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(For news from previous months, click on the "News archives"
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| January 28, 2003 Chris Nolan to direct Batman film! source: Variety |
Big news coming from Variety. The trade reports that Chris
Nolan (Memento, Insomnia) has been signed to direct a Batman film and
he couldn't be more than happier about it
"All I can say is that I grew up with Batman, I've been fascinated
by him and I'm excited to contribute to the lore surrounding the character,"
Nolan said to Variety. "He is the most credible and realistic of
the superheroes, and has the most complex human psychology. His superhero
qualities come from within. He's not a magical character. I had a fantastic
experience with the studio on Insomnia, and I'm keen to repeat that experience."
The article however states that Darren Aronofsky is still working on Year
One with Frank Miller (who is incorrectly referred to as Frank Stack.
This is the second the Variety flubbed Miller's name)
In some ways, I'm not surprised. It sounds like Warner Brothers is playing
musical chairs with its directors. This goes along with the recent rumours
that Warner Brothers wanted to replace Brett Ratner with Michael Bay because
they weren't happy with Red Dragon's box office take. In terms of the
that movie, the latest rumour suggests that neither Bay nor Ratner are
involved with the project. Way to go Warner Brothers - AJ
| Batman vs Superman script reviewed source: Corona Comic Attractions |
For anyone interested in how the Batman vs. Superman film
might have been. Check out the script review at Corona. The reviewer has
reviewed the "Akivaed" version of this script which according
to him lowered its quality. For more about this film, go Here
| January 24, 2003 Follow up to recent Batman movie news source: Comics2Film |
Comics2Film looked into their recent report where DC editor Bob Greenberger said that Year One was scrapped and "The Frightening" A source of the site's stated that Miller is still working on Year One and not involved with the other project. The site also mentions that Miller is working on other projects for WB as well
| Details on new Batman: Animated series DVD source: Toonzone |
Toonzone has learned some details regarding the next Batman
DVD based on the animated series. The DVD will be titled Batman the Animated
Series: Tales of the Dark Knight and will feature the following five episodes
- The Underdwellers
- P.O.V
- The Forgotten
- Be A Clown
- Two Face Part 1.
The title will be released April 22.
To learn more about this and other superhero DVD's WB is releasing, go to Toonzone
....And Finally
Newsarama has learned that Batman 612 was the top of Diamonds top 300
retail ordered comics. Who needs a movie when you have good Batman storytelling
at the local comic store :)
| January 22, 2003 Catwoman news and rumours source: Filmforce, Dark Horizons |
A couple of Catwoman tidbits to start of with. First Stax
of Filmforce has learned that the Catwoman movie will start shooting in
spring or summer of this year for a 2004 release. However the script remains
unchanged (It will be the "Batman Returns version of Catwoman with
Patience Price) and star Ashley Judd with Pitof directing.
However according to Dark Horizons it appears that Halle Berry may replace
Judd in the lead role.
-Well considering that Halle isn't too fond of her role as Storm, I doubt
that she would want this role - A.J
| DC editor: "The Frightening" a viable
candidate and Year One is "gone" source: Comics2film |
A source for Comics2film attended a comic convention in
Boston and heard DC editor Bob Greenberger discuss the Superman, Starman
and Batman non comic projects.
In regards to Batman, Greenberger said that "The Frightening"
has replaced Year One as the next Batman project and mentioned that Frank
Miller may be working on either one. He also stressed that things were
in their early stages
-Hmmmmm............. - A.J
| Back to the Batcave tidbits source: TvGuide |
Tv Guide has an article on this upcoming special that reteams the 60's dynamic duo of Adam West and Burt Ward. In the article West talks a little about the special
"We decided to do something that was fresh, innovative," says West, "a modern-day caper with [me] and Burt and maybe with an occasional allusion to or reference to some of the escapades in the past."
In the special Adam and Burt uncover a scheme to steal the Batmobile from a charity. To read more about this and so to see who plays younger versions of West and Ward, go Here
| January 16, 2003 First two parts of Hush to be collected source: Comics Continuum |
DC will be releasing a one shot which collects the first
two parts of Batman: Hush and will be releasing it on February 12.
-Looks like DC is milking this one for all they can. A more logical reasoning
would be to release a trade paperback like they did with Long Halloween
and Dark Victory - AJ
| More reasons to disavow Frightening rumours source: Comics2Film |
Comics2Film has provided further information regarding last weeks Batman: The Frightening rumours. The site contacted people close to the two writers supposedly involved Terry Hayes and Rafael Yglesias and learned from Yglesias' people that he wasn't involved with Batman in anyway or form.
| Batman returns on Static Shock source: Comics Continuum |
On January 25, Static Shock will be beginning a new season and Batman will guest appear to kick things off. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy will be the villains and Commissioner Gordon, Detective Bullock and Alfred will all appear and will be voiced by their original actors.
| January 13, 2003 Frightening Rumours all false?? Source: Batman on Film |
Bill's sources have chipped in with their views on the recent Batman rumours. They are all saying that the rumours that made the rounds this week are all false. I agree with them since WB exec Alan Horn, said that the next film will be an origins movie. For all of you hoping to see the Scarecrow, I'm afraid you are out of luck......for the time being
| January 6, 2003 Batman movie rumours source: Superhero hype and Aint it Cool |
Well we haven't had some of these in a long time. Both Superhero Hype
and Aint it Cool have their own Batman movie rumours. Here is Superhero
hype's
I heard from a friend at warner bros studios, ****** dept, that a unknown film writer has been payed for a script called "Batman: The Dark Knight." No word about the concept or contents of the script but I think the title gives it away. The only thing I know about the writer is his initals are SRW.
Aint it Cool's rumour deals with Batman: The Frightening. Here are some highlights
-The writer's are Rafael Yglesias and Terry Hayes.
-It is a first draft and is dated December 23rd of 2002.
-Features Batman, Scarecrow, Alfred and Gordon but not Robin and Batgirl
To read more about this, go to Aint
it Cool
| Details on upcoming subplot in "Hush" Storyline source: Comics Continuum |
Comics Continuum has some details regarding a subplot in the 12 part story arc "Hush"
Batman #613-614, continuing the "Hush" arc by Jeph Loeb,
Jim Lee and Scott Williams, will be a two-part story called "The
Joke."
The story features Harley Quinn and the Joker, Loeb told The Continuum,
with Batman #613 focusing on Harley Quinn. (See cover to the right.)
"This issue is very much the quiet before the storm," Loeb said.
"After the battle -- Batman vs. Superman -- that took place in Metropolis,
Bruce and Selina take in a night at the Opera; Jim draws a spectacular
Gotham Opera House.
"The show doesn't exactly go up since Harley Quinn has other plans
in mind, largely due to what has happened to Poison Ivy. Her motivations
seem... odd to say the least, but she's crazy, so who knows what she's
up to... As Batman suspects, if Harley is around, The Joker can't be far
behind. One thing we can be certain, if there's an Opera, it's not going
to be a happy ending.
"I don't want to reveal too much, but something happens at the end
of #613 that's pretty horrible. And for the Joker, that's saying something.
The entire issue that follows (#614) takes place in about five minutes
after that. Jim and I wanted to explore the hard question of why Batman
doesn't kill the Joker. Maybe it's time he should. We'll examine their
history and the violence the Joker has brought into Batman's world. Does
Batman have any responsibility for it?
"Ultimately, we have an answer -- but I want to stress that it's
AN answer. When you're dealing with justice, nothing is ever black and
white. Maybe that's why it's so hard for Batman not to snap his neck once
and for all. Maybe."