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The Unofficial Christopher Nolan Website / Archived News / January - March 2004 |
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Archived News January - March 2004 
March 23, 2004 Rutger Hauer in Batman Begins? Well, there is a post from Rutger Hauer in his official guestbook. He mentions that he will do a cameo for Batman Begins. It has been confirmed by a long-time reader that this was definitely Rutger Hauer who posted this message. And remember: Chris Nolan is a big Blade Runner fan, so it would make sense if he tried to get "Roy Batty" for his film. This is the relevant part of the message in the guestbook: Could i fly over to London quickly to meet a director who might or might not offer me the job.It took a while to get the higly secretive script under my eyballs.It read great.I flew.And got the job from a very nice & young director.The project here is called:THE ITIMIDATION GAME."On the above site you'll find more.Great cast.Innovative script.Reinventing a character who's hald man/half bat.Sound famliar.Good.That's it.My cameo is intense and needs some more wit/grit/humanity.Not unlike trump/gates but hope top secure some whizzzbits. Nonetheless, take this all with a grain of salt until there is some official confirmation for this... (Many thanks to Dan!) And don't forget to send me your questions for the Larry Holden interview! 
March 21, 2004 Batman Begins roundup part 2 - fan art Well, just take a look at these pictures: it's fan-created teaser posters and more. You can find all the new images at the Batman Begins fan-art section. Thanks for the contributions to Jas, Barney, John & Ricardo! March 19, 2004 Batman Begins news roundup part 1 - shooting info Now, finally a sum-up of the latest Batman news. I am going to do this step-by-step over the next couple of days. For today I will concentrate on all the news concerning the current filming process (latest news on top): 
Shooting in London has begun and according to this page the Batmobile was filmed racing around ExCel. Filming will also take place at the Canada-Square restaurant Plateau over a weekend in March or April for a hotel restaurant scene starring Bale and Katie Holmes. This is Essex reports that "Hollywood moguls are going batty for South Essex. Movie giant Warner Bros. has selected East Tilbury as a key location for the next multi million pound blockbuster 'Batman' film. Today engineers are busy transforming the 140 year old Coalhouse Fort into a ninja's secret lair." A scooper from BoF reports on current filming (March, 13): "Just to confirm that filming at Canary Wharf has begun. I have a friend down in London who lives ten minutes from where they're filming, and has told me that you can't even get close to the site, since it's being filmed on private land and is off limits. He doesn't know exactly what they're doing down there, but the site is extremely busy. I don't know if you know this, but Michael Caine apparently has an apartment in this area too, which is convenient, since he's playing a certain Mr Pennyworth." By the way, if you would like to be a part of Batman Begins you could try your luck as an extra for the London shoot (apply until May, 3 - good luck).  Set report from Iceland (from darkhorizons.com) "Day 1 - They've set up about ten small huts and apparently it's supposed to be a village in Tibet, with more huts to be added by CGI. Yesterday Batman and someone were fighting with swords on the glacier. Tomorrow a magnificent scene will be filmed with Batman and the bad guy fighting while crashing down a steep hill toward a very high cliff. Of course this will be done with some elaborate wire work". Day 2 - Liam Neeson has been spotted, he is sporting an Asian looking mustache with a one inch gap in the mustache under his nose. Also Christian Bale has a "one month beard". As far as I know he has not yet begun wearing the batsuit. He is wearing some leather clothes with a string belt. In one scene Christian Bale was being carried over the shoulder by someone. The buzz is that this is supposed to be the beginning of the movie. Oh and there is an buddist looking temple also" 
March 17, 2004 Exclusive Larry Holden interview I know that my site is currently not quite up-to-date concerning the latest Batman rumors - I will get to that (and the unanswered emails in my inbox) in the next couple of days... But now, let me announce an christophernolan.net-exclusive interview with Larry Holden, who starred in both Memento and Insomnia. Larry will answer a couple of questions regarding his previous work with Christopher Nolan and will clarify the rumors about his connection to Batman Begins. And now, the best part: you can send in your questions for Larry Holden right here to me (be sure that the subject is "Larry Holden Interview" that will make things a lot easier for me). Please understand that Larry will not be able to talk about obviously classified information about ongoing projects. March 06, 2004 Batman Begins script review IGN has a very positive three-page script review of Batman Begins, containing only very minor spoilers: [...] There are two main reasons why Batman Begins is such a vast improvement over the Batman films that have come before. First, Bruce Wayne is actually the protagonist this time! He drives the narrative forward; it's all about him. The supporting characters, villains included, are there to serve his story not vice-versa. Bruce's transformation into Batman not only covers the nuts-and-bolts aspect of his origin (the physical training, etc.) but it also forces Bruce (and the audience) to ponder the ethical implications of what he's after. [...] Read the complete script review at IGN. March 04, 2004 
Batman: title / new cast members / official synopsis I already changed the title of the Batman pages on this site a while ago to what will be the films final title: Batman Begins. Indeed a nice choice to strengthen the fact that this film is a new beginning for the franchise. There had been rumors that Larry Holden ("Jimmy" from Memento - visit his site at http://www.holdenautomotive.com) would have a part in Batman Begins. At last he finally has a part in the film; he is going to be District Attorney Fisk (and as BoF states Harvey Dent will most probably not be in the film). In the meanwhile there has been another great casting choice: Gary Oldman has been cast as Lieutenant Jim Gordon as IGN found out. 
The reports on when filming will begin are contradictory. Some sources say that filming has already begun in Iceland others say it will start on March 16th... There has also been a press release from Warner Bros. containing a cast list and a very short synopsis of the film: Batman Begins," director Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film, has commenced production in Iceland, with Gary Oldman joining the all-star cast. The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures. In "Batman Begins," Oldman will play Lieutenant James Gordon, a detective on the Gotham police force. The film stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman; Michael Caine as his trusted butler Alfred; Katie Holmes as Rachel, a childhood friend of Wayne's; Liam Neeson as Wayne's mentor, Henri Ducard; Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, a former board member and sidelined employee of Wayne Enterprises; and Ken Watanabe as the villainous Ra's Al Ghul. Directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay by David Goyer and Christopher Nolan, "Batman Begins" is produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Larry Franco. The executive producers are Ben Melniker and Michael Uslan. The film is based on characters created by Bob Kane and published by DC Comics. 
"Batman Begins" is scheduled to film in Iceland, London and Chicago. The film, which explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham, will be released worldwide in Summer 2005 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. There is also some new Batman fanart available (thanks to Shaun and David for these, and to Medical Mogul & MLRJR16 for sending in the news!) 
February 25, 2004 Batman: WB Press Release / Goyer Interview / Fanart This is from an official Warner Bros. press release: Oscar-nominated actor Ken Watanabe has joined the cast of director Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film about the origins of the Batman legend. The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures. Watanabe, who is nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in "The Last Samurai," will play the villainous Ra's Al Ghul, alongside stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman; Michael Caine as his trusted butler Alfred; Katie Holmes as a childhood friend of Wayne's; Liam Neeson as Wayne's mentor, Henri Ducard; and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, a former board member and sidelined employee of Wayne Enterprises. Directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay by David Goyer, the film is produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Larry Franco. The executive producers are Ben Melniker and Michael Uslan. The project is scheduled to start production in London in March. The film, which explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham, will be released worldwide in 2005 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. Ain't it cool news has a long interview with David Goyer (Part 1, Part 2). Here is just a little excerpt: We were torn between Bale and Jake Gyllenhaal, because we wanted to go in a different direction. But I think Bale at the end… I loved Jake, but Bale just seemed the right way. Knowing the story that we’re telling… it’s hard for everyone else because they don’t know the story that we’re telling, but it ultimately was the right way to go. And Michael Caine… I was just freaking out when we got Michael Caine. And all of the other casting has been… you know, I had a very schizophrenic experience on the project, because I was a professional doing a job crafting, sort of reinventing Batman with Chris, being very aware of how fucked up the previous movies were. And being very conscious of the fact that we didn’t want to let the fans down. But at the same time, I was like a fan going, “Holy shit, I can’t believe they’re going to let us do this.” 
[...] There were parts of the first and second films that I liked, but it was not, taking nothing away from Burton, there’s never been Batman on film or t.v. that would be the Batman that I wanted. Except for the movie that we’re doing. That’s the Batman I want. Batman on Film - which has been a reliable source so far - speculates that Guy Pearce may star as Harvey Dent, if he wants to do it. And, last but not least there is a new very nice Batman manipulation image by Jesse Kwe. Thanks! 
February 24, 2004 Batman Casting: Watanabe as Al Ghul? / Bale Interview "Ken Watanabe revealed that he is up for one of two roles in the next 'Batman' film, one a major villain," writes USA TODAY in a report about the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The "Last Samurai" star will be probably play Ra's Al Ghul although there has been no official confirmation concerning for which role Watanabe is up. Dennis Quaid is apparently "close" to being signed for the part of Jim Gordon, the Gotham City beat cop that will one day become police Commissioner. Gordon has an important role to play in the picture. One might even say that fate will deal him -- and subsequently the Dark Knight -- a card that sets the course for their future and that of Gotham City. Also note worthy is the fact that - according to BOF the role of a young, pre-Two-Face Harvey Dent is in the script and at present is being cast. Two names being tossed around for that role are both known for working with Chris Nolan.....Guy Pearce (who was once himself touted as being the Dark Knight) and Larry Holden. Christian Bale has spoken about Batman in an interview with the German magazine Bunte (Audio Stream): 
"I think Batman is probably more aggressive than most everybody I've ever played, you know. I wanted to take it, because, firstly, when I heard that there was a consideration of doing more of the movies, I just felt like I hadn't been quite satisfied with what I'd seen in the other movies. Certainly in the last two. And it seemed as though there was actually a real character here, that it wasn't just a bland kind of superhero, one-dimensional. With him there really was an interesting character to be played. I loved the kind of fantastical notion of the superhero, but at the same time being able to bring a psychologically interesting element to that. And then Chris Nolan is directing who, you know, is not a director I would have expected to do this movie. So that was ideal to me, I liked the fact that the people hiring Chris, hiring myself, were going with people who did want to reinvent the story and have it not just be a continuation." There is also talk about a changing the title of the project to Batman Begins (batman-begins.com has been registered by producer Emma Thomas). Thanks once again to Vash99 & The Medical Mogul! 
February 20, 2004 Batman Casting update: Neeson not Ra's Today Variety issued a correction regarding their BATMAN casting article from yesterday. Neeson isn't playing a Ra's al Ghul he isn't playing a bad guy at all; instead, the Irish actor has been cast as Henri Ducard, a French investigator who trains Bruce in the art of Man hunting amongst his travels to become Batman. That once again leaves the role of Ghul open... (Thanks again to Vash99!) February 19, 2004 Another Batman: Intimidation news roundup I'm sorry for the few updates in the last weeks but I just returned from the Berlin International Film Festival and was too busy enjoying the atmosphere and meeting interesting people (unfortunately I missed Christian Bale who attended a screening of The Machinist with Q&A to ask him about Batman). Anyway, onto the news: Today Variety confirmed that Liam Neeson as well as Morgan Freeman will join the Batman cast. While Freeman will play Lucius Fox, a respected businessman and the CEO of billionaire Bruce Wayne's mega-conglom, based in Gotham City, Liam Neeson will star as the villain, Ra's al Ghul, a wealthy international terrorist. Filming will begin February 25th in Iceland for about 10 days. There are also some new Batman Fan-posters. Thanks for sending in news and images to Mickey, Alan, Mike & Vash99! February 4, 2004 Batman: Intimidation Script Review Latino Review has a nice script review which has only some small spoilers and goes until about the middle of the film/script. (Thanks once again to Stefano!) 
January 26, 2004 50 First Dates I had heard about this some time ago, but somehow I forgot to post it here. In "50 First Dates" Adam Sandler plays a man who falls in love with Lucy (Drew Barrymore), a woman with short-term memory loss. Therefore, Lucy never remembers Sandler and this proves to be a pain for him as he always has to gain her back every day. I am not too sure what to think about it, I kind of like Sandler since Punch-Drunk Love but director Peter Segal didn't really win me over with films like Nutty Professor II, or Anger Management (although that wasn't that bad.) The whole film doesn't really look like a Memento spoof but it will surely contain some references and it is interesting to see that a theme/plot-device like short-term memory loss that seems so specific has been picked up by other writers... January 23, 2004 Batman: Intimidation news roundup First of all, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter Michael Uslan (executive produced all of the "Batman" movies for Warner Bros.) confirmed that the title of the upcoming film will be Batman: Intimidation (and not Intimidation Game). Batman casting: Morgan Freeman & Laurence Fishburn both have been rumored for the small, but important role of Waynecorp exec Lucius Fox. Filming locations: Dark Horizons reports that U.K. Filming will include 6 days of shooting in London--which will double for Gotham. Plot Details (WARNING! contains possible spoilers!): a scooper for Dark Horizons has read the script and offers massive details: * All the characters mentioned so far are in it - Bruce Wayne/Batman, Alfred, Jim Gordon, DA asst. prosecutor Rachel, Jonathan Crane, and Ra's Al Ghul.
January 7, 2004 Batman: Intimidation shooting in Iceland (story including possible spoilers) Hope everybody of you had a good start in the new year. On to the news: As a scooper for Superherohype reported that filming will take place for two weeks in Iceland in the near future. An Icelandic production company "Saga Film" is already making preparations so it can't be long until the whole crew get here. Later on, a little bit about what will be filmed there was revealed, but beware of spoilers: Batman, played by Christian Bale, will be fighting on ice with Ra's Al Ghul's #1 pupil (who that is, you'll have to figure out). They won't be fighting for real, however, as it is more of a training exercise. We're also told by our source that Batman: Intimidation is a cross between Year One and Year Two and that it's interwoven very creatively. So start thinking about which characters appeared in each and you might get an idea. The film is also said to be very story-driven. Of course you want to hear about the costume. Let's just say that the costume concept the production is using is awesome! Just wait and see... |
              
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