Batman 3 gets a release date

Warner Bros. has set July 20, 2012, as the release date for the third Christopher Nolan-directed Batman movie. Still no title, start date or story though.

The studio has barely begun the process of developing the movie according to Heat Vision; Nolan is in postproduction on “Inception,” but is hammering out a story with David Goyer.

There is no title as this point and no start date.

Let the speculation commence.

Kevin Conroy Disses Christian Bale’s Batman Voice

As you will know if you are a regular reader I really like Kevin Conroy. He is the true voice of Batman in The Animated Series and most recently the Arkham Asylum video game.

Christian Bale’s Batman voice in The Dark Knight has been slagged off many times. Personally, it didn’t bother me and would make sense for him to change his voice as much as he could to protect his identity (hmm maybe he should use that defective collar Alpha had in up).

At C2E2, Kevin Conroy spoke about Christian Bale’s infamous Batman voice. He thinks somebody should have told Bale just how bad it was.

What did you think of Bale’s voice in The Dark Knight?

Superman – What do we need for the film to be good?

A story broke yesterday in Latino Review stating that David Goyer would be penning the proposed new Superman film. Since then there has been conflicting reports from all directions; Goyer is involved, Goyer is not involved, Hell even Christopher Nolan is not involved! Until a spokesman clears the situation up we are left to speculate and we all know the internet loves to speculate, so for arguments sake let’s say Goyer is involved. Would he be the right man? Will he be writing alone? What story will he be using?

David Goyer has a chequered track record. On one hand, he successfully developed Marvel character Blade in the first two instalments before single-handedly destroying what he had built with Blade Trinity which he directed as well as writing. Other blemishes on his resume include the farcical Jumper as writer, The Invisible (not to be confused with Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles) as director and one of the worst horror films ever made, The Unborn, which he both wrote and directed. Along with television series Flash Forward, Goyer has his fair share of detractors. Arguably his greatest success along with Blade was his involvement in Christopher Nolan’s Batman double, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight in which the later he shared a writing credit with Nolan’s brother Jonathan. With the monumental success of The Dark Knight and the news of Christopher Nolan being installed as ‘Godfather’ to the new Superman project it was inevitable Goyers name would be mooted.

Would he be the right man? Well as previously mentioned, Goyer does have some good and some bad but his writing credits are far greater than his directing efforts. Blade, Blade II, as well as Alex Proyas’ underrated sci-fi classic Dark City show that he does possess a deal of talent, but all of those projects pale in comparison to The Dark Knight.

With its dark undertones of crime and politics, The Dark Knight was more than just a superhero movie but is that what Superman needs? With two of The Dark Knight trio rumoured to be involved in Superman, it begs the question if Goyer is writing the script, will he be alone? Jonathan Nolan has worked with brother Christopher on The Prestige as well as The Dark Knight, but was not involved in Insomnia, Batman Begins or Inception so they are by no means inseparable and with Christopher’s role in the project still a little hazy it does not guarantee any involvement on Jonathan’s part. But until some confirmed facts about who exactly is working on the project surface and a director is named we can only speculate.

Stories for comic book adaptations are always a source of heated debate. Fans have their own favourite arcs and characters. Should it be an origins story? “Well that seems too commonplace these days and I suppose there’s Smallville for its sins”. “But it needs to be freshened up, it’s always the same with Lex and Lois and Clark!” What about a darker version? “Well that goes against Superman. Why does everything need to be dark these days?” These are arguments I hear all the time but what are the options? To be honest, we could spend all day discussing great Superman stories; Superman: Red Son, The Death of Superman, Whatever Happened to The Man of Tomorrow? But the rumoured story says the new film is set to adapt is John Byrne’s 80’s series The Man of Steel (although John Byrne has said he has not been approached about it) which is essentially an origins story. How much of this will be used is again up for debate, but a meeting between Batman and Superman in issue three is a little odd. Of course Batman and Superman have met in numerous comics over the years but the news of Nolans involvement in a Superman film from a comic which features both characters seems a little strange or even convenient. A lot of fans are keen on an epic idea that comic book scribe Mark Millar had planned well over a year ago. In an interview with Empire in late 2008, Millar talked about creating an 8 hour story which would chart the life of Kal-El from his birth until he is the only man left on Earth. Read the full interview here.

Lex Luthor

So very little to go on as a rather confusing cloud surrounds the future of Superman, but what would you like to see? Villains? Story? Writer? Director? Star?

Now debate away…

Discuss in the Forum or the comments below.

By Richard Bodsworth

Real Life Film Curses

Whether you have been turned in to a hairy beast because you could not love, or have sold your soul for eternal youth, curses have been the basis for many a film plot. Sometimes it has been said however that the likes of Mrs Ganush herself have infiltrated movie sets causing some strange goings on during and after production has ended. Are these a series of unfortunate events, bad publicity stunts, or is there something more sinister going on? Carrying on from last weeks Film Production Nightmares, Live for Films brings you The Real Life Film Curses…

The Exorcist

The Exorcist – Widely regarded as a horror classic, William Friedkin’s adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s novel of a young girl possessed by a demonic spirit had its fair share of creepy tales.  The set itself was thought to be cursed after a fire burnt down and destroyed it forcing production crews to rebuild.  It is also believed that a priest was asked to come in and bless the set as well as the actors themselves.  A handful of cast and crew members are rumoured to have died during production, including actor Jack MacGowan who played Burke Dennings, but perhaps the strangest thing is Linda Blair, who played the possessed Regan, apparently foretold the deaths of crew members’ weeks before.

The Omen – You really have to wonder if making films about demonic children is a smart move.  The events surrounding this Richard Donner directed film were scarier than your friends’ kid with redeye in a birthday snapshot.  Along with trained Rottweiler’s attacking their handlers and the principal cast members being involved in a head on crash first day of filming, Donners hotel was bombed by the IRA,  star Gregory Peck and writer David Seltzers planes were struck by lightning in two separate events.  Peck would again have another close escape when a flight he cancelled at the last minute would later crash killing everyone on board.  But perhaps the most frightening was that Visual Effects Supervisor John Richardson’s wife was beheaded on the set of A Bridge Too Far a year later, in a scene eerily reminiscent of that from The Omen.       

Rosemary’s Baby – Another classic film another troubling aftermath for Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby.  The critically acclaimed tale of a woman (Mia Farrow) who believes she is carrying the son of Satan has been linked to some horrifying events following its release in 1968.  Director Polanskis pregnant wife, actress Sharon Tate, was murdered by Charles Manson at their home in 1969.  This was part of an infamous killing spree for the Manson Family which he named Helter Sketler after the Beatles song.  On the 8^th December 1980, Mark Chapman killed Beatles legend John Lennon outside the Dakota Building where Rosemary’s Baby was filmed.  Make of it what you will.

Poltergeist – Along with The Omen, Steven Spielberg and Tobe Hoopers Poltergeist is probably the most publicised example of the film ‘curse’.   The film which features ghosts communicating to the other side through a television set spawned two sequels and the basis for the curse comes from the fact four actors have died during the six year years between the first and third film.  Dominique Dunne who played the older daughter in the first film was strangled by her boyfriend in 1982, Julian Beck (Poltergeist 2) died aged 60 from stomach cancer in 1985, Will Sampson (also Poltergeist 2) died from post op complications from a kidney operation in 1988 and Heather O’ Rourke who played Carol Anne in all three films sadly died also in 1988.   

Superman – The Man of Steel may be able to stop, but the men who have played them have not been so lucky.   George Reeves portrayed Superman in the US television series in the 50’s, but was found dead in mysterious circumstances on his wedding day in an apparent suicide.  Ben Affleck would portray Reeves in Hollywoodland in 2006.  Perhaps the most well know incarnation of Clark Kent was that of Christopher Reeve who starred in Superman (1978) directed by Richard Donner, as well as three sequels.  In 1995, Reeve was involved in a tragic horse riding accident which left him paralysed from the neck down.  Reeve did however battle on, defying the odds and continued to star in TV and film before his death in 2004. Reeves co-star Margot Kidder who played the role of Lois Lane was found by police in undergrowth in LA after suffering a manic breakdown; she was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

The Dark Knight – Christopher Nolan’s follow up to Batman Begins was a success both critically and commercially when it was released in 2008, but the death of Heath Ledgers just shortly after filming wrapped left a black cloud hanging above it and was the starting point for another curse rumour.  More strange incidents followed; a stunt driver was killed during filming, Morgan Freeman was involved in a car accident which would break his arm and at the opening premiere, Christian Bale would be arrested for allegedly assaulting his mother.

Rebel without a Cause – It is a well known fact that James Dean died while driving the Porsche Spyder used in Rebel Without A Cause in 1955, while co-stars Sal Mineo and Natalie Wood both died prematurely years later.  However was the car itself cursed? A real life Christine? The mechanic who recovered the wreck apparently had his leg broken as the vehicle collapsed on him.  Later, parts of the car were sold to two separate buyers; both the cars also crashed claiming the lives of the drivers.

The curse is also known to have struck Quantum of Solace, Valkyrie and Blade Runner; in which companies like Coca Cola that were used for advertising suffered big losses. Shame.

So what do you guys think? Real, or desperately made up by people who should be doing something better with their time like working out what is going on in Lost or something?  Check out Good Actors Turned Bad next week…

By Richard Bodsworth.

Christopher Nolan to be Superman’s Godfather and Batman 3 is being written

Christopher Nolan is currently hard at work on his sci-fi film, Inception, which is due out on 16th July. Since The Dark Knight there have been constant stories and rumours about what would be happening in the third film. More on that in a bit as the more interesting news via Deadline Hollywood, is that Nolan has supposedly been asked by Warner Bros to have a look at the Man of Steel and see how Superman could be brought to the big screen.

Now don’t get too excited. They have not asked him to write or direct a new Superman film. Instead they want Nolan to use what he learnt to make Batman so successful and apply it to Krypton’s favourite son.

Basically, he is going to be a mentor or godfather to any future Superman film which should mean it will be a hell of a lot better than Bryan Singer’s Superman returns (I still wish they would go with Mark Millar’s proposed Superman trilogy, but what do I know) and I think Warner Bros have done the right thing with this. The one worry is that they will make Superman all dark and moody, but Nolan took the core elements of what makes Batman work and used them to great effect so I fully expect him to do the same with Superman. I would love him to sit down for a chat with Grant Morrison as his All Star Superman was one of the best Superman comics in recent years.

Of course one of the main reasons for a new Superman film to be developed is to do with rights. According to Deadline, Attorney Marc Toberoff warns that, in 2013, the Jerome Siegel heirs along with the estate of co-creator Joe Shuster will own the entire original copyright to Superman — “and neither DC Comics nor Warner Bros will be able to exploit any new Superman works without a license from the Siegels and Shusters”. He’s also pointed out that, if Warner Bros does not start production on a new Superman sequel or reboot by 2011, the Siegels could sue to recover their damages on the grounds that the deal should have contained a clause in which the rights returned to the owners after a given time if no film was in development. The heirs of Siegel have already been awarded half the copyright for Superman. And in 2013 the heirs of co-creator Joe Shuster get the remaining half. After that, neither DC Comics nor Warner Bros will be able to use Superman without a financial agreement with the heirs.

if they don’t get a new Superman film sorted out super quick then they run the risk of having to pay out an awful lot of money.

As Nolan will have a hand in a new Superman film that could also pave the way for the big screen meet up of Batman and Superman. Wishful thinking, but it could happen.

What about Batman 3? Is that heading our way anytime soon? Turns out that Christopher Nolan came up with a story idea and Jonathan Nolan and David Goyer have begun work on a Batman 3 script.

Let the rumours of who and what will be in the next Batman film begin.

As for Nolan steering the direction of a Superman film do you think this is a good idea? Who would you like to direct it and what do you want to see in a new Superman film?

Check out some cool Superman T-Shirts over on Tees For All. The amazing picture at the top of the post is by the incredible Brian Bolland. I love his stuff.

The Top 25 films of the decade according to IMDB

The first decade of the most recent millennium is almost at a close. Many people have been talking about their favourite films of the year (check out mine) and the past 10 years – I started making a list for my fave films of the decade, but my brain went into lockdown at the amount of films that there have been over the past 10 years.

Therefore, I thought it would be best to post the top 25 movies of the decade as voted on IMDB. It may well be one of the best ways of judging it due to the shear amount of people who vote on it. Here’s the list

1. The Dark Knight (2008)
2. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)
3. City of God (2002)
4. Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
5. Avatar (2009)
6. Memento (2000)
7. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
8. WALL-E (2008)
9. Amélie (2001)
10. The Departed (2006)
11. The Pianist (2002)
12. Spirited Away (2001)
13. The Lives of Others (2006)
14. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
15. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
16. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
17. Up (2009)
18. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
19. The Prestige (2006)
20. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
21. Downfall (2004)
22. Gran Torino (2008)
23. Sin City (2005)
24. District 9 (2009)
25. Batman Begins (2005)

Out of the 25 I have seen 17 and there are some good films on the list. Not sure about The Dark Knight being number one (it is mad that Christopher Nolan has four films on the list – Memento is probably the best out of the four and I am surprised The Prestige has made the top 25) and I would whack all of The Lord of the Rings films into one which would give another couple of films a chance to make the list.

Avatar is rather high considering that it is just come out and I imagine its position moving over the next few months – although I am not sure if it will go up or down. Great to see Pan’s Labryrinth on the list but in my opinion it should be in the top five as it is a great piece of film. Has Downfall made the top 25 due to all the Hitler learns… videos?

I notice that Duncan Jones’ Moon did not make the list. That could well be due to its limited theatrical release and I am sure that it will move up into the top 25. It also surprises me that neither of the Twilight films made the top 25 due to the huge amoung of Twifans out there.

What are your thoughts on the list? What should be in it and what doesn’t deserve to be in the list? What have been the most underrated films of the decade?

Source: First Showing

Superman vs The Dark Knight – Batman is not happy

A mashup of The Dark Knight and Superman Returns using the Bonnie Tyler song Holding Out For A Hero doesn’t sound like it should be as funny as this is.

I was laughing out loud in places and I think it is the way they took Christian Bale’s rant and used that for Batman to tell Superman what he really thinks of him.

Have a watch and let me know your favourite bit.

Source: Topless Robot

UPDATED: Inception – Poster for Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thing

I think I like the poster, but it seems to be channeling Vanilla Sky, A.I., The Dark Knight, I Am Legend and a few other films that I am sure you will mention in the comments.

Looking forward to the film though.

Update: Thanks to Tiago for sending the poster below.

Batman – The Dark Knight is confused about the plot

Batman 3 – Trailer with Depp as the Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin

Here is an excellent fan made trailer by Hawkeye Protagonist. Would you want the next Batman film to be like this?

CAPED CRUSADER aka SHADOW OF THE BAT Teaser Trailer for the Dark Knight sequel.

-Gotham is being overrun by a billionaire crime boss known as the penguin.
-A potential threat, known as Edward Nygma, battles with his own mind and the answer to “Why?”
-The key theme of Batman Begins was “Fear”, in The Dark Knight it was “Anarchy”. In Caped Crusader it’s “GREED”.

Starring:
Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne
Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot
Johnny Depp as Riddler/Edward Nigma

The poster is an old fan made one as well.