Batman 3

Batman 3 Title Announced, NO Riddler !!!

The third installment to Christopher Nolan’s Batman film has been given a title. Batman 3 is officially ‘The Dark Knight Rises.”

Thousands of rumors have been associated with the anticipated film. Casting has seen a plethora of big names attached to various villainous roles including Catwoman and The Riddler as the two main contenders. IMBD even went as far as to dub Joseph Gordon-Levitt as having nabbed the Riddler role. That has since been removed with and replaced with another casting rumor of Tom Hardy as Det. Harvey Bullock.

Finally we have some concrete hints confirmed by Nolan. The director has nixed the villain The Riddler from the list of possible Batman nemeses. (He also cut Mr.Freeze off the list earlier this year.) All he would admit beyond the fact that Edward Nigma would not be a character is that new players would be introduced which pulls on my no shiz cord.

Via LA Times/Hero Complex:

“We’ll use many of the same characters as we have all along, and we’ll be introducing some new ones.”

He also confirmed that the third film would not be shot and produced in 3-D. Instead, he is going for the IMAX/high def approach.

As for my personal theory, Harvey Dent (aka Two Face) returning isn’t completely out. When asked if Dent would somehow return to terrorize Batman he merely stated: “Oh, you know me, I don’t talk.” Catwoman isn’t out either. In fact, Chris is said to be hunting for a female lead in “her late 20’s to early 30’s” for a role.

The title leaves me a bit underwhelmed, but I think he has a lot of clout and expectations to rise to after the success of ‘Dark Knight.’

Eddie Murphy as the Riddler in Batman Sequel Nuttery

File this one under the same “Will-Never-Happen” file as Lisa Rinna’s Playboy dream.

Since “The Dark Knight” is on it’s way to reaching the 1 billion dollar marker, it is safe to say that another addition to the revamped Batman series is unavoidable. Christopher Nolan, the man behind both “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” hasn’t confirmed his dedication to another superhero film, but I have a feeling the movie will be done with or without him.

Rumors as to who will be playing what nemesis have be bouncing around since the release of the second installment. Angelina Jolie was said to be Catwoman but that rumor gave way to Cher taking the role. Then a small blip in the feline foe story stated that Judi Dench scored the spot. All of which proved to be pure stupidity. Jolie would have required Cambodian children featured in at least 12 scenes and Batman writing fat checks to buy them porridge. The thought of Cher lubing herself up and sliding into latex and then prancing around in the jumbo screen on IMAX is simply horrifying. Same for Dench.

Casting hasn’t even been legitimately touched, let alone a plot. Rumors that the next segment will involve The Riddler and Catwoman are unwavering. The original sequel casting was adamant that Johnny Depp would be undertaking the role. Now…this lunacy surfaces. Eddie Murphy is said to have scored the role despite the fact that no concrete evidence that the project is actually underway.

The Sun states:

FUNNYMAN EDDIE MURPHY will play The Riddler in the next Batman movie, The Sun can reveal. The Beverly Hills Cop star, 47, has been signed up by British director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN to reprise the role played by JIM CARREY in 1995’s Batman Forever. The surprise move follows speculation linking Pirates of the Caribbean star JOHNNY DEPP to the part.
The film, set for a 2010 release, is being developed under the working title Gotham.

Execs have also signed up rising Transformers star SHIA LABEOUF, 22, to play Robin. CHRISTIAN BALE will return as Bruce Wayne, while MICHAEL CAINE will again play Bruce’s assistant Alfred. Meanwhile, Brit RACHEL WEISZ is said to be up for the Catwoman role.

I call caca on this story. First….in doing my research on the subject, I have found that both Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan have confirmed that they would NOT be adding the “Robin” factor to the films. During several interviews Bale expresses his distaste for the sidekick.

“If Robin crops up in one of the new Batman films, I’ll be chaining myself up somewhere and refusing to go to work.”

Never say never…but from a logical stand point why would you trade your main star for Shia as Robin? That is like saying…Sorry Johnny Depp hotness…we are replacing you with this Pee Wee Herman bobble head. The only way I will buy this as fact is if “Batman 3” will include 8 other super villains whose powers involve a stereotype like fried chicken and waffles and each of them were played by Eddie Murphy in fat suits.

Image Via: Film School Rejects