Major casting complete on next BATMAN movie

[Paragon]

Also, working title may be switching from Batman: Intimidation to Batman Begins.

http://www.superherohype.com/batman/index.php?id=907

Oscar-nominated actor Ken Watanabe has joined the cast of director Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film about the origins of the Batman legend. The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Watanabe, who is nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in "The Last Samurai," will play the villainous Ra's Al Ghul, alongside stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman; Michael Caine as his trusted butler Alfred; Katie Holmes as a childhood friend of Wayne's; Liam Neeson as Wayne's mentor, Henri Ducard; and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, a former board member and sidelined employee of Wayne Enterprises.

Directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay by David Goyer, the film is produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Larry Franco. The executive producers are Ben Melniker and Michael Uslan.

The project is scheduled to start production in London in March.

The film, which explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham, will be released worldwide in 2005 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

[NightTrain]

1. I only hope it's better than BATMAN & ROBIN!

Of course, it couldn't possibly be much worse. :puke:

[mobuto]

2. Jeepers, Batman!

Who knows, Robin? This strange mixing of minds may be the greatest single service ever performed for humanity! Let's go, but, inconspicuously, through the window. We'll use our Batropes. Our job is finished.

[maggrwaggr]

3. Katie Holmes ........

just the mention of her name makes my blood pressure go up a notch.

Call me a dirty old man, I don't care ....

[gyopsy]

4. The Batman movie franchise has gone to hell

The original back in the 80s with michael keaton i liked. batman returns was getting a little silly but it wasn't too bad. then batman forever could put someone with ADHD to sleep. And I don't even go there with batman & robin.

I'm sure this new movie can't be any better than the last two.

[Exultant Democracy]

5. From what I hear they are going back to the basics

The people that are working on it right now have made no bones about the fact that the last two movies were real suckfests.

[Fight_n_back]

6. EGad

Christian Bale is not good...not good at all.