Liam Neeson Addresses The Dark Knight Rises Rumors
Posted 01.25.12 by Ryan
Whether or not Liam Neeson would return as the villainous Ra's al Ghul in director Christopher Nolan's third and final Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, has been a topic of much debate amongst online fans, most of whom expect Neeson to return in some capacity.
Neeson denied the rumors that he would be reprising his Batman Begins role last February, revealing that he "definitely" would not be back, but added a month later that "like to... if it happens." The Social Network actor Josh Pence was cast as a young Ra's al Ghul a month later, which, while it didn't confirm Neeson's return, did nothing to stop the rumors from spreading. Supposedly, Pence is playing the character in flashback.
Neeson's latest comments will do little to stop the ceaseless rumors from spreading. The Irish actor did not confirm to Showbiz Spy that he would return for The Dark Knight Rises per se, but did confirm that he visited the set.
I can tell you nothing about Dark Knight Rises, seriously. I was on set for maybe an hour-and-a-half and the director didn’t tell me anything of what it’s about. So, I’m being very honest when I say I have no idea what’s going to happen.
Neeson didn't say he was shooting while being "on set", but that won't stop fans from speculating that Neeson will appear in the upcoming sequel — though, should Neeson be telling the truth about the "hour-and-a-half" timeline, the actor couldn't be in the movie for very long if he does appear in it. It appears that the Neeson rumors are here to stay, especially since Marion Cotillard is rumored to be Talia al Ghul (the daughter of Ra's) instead of her reported character of Wayne Enterprises board member Miranda Tate, and 13-year-old actress Joey King's recent spolier-y interview blunder only add to the Neeson rumors.
Little is known about The Dark Knight Rises other than it is set "eight years" after the events of The Dark Knight and will see the Caped Crusader battle against the villain Bane (Tom Hardy) — for starters. Nolan wrote the sequel with his brother Jonathan Nolan. Returning cast members include Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Nestor Carbonell as the mayor of Gotham City and Gary Oldman as Commissioner James Gordon. New additions include Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as policeman John Blake, Alon Aboutboul as a "mad scientist," and Juno Temple as Holly Robinson.
Next Showing: The Dark Knight Rises opens July 20th