After last year’s critically acclaimed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Steven Spielberg has been reportedly working on the next installment in the Indiana Jones saga.

Wait. That doesn’t sound right. Let’s try that again…

After making over $786 million dollars worldwide, Steven Spielberg has been reportedly working on the next installment in the Indiana Jones saga.

There we go – much better.

On the brighter side, Spielberg said that he has been working with George Lucas on the script and they are looking to bring back Sean Connery for this go round.

I wouldn’t really say that’s too surprising considering Connery has been one of the favorite additions to the Indiana Jones franchise. Second only to Shortround (“No time for love, Dr. Jones!”).

Connery reportedly declined the opportunity to reprise his role in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I’d like to think that his decision not to return in that latest installment changed the script entirely and that Mr. Spielberg and Mr. Lucas didn’t try to tempt Mr. Connery out of retirement with a movie that has a five minute vine-swinging money chase with Shia LaBeouf. (Like how I used “Mr.” just now? Yeah, I’m classy like that.)

This news comes after Harrison Ford recently revealed that his intentions of doing another Indiana Jones were, “If the script is good, I’ll be very happy to put the costume on again.” In this case, I guess that means the script has to have psychics, aliens and the best insulated refrigerator ever. (Who knew that nuclear blasts could be easily defeated by a crisper? Someone tell Sarah Conner.)

Not only would I look forward to seeing Henry Jones again, but I’ll completely ignore the fact that they pretty much said he was dead in the last film. In fact… let’s just pretend that the whole “Crystal Skull” thing never happened. Sorry Shia. Let’s just go back to the good ‘ole days where Jehovah starts with “I” in the Latin alphabet, a bit of dust will defeat the technology of invisible platforms and where the penitent man will pass.

How did you feel about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? Is anyone up for another Indiana Jones film? Would Sean Connery’s return sway you one way or another?

Source: Contactmusic [via: Digital Spy]

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• Producer Frank Marshall Talks Indy 5 & Other Projects
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Despite the mixed critical reception for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the film made more than enough money ($786 million worldwide) to warrant immediate talk of a sequel. Up to this point, however, we haven’t heard anything definitive about the movie, besides the usual “we’re working on it” talk.

While in France recently for the Deauville Film Festival, Harrison Ford added to this “maybe yes, maybe no” trend when he spoke with Le Figaro magazine on the possibility of donning the fedora and whip for Indiana Jones 5. According to Ford, it all depends on the script.

“The story for the new Indiana Jones is in the process of taking form…Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern, and George is actively at work. If the script is good, I’ll be very happy to put the costume on again.”

Karen Allen, who plays Indy’s longtime love Marion Ravenwood, seemed somewhat more assured during a panel discussion at Dragon Con in Atlanta. In the video below, which comes our way courtesy of /Film, Allen says that Indy 5 will come out in the summer of 2012.

While Allen’s remarks are a bit suspect (to what “official announcement” is she referring?), it is interesting to hear that production might begin as soon as 2011. I wonder just how far along the actual script is.

At 67 years young, Harrison Ford still makes a pretty convincing action hero. Nevertheless, I just can’t imagine what a fifth Indy movie would look like (and this is coming from someone who actually liked Kingdom of the Crystal Skull). One possibility is to have Shia LaBeouf’s character, Mutt Williams, step out from the stubbled shadow of his famous father. Unfortunately, the end of Crystal Skull (Indy snatching his hat away from Mutt as he walks out of the church) seemed to dismiss this possibility outright. Plus, while LaBeouf’s value in Hollywood is sky high thanks to Transformers, I have a feeling that hardcore Indy fans will be reticent to see the torch passed just yet

What do you think about the news on Indy 5? If there were a sequel, would you like to see it focus on Indy or Mutt?

Source: /Film and FOX News

• Shia LaBeouf Says Indiana Jones 5 Is ‘Gearing Up’
• Indiana Jones 5 To Hit Screens By 2011?
• Will Sean Connery Return For Indy 5?
• Producer Frank Marshall Talks Indy 5 & Other Projects
• Willis Ready For A Fifth ‘Die Hard’ -- Are You?
• Shia LaBeouf Talks Michael Bay, Megan Fox & Transformers 2 Action

While the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise may have failed to scratch the adventure itch for most film fans, it was hugely profitable at the box office, making $786 million around the world. In Hollywood terms that sort of money means follow-up, and as we recently told you a story is in development for a fifth film in the Harrison Ford-starring franchise.

The Insider is reporting (via Slash Film) that a new Indiana Jones film will be going into production soon and could hit screens by 2011 – when Harrison Ford is on the cusp of turning 70!

Now while The Insider uses an unknown/unnamed (and therefore unreliable) source for the story, the release date mentioned does gel with the kind of time frame it would take to mount a big budget action film. However, having said that, it took George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford twenty years to agree on and develop the script for The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, so two years might be be a bit of an optimistic hope.

Last month Shia LaBeouf talked about the development of the film saying :

“Steven just said that he cracked the story on it before I left and I think they’re gearing that up.”

So it does appear that Indy 5 is moving along on Spielberg’s backburner. With LaBeouf hotter than ever after Transformers 2 and Spielberg with a full directing slate it might be difficult to schedule. Ford’s not currently attached to any other films having shot comedy Morning Glory and the as yet untitled Crowley film.

The main problem with Indy 5 (apart from scheduling issues) is that Harrison Ford isn’t getting any younger and as he approaches 70, making an Indiana Jones film might be difficult (although Ford was in damn good shape for a man even half his age in The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull).

What do you guys think – make Indy 5 or just leave it alone?

Sources: Slash Film and The Insider

• Shia LaBeouf Says Indiana Jones 5 Is ‘Gearing Up’
• Will Sean Connery Return For Indy 5?
• Harrison Ford & Karen Allen Talk Indiana Jones 5
• Producer Frank Marshall Talks Indy 5 & Other Projects
• Shia LaBeouf Talks Michael Bay, Megan Fox & Transformers 2 Action
• Y: The Last Man Might Still Be Shia LaBeouf

Oscar-nominated producer Frank Marshall has recently spoken with both Coming Soon and Empire about the projects he has on the horizon. The Indiana Jones, Bourne and Sixth Sense producer has been in the business for over 30 years and is still going strong today, continually adding to a (mostly) solid resume.

The biggest area of interest on Marshall’s to-do list is the next Indiana Jones installment (which Shia LaBeouf recently said Steven Spielberg had “cracked the story,” for); in speaking with Empire about Indiana Jones 5, Marshall didn’t go so far as to say the movie has officially been greenlit, but says that the project could get to the concept/script development stage soon:

“It’s really about the script… Once we see that, we’ll see. We’re not going to wait another 20 years. We’d all love to make another one. I’m anxious to hear the idea!.. We [all] had a great time making the last one and, as Harrison [Ford] said, we need to make this one soon. We’re not getting any younger. [But] until there’s a script, nothing’s definite. I haven’t heard the idea.”

Other than Indy 5, Marshall has plenty on his plate for the next couple of years. M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender is currently filming, so he’s busy handling that, but at the same time he has another big franchise project on the horizon: a fourth Jason Bourne movie. Marshall says he would like to get shooting going on Bourne 4 next year, but there’s a lot that needs to be put into place before that can happen:

“We’d like to shoot [Bourne 4] next year… It’s trying to get everybody’s schedules in the right place and getting the script right. We’ve done pretty well with these scripts that are pretty loosely put together, but I’d like the script to be really solid this time before we go forward. We’re spending a lot of time on this story.”

Jason Bourne himself, Matt Damon, was once considered to possibly play Lance Armstrong in the recently announced biopic, but Damon’s age is the factor that probably won’t deliver him the role. Said Marshall: “The book really only takes Lance up to the first tour, so he’s only 21, and as much as Matt looks young, I’m not sure that he’s going to be able to do it.”

Continued on Page 2…

• Bourne 4 May Be Coming Later Before Sooner
• Indiana Jones 5 To Hit Screens By 2011?
• Matt Damon Talks Bourne 4
• Bourne 4 Aiming For A Summer 2011 Release
• Matt Damon Confirms Bourne 4 Is In Progress
• Harrison Ford & Karen Allen Talk Indiana Jones 5

While doing the press rounds for the forthcoming Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen Shia LaBeouf has been talking about his up and coming projects. The young star has revealed that a new Indiana Jones film is on the way and that he is excited to be starring in Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps opposite Michael Douglas.

With regards to the fifth installment in the Indiana Jones franchise La Beouf said:

“Steven just said that he cracked the story on it before I left and I think they’re gearing that up.”

This doesn’t mean that the film is anywhere near production. It took a decade before Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford agreed on a script before The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hit the screen. Now if you throw LaBeouf into the mix the process becomes even more complicated.

Having said that – money talks in Hollywood. Last summer’s installment of the Indy franchise grossed almost $800 million, so I’d bet that we’ll see a fifth film sooner rather than later with LaBeouf returning as Indy’s son. It was recently revealed that Harrison Ford received $65 million for starring in the sequel!

Speaking of money, LaBeouf said that Money Never Sleeps is now the official title for the Wall Street sequel to be directed by Oliver Stone.

So what do you think about another Indiana Jones movie considering how the last one turned out?

Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen starring LaBeouf and Megan Fox opens on June 24.

Source: BBC

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• Frank Langella Headed For Wall Street

It’s been well documented here at Screen Rant that Paramount Pictures has been trying to get the Jack Ryan franchise up and running again. Played in the past by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck the studio are currently in a bit of a pickle over who should fill their shoes. Ryan Gosling, James Franco and Aaron Eckhart have all been mentioned, however Harrison Ford believes that he has what it takes to play Jack Ryan once more.

Considering the ass that he kicked in Indiana Jones this past summer – you can’t disagree.

Speaking to MTV Ford said:

“I think it’s a character I could easily play at this point if people were interested in seeing what happens to Jack Ryan as his life progresses,”

Don’t get too excited though – Paramount has no apparent interest in casting Ford, although in Clancy’s books Ryan does move up the promotional ladder and become President of the United States. However, I can’t imagine much ass kicking in that role.

Hold on, didn’t Ford play an ass kicking US President in Air Force One? Maybe there is a bit of room, although that would lead to Ford playing a similar character to one he played previously.

Wait a minute – doesn’t Ford usually play a grumpy, aging professional who ends up in a dangerous position? Maybe there is a bit if leeway for that!

I digress. While Ford may have some superficial interest in the Jack Ryan role, he does have other films in development, so it’s unlikely that he would star in a film that Paramount wants to make pretty sharpish. To explain further, over to Mr Ford:

“I have a comedy that’s been developed by J.J. Abrams and a drama that I developed that talks about the pharmaceutical industry. We haven’t sorted out which is first yet.”

The Abrams film is Morning Glory where Ford would play – you guessed it a grumpy professional – this time a morning television anchorman.

The drama is Crowley – a medical drama where (and I’m just guessing here) Ford will play a brilliant but grumpy medical researcher.

I’m more interested in the comedy – if you haven’t seen Ford in Working Girl, then you’ve missed a great piece of 1980’s cinema.

Now, if Paramount own the Ryan property, and they have a good relationship with Abrams (Star Trek) and Ford (Indiana Jones, previous Ryan films) then they might be able to negotiate a deal!

We all want to see Ford back as Jack Ryan.

Come on Paramount!!! Give us what we want. Please.

Source: MTV

• Indiana Jones 5 To Hit Screens By 2011?
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• Chris Pine In Negotiations To Be The Next Jack Ryan
• Shia LaBeouf Says Indiana Jones 5 Is ‘Gearing Up’
• Producer Frank Marshall Talks Indy 5 & Other Projects

The holiday season is upon us once again. And in the time-honored tradition of making a wishlist of what we hope to receive, I thought I would present something from my personal list for 2009:

A fifth Indiana Jones movie.

Now don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t expect to receive one in 2009. What I am hoping for is the official announcement that one is in progress; that the contracts have been signed, and pre-production is well under way.

I know that some of my colleagues here at Screen Rant have weighed in on their opinion regarding a fifth Indy movie. Harrison Ford, as quoted by the Los Angeles Times, stated that George Lucas was working on an idea that was “crazy but great.”

As unhappy as many people were with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, I was happy they managed to get the band back together again. The movie felt like a sound-check, a warm up jam session in preparation of the concert to come. It is my opinion that if Steven Spielberg, Lucas and Ford truly listen to the criticism regarding the last film, they have the ability to win back the fans of the franchise, and maybe even end the series on a high note. Is this likely? George Lucas certainly doesn’t have a history of caring what the fans of his films think.

Granted, while another film seems to be a sure thing, it still took seventeen years before we got our fourth Indy movie. One of the reasons for this is the MacGuffin, or object of Indy’ quest. Lucas has stated in the past that Indiana Jones’ greatest obstacle is finding a MacGuffin that he, Ford, and Steven Spielberg can all agree on. The two greatest, most memorable quests have been for the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. But for many fans, it is not the Grail nor the Ark that are so fantastic, but the story that surrounds them. They are mere plot devices for the adventures of Indiana Jones.

What I am basically saying is: Don’t stress too much about the object of the adventure… just focus more on the characters and the action. Everyone knows that Indy will find what he is seeking – it’s how he achieves his goal that keeps us entertained.

To that end, one thing I’d like to see less of in the fifth movie is exposition. The last film featured more expository dialogue than any of the previous films. This slowed the pacing down noticeably at several points in the movie. While exposition is necessary in any film to get some points across, just tone it down a bit next time, please.

In regards to the characters, it should remain an Indiana Jones adventure, NOT a Mutt Williams picture featuring guest star Indiana Jones. If Lucas and company want to feature Mutt, I might be up for it in the future, but only after Indy has received a proper send-off. Personally, I enjoyed the character growth of Indy as a father, with the parallels drawn between the relationships of Henry Sr. and Indy with those between Indy and Mutt. In this context, Mutt as a character worked for me. What drew the ill-will for Mutt from so many was the way he took too much focus off of Indy.  Henry Sr. was more of a foil for Indy, whereas Mutt seemed groomed as more of a successor.

Who would I like to see in a fifth movie? Aside from Indy, Mutt would be welcomed if he doesn’t take too much focus off of Indy. I would love to see Henry Sr. , but it would seem Sean Connery won’t be coming out of retirement any time soon. The two characters I’d really love to see are Marion and Sallah. Marion was such a pleasure to see in Crystal Skull, but she should have been given more. I’d like to see her utilized further in the fifth movie. Sallah, on the other hand, was greatly missed this last time around. I would love to see John Rhys-Davies return in the fifth Indiana Jones movie, and preferably as more than just a cameo.

Finally, in regards to the action in the fifth Indy movie, obviously I want to see more. Just keep it as close to plausible as possible.  Keeping the CGI to a minimum would help in this case. Mutt swinging through the trees was so implausible that it took me out of the movie experience. And please, return to the super-natural tones of the first three films. The aliens, inter-dimensional beings or whatever they were just didn’t feel like a good fit for the Indiana Jones series.

Eventually, the Indiana Jones series featuring Harrison Ford will come to an end. My wish is for everyone involved to end it on the highest note possible.  Crystal Skull featured many things I enjoyed, but I still feel there is at least one more great adventure awaiting us.  With Harrison Ford in his mid-sixties we can’t wait another seventeen years for the next sequel.

So my wish is that before the end of 2009, we get the official confirmation that at least one more Indiana Jones film will arrive within the next three years.

• Harrison Ford & Karen Allen Talk Indiana Jones 5
• Indiana Jones 5 To Hit Screens By 2011?
• Will Sean Connery Return For Indy 5?
• Shia LaBeouf Says Indiana Jones 5 Is ‘Gearing Up’
• Producer Frank Marshall Talks Indy 5 & Other Projects
• Willis Ready For A Fifth ‘Die Hard’ – Are You?

Yep, it really is that time of the week again.

This week:

Harrison Ford talks Indy 5; we check out Johnny Depp in Alice In Wonderland; Jonah Hex is in trouble; John Carpenter is a Prince; and The X-Files’ Frank Spotnitz plans 2012.

1. Harrison Ford has discussed Indiana Jones 5 with MTV and It looks like the film is moving ahead – albeit slowly.

Ford had the following chin-wag with MTV:

MTV: Is a fifth Indiana Jones film inevitable?

Ford: I don’t know. If we come up with a good idea…

MTV: Is the ball in George’s court at this point?

Ford: It is. That’s the process. With some general input he goes off and searches for the MacGuffin and then stumbles into a story. And at some point we have a chance to take a look at and give some input.

MTV: And he hasn’t found the MacGuffin yet?

Ford: No, we’re still in the primary stages.

MTV: The end of the last film leaves your character in a very intriguing position. He has a wife and a kid. Can he still be that man of adventure with those commitments?

Ford: And he’s seen something. Remember those are the only witness to what he’s seen. That’s kind of interesting.

It looks like we may just see Indiana Jones one last time.

I must say that I watched Kingdom of the Crystal Skull again on DVD and it was far better on that second viewing. The CGI moments that irked me originally hardly annoyed be on the second go around.

Source: MTV

2. Like Johnny Depp? Wanna see what he might look like in Tim Burton’s forthcoming adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (maybe, this is most likely a fake)?

He looks like Johnny Depp in a Tim Burton movie. Like we’ve never seen that before.

Source: Just Jared

3. It looked like Josh Brolin was all set to star in the film version of Jonah Hex. However, it now looks like there is No Movie For Old Men as Mark Nelvedine and Brian Taylor have left the directors chair(s) for the film. The oft cited creative differences have been mentioned as the reason.

A Spring start is a certainty as the studio want to keep “the hot” Brolin on board. I mean hot as in hot property. Not…you know…hot, hot. However, I’m sure a few female Screen Ranters would disagree.

Source: Variety

4. John Carpenter seems to be trying to match Ridley Scott as a direcor with a bucket-load of films attached to his name. We already know about Riot (aka Scared Straight) with Nic Cage, but now CHUD has some news on a new gangster  called The Prince.

According to the films co-writer Jeremy Passmore:

“We [Passmore and co-writer Andre Fabrizio] were trying to do Unforgiven as a gangster movie, because we’re both just huge fans of that.

It’s a bit of a departure. It’s definitely more of a very character based crime movie. I don’t know what’s going on with it right now, but the premise is that this guy was the most [badass] gangster of all time in Las Vegas, and he’s left the life and created this whole new world. His wife died but he’s raising his kid. He’s living in the middle of nowhere and he’s this very religious, trying to live a straight life guy. His daughter is now going to school at UCLA and she disappears, and he goes looking for her. The trail leads to Vegas and he has to go get her, and the entire city kind of comes down on top of him.”

Sounds odd for Carpenter, but don’t forget that his cinematic hero was Howard Hawks – master of all genres and director of the original Scarface.

Source: CHUD

5. X-Files fans – there is more news out there on a third film in the franchise.

Producer/ Writer of the recent I Want To Believe Fran Spotnitz has stated (again) that a new film depends on the DVD sales of the film.

He has also hinted that the film will focus on the 2012 invasion story hinted during the series.

Spotnitz said:

“As you know the date of December 2012 is an important one in The X-Files, and I’d like to focus on that.”

It’s interesting, but I’d have loved to have seen a series of stand-alone X-Files movies that offer a good batch of thrills to adults and not kids.

However, having said that – “never look a gift horse in the mouth”.

Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

That’s it for now. See you at the movies.

• First Look at Josh Brolin as Jonah Hex
• Alice In Wonderland Official Site Plus Script Review
• First Look: Tim Burton’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’
• Tim Burton To Premiere ‘Wonderland’ At Comic-Con
• Tim Burton Unveils ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Footage & Surprise Guest!
• Deeper Look Inside Tim Burton’s ‘Wonderland’

Uh oh.

Harrison Ford spoke with the LA Times today revealing that George Lucas is thinking up a story for the next installment to the Indiana Jones franchise. Harrison says:

“It’s crazy but great”

Well I for one, think the opposite.

It’s not crazy because Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull made a ton of money. George Lucas likes said money and likes continuing his two biggest franchises (even if they are getting worse by doing so).

It’s also not great because Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was the worst of the four movies in the series, and I can’t imagine another one being much better then the last. Look at where we were left off – with a marriage, a kid called “Mutt”, and aliens… the more I repeat that and think that this is Indiana Jones and all of that actually happened… I want to hit my head on the desk. It wasn’t an awful movie by any means, but I didn’t think it was great either.

On the bright side, Harrison Ford said that he is against doing an animated Indiana Jones.

“I’d hate to see it reduced in any way from the movies that we have done and the way we have done them.”

The key word being “reduced.” I wish he said this before The Clone Wars came out. That being said, the fact that that was animated was the least of its problems.

As much as I love the original Indy trilogy, I don’t think George currently has the right target audience in mind. We all saw what happened with the Star Wars prequels and then, even unimaginably worse, with The Clone Wars. It seems there’s not been much credit given to what once was and why it was so successful for all age groups in the past. There’s a reason everyone loves the original Indiana Jones and Star Wars movies and why its not the same with the newer versions.

Why can’t we get the quality of old? It seems they’re just running through the motions now that they have a massive brand name and audience. As long as it’s called Indiana Jones starring Harrison Ford, here comes a half-billion dollar paycheck.

In a previous Screen Rant article, Jamie posed a question about the possibility of an Indiana Jones 5. In it, he brings up the point that money does talk. A lot of people thought upon hearing of the fourth installment, that it would be the final sendoff of the character. But no, if the character is alive, and the movies bring in a fortune then of course there will be a sequel. He also brings up the important point that even if a movie is hated, it can still make tons (i.e. Spider-Man 3, The Da Vinci Code, Pirates of the Carribean 3). Oh and look, ALL of those movies have prequels/sequels coming out.

It’s too bad these big movies are about quantity over quality. An Indy 5 would no doubt make a huge profit. I predict however, that it will make less than the previous simply because there are many disappointed fans out there now.

We have absolutely no information on story, cast or anything and I’m already a little worried. I would love to see the franchise end on a high note and return to its roots in terms of style. How about you?

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on DVD and Blu-ray hits shelves on October 14th. And if you were one of the few souls who enjoyed it, don’t miss our Indiana Jones 4 Special Edition DVD Giveaway!

Source: Los Angeles Times

• Indiana Jones 5 To Hit Screens By 2011?
• Shia LaBeouf Says Indiana Jones 5 Is ‘Gearing Up’
• Harrison Ford & Karen Allen Talk Indiana Jones 5
• Will Sean Connery Return For Indy 5?
• Producer Frank Marshall Talks Indy 5 & Other Projects
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 2 Premieres in October

Earlier this morning, I was talking about how fans online were nerdgasming over the release of The Incredible Hulk last week.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the phrase, “nerdgasming” is being insanely pumped about the release of something (i.e. usually a movie but it also applies to video games, television shows, etc.) to the point of “knowing” it’s going to be a blockbuster-level smash because of your excitement level and the fact that the Internet is talking about it non-stop.

And a lot of times, it doesn’t happen. Sure, sometimes the item in question does well – but nowhere near our own expectations and we find ourselves asking: “What happened?” That certainly applied this past weekend when the Hulk reboot pulled in a solid $55 million despite claims by many that it would churn out anywhere between $60 to $100 million(!) That was never. Gonna. Happen, folks.

Now if there’s any film thats going to top the 3-day $100 million opening weekend of Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull this year, it’ll be the much-hyped Batman Begins sequel The Dark Knight.

But the question is… will it? Personally, I don’t think so and I shall explain why.

When Iron Man debuted last month with those 8:00 P.M. screenings, I decided to take two very good friends of mine (a young couple) and their little boys – aged 2 and 3 to see the film. As we left the theatre, we discussed the next “event film” we had to see at the very first screening and it was without a doubt going to be The Dark Knight. When I asked, “Should we take the boys with us?” all three of us thought about it for about a second and quickly said, “No.”

Just looking at the trailers (as great as they have been), it’s clear that this is going to be a much darker film than Batman Begins. Of course there are rumors saying the film actually pushes the limits of the PG-13 rating with its material. And I don’t think my friends and I are the only ones concerned about putting this in front of small children too young to comprehend the subject matter of said film.

There’s also the issue of The Dark Knight’s running length – reportedly at 150 minutes. One wonders if the studios will supply diapers for the audience so they can make it through the whole thing without a bathroom break. Although to be fair, both Pirates of the Caribbean sequels (as awful as they were) chugged out $100 million+ opening weekends and they were around that length – so that probably won’t be a factor.

Don’t get me wrong, ladies and germs. The Dark Knight is going to make a lot of money – easily more than the $205 million gross of Batman Begins. And it will have a huge opening weekend. My guess is the film will gross around $75 to $80 million in its 3-day opening weekend. As for its total domestic box office, I think at the moment we’re looking at a solid $240 to $250 million.

But will it reach anywhere near the $300 million mark that Iron Man has reached and Indy IV is closing in on? That remains to be seen. Let’s just not have a nerdgasm over it…

The Dark Knight opens on July 18th

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• SR Pick [Video]: The Dark Knight vs. Blade Trailer
• HBO’s Awesome TV Spot For The Dark Knight Premiere
• WB To Announce Batman 3 Plans Early Next Year?
• Zack Snyder On Adapting The Dark Knight Returns