Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises" Starts Production, First Photo of Bane Appears

Anything Batman related always gets the Internet chatter rolling, but today, there aren't many rumors around, just excitement about Christopher Nolan's (most likely) last Batman film starting production.

As the press release reads:

Filming will take place on three continents, with an all-star cast working under the direction of Christopher Nolan.

BURBANK, CA, May 19, 2011 – Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises,” the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

In helming “The Dark Knight Rises,” Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on “The Dark Knight,” which had marked the first time ever that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX® cameras. The results were so spectacular that the director wanted to expand the use of the large-format cameras for this film.



The screenplay for “The Dark Knight Rises” is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is being produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. “The Dark Knight” is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.

Behind the scenes, “The Dark Knight Rises” reunites the director with several of his longtime collaborators, all of whom worked together on the “The Dark Knight.” The creative team includes director of photography Wally Pfister, who recently won an Oscar® for his work on Nolan’s “Inception”; production designer Nathan Crowley; editor Lee Smith; and Oscar®-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”). In addition, Paul Franklin and Chris Corbould, who both won Oscars® for the effects in “Inception,” will supervise the visual and special effects, respectively. The music will be composed by Oscar® winner Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”).

The locations for “The Dark Knight Rises” span three continents and include the American cities of Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles, as well as sites in India, England and Scotland.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release on July 20, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

On top of that, it seems as if the first "real" photo from the film has been released, showing off Tom Hardy, aka the man, as the villain Bane. Hardy (above) looks even more dark and sinister that I thought he would, and it only makes me more excited for what's ahead.

The cast is utterly brilliant, Nolan is a genius. I cannot wait for this movie. I know you can't either.

"Inception" Synopsis Revealed

Warner Bros. Pictures has released an official synopsis for Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated yet still very mysterious thriller "Inception" - a synopsis that delivers a basic outline of the story at last:

"Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams.

Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable.

Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved.

Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible–inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one.

If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming."

I'm more excited for this film than any other this summer. The trailer is mysterious, and just leaves you begging for more. Nolan is a cinematic genius, and this film looks to be mind blowing.

The film is scheduled to hit theatres on July 16th. Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy and Michael Caine also star.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Replaces James McAvoy In Comedy

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is replacing James McAvoy as one of the two leads in the upcoming cancer-themed comedy at Summit Entertainment and Mandate Pictures.

According to MTV News: Last August, James McAvoy signed on to star in the formerly titled "I'm With Cancer," a comedy co-starring Seth Rogen about a 25-year-old battling cancer. MTV News has exclusively learned that McAvoy has dropped out of the film after shooting began and that he has been replaced with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

It's said British thespian McAvoy left the production "due to unrelated circumstances beyond his control," E! Online adding from a source that the cause is a family emergency.

McAvoy's role as the cancer-stricken twentysomething had been touted as the actor's first high-profile role following the success of 2008's "Wanted." The film is based on the true experiences of screenwriter Will Reiser, who successfully waged his own battle with cancer in his 20s.

The other lead role is played by Seth Rogen, who said in a statement that "it's incredibly unfortunate that circumstances outside of everyone's control have taken James away from the project, but, with James's blessing, we were able to have Joseph step in to take on the role of Adam. We all look forward to working with James in the future."

Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston and Philip Baker Hall also star in the film, which began production last month. Jonathan Levine directs from a script by Reiser.

James McAoy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt happen to be two of my favorite young actors, so I’m glad to see that Levitt has picked up another good role. It’s unfortunate that McAvoy had to leave the project, but sometimes, personal things are more important to take care of. Either way, this film should be no worse for the wear, with Levitt on a semi-hot streak after last year's “(500) Days of Summer.”

Filming starts up again next week in Vancouver.