WB Press Release courtesy of AICN

BURBANK, CA, 31 July 2006 – As a follow up to last year’s blockbuster Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan is set to direct Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Dark Knight, written by Jonathan Nolan, based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. The film will be produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan. Additionally, Christian Bale will resume his role as Bruce Wayne and Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has been cast as The Joker. The announcements were made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Christopher Nolan revamped the Batman franchise in 2005 with the immensely successful Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale in the title role, which chronicled the early years of the superhero. Nolan first garnered attention from critics and fans in 2000 with the groundbreaking drama Memento, which he wrote and directed. He went on to direct the thriller Insomnia, starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and recently wrapped production on The Prestige, with Hugh Jackman and Bale.

Bale was most recently seen in the ensemble cast of Terrence Malick’s The New World. His other credits include Little Women, Portrait of a Lady, Metroland, American Psycho, Laurel Canyon and Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun, which was his first starring role.

Ledger most recently earned Oscar Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the award-winning drama Brokeback Mountain. His other credits include Casanova, Monster’s Ball, Lords of Dogtown, The Brothers Grimm and The Patriot.

“Chris’ unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight,” said Robinov. “We also can’t wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker.”

“I'm excited to continue the story we started with Batman Begins,” added Nolan. “Our challenge in casting The Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless. Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale’s Batman is going to be incredible.”

Production is set to begin on The Dark Knight in early 2007.

Nolan and Ledger are represented by CAA.

Casting Rumours

From IGN

In related news, The Batman-on-Film.com website reiterates the rumor that the next Batman movie will feature multiple villains, namely Joker and The Penguin. The latter will reportedly be reconceived for the film as "a British arms dealer/mob boss with designs on Gotham."

And who is said to have been offered the role of The Penguin? Nolan reportedly wants previously rumored candidate Philip Seymour Hoffman, who ironically beat Heath Ledger in this past year's Oscar race for Best Actor. Like Ledger, however, Hoffman is said to be reluctant to join the sequel.

Finally, a BoF report claims that Ryan Phillippe is in the running for the role of D.A. Harvey Dent, a.k.a. the future Two-Face. Phillippe appeared in last year's Best Picture, Crash, and will next be seen in Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers.

Wow I can't wait...

...but how can you go from Jim Carrey to Heather Ledger? I just can't see it, but I'm open-minded and Heath is talented - so I have faith it'll all work out.

Wow I can't wait...

...but how can you go from Jim Carrey to Heather Ledger? I just can't see it, but I'm open-minded and Heath is talented - so I have faith it'll all work out.

I think you mean Jack Nicholson. LOL Carrey was The Riddler.

I have faith in Nolan's decision to hire Heath. It should be interesting how Nolan/Ledger's version of The Joker compares to Burton/Nicholson's 1989 version.

I love Nicholson's Joker, I thought he was great, but I think Heath will give him a darker side and capture the more cynical side of him.

This movie is going to be awesome!

I love Nicholson's Joker, I thought he was great, but I think Heath will give him a darker side and capture the more cynical side of him.

This movie is going to be awesome!

I agree. Nolan/Ledger's Joker will be more dark/cynical instead of campy like Romero's and Nicholson's Joker.

OMG I can't wait for this movie.

I think Ledger is an interesting decision but I agree he will capture the dark, cynical side of Joker.

Everything I have heard so far about this movie, which is mostly confirmed rumors, sounds great.

Anyone else heard the rumors that Ryan Phillipe will play Harvey Dent/Two Face?

Though in the Dark Knight, he will only be Harvey Dent, not Two face. I think he would do a good job, I think Phillipe is more talented than he gets credit for.

Anyone else heard the rumors that Ryan Phillipe will play Harvey Dent/Two Face?

Though in the Dark Knight, he will only be Harvey Dent, not Two face. I think he would do a good job, I think Phillipe is more talented than he gets credit for.

Yeah, I heard the rumour too.

There's also rumours about Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin (the more traditional Penguin unlike Tim Burton's creator from Batman Returns).

I think you mean Jack Nicholson. LOL Carrey was The Riddler.

I have faith in Nolan's decision to hire Heath. It should be interesting how Nolan/Ledger's version of The Joker compares to Burton/Nicholson's 1989 version.

Haha - yeah that's my bad. I always get Riddler and Joker mixed up - I am more comfortable with Heath playing JOKER than RIDDLER

i can see Phillippe as Harvy/Two face. i hope that rumor comes to be true

Phillipe would be good for Harvey.

Hoffman would rock as the Penguin.

I don't think I'm going to like Heath as the joker, they better not make the joker too serious, his character being wacky/crazy is what made him fun to watch. I'll give it a chance though and still go see the movie.

Great rumors.

I was hesitant with Batman Begins but it turned out to be a great movie.

I can't wait for The Dark Knight and I love the casting rumors. All are good and quite interesting choices, IMO. Not too sold on Ledger yet, but he could impress us as the Joker.

it will be interesting to see the Penguin done right, and not the campy waddling baffoon Danny DeVito and Burgess Meredeth portrayed.

Since reading the comics more, I've come to love the sparce appearances of the "legit" nightclub owning/arms smuggling/mob bossing Penguin

Glad they are finally getting this movie started. Michael Cain was on Regis and Kelly this morning and said they start shooting in March. I can't wait!

I don't know how I feel about Heath Ledger playing The Joker. Jack Nicholson did such an excellent job. I'll wait and see because I was unsure about Chrisitan Bale as Bruce Wayne, but he was good and I was impressed with the movie. The franchise is back.