2081 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

More and more information has started to pile out as Batman Continues (as most people are referring to the sequel to Batman Begins) goes into pre-production. Here's what we have so far (and be warned, this is full of SPOILERS).

-Katie Holmes' character is returning, although it's likely she won't be in the whole film (early death?)

-In addition to the good guys, we're going to see Harvey Dent (the lead contender for this role is Liev Schreiber) and Sarah Essen (Sarah Essen is a lieutenant with whom Gordon has an affair).

-The leader in the potentials for the role of the Joker: Paul Bettany.

-The central villains: Salvatore Maroni (a mob boss with ties to the Wayne family... for those of you who've read The Long Halloween, well apparently they're taking the Falcone/Wayne connection and using it here), Roman Sionis aka Black Mask (he's a kind of anti-Bruce Wayne in the sense that he's a rich heir who ends up turning to crime), and Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin (apparently reinvented as a British arms dealer and in a cameo role).

-General plot idea: Maroni and Sionis attempt to buy arms from Cobblepot, with Batman and the good guys trying to shut 'em down. Neither side anticipates the interference of the Joker, though...

[Loomis]

Hey, Harmsway, any credible rumours in Batman fandom (which I presume is something you pay attention to) as to who might direct? And who would your choice be?

[Harmsway]

Hey, Harmsway, any credible rumours in Batman fandom (which I presume is something you pay attention to) as to who might direct? And who would your choice be?

Nolan is definitely returning, with Goyer back on script duties.

[Loomis]

Nolan is definitely returning

Is he? Is this absolutely definite? If so, excellent news.

When's BATMAN BEGINS 2 going to be released, then?

[Gabe Vieira]

Nolan is definitely returning

Is he? Is this absolutely definite? If so, excellent news.

When's BATMAN BEGINS 2 going to be released, then?

It is not offical yet, but ya, Nolan is returning. As for the release date, alot of the original cast that is to return have alot of things lined up before the Batman sequel, and then there is the casting, filming, and so on. The best guess for a release date is Winter '07 - Early '08.

[Harmsway]

Nolan is definitely returning

Is he? Is this absolutely definite? If so, excellent news.

When's BATMAN BEGINS 2 going to be released, then?

It is not offical yet, but ya, Nolan is returning. As for the release date, alot of the original cast that is to return have alot of things lined up before the Batman sequel, and then there is the casting, filming, and so on. The best guess for a release date is Winter '07 - Early '08.

Yeah, Nolan's involved in the preproduction work right now and is fleshing out the story with David Goyer. He's not actually contractually tied to the project yet, but he's pretty much said that he's in, and it's been made clear that Warner's wants him back.

[Harmsway]

Here was Nolan's comment in the most recent interview with him:

So, are you doing BATMAN CONTINUES?
"Well, it certainly won

[Qwerty]

The best guess for a release date is Winter '07 - Early '08. 

Wish it was much sooner than that.

Still, this one sounds excellent so far!

[Loomis]

Nolan coming back is terrific news. A sure way to keep the quality up, since I'm sure he'll be utterly determined to surpass his work on BATMAN BEGINS a la Sam Raimi and SPIDEY 2. The Batman franchise will need new directorial blood to truly thrive, but not yet.

[Harmsway]

Nolan coming back is terrific news. A sure way to keep the quality up, since I'm sure he'll be utterly determined to surpass his work on BATMAN BEGINS a la Sam Raimi and SPIDEY 2. The Batman franchise will need new directorial blood to truly thrive, but not yet.

I agree... and he did make a comment about wanting to surpass Begins by making a sequel. It's been made clear that they're not trying to beat Begins on scale, but instead on quality. That impresses me, because too often sequels go bigger and lose the quality.

I agree about the "new blood" as well. I can see Nolan doing a solid 3-film arc (which is what it looks like he'll do, seeing as 3 will be closely tied to 2), and then letting go. He said the most he'd want to do was 3, anyway. And so I think after that point, if they want the series to continue, a new director should be hired to do a second 3-film arc.

[Flash1087]

Is Bale gonna be back?

[Qwerty]

Nolan coming back is terrific news. A sure way to keep the quality up, since I'm sure he'll be utterly determined to surpass his work on BATMAN BEGINS

Indeed, and that could be quite a task judging by the fan appeal of that one!

[gkgyver]

Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate future Bat films directed by Christopher Nolan, but I heavily recommend not to overload the films with villains. Look what it did to Batman Forever and especially Batman & Robin; and Batman Begins also suffers a weeeee bit under the shadow of two major villains.
Black Mask, Falcone, Penguin AND the Joker is total overkill.
Center the film around the Joker and Falcone, that's enough and it would make for a very dark movie.

[Harmsway]

Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate future Bat films directed by Christopher Nolan, but I heavily recommend not to overload the films with villains. Look what it did to Batman Forever and especially Batman & Robin; and Batman Begins also suffers a weeeee bit under the shadow of two major villains.
Black Mask, Falcone, Penguin AND the Joker is total overkill.
Center the film around the Joker and Falcone, that's enough and it would make for a very dark movie.

Well, firstly, it's Black Mask, MARONI, Penguin, and Joker. Falcone is in the madhouse and will not return - Salvatore Maroni will be taking control of his empire.

And to be fair, Begins had close to that amount. We had Ducard/Ra's Al Ghul, Falcone, and Scarecrow, and it worked fine, IMO. I like more complex plots with multiple characters, and I think it could be done well here.

And as I mentioned before, the Penguin's role is pretty much a cameo. So it's not like he's taking close to that amount. So pretty much, the villains for Batman Continues are really reduced to Salvatore Maroni, Black Mask, and Joker. Not so bad, IMO.

And to add, the Joker is going to show up in Continues and the third film in the series, so they're not feeling pressured to milk his character for all its worth. That's why he's not the direct focal point.

[Righty007]

Is Bale gonna be back?

No. George Clooney will be reprising the role of Batman.

Bale is definitely going to be back!

[Qwerty]

And as I mentioned before, the Penguin's role is pretty much a cameo.

Probably safe to assume he'll be appearing more prominently in the third film?

[Harmsway]

And as I mentioned before, the Penguin's role is pretty much a cameo.

Probably safe to assume he'll be appearing more prominently in the third film?

Odds are no. I mean, it's possible, but I doubt it. I think Nolan and Goyer like the idea of not having to use the potential of every single character they introduce, much like a comic book would do.

I think it's more along the lines of "Hey, we need an arms dealer for this movie... wait, I got it, let's use the Penguin!" I like that idea, that we can feature some famous characters, but not necessarily feel the need to have them be central, especially with characters like the Penguin, who were featured prominently in the previous film series.

I can't see him fitting into the third, with all that has to go down in that one.

[Qwerty]

And as I mentioned before, the Penguin's role is pretty much a cameo.

Probably safe to assume he'll be appearing more prominently in the third film?

Odds are no. I mean, it's possible, but I doubt it. I think Nolan and Goyer like the idea of not having to use the potential of every single character they introduce, much like a comic book would do.

That's a good point, definitely. Didn't initially think of that.

I'll be excited no matter who it is.

[Righty007]

I don't think they should use three popular villains (The Joker, Two Face, and The Penguin) in one film. They don't want to run out of famous villains too fast.

[Harmsway]

I don't think they should use three popular villains (The Joker, Two Face, and The Penguin) in one film. They don't want to run out of famous villains too fast.

Well, the idea of Nolan's is (and I think it's wise) to use more minor villains and make them work. Besides, Two Face will NOT appear in Continues - he'll show up in Part III. Only the character of Harvey Dent will be present.

[Felix_Leiter]

I heard 'Crispin Glover' was being considered for the role of 'the joker'. That would be sweet!

[Janus Assassin]

I heard 'Crispin Glover' was being considered for the role of 'the joker'. That would be sweet!

Thats the guy from Back to the Future right?

[Harmsway]

I heard 'Crispin Glover' was being considered for the role of 'the joker'. That would be sweet!

Actually, while a long fan-supported choice, Nolan apparently has no interest in looking at him.

[Qwerty]

I heard 'Crispin Glover' was being considered for the role of 'the joker'. That would be sweet!

Thats the guy from Back to the Future right?

Correct.

[Turn]

I don't think they should use three popular villains (The Joker, Two Face, and The Penguin) in one film. They don't want to run out of famous villains too fast.

Well, the idea of Nolan's is (and I think it's wise) to use more minor villains and make them work. Besides, Two Face will NOT appear in Continues - he'll show up in Part III. Only the character of Harvey Dent will be present.

They need to do Two-Face in the right way. He is a great villain and was turned into a goof rather than a threatening menace in Batman Forever, a movie I otherwise really liked. The whole good vs. evil thing lends itself well to a creative writer/director team, so I look forward to it if it .

[Gabe Vieira]

Is Bale gonna be back?

No. George Clooney will be reprising the role of Batman.

[Projectile vomits all over computer]

You know, I saw this interview with Clooney a few years ago (I think it might have been an A&E Biography) and he said that the only thing he ever regretted doing was Batman and Robin. If that wasn't the final nail in the coffin...

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

Is Bale gonna be back?

No. George Clooney will be reprising the role of Batman.

[Projectile vomits all over computer]

Hmmm, how did I know that was going to happen with someone....

[Felix_Leiter]

Bring back Billy Dee Williams as 'Harvey Dent/Two-face'!

[Harmsway]

I don't think they should use three popular villains (The Joker, Two Face, and The Penguin) in one film. They don't want to run out of famous villains too fast.

Well, the idea of Nolan's is (and I think it's wise) to use more minor villains and make them work. Besides, Two Face will NOT appear in Continues - he'll show up in Part III. Only the character of Harvey Dent will be present.

They need to do Two-Face in the right way. He is a great villain and was turned into a goof rather than a threatening menace in Batman Forever, a movie I otherwise really liked. The whole good vs. evil thing lends itself well to a creative writer/director team, so I look forward to it if it .

Believe me, they're intending to. I can't wait to see them do the character, and I'm confident the same respect they gave the characters in the first film will transfer over to their take on Two-Face.

[Harmsway]

Bring back Billy Dee Williams as 'Harvey Dent/Two-face'!

No way, now how. They want to remove this new Batman series as far away from the old one as possible.