characters have appeared in Batman movies since Warner Bros launched the modern version of the movie saga in 1989. Notably, The Penguin was played by Danny DeVito in 1992 and comedian Jim Carrey took a turn as The Riddler in 1995.
   
“The Dark Knight” has made nearly $1 billion worldwide since it opened on July 18, and the late Heath Ledger has been talked about as a possible Oscar contender for his role as The Joker in the film.

Most requested actors:

1.      Johnny Depp
2.      Angelina Jolie
3.      Natalie Portman
4.      Edward Norton
5.      Keira Knightley
6.      Daniel Day-Lewis
7.      Philip Seymour Hoffman
8.      Viggo Mortensen
9.      Kevin Spacey
10.    Clive Owen

JD and AJ ftw. Others just can't imagine .

To be honest, they're quite overated. Sure JD's portrayal of the psycho writer in Secret Windows is awesome, but that doesnt mean his perfectly fit to be The Riddler. In the comic, The Riddler is decisive, manipulative and likes to prove he's formidably intelligent than others without getting his hands dirty, I dont see any of that in JD at all! Same goes to AJ...

Is Batman 3 a Go?



The next Batman installment is alive and kicking—definitely. We already mentioned today certain Warners sources are leaking to us that Rachel Weisz is being considered for the Catwoman role, too fab. But Warners officially isn't saying bubkes. But other insiders working on the next installment, to follow up where The Dark Knight left off, say it's all so a go:

Despite some recent interviews in which he down-played the possibility of returning as director again, Christopher Nolan (who helmed Knight) will for sure be back directing the third flick, we're assured by a production mole. Christian Bale will obviously rejoin his director pal, and we're very pleased to report that he'll be playing a "sexier" Bruce Wayne. This is heaven-sent news, as, let's face it, Bale couldn't have looked any more constipated in that last flick.

Never mind. And as for Catwoman casting, look, when we chatted with Aaron Eckhart not long ago, he blabbed that he would love to see Angelina Jolie play the role. Well, sorry babes, as we spilled earlier today, Weisz is the one more likely, at this point, to be signed on to play the sexy puss. After all, Angie has her claws out enough in real life, right?

By the by, even though Warners did not comment on any of the above movie talk, additional studio sources did confirm it's certainly "expected" Bale and Nolan will be back, pending a script which is being written as we gossip. However, let's not forget the most important Batman buzz of all, right?

Who dare fill Heath's shoes? A Batman movie is only as good as the villain, right? Don't believe me? Just watch the Oscars next February, and let's discuss after Heath nabs one of those babies posthumously.

So. Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin? Johnny Depp as anyone? Robert Pattinson as The Joker?

Spencer Pratt as himself? Jeez, the sky's the friggin' limit these days. Me? I vote for Pattinson. I just don't buy that dude as a nonhuman blood-sucking vampire anyway, you?

Eddie Murphy And Shia LaBeouf Are Not In Batman 3



Here’s yet another Batman 3 casting rumor for you to chew on, along with the Rachel Weisz as Catwoman gossip from yesterday. The Sun claims that Eddie Murphy has been signed to play the Riddler and Shia LaBeouf is set to play Robin. This is entirely untrue.

We spoke to a proven industry source of ours earlier tonight who confirmed to us not only that the rumor is a fake, but where and how The Sun got their information. Unfortunately, in order to protect our source's anonymity we can’t tell you. Ain’t that fun? But we're certain, there’s no truth to this at all.

Besides, you don’t need us to tell you that British newspapers have pretty much the worst track record ever when it comes to breaking movie news. They’re nearly always wrong. Well they’re wrong again.

That same proven source however says that Rachel Weisz is a real possibility to play Catwoman. That’s not wrong. Also correct are the rumors that Nolan is actually ready to start making it. Our insider insists that the movie is further along than we’ve all been lead to believe. Nolan is back, Bale is back, and so is Michael Caine. The rest is still up in the air.

Exclusive - Alan Horn, The President of Warner Bros, talks DARK KNIGHT, GREEN LANTERN, and More



We've been inundated with rumors lately about a sequel to "The Dark Knight" and while I hate gossip-mongering in a blatant attempt to score hits, I understand that it comes from a genuine place of wanting more of a great film.  People loved "The Dark Knight" and the total dearth of information leaves a vacuum where someone put forth a ridiculous rumor like "Eddie Murphy might play the Riddler" or "Shia LeBeouf may be in it because hey why not."  So today instead of worthless rumors, we'd like to try something a little different.  We'd like to offer you facts straight from the mouth of Alan Horn, the President of Warner Brothers. 

Landing a brief interview with Horn on the red carpet for the premiere of "Yes Man", we were able to get him about talking the Dark Knight, Superman, Green Lantern, and Justice League.  No rumors, no innuendo--just facts directly from the man at the top.

Check out the interview. Or you can read the transcript below the video.



I ask when does he think we might hear rumblings of another "Dark Knight" movie… he says “We’ve been talking to Chris Nolan and what we have to do is get him in the right place and have him tell us what he thinks the notion might be for a great story, but Chris did a great job and we’d love to have him come back and do another one.”

I ask if he’s the type of filmmaker that they wouldn’t rush and that he wouldn’t have to meet a certain release date. Basically, the story is more important than a release date. He says, “Yes. The story is everything and we are very respectful of Chris. We have a wonderful relationship with him and we are going to be respectful of his timing and we want to get it right. Also, I think the fans expect that – they want us to make a terrific movie –we have to give them another great movie.”

I then ask when we might be seeing another Superman. “Probably in the next couple of years. We’re very anxious to bring Superman back also.”

I then say Green Lantern? “Also on the board. On the runway. Hasn’t taken off yet, but we’re close.”

I finally ask what he thinks the next Superhero property might be from Warner Bros. He says “I think Green Lantern is probably the best guess but I can’t promise it at this moment.”

And Justice League? “Not yet.”

stephen chow = riddler

I heard today from hitz fm that shia le boeuf will be playing robin, is it true?

‘Batman 3’ Rumor Report: ‘Eddie Murphy As Riddler’ Reporter Stands By His ‘Gotham’ Casting Story



Sure, we all had a good laugh at the expense of the U.K.-based tabloid The Sun after they announced that Eddie Murphy and Shia LaBeouf would portray The Riddler and Robin, respectively, in “Gotham” (what The Sun claimed to be the title of the follow-up to this summer’s “The Dark Knight”). After all — as we’ve made perfectly clear — Warner Bros., director Christopher Nolan and various high-level execs attached to the franchise have all gone on record saying that there’s been absolutely no movement on the film, let alone a script or preliminary casting.

However, the source of the speculation — Sun reporter Gordon Smart — has come forward in the face of the fanboy firing squad to defend his reporting, saying that he stands by his story based on “a reliable contact” close to the film. And while it’s still safe to shrug and smirk this rumor off, it might be worth noting that Smart claims that the same anonymous source who kick-started the recent “Batman 3” casting rumors was responsible for another rumor back in 2005 that proved true in a big way: the casting of Daniel Craig as the new (at the time) James Bond.

In a recent post on The Guardian’s Film Blog — in reference to the “Craig as Bond” rumor that came true — Smart is quoted as saying, “Everyone had a crack at us when we published that one. I was almost laughed out of conference that day, but it turned out to be spot on. I wish I had had a bet on it.”

The Guardian follows that up with a report that, off the record, Smart revealed his unnamed source, and points out that — if credible — it appears to be very reliable.

So while we here at Splash Page still have our doubts about this rumor, it appears as though this story isn’t going away anytime soon.

Does it worry you that Murphy and LaBeouf actually might be gearing up for “Batman 3?” Or are you sure Nolan and Warner Bros will do the right thing with the follow-up? Sound off below

‘Batman 3’ Casting Rumor Denied By Eddie Murphy, Won’t Play The Riddler In ‘Dark Knight’ Sequel



While the British writer who reported that Eddie Murphy would play The Riddler is sticking by his story, Murphy himself has now denied the casting rumor — or rather, one of his representatives has denied it on his behalf.

According to Access Hollywood, a representative of Murphy has categorized the rumors as “not true.”

So, where does that leave us in the “Batman 3” rumor mess?

The initial British report that cast Murphy in the role also attached Shia LaBeouf as Bat-sidekick Robin, and Rachel Weisz in the role of Catwoman. Neither star has issued a statement regarding the rumors, and while we’re inclined to doubt the former (LaBeouf as Robin) and be cautiously skeptical about the latter (Weisz as Catwoman), there’s still that pesky lack of any confirmation whatsoever from Warner Bros or director Christopher Nolan that there will even be a “Dark Knight” sequel.

But we’re keeping hope alive, aren’t we?

Keep your eyes on Splash Page for more information as “Batman 3″ news develops.

How do you feel about Eddie Murphy’s announcement? What does your ideal “Dark Knight” sequel look like? Let us know in the comment section!

try put Eddie in Batman and i swear to God i won't even download it to watch....

putting my vote in hoping depp will indeed play the riddler and jolie will be catwoman..

I still think Nolan gonna take some not so well known actors to take the cast.

Nolan isnt even signed for the third Batman movie yet, and its pretty obvious Nolan is not that type that'll go for Hollywood A-listers, so plz ppl dont get fooled so easily with this sort of shit! No offence yah.....

‘Batman 3’ Update: Christopher Nolan & David Goyer ‘Talking,’ Says ‘Dark Knight’ Producer

During last night’s People’s Choice Awards, “The Dark Knight” producer Chuck Roven cleared up some of the speculation surrounding the sequel to the celebrated Batman blockbuster, telling MTV that director Christopher Nolan and writer David Goyer are indeed “talking and thinking” about the next film

While Roven’s comments seem to indicate that Nolan and Goyer will be returning for the sequel (Nolan was noncommittal to a “Dark Knight” sequel in the past, and Goyer declared any and all sequel rumors “B.S.” back in October), it doesn’t address the two questions most comics fans are dying to know the answers to: What villains will appear in the film and who will play them?

Well, there could be at least one clue in Roven’s response.

“We have to separate the actors from the role,” said Roven when asked whether they would’ve done anything different with Heath Ledger’s villainous Joker if they knew the actor wouldn’t be reprising the role.

“On a personal level, Heath was a friend of mine. We had worked together before ‘The Dark Knight,’ but I still think that ‘The Dark Knight’ is its own thing, and we have to separate them,” added Roven.

Could that mean they’re open to re-casting The Joker? Will we see The Clown Prince of Crime return for the “Dark Knight” sequel? Keep an eye on Splash Page for more “Dark Knight” sequel news as it develops!

What do you think about Roven’s comments? What do they mean for the “Dark Knight” sequel? Tell us what you think in the comment section!

Its obvious that he'll return to continue the series, but when did he ever signed for the 3rd film?

he signed for the 3rd sequel early October 2008. & thats where went "Production Weekly" (Film and television production tracking information for the entertainment industry) announced that Christopher Nolan as the official director for the dark knight sequel along with the rest of returning cast from batman begins & the dark knight which is Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman & Gary Oldman.

OIC.

Im glad they're back for the 3rd film.

and to hell with all these Jolie/Deep as CW/Riddler rumors, sorry folks!

‘Batman 3’ Update: Christopher Nolan & David Goyer ‘Talking,’ Says ‘Dark Knight’ Producer

During last night’s People’s Choice Awards, “The Dark Knight” producer Chuck Roven cleared up some of the speculation surrounding the sequel to the celebrated Batman blockbuster, telling MTV that director Christopher Nolan and writer David Goyer are indeed “talking and thinking” about the next film

While Roven’s comments seem to indicate that Nolan and Goyer will be returning for the sequel (Nolan was noncommittal to a “Dark Knight” sequel in the past, and Goyer declared any and all sequel rumors “B.S.” back in October), it doesn’t address the two questions most comics fans are dying to know the answers to: What villains will appear in the film and who will play them?

Well, there could be at least one clue in Roven’s response.

“We have to separate the actors from the role,” said Roven when asked whether they would’ve done anything different with Heath Ledger’s villainous Joker if they knew the actor wouldn’t be reprising the role.

“On a personal level, Heath was a friend of mine. We had worked together before ‘The Dark Knight,’ but I still think that ‘The Dark Knight’ is its own thing, and we have to separate them,” added Roven.

Could that mean they’re open to re-casting The Joker? Will we see The Clown Prince of Crime return for the “Dark Knight” sequel? Keep an eye on Splash Page for more “Dark Knight” sequel news as it develops!

What do you think about Roven’s comments? What do they mean for the “Dark Knight” sequel? Tell us what you think in the comment section!

BREAKING: ‘Dark Knight’ Star Aaron Eckhart Hints At Possible Two-Face Return

In the past, Aaron Eckhart has had no problems stating matter-of-factly that Two-Face was done for, telling SuperHeroHype back in September that his character was as “dead as a doornail.” Well…maybe not that dead.

When MTV News caught up with “The Dark Knight” star on the Golden Globes red carpet, he was notably less fatalistic about the possibility of reprising his role as Harvey Dent/Two-Face in a sequel to the record-breaking film.

“I think Harvey — if he’s not dead — is in a serious coma,” stated Eckhart, “and I’m not sure he’s coming out. They might pull the plug on him.” Seemingly firm words, right? Except even the notion that his alter-ego is still alive is a clear departure from previous statements where the actor was perfectly fine confirming Harvey’s death at the business end of a freefalling drop.

We know from our recent interview with producer Charles Roven that screenwriters Christopher Nolan and David Goyer have begun brainstorming ideas for a third “Batman” film…could something out of that have led to Eckhart’s about-face on Two-Face? His wink-wink-nod-nod answer seems to suggest that something else may be at play.

Like all good mysteries, the answer is murky and open to interpretation. So tell us what you think. Do Eckhart’s comments — and the way he delivered them — mean we should still believe in Harvey Dent? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

'Dark Knight' producer was 'just a kid from Jersey'

Behind every dream project is a dreamer and in the case of "The Dark Knight," that dreamer was Michael Uslan.

Born in Bayonne and raised in Asbury Park, Uslan has spent the last three decades as Batman's biggest booster. Since acquiring the rights to the superhero from DC Comics back in 1979, Uslan has executive produced all of the Caped Crusader movies from "Batman" (1989) to "The Dark Knight" (2008).

It was his insistence that dignity be restored to the Bat which is credited with helping turn the latest entry in the series into a world-wide phenomenon. Last year, "The Dark Knight" notched $997 million at the box-office and surpassed "Star Wars" to become the second highest-grossing film of all time. ("Titanic" still holds the top spot with $1.8 billion in earnings.)

As a way of celebrating "The Dark Knight's" Oscar nominations, the film swooped back into movie theaters on Friday. As far as Uslan is concerned, the interest from the Motion Picture Academy is "vindication" for geeks all over the world.

"All of the attention we've received is proof positive that comic books are something people should no longer look down their noses at," he says. "Comic books are as legitimate a form of literature as plays or novels."

Uslan was barely 3 years old when he read his first comic book. He remembers being taken by his dad for a haircut to Red's Barbershop on Asbury Ave. and noticing a stack of comics in the corner. Five years later, Uslan became a bona-fide collector, carefully preserving every last one of his "Archie" and "Casper" books.

But it wasn't until Uslan discovered the Collingswood Auction and Flea Market that his collection really began to flourish.

"They had this back-date magazine seller from New York who came in with old, old comics which he sold to us for five cents apiece," says Uslan, whose Branded Entertainment company is based in Cedar Grove, where he lives with Nancy, his wife of 35 years, and their two children, Sarah, 24 and David, 28.

By the time Uslan graduated from Ocean Township High School in 1969, he had amassed more than 30,000 books, including scores of rare "Superman" and "Captain Marvel" issues. "My dad, God bless him, never got a car in our garage ever again," he says.

From the time he was 8 years old, it was Batman who held sway over Uslan's imagination.

"Batman has no superpowers so I could identify with him much more so than with Superman, Spider-Man or the Hulk," says Uslan, 57. "His greatest superpower is his humanity -- when I was a kid, I thought that if I studied hard, worked out and if my dad brought me a really cool car, I could be Batman."

Batman might have taken control of Uslan's fantasy life but, in the real world, his heroes were his hard-working parents. Dad Joseph was a mason who inspired his son to make a living doing what he loved.

"My dad built some of the most magnificent homes up and down the Jersey Shore," says Uslan. "He was an Old World craftsman, a real artist. He worked six days a week from the ages of 16 to 80. He'd jump out of bed every morning with a big smile on his face because he absolutely loved what he did."

Uslan's mom Lillian never let her son forget that once he made a commitment, he was obligated to stick to it. Uslan's stubborn steak came in handy in the 1980s when he found doors being slammed in his face by every studio in Hollywood. Nobody in the movie business thought Batman had a future on the big screen.

"I was just a kid from Jersey who had no relatives in the industry," says Uslan, who, at Indiana University, taught one of the first accredited college courses on comic books. "I didn't come from money. All I had was this self-confidence instilled in me by two (Ocean Township) teachers (Eleanor Stiller and Rita Friedman) and this crazy dream."

The dream, says Uslan, was a simple one. "I wanted to bring to the screen a definitive version of Batman -- dark, serious, the way he was originally conceived in 1939 as a creature of the night who would stalk criminals in the shadows. I wanted to erase from the hearts and minds of the world the words "pow,' "zap' and "wham.' "

While Uslan's first "Batman" film starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson almost single-handedly revolutionized comic book movies, "The Dark Knight" raised the bar even higher.

"It's not just a great comic book film, it's a great film," says Uslan who also produced "The Spirit" and has three more films in various stages of development, including "The Shadow," "Doc Savage" and the Captain Marvel feature "Billy Batson and the Legend of Shazam." "When I first saw "The Dark Knight,' I was so happy I wanted to cry."

Uslan will be onboard as executive producer for the "Dark Knight" sequel, which he estimates will be theaters by 2011. As for the identity of the next round of Batman's supervillains and love interests, Uslan remains tight-lipped. "It's one of those deals where if I told you, I'd have to kill you," he says with a chuckle.

IESB Exclusive: Third BATMAN Film in Script Stage

The IESB was tipped off this week that the script for the third Batman film is already underway.

IESB was told by an extremely reliable source that the project has already gone into the writing stage with Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan and David Goyer all hard at work.

When Jeff Otto, representing IESB, got the chance to talk to producer Chuck Roven today, he jumped at the chance to confirm...of course Roven wasn't going to say much and was very evasive but he did do a good song and dance performance,

IESB: We've been told that Jonathan, Chris and David are working on the new Batman script. Do you know the direction they’re going or do you wait for them to formulate something more complete before you get involved?

Chuck Roven: The creative driver of the project at this point is Chris. There’s really nothing more for me to say about that. When he feels that he’s got something to talk about, then we’ll be able to talk about it.

IESB: I know you can’t tell us who the villain or villains are, but do you personally know?

[Big smile and a laugh] CR: I really don’t want to talk about that project right now.

We've double checked and we are definitely hearing the script is being written as we speak.

It's common knowledge THE DARK KNIGHT was one of the biggest films of the decade with nominations coming in left and right, a third film in the franchise is a slam-dunk.

We'll keep our ears to the ground on this one!