The Dark Knight (Batman Begins Sequel)

The much hyped "The Dark Knight" is based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman. This film is a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins, which rebooted the Batman film series after an 8 year hiatus. Christopher Nolan returns as the director, and Christian Bale reprises the lead role but with a different lead girl: Maggie Gyllenhaal, the role is originally for Katie Holmes but she turned down the offer. Batman's primary conflicts in the film come from his fight against the Joker (Heath Ledger) and his strained friendship with district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart).

The film will be released on July 17, 2008 in Australia, on July 18, 2008 in North America, and on July 25, 2008 in the United Kingdom. See the teaser below.



Cast and Characters:

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne / Batman, a billionaire who has dedicated himself to protecting Gotham City from the criminal underworld as the "Dark Knight

Heath Ledger as the Joker, whom the actor described as a "psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy


Aaron Eckhart as the district attorney Harvey Dent / Two-Face, for whom battling the Joker takes a dark toll, and becomes a disfigured vigilante who uses extreme methods

Maggie Gyllenhaal as the assistant D.A. Rachel Dawes, a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne, and one of the few people who know that he is Batman

Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth: Bruce Wayne's trusted butler and father figure who tends to Wayne Manor.

Gary Oldman as Lieutenant James Gordon: One of the few uncorrupt members of the Gotham City Police Department.

Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox: The recently-promoted CEO of Wayne Enterprises who supplies Bruce Wayne with the gear necessary to carry out Batman's mission.

Eric Roberts as Sal Maroni: The gangster who now leads Carmine Falcone's mob family.Bob Hoskins and James Gandolfini were reported to have also auditioned for the part.

Michael Jai White as Gambol: A gang leader at war with Maroni.

Nestor Carbonell as Mayor Anthony Garcia.

Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow: The former director of Arkham Asylum, who poisoned the Gotham water supply with fear hallucinogen in Batman Begins.

William Fichtner as Gotham National Bank Manager: A bank manager working for the mafia, confronted by the Joker in the film's opening. Fichtner's casting was a nod to Heat.

Winston Ellis as Gator: A villain who serves as Gambol's bodyguard along with actor Chucky Venice. He is confronted by the Joker in the first full length trailer.

Monique Curnen as Detective Ramirez: A member of the GCPD.