Robin could appear in The Dark Knight Rises
Verdict: Rumor
Robin appearing in one of Nolan's
Batman movies is as old as the
2008 rumor that
Shia LaBeouf was cast in the movie created by British tabloid
The Sun. In 2005, Nolan said that
"Dick Grayson's still in a crib somewhere" and doubted that he would be involved "when Robin's in the franchise".
Of course, that was six years ago, but before
The Dark Knight's release in 2008, Christian Bale told
Starpulse that
"If Robin crops up in one of the new Batman films, I'll be chaining myself up somewhere and refusing to go to work." Again, that was almost 3 years ago, which, in the collective memory of the Internet, is practically the Stone Age.
There is a reason for the latest crop of Robin rumors, specifically a report from local news outlet WILX (via
AICN) about
location scouting around Grand Ledge, Michigan.
According to Eaton County and Grand Ledge officials who didn't want to be identified due to confidentiality agreements, production crews from The Dark Knight Rises scouted locations in Grand Ledge's Fitzgerald Park last week.
They looked at the Ledges as well as a water treatment plant located inside the park. Sources say the area is being considered as a hideout for Batman sidekick Robin.
Michigan State senator Rick Jones confirmed the location scouting, and The Daily Blam contacted WILX reporter Alex Goldsmith, who confirmed that "Robin" had been discussed.
I heard from three sources, the only one who would go on camera being state Sen. Rick Jones. All three mentioned the water treatment facility being considered for "Robin's Cave" specifically. I'm not as up on my Batman lore as others but I wasn't aware that Robin got a cave. As this was just a scouting mission, I don't have any details on actors or even confirmation as to what role he'll play. I just know what my 3 sources told me. Granted the production team scouting could've given them "Robin's Cave" as a red herring.
Rope of Silicon discounts the previous Bale and Nolan quotes, claiming that Bale's quote comes from the often-unreliable WENN, while Nolan's quote comes from a newspaper that doesn't seem to exist. True or untrue, there's still hardly enough to go on to assume that Robin will make it into the movie.
***
Joseph Gordon-Levitt will play The Riddler/Robin/Joker
Verdict: Rumor
Gordon-Levitt was announced as being "in talks" to join the cast of the movie, but the role he would be playing has yet to be announced, only fanning the flames of fanboy speculation to include almost every character still available in the Batman canon.
The inclusion of the Riddler character in The Dark Knight Rises was "confirmed" in July of last year, if one confuses "confirmed" with information delivered via an unnamed "source". Gordon-Levitt was reportedly "interested" in the role — a role which Nolan confirmed to The LA Times last October wouldn't be in the movie. Nolan's exact words in reference to the Dark Knight Rises villain were, "It won’t be the Riddler."
As for Gordon-Levitt playing the Joker, Nolan has revealed that he won't recast Heath Ledger, meaning that Gordon-Levitt won't either resurrect the character or play a younger version in flashbacks, as some have speculated.
And the "Gordon-Levitt as Robin" rumor? See above, then check the age on Gordon-Levitt's driver's license. He's no longer a "boy wonder".
A report from an anonymous contributor at ComicBookMovie has a new rumor to add to the pile: Gordon-Levitt as Alberto Falcone, a.k.a. the Holiday Killer and son of mob boss Carmine Falcone (played by Tom Wilkinson.
The mafia has been consistently present in Nolan's Batman movies, with Sal Maroni (Eric Roberts) taking over for the elder Falcone in The Dark Knight, up until Two-Face (Aaron Eckhart) decides his fate with a flip of a coin.
While this is yet another unsubstantiated rumor, we think this is most likely.
***
Ra's Al Ghul will return
Verdict: False
As much as Liam Neeson's performance in Batman Begins was beloved, IGN spoke to the actor who revealed that he "definitely" won't appear in The Dark Knight Rises, and hasn't been approached. Neeson will likely be too busy shooting the Clash of the Titans sequel, Wrath of the Titans, anyway.
***
Anne Hathaway will play Catwoman
Verdict: Likely
During Nolan's appearance at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the director was cryptic when asked about Hathaway's casting as Catwoman. "Selena Kyle," Nolan corrected. "Yeah, that's going to be fun." When asked to elaborate on whether Hathaway will also play Catwoman, Nolan stayed quiet, then laughed about his silence.
So far, Hathaway has only been confirmed as Selina Kyle, Catwoman's alter ego, but we feel like it's not much of a stretch to think that Selina might become Catwoman at some point through the course of the movie.
***
Robin Williams will play Dr. Hugo Strange
Verdict: False
The "Williams as villain Dr. Hugo Strange" rumor began innocently enough, emanating from a single, brief Tweet from Batman-on-Film writer Jett.
In these times, when social networking is at a fever pitch, it's no wonder that one pontification caused a commotion around the web. Aiding the rumor along was Williams' announcement last June that he would "do anything" in the next Batman movie. At the time, Williams said:
I’m using this article as an ad. Chris, call me, I’ll do anything. I could be a great character — or some weird little man in the background in Arkham Asylum.
Of course, Strange isn't "some weird little man", he's "the weird little man" in Batman's history, dating back to 1940's Detective Comics #36. At the recent Santa Barbara International Film Festival, SeattlePI reports that Nolan spoke warmly about working with Williams in 2002's Insomnia.
He likes to perform. He could see I wasn't receptive to his comedy between takes, but he was always entertaining the crew. Then I'd say
"action," and he'd just go right into what he was doing. I've seen his performance many times, and it's scarily real. There are moments when you don't think he was acting at all. He's an incredible talent.
But, likely, not playing Hugo strange. Batman-News confirmed that Batman-on-Film's Jett was "thinking out loud after a chat with an industry friend" with his Tweet, so there's probably no chance of this. Besides, too many villains in a Batman movie has historically been a bad thing.
***
Christian Bale wants to return for Batman 4
Verdict: True
Bale has confirmed this, but with a caveat: Nolan would have to return as well. Last month, Bale said the following:
All I know is the likelihood that this will be the last one. Well, I wouldn't say definitely. If Chris goes, "Hey, I've got another story I think could be interesting," then yeah, great, I'd go do that. I always assumed it would be three, but I could be wrong.
While this news has clearly sent waves of joy through the fanboy community, Nolan has said (repeatedly) that The Dark Knight Rises will be "the last chapter" in his "Batman saga".
Like any good Nolan movie — Inception being the most recent and best example — fans are going to receive as little information as possible up until the movie gets released. So, with a year and a half to go until the sequel's July 20, 2012, release date, be on the lookout for the next installment, "Even More Truth and Rumors about The Dark Knight Rises", in the next few months.