Send all credible news to
ajbat1@gmail.com
(For news from previous months, click on the "News archives" link on the left)
Clothing company teams up with Batman Begins to make Batman themed clothes
source: Toy Mania
Toy Mania has received a press release from Rocawear Clothing. The company plans on combining its apparel with themes from Batman Begins. Clothing lines will be based on three Batman related themes: "Urban Legends", "Gotham City" and "I am".
Full details can be found Here
Batman heads back to the UK
source: Superhero Hype
Superhero Hype has a small blurb on what to expect next with Batman Begins. It looks like 1000 extras will be involved in a scene which will be filmed in Bedford
Bat-Alumni news: Denny talks Julius Schwartz and Flash
source: Pulse
A lot of creators have had their turn paying tribute to the late Julius Schwartz and now it is former Batman writer and editor Denny O'Neil's turn. Denny gives his thoughts on Schwartz and talks about his story featuring the Flash to the website Pulse
Second Batman Animated DVD set on the way
source: IGN
Ed Brubaker to leave Catwoman
source:
Newsarama
Newsarama has learned that writer Ed Brubaker will be leaving Catwoman. Brubaker stated that he was feeling burnt out. Issue 37 will be his last.
25-Aug-2004
Character designs and profiles for 'The Batman' revealed
source: Comics Continuum
The Comics Continuum has posted the character designs, profiles and names of the voice actors for the up coming 'The Batman' animated show.
'The Batman will debut on September 11 with the episode "Bats in the Belfry" featuring Batman, Joker Alfred and other main characters. The Intro of the show can be seen Here
Batman Begins sequel talk: Joker candidates?
source: Latino Review
While it is too early to be thinking of sequels, Latino Review has a list of actors who may play the villain in a Batman sequel. Who is the villain? Hint: Green Hair, Red Lips, White face
Batman Begins news roundup
source: Various
Here is a roundup of various Batman Begins newsbytes. First, Filmforce has a collection of videos taken on the sites of the film shoot. Most of them consist of the Batmobile
Superhero Hype has some pictures of some set work for Batman Begins as well as another article on the last few days of filming in Chicago
Details on the last days of shooting
Some more set
pictures
Picture of a Shadow
Warrior from Batman Begins
18-Aug-2004
Footage of Chicago filming appears online
source: Superhero Hype
A group of fans managed to record the filming of a scene with Batman. The footage can be found Here
A possible origin of the Scarecrow
source: Dark Horizons
17-Aug-2004
Wizard World Chicago news: More Batman Begins footage aired
source: various
In addition to the Bendis/Wayne Fiasco (See below), Batman fans got another special treat as they not only got a chance to see David Goyer and Christopher Nolan but some additional footage from Batman Begins.
Nolan revealed that he became a fan of Batman through the 60's show and the character stuck with him since. Nolan also researched through many Batman titles and in particular 'Batman: Year One' and 'The Long Halloween'
Nolan also revealed his growing up in Chicago as the reasons for filming and because it felt like the best place to film the Batmobile's scenes
More detailed Explanations can be found Here and a description of the footage can be found Here (Minor Spoilers)Brian Bendis issues apology for Wizard World fiasco
source: Newsarama
Following the incident at Wizard World which led to him getting into an exchange with Bob Wayne of DC, writer Brian Bendis issued an apology for his actions at the show.
For those who care I just have a couple of
things to say about what went on at my panel at Chicago con.
I regret the whole thing. Can’t say it any simpler that that. What I intended
was to start a grass roots campaign to get the proposed Batman/ DD book off the
ground, not to create a wrestle mania circus.
I apologize to everyone involved at DC comics. It was wrong for me to try and do
this without your involvement. My frustration with the current climate between
the companies pushed me to make what I feel now was the wrong choice.
For those of you who think this was a marketing stunt. There is no book so there
is nothing to market. This was not a stunt. This book does not exsist and
probably never will under current conditions. I do not need nor do I want this
type of publicity.
To read Bendis' full apology, head to Newsarama
14-Aug-2004
Brief Batman Begins news
source: Various
Superhero Hype has posted a behind the scenes picture from US Weekly. The picture shows Christian Bale and Gary Oldman.
Superhero Hype and Batman on Film continue to receive set reports from the filming. It now appears that the main cast has finished filming their scenes in Chicago and are heading to the U.K. Second unit crews will wrap up the rest.
Another David Goyer Interview
source: Maxim Online
Though he mostly talks about his other work and Blade Trinity, David Goyer does reveal a few hints about Batman Begins and how it fares against the previous four films to Maxim.
Bat-Alumni News: Alex Ross' does Justice
source: Comics Continuum
At Wizard World Chicago, Alex Ross (Batman: War On Crime) revealed that he would be painting the art for a 12 issue series from DC called Justice. The story will be written by Jim Krueger with art by Doug Braithwaite which will be painted over by Ross.
Batman/Daredevil proposal causes a stir at Wizard World
source: Newsarama
Things became interesting after DC VP Sales and Marketing Bob Wayne showed up at Bendis panel and the two had a mild exchange. Cooler heads prevailed later on but in the end one thing was clear: No Batman/Daredevil crossover.
Go Here to read what Bendis had to say, Here to read Bob Wayne's side and Here to read more about the exchange between Wayne and Bendis
12-Aug-2004
EA to make Batman Begins game?
source: Gamecube
Advanced
Gamecube Advanced is reporting that Electronic Arts will be making the Batman Begins video game. It will follow the movie's story and will feature gameplay that involves Stealth and Espionage
Various Batman Begins news
source: Superhero Hype
Superhero Hype has rounded up some articles and pictures of the ongoing filming in Chicago. The info can be found Here (Minor Spoilers)
In addition the site has a picture of the Wayne family's Bentley and additional set reports (Minor Spoilers)
'The Batman' promotional pictures
source: Comics Continuum
The Comics Continuum has two Batman related images. One is a promotional picture for the new animated show and the other is cover art for the DVD Batman: The Animated Series - Secrets of the Dark Knight
Update on Carmine Infantino's lawsuit against DC
source: Newsarama
Newsarama has an update on the legal situation between Carmine Infantino and DC. It looks like there may not be any progress until September as DC has applied for several extensions to file a response to Infantino's accusations. Infantino is looking for a 4 million dollar settlement.
Bat-Alumni News: Loeb on "The Fast Man -- Dead"
source: Pulse
Pulse has an interview with Jeph Loeb. He talks about his contribution to the Julius Schwartz tribute specials with a story called "The Fastest Man -- Dead!"
10-Aug-2004
Another view of the Bat-Signal
source: Superhero Hype
Superhero Hype has pictures taken of the front of the Batsignal. The pictures including some new ones can be found Here though be warned. There are spoilers here as well.
Characters being renamed?
source: Batman on Film
Batman on Film has learned that two of the characters in the film, Rachel Dobson and Judge Phelan, have been renamed. They are now Rachel Dawes and Judge Faden
Bill also has an interesting report regarding stories that some people had a unpleasant encounter with Christian Bale. Not only that but it seems that the American crew and security aren't helping filming either. As always, head down to BOF for more
I second Bill and his scooper's request that people be considerate to the cast and crew at the moment. Let's not ruin it for everyone now OK?
David Goyer talks Batman Begins
source: Aint it Cool News
Aint it Cool has an interview with David Goyer. He talks about the script leak, WB's mishandling of the teaser fiasco and other stuff.
David Lapham Talks Detective Comics
source: Newsarama
Come this December, writer David Lapham will be taking over the writing chores of Detective Comics and will be joined by artist Ramon Bachs. Newsarama has a feature where he talks about writing for Batman, his thoughts on nearly being partnered with legend Bill Sienkiewicz and more
I'm looking forward to this as and Ramon Bach's artwork looks amazing!
7-Aug-2004
David Goyer at Wizard World Chicago
source: Comics Continuum
Batman fans in Chicago are already getting a big treat with Batman Begins filming in their city. Now they can meet the man who has written the film. David Goyer will be at Wizard World Chicago on Saturday August 14 at the DC booth. Goyer will be at a Batman Begins panel which will start at 1 pm for a limited signing and wristbands will be given on a first come basis on Saturday Morning.
More set Reports and some pictures
source: Superhero Hype
, Batman on Film
Yet more reports are coming in. The latest reports include news of the Bat signal and appearances by Christian Bale and Gary Oldman.
Superhero Hype report 1Some Brief Rumours regarding Batman Begins
source: Batman on Film
While this isn't concrete and should be considered as rumour, it is nonetheless interesting. Bill of Batman on Film is reporting that UBI SOFT may make a Batman Begins game which could feature Bale doing voice acting. Second is the possibilities of Cameos in the film. Now what could these cameos be. Actors from the Bat-Alumni or brief appearances by familiar Batman (Or even DC) universe characters?
5-Aug-2004
First look at Ra's Al Ghul
source: Superhero Hype
Superhero Hype has snagged some pictures of Ken Watanabe as Ra's Al Ghul. They can be found Here
The second picture shows Director Chris Nolan and Christian Bale. Ken looks excellent (though not like the Ra's that we know, but I'm told not to worry about that) and the outfit is wonderful as well.
Is this the teaser poster?
A person on the Batman on Film message board has decided to make his version of the Batman Begins poster... only to make it very accurate to the official one. Head down Here to see it
Looks nice. Very much in tone with the marketing of 'BATMAN'
Pitof on Catwoman
source: Empire Online
Despite the fact that his film did abysmal and was savaged by the critics, Pitof defends his work and explains what he set out to do
"I don’t understand why they didn’t like it," said director Pitof. “I think this movie is very different to other types of movie. I wanted to make something very different from the comic book. Our Catwoman is something special, something new – we started completely from scratch."
"Michelle Pfeiffer was a great, great Catwoman, what she did was amazing but we wanted to make the movie for Halle Berry because she deserved it."
3-Aug-2004
Batman Begins set reports Galore
source: Superhero Hype,
Batman on Film
A lot of Chicago set reports are beginning to trickle in. Almost all of the reports mention the Batmobile and some have mentioned Katie Holmes and Christian Bale present as well. The reports can be found below
Superhero Hype's reportAnd while we are on the subject of the Batmobile, It appears that some people were able to record some footage of it in action. The footage can be found at the links below
Batmobile footageLoeb and Sale on 'When in Rome'
source: Pulse
The duo behind the Batman classics 'Long Halloween' and 'Dark Victory' have another special story to release. 'When in Rome' is a story that takes place during 'Dark Victory' and follows Selina Kyle as she heads to Rome to find out whether or not she is Carmine Falcone's daughter.
Halle to retire from Superhero duty
source:
BBC
Halle Berry has told the BBC that her days of playing a superhero character on the big screen are over unless of course that character happens to be Catwoman.
So Halle would pass over a film series that has done well over one that may never exist. Scary.