Since the beginning of November there have been rumors circling The Dark Knight Rises regarding the casting of not one, but two new female lead characters. While it’s been impossible to confirm which characters Christopher Nolan will add to this trilogy-concluding Batman film, the shortlist of actresses reportedly mentioned in consideration are nothing short of the top talent in the industry.
The candidates initially reported included Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway and Keira Knightley. With Portman pregnant and Lively playing the leading lady opposite Ryan Reynolds in Green Lantern, the list narrows. According to the latest rumors, only one of these candidates will be joining the cast of The Dark Knight Rises.
Collider has the exclusive on several exciting and important details on The Dark Knight Rises from reliable inside sources. Since they cannot attain official confirmation, they have labeled the following information as a “rumor.”
The most important update comes on the casting front with Naomi Watts (listed above) and Eva Green rumored to have joined the cast of Batman 3. Their source is unable to confirm who is playing who from the DC Comics, but assumes that Green will be playing the villainous Talia al Ghul, with Watts portraying the character of Vicki Vale, a reporter previously played by Kim Basinger in Tim Burton’s first Batman (our man Ben Kendrick nailed that one).
[Update: THR reports this information as false and list six candidates scheduled to test for the roles over the next two weeks. Find out who they are here.]
Naomi Watts as Vicki Vale in The Dark Knight Rises
If Eva Green (Casino Royale) is playing Talia Al Ghul, that does confirm previous rumors and works to tie in the events of Nolan’s Batman Begins which of course, featured Liam Neeson playing Talia’s father, Ra’s Al Ghul.
Another possibility follows the other common rumor that Christopher Nolan and co. will be basing the story of The Dark Knight Rises on the Batman: Prey graphic novel which would put Green in the role of Catwoman instead, and previous casting addition Tom Hardy into the role of Dr. Hugo Strange.
Now to the other details from Collider’s scoop:
- New design for Batmobile is similar to Tumbler, but more streamlined.
- New Batcave same as old with circular pad for Batmobile.
- There will be an armory of Batsuits (like Iron Man 2?).
- We will see the Batcomputer in the cave.
- Shooting begins May 6th.
- Post-production begins November 28th.
They also hint towards what’s likely going to be the introduction of another new Batsuit, which we expected would happen anyway. In movies like this, you always need a new costume for each movie to help sell some toys.
Hopefully, official confirmations will roll out soon. But regardless of how accurate this information may be, we all have a lot to look forward to as Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale aim to finish their run with the Batman franchise. We can however, say for certain that The Dark Knight Rises will not be in 3D and will star Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Tom Hardy.
The Dark Knight Rises begins production in May and is scheduled for theatrical release on July 20th, 2012.
Follow us on Twitter @rob_keyes and @screenrant
Source: Collider
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What does this mean though..will the Batcave be the same in TDK or in BBS..I hoping like in BBS because in TDK they mentioned that the Third movie would feature the Wayne Masion rebuilt like in BBS..So Im assuming they are refering to the Batcave in BBS.
i hope its talia i like her character plus you dont need another love interest if she is in it
im gonna say it cos someone else will could watts be harley (i know it not gonna happen before i get jumped on)
I could see Watts as Vicky Vale, but I’m not sure about Eva Green as Talia.
It seems like a bit too much for Batman to have all this new stuff, considering he didn’t have too much at the end of the last one.
Don’t get me wrong, all this stuff is a complete nerd-gasum. I’d just like a little reality.
Keep in mind, we don’t know what the timeline is. For all we know, it’s been several years since the end of TDK. But for someone like Bruce Wayne, how long would it really take him, anyways?
Great casting if it turns out to be true that is.
However, I would much rather see Eva Green as the more complex character in Selina Kyle/Catwoman ahead of Talia.
I would also rather see Watts as Detective Sarah Essen, instead of Vicky Vale?
Been there and done that with seeing Vale in a Bat movie already.
I hope the Batmobile is a significant departure from the tumbler. I want it to have the same utilitarian feel, but I want it to be more gadget-y. And smaller. Maybe that’s what they mean by “streamlined.”
They mentioned “slick” in reference to the new batmobile, but Batman will have plenty of gadgets it sounds like.
I’m not too sure that’s a good thing though as the sonar eyes in TDK were uncool and out of place for me.
@ Rob Keyes
I was actually hoping for a new design for the Batmobile, but since this is supposely concluding Nolan’s Batman franchise it doesn’t matter except like Evan mentioned, have more gadgets included. Im glad he wasn’t gonna be driving the Batpod throughout,lol. Im anxious to see the Batcave.
THR reveals they have NOT been cast.
they just add more names dam this is gonna kill me lol
Well, they do seem to confirm that Talia al Ghul will be the villain. Although, there’s a rule when it comes to Batman 3 news: Unless Nolan says it, then it just a rumor.
Here’s my thing, honestly I don’t know a heck of a lot about Talia but here’s what I think. In Batman Begins we’ve already seen the League of Shadows and I understand that they are always around.. So I personaly and have every right to say this, would rather see Nolan’s version of Catwoman. Now I know a lot of folks don’t want another Catwoman in the series, but I believe Nolan could do wonders with her. And as for Vale,I found her annoying once, do we really have to sit through that again. Personaly just not up for that. Now I know Nolan is going to cast his actors in any role he sees fit but, I don’t know, maybe just think about the fanboys and what they want to see. Just my thoughts.
i think who cares had a good idea with Sarah Essen to make gordons life a bit more complicated it doesnt always have to be batman that has a new love interest
gotta say it as ive said in many other threads cast hangman and give us a new character to enjoy on screen plus it ties in to falcone
“…but I believe Nolan could do wonders with her.” Yeah, and he can also turn water into wine… Why the heck are people talking about Nolan like he´s the next Jesus Christ?! If you search for the word “overrated” in a dictionary, you´ll find a picture of Nolan next to it.
Agreed. I think he’s a great filmmaker in all, but he’s not beyond mistakes. The fact he casted Katie Holmes in BATMAN BEGINS is proof of that. With all his great films, he couldn’t give her a good performance.
I didn’t say that Nolan is the next Jesus Christ. All I meant was that I’d like to see his version of Catwoman and more then likely it’d be better then Burton’s. I do think Nolan is a great director but Jesus? No, rather far from that.
Blake Lively would make a good Barley, not that it’s ever gonna happen but we can all dream can’t we
.
I’m indifferent to the casting, Don’t even know who Eva Green is. But I would love to see Nolan’s version of Catwoman. Especially if he makes her more believable than Michelle Pfieffer was. No “nine lives”, no stiching together a costume and supposedly beating up hardened street thugs with a whip. Somebody let me know if “Prey” is worth buying or should I check it out of the library. How many volumes is it?
Michelle was better than Halle Barry though. lol
Acting and character, yes; looks, I think Halle wins on that level.
In my opinion, Pfeiffer wins on looks too, though Berry is quite the looker (each in her respective Catwoman role).
heres my list for actresses for TDKR
milla jovovich
megan fox
and tara reid
Please tell me you were kidding about casting Megan Fox?
I hope he was kidding about Fox AND Reid…Seriously, personal life aside, Reid’s acting makes Fox’s look Oscar-worthy.
Eva Green and Naomi Watts–
EXCELLENT!!
it’s no wonder ironman 2 sucked, they spent so much time putting emphasis on the ‘relationship’ between stark and pepper that it ruined the movie wtf do they even have to include ‘love interests’ in comic book movies when no one even cares about them (for the most part). just watch capt america and thor will be ruined by the 2 ‘love interests’ and so will green lantern.
I believe in Chris Nolan!!!
Sounds good. I only want like a couple of villains i don’t want it overdone.
What? No stock photo’s of Eva Green over there?!
I’ve got some killer wallpaper I could have donated!
:O)
Now this is cool news. Hot girls. Iconic Batcave details. What more could anyone ask for?
I can totally see Eva Green as Catwoman. She has the perfect look and I think she could both of the dual roles of love interest and villain, if need be.
Naomi Watts, on the other hand, sometimes gets a bit overdramatic for my taste. We already have one hyper-realized performance in Bale’s Batman. We don’t need another.
I just looked at a photo for Eva Green and I totally could see her as Catwoman or Talia.
Well, all that sounds great, hopefully the new Batmobile will look more like a proper Batmobile. Do not like the tumbler!!!
A Batcave sounds cool as well, and if there is a computer too does that mean Batman might actually do some detective work? Interesting. I also like that it sounds a little more comicbooky.
And I can totally see Eva Green as Talia.
LOL Would be nice if it looked something like in Burtons original Batman movie. All the TDK was hyped because Heath Ledger died before it came out.
Agreed. I like TDK, I really do. But it has flaws that most seem willing to simply ignore.
I agree. As much as I love the film (and I do), it has it’s flaws, and isn’t “perfect” as many claim. To me, almost the entire third act falls apart, and I really believe the film should have ended with Joker destroying the hospital. I will actually say that I find BB to be surperior, and have a more deeper story too.
As far as “best cbm” goes, I would say WATCHMEN gets that title.
My favourite CBM is Superman 1+2.
And you’re right, the third act of TDK should have been left for a different film, creating Two Face and then killing Two Face in the space of 30 minutes was a total waste of the character.
Sam, I always respect your opinion. However, I think,(and he’s not my favorite character), that Spiderman is the single greatest adaptation of a comicbook superhero to film. I also think that the best adaptation will always be a single hero, as opposed to a team. Too many details ,powers, origins,etc. involved in bringing a superteam to film.
AM I reading ppl’s comments right today? TDK was’nt the best comic book ever? yea maybe if you put BB before it then i guess your right,Nolan;s batman’s aren’t the best batfilms weve seen? again idk what you ppl are smoking(DSB thats you) lol, As far as the casting goes until it comes from Nolan im not buying it either way I dont see Nolan doing anything that’s been done so Exit Vale and Catwoman, Meaning were looking at other choices for these 2 fine ladies to play IMHO I dont think any of us are ready for what Nolan is about to do.
p.s. I LOVE THE TUMBLER
TDK was good but I can’t watch it again; each time I try, it’s just boring. On the other hand, I can watch Iron Man (1 & 2), Blade (1 & 2), Superman (1 & 2), Spiderman (1 & 2), and The X-Men (1 & 2) many times without getting bored.
Forgot to include Burton’s Batman; I can watch that over and over and over.
Thats because Burton’s Batman is superior.
Agreed!!!!
I would put TDK as my third favourite Batman film. I can only apologise for having a different opinion to yourself.
I liked BB more than TDK.
Same here.
I would rate them as so;
Batman (89)
Mask Of The Phantasm
Batman Begins
Batman Returns
The Dark Knight
Batman Forever
Batman And Robin
@ Sam
Its hard for me to rate me movies, here’s my list.
1. Batman (89)
2. Batman: Mask of The Phantasm
3. Batman Returns
4. Batman Begins
5. Batman Forever & TDK = tied
6. Batman & Robin
I would add Batman: Subzero before Batman & Robin but it wasn’t a theatrical release.
@ Pawn
Same here,
For my part, I would rank the Batman theatrical releases as follows:
1. “TDK” (tied with “Mask of the Phantasm”, each having unique appeal)
2. “Batman Begins” (tied with “Batman” ['89], (each inspirational/cool)
3. “Batman Returns”
150. “Batman Forever” (several elements, worthwhile; many elements, crap)
Googleplex. “Batman and Robin” (only on the list b/c it’s a BM attempt)
The ties may seem like cheats, but I really DO consider the respective films to possess equivalent (NOT strictly EQUAL) merits.
I’m not going to challenge your choices, as they after all your personal opinions. What narks me is that many assume there is something wrong with you if you don’t place TDK at No.1.
Good to see you place Mask Of The Phantasm so highly, if I realised we could tie films then I would have Batman (89) and Mask tied for first place.
All of the films have something cool about them. Batman.
I think it comes to who is Batman to each person, to this current generation of movie goers it’s Christian Bale, to me it’s Michael Keaton or Kevin Conroy, in 5 years or so it will be someone else.
Sam…
I agree that many people have fallen into the “‘TDK’ is the most excellent, perfect film ever created in the history of humanity” camp, and I agree that is exceedingly silly. “TDK” is by no means perfect (I, in other words, do not fall into that camp), BUT it does (IMO) get much more right than it gets wrong…in wonderful ways. Batman is my favorite comic book character, so I DO pay attention to the different portrayals and storylines, as you obviously do.
“Batman” (’89) was a lot of fun and a great film (and I was one of the people who KNEW Michael Keaton would make a fantastic Bruce Wayne/Batman, because his cinematic history matched up very well to such a character), and I loved Nicholson as Joker. There were, however, problems in this film too (the revelation of the scarred Jerry Hall mol’s face being a particular disappointment). Even though I also love Tim Burton films, I simply thought the Nolan/Bale films hit more of the high-water marks than the Burton/Keaton films…only a few more, but significant ones.
I always appreciate the different opinions people have on the Batman films and can understand quite well why you hold the ’89 film in higher regard. That’s the wonderful thing about our opinions: We both know why we are right…and we both are.
In the same vein, I look forward to seeing the upcoming film, BUT I look forward, as well, to seeing future interpretations of Batman and to reconsidering my ratings, yet again (if I find it a viable exercise).
Long Live The Batman!
I think in some ways, Nicholson’s Joker was scarier than Ledger’s. Both were great performances, utterly different and yet equally psychotic.
Keaton really nailed the damaged side of Bruce Wayne for me, you could see the pain in his eyes, and it was very believable that the man could dress up as a giant Bat. He was crazy in a subtle way. I think his performance was utterly brilliant and very compelling.
Burton, in his own bizarre way, completely got the weirdness of Batman, something Nolan has avoided. Which is fine because Nolan is going down a different route.
But I always kinda saw Batman’s universe as a place where real monsters could exist, and they were far more terrifying than Batman himself. I’d maybe like to see future films embrace a little bit more of the fantasy, not abandon the groundwork Nolan and his team have created, but expand upon it in a different and interesting way.
For some reason Bale never quite clicked for me as Bruce or Batman. In BB, I think he nailed it, but in TDK I found his performance lacking… Something. I know the shouty growling Bat-Voice was mainly added in post production but it really grated with me. I understand why they did it, make him seem like a raging animal, but they took it a touch too far.
Batman is a great character, he will endure the test of time for sure, I just hope that film makers try to shake it up a bit more in the future.
hmmmm interstin
You guys are sick in the head Blade, sony’s X-Men? TIM BURTON”S BATMAN????? talk about campy and unreal as a kid I loved them as an Adult i dont see how my fav superhero could be 5 ft 8 inches tall and the Joker when standng face 2 face with Bats is taller? DSB do you just hate Nolan? if thats the case just say so but dont bash the franchise that changed Comiv Book movies forever, and really if you can waych burton’s batman over and over and over then do so that and Returns SUCKED bad Batman movies not a tru depiction of of my Fave superhero off all time Nolan is the man and these movies are the reason there was a BOOOOMMM in comic book movies
@ RandomMovieFan
Who are you to judge what are great comic book films? Singer’s X-men films were good aswell as the Superman & Burton’s Batman films that were popular then. Both Keaton & Nicolson pulled off their roles better than people thought they would of. And they weren’t intended to be takin so REALISTIC as comic book films of today now, Especially Nolan’s films. And Nolans Batman franchise got so popular was because of Ledger’s Joker in TDK whether people still deny the fact or not, movie itself in whole wasn’t all hyped up as people claim it to be. I can tell cause whatever i hear from most people like about TDK, it revolves Ledger’s performance of the Joker. Batman Returns was rather good, few people mentioned it darker than the orignal for some reason but like Burton, Nolan himself doesn’t stay true the comics. Im just sayin it the way it is.
@RandomMovieFan
Opinions are a funny thing, huh? But I do agree about Burton’s Batman. films. I seriously can’t even watcht those anymore, but I will say they’re better than Schumcher’s films.
Just sayin…..
this Lamborghini would make an awesome Batmobile have a look and tell me what you think
http://www.gearfuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/lamborghini-ankonian3.jpg
Kobraman,
That is indeed pretty sweet.
Although I’ll say that Nolan’s Batmobile has got to be the most practical ever designed for the character. Same thing goes for the costume in TDK.
Vic
yea i know what you mean Vic
This particular design for a sleeker Batmobile would also be in keeping the original inspiration for the Tumbler: Nolan had said it was a cross between a Humvee AND a Lamborghini. I wouldn’t mind it…although I actually do love the Tumbler design, as well.
yea the Tumbler was awesome but i didn’t see it as a bat-mobile but we’ll all have to wait and see what kind of bat-mobile Nolan musters up for the next instalment
woooooow
(deep breath)
Ohh, woooow
It’s hard for me to call it the Batmobile. Reason is in Batman Begins it was only refered to as the Tumbler before it got a new paint job & that was it. In TDK, samething it wasn’t mentioned by name once, not even the new Batpod. It would be nice in my opinion if they came up with new design but thats just me.
Nolan didn’t want a lot of bat-this and bat-that terminology nerding up his reality based batverse, haha, see what I did there?
Anyway, great news/rumors? I hypothesized Tali Al Ghul and a possible return of Ra’s right after I saw TDK opening weekend. If Nolan likes you as an actor he’ll use you again. Plus Talia’s big contribution to the batman comics is ressurecting daddy.
I liked Burton’s Catwoman. And I liked his Penguin version well enough as the penguin was a vicious killer when he first appeared in the comics only he was more classy dressed unlike Danny Devito’s through most of film. But that was how he fitted into Gotham’s society in the film. I didn’t even wanted to waste money seeing Halle Berry’s Catwoman film.
THANK YOU Mr. Nolan for not falling into the hideous world of 3-D
my god, why cant they come up with a new batmobile. the car is as much a character as the Dark knight himself. the car deserves a makeover also
@ mark
Id agree with ya. Problem is they always refered to it as the Tumbler. With this supposely being Nolan’s last film, i guess they wouldn’t bother changing the design.
They should totally introduce the batwing as a modified stealth bomber-it would go along with the military background of Batmans gear and fit the nolan-verse pretty well