March 2004
March 31th, 2004
Check out the Official Batman Begins website - the first pictures of the Batmobile are available there. Looks amazing!
Do check out Rutger Hauer's Official Site for some interesting bits of information on the Batman shooting.
March 30th, 2004
Christian Bale talks Bat
The May issue of Empire magazine landed an exclusive audience with the man some call the Caped Crusader, and Christian spilled a few beans about his plans for the Bat. Now shooting in Iceland and England, Batman Begins has so far assembled one of the most heavyweight casts ever to take on a superhero franchise – Liam Neeson, Ken Watanabe and Morgan Freeman for example, not to mention Bale himself. So what can we expect?
“I believe that there’s an opportunity with that character to do things that I, personally, have never seen done,” says Bale. “There are choices you can make with such a character. You can go very camp with it, like the TV series, but that’s been done. You can’t outdo Adam West with that kind of deal. So what else do you do? There’s a really interesting character there, and that’s what I’m aiming for.”
For all the Bale-heads out there dying for their next fix, the actor will be appearing in The Machinist later this year, a part for which he lost 60lbs – that’s a whopping one-third of his body weight, fact fans! Never fear, however, as he put the weight back on to play the Dark Knight.
“It’s very much like going from one extreme to the other. Batman is a guy who has to be able to tear apart a room, scale walls and do phenomenal things.”
March 19th, 2004
The Official Batman website is up! Check out "batmanbegins.com"
March 18th, 2004
THE BATMOBILE sped into Docklands last week.
The caped crusader's famous car was filmed racing around ExCeL for the $150million blockbuster Batman - Intimidation.
Christian Bale, who plays the superhero, was nowhere to be seen - leaving a stuntman to speed around the exhibition centre.
But the American Psycho star will soon be dining at Canada Square restaurant Plateau (picture).
As The Wharf exclusively revealed last month, Warner Brothers is to hire Plateau for a weekend to film a scene starring Bale and love interest, Dawson's Creek star Katie Holmes.
By the way - it's NOT difficult to pin down the weekend it's going to be ... VERY EASY! It's a Patrick Bateman / Dorsia thing! Just ask yourself what he could not get!
March 16th, 2004
Batman star dedicates role to father Mar 16 2004
Duncan Higgitt, The Western Mail
NEW Batman star Christian Bale is dedicating the movie role to his ex-RAF pilot father who died just months ago.
Christian, 30, who grew up in Haverfordwest, won the coveted role of the Caped Crusader after beating off competition from top Hollywood actors including Ben Affleck.
And, as filming began this week, Christian vowed to make it his best-ever performance - in memory of dad David.
Former RAF pilot David Bale died aged 62 from a brain tumour just before Christmas - just after Christian was told he'd landed the prized Batman role.
Christian was born in Wales while his dad was posted at RAF Brawdy in Pembrokeshire in the early Seventies.
But his death will give an extra meaning to Christian's performance of superhero Batman - the masked avenger's parents died tragically when they were brutally gunned down in front of him.
A friend of the Haverfordwest-born former child star said, "Christian was very close to his dad and wants to make him proud."
David became a commercial pilot after leaving the RAF - and he was idolised by his son.
Divorced from Christian's mum Jennifer, David became an environmentalist and animal rights activist in America.
He was "achingly proud" of Christian's career and was told about the Batman role just before he died in December.
The fifth film, Batman Begins, started filming this week with Christian - star of American Psycho, Reign of Fire and Captain Correlli's Mandolin - as the tragic hero.
Veteran Brit Michael Caine stars as the hero's faithful butler Alfred and Gary Oldman plays good cop Lieutenant Jim Gordon.
Drug dealing baddie The Scarecrow and evil cult leader Ra's Al-Ghul will be played by Cillian Murphy from 24 Days Later and Ken Watanabe who starred in The Last Samurai.
And Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman and Dawson Creek's Katie Holmes also have roles in the big budget blockbuster due for release in summer 2005.
The story follows the transformation of Bruce Wayne into his alter ego Batman after his parents are brutally murdered in front of him.
Christian said, "I loved the kind of fantastical notion of the superhero but at the same time being able to bring a psychologically interesting element to that."
March 12th, 2004
Bale's in a flap over his batsuit
By Chris Beckett, South Wales Echo
WELSH caped crusader Christian Bale was left red-faced on the set of the latest
Batman film when he couldn't fit into his costume.
According to Hollywoodreporter.com, the Haverfordwest-born star, currently filming in Iceland, suffered problems with his batsuit on his first day on set in the fictitious Gotham City.
A set insider said: "The trouble is the suit is so tight, it takes three people to squeeze Christian into it. He ripped one suit, then finally managed to get into another with the help of more than a few squirts of talcum powder."
The film, which is being directed by Christopher Nolan, will also be shot in London and Chicago.
March 11th, 2004
Latino Review has more on the Batman Begins filming in Iceland including a set picture ...
According to the Morgunbladid newspaper shooting has already finished. The only actors present were Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne) and Liam Neeson (Ducard) with director Christopher Nolan and a crew of 250 people. According to them 'Himalaya Scenes' were shot there at Öræfasveit, Vatnajökuls and Svínafellsjökuls. The Begins crew will now move on to London for the main shoot.
The site also says the first set picture appeared in Icelandic newspaper Frettabladid.
March 10th, 2004
ReelChicago.com reports that Batman Begins will be shooting in the city starting in July...
The city will be replete with A-list actors when the fifth in the "Batman" series films in Chicago starting in late July and running through August... Filming started last week in Iceland and then moves to London before coming here. Chicago production budget is unknown at this time.
Read the complete article here
SuperheroHype's scooper 'maxwell' sent in this bit about the costume...
I'm a friend of someone who is working on the Batsuit. Most of the reports you've read about the suit recently seem pretty on the money. The cowl, cape, boots and gloves are al black while the body suit is a dark charcoal grey. The belt is bulky with compartments not like the one in the other movies, it's also a much duller yellow than the belts before.
The symbol doesn't have the yellow oval, it's really big, taking up a good part of the chest. It's a smoother material than the rest of the body suit and slightly raised.
The gloves aren't quite armoured but the boots look like they have greaves and the soles look like they're designed to give good traction.
The cowl isn't as restrictive as the one from the other movies was, the guy in the suit was able to turn his head. The cowl is sculpted and I'm not sure if the material would move with the actor's face.
The material looks kind of like leather, it definitely has a texture to it, it isn't smooth like rubber or plastic. Also there's seams on the costume, up and down the arms and legs and on the sides of the body. I don't know if they're supposed to be there as they don't really show up in the darker shots of the costume.
March 9th, 2004
Batman too beefy for his cape
It looks like Batman needs a new tailor after Christian Bale ripped his skin-tight caped crusader suit.
The Welsh actor beefed up for the role in 'Batman Begins', but it looks like he bulked up too much - stories from the set say he ripped the first rubber costume and it took three crew members and a bottle of talcum powder to squeeze him into a second one.
Christian stars alongside Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Gary Oldman in the flick which is being made by 'Memento' director Christopher Nolan.
Part of the movie will be filmed in the UK.
March 6th, 2004
Sneak Peek at The Batman Next Week
Source: Dark Knight, Michael
'Dark Knight' and 'Michael' were watching Kids' WB! and Static Shock came on, during which a commercial aired for a special sneak peek at the new The Batman animated show that will take place next Saturday...
The spot had Batman in action sitting on a gargoyle, a flash of the Joker walking towards us and some more Batman footage.
Source: Superhero Hype!
March 6th, 2004
Brits dominate new Batman film
Claire Hill, The Western Mail
THE RETURN of Batman is set to be a UK affair as more Brits join the lead actor Christian Bale to make the film.
Pembrokeshire-born Bale is to play the caped crusader in the next instalment of the Batman series, which is being filmed in Iceland.
Gary Oldman is the latest person to sign up for Batman Begins which will be directed by Memento's Christopher Nolan.
The illustrious cast line-up is a veritable display of British talent with Michael Caine set to play Alfred the butler, Liam Neeson as Batman's mentor and Irish star Cillian Murphy also starring.
Oldman has just been signed up to play Commissioner Gordon in the early stages of his career - when he was slimmer and merely a lieutenant.
Americans Morgan Freeman and Katie Holmes will also appear in the film, which promises not to be like the last movie, which starred George Clooney in the lead role.
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 summer 2005.
Director Nolan said, "I felt like doing the origins story of the character, which is a story that's never been told before."
With $150m at his disposal he wants to bring the story back to its roots and scriptwriters aim to make Bruce Wayne as interesting as his alter-ego.
Screenwriter David Goyer said, "If we're successful, the thing that will be talked about a lot and on what we worked on the hardest is that the audience will really care about Bruce Wayne and not just Batman.
"It doesn't matter how much you spend on special effects - if it feels hollow, no one gives a damn."
March 5th, 2004
"Batman" Begins In Earnest
Author: Garth Franklin
Production officially began in Iceland this week on the Chris Nolan-directed
"Batman Begins" and in a press release announcing this, Warner Bros.
has also revealed the last remaining major cast addition - Gary Oldman who can
next be seen this Summer's "Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban".
Oldman is set to play Lt. James Gordon, a detective on Gotham's police force
whom comic fans will know as a man who rises to the position of Commissioner.
This puts the official cast as Christian Bale, Sir Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe and Oldman. No word yet on smaller roles but we should expect at least one major cameo.
With filming underway, the first set report has already been sent in to DH by 'Iceman' and here it is:
"Day 1 - They've set up about ten small huts and apparently it's supposed to be a village in Tibet, with more huts to be added by CGI. Yesterday Batman and someone were fighting with swords on the glacier. Tomorrow a magnificent scene will be filmed with Batman and the bad guy fighting while crashing down a steep hill toward a very high cliff. Of course this will be done with some elaborate wire work".
Day 2 - Liam Neeson has been spotted, he is sporting an Asian looking mustache with a one inch gap in the mustache under his nose. Also Christian Bale has a "one month beard". As far as I know he has not yet begun wearing the batsuit. He is wearing some leather clothes with a string belt. In one scene Christian Bale was being carried over the shoulder by someone. The buzz is that this is supposed to be the beginning of the movie. Oh and there is an buddist looking temple also"
Finally, yet another script review is up at IGN Filmforce.
Thanks to 'Brandon', 'Brian', 'Icebat' & 'Ooi'
Source: Dark Horizons
March 5th, 2004
Batman Begins Set, Crew & Location Details!
'Coley' and 'Webakin' alerted us that Dark Horizons may have some details on the first two days of shooting on Batman Begins.
"Day 1 - They've set up about ten small huts and apparently it's supposed to be a village in Tibet, with more huts to be added by CGI. Yesterday Batman and someone were fighting with swords on the glacier. Tomorrow a magnificent scene will be filmed with Batman and the bad guy fighting while crashing down a steep hill toward a very high cliff. Of course this will be done with some elaborate wire work".
Day 2 - Liam Neeson has been spotted, he is sporting an Asian looking mustache with a one inch gap in the mustache under his nose. Also Christian Bale has a "one month beard". As far as I know he has not yet begun wearing the batsuit. He is wearing some leather clothes with a string belt. In one scene Christian Bale was being carried over the shoulder by someone. The buzz is that this is supposed to be the beginning of the movie. Oh and there is an buddist looking temple also"
Meanwhile, 'Robert' pointed us to the Reykjavik (capitol of Iceland) tourist board's official website which has more on the production...
A spokesman for the producers will not disclose where the filming is actually taking place but RUV (National Broadcasting Company) has information that it is near Skaftafell, south-east Iceland.
The film crew counts around 200 people and among the actors are Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes and Christian Bale. Actors Christian Bale and Liam Neeson and director Christopher Nolan arrived yesterday and are expecting to be shooting in one or two weeks.
The Icelandic crew has signed a contract of confidence not to talk about the film or where exactly it's being filmed. When filming is done here in Iceland, the crew goes to England to film there.
Going back to England, scooper 'Comic Forever' has news on fight casting at Shepperton Studios...
Hi, a friend of mine works for a logistics firm and this morning he made delivery to Shepperton Studios! where they are now casting for the fight scenes for Batman Begins. He witnessed over 50 people performing various stunts and fights for the new Batman movie. If the fight scenes he witnessed are anything to go by this film is a must see. They where filming other scenes at the studio so I hope to have more news soon.
Source: Superhero Hype!
March 4th, 2004
Filming Starts on New `Batman' Movie
LOS ANGELES - "Batman Begins" has begun. A new movie about the origins of the Caped Crusader started filming Thursday in Iceland, with "American Psycho" actor Christian Bale starring as the shadowy vigilante who protects Gotham City from psychotic villains.
Filming will then move to London and Chicago.
The movie is directed by "Memento" filmmaker Christopher Nolan, and co-stars Michael Caine as Bruce Wayne's trusted butler, Alfred. Gary Oldman will play Lt. James Gordon, a younger version of the character most "Batman" fans know as Commissioner Gordon.
The cast also includes Katie Holmes as one of Wayne's childhood friends, Liam Neeson as Batman's mentor, Morgan Freeman as a disgruntled employee of Wayne Enterprises and "The Last Samurai" Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe as the sinister Ra's Al Ghul.
Warner Bros. is hoping to resurrect the character after 1997's "Batman & Robin" with George Clooney, which alienated many fans with its overly campy feel.
"Batman Begins" is set for release in summer 2005.
March 4th, 2004
The Star Online
Production begins for Batman
Director Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film, Batman Begins has
started production in Iceland and Gary Oldman has joined the all-star cast.
The announcement was made by Jeff Robinov, Warner Bros. Pictures’ President
of Production.
Oldman will play Lieutenant James Gordon, a detective on the Gotham police force.
Batman Begins stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman; Michael Caine as his
trusted butler Alfred; Katie Holmes as a Wayne’s childhood friend Rachel;
Liam Neeson as Wayne’s mentor Henri Ducard; Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox,
a former board member and sidelined employee of Wayne Enterprises and Ken Watanabe
as the villainous Ra’s Al Ghul.
March 3rd, 2004
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Gary Oldman is set to play a cop opposite Christian Bale in "Batman Begins," which has begun production in Iceland.
Christopher Nolan is directing the Warner Bros. film, which also will shoot in London and Chicago. Oldman will play Lt. James Gordon, a detective on the Gotham police force.
He joins Bale, cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman; Michael Caine as Wayne's 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.
Oldman next stars in "Harry Potter (news - web sites) and the Prisoner of Azkaban." His last major films were 2001's "Hannibal," and 2000's "The Contender."
March 2nd, 2004
Batman in Iceland
The fifth Batman movie is currently being filmed in Iceland. A spokesman for the producers will not disclose where the filming is actually taking place but RUV (National Broadcasting Company) has information that it is near Skaftafell, south-east Iceland.
The film crew counts around 200 people and among the actors are Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes and Christian Bale. Actors Christian Bale and Liam Neeson and director Christopher Nolan arrived yesterday and are expecting to be shooting in one or two weeks.
The Icelandic crew has signed a contract of confidence not to talk about the film or where exactly it's being filmed. When filming is done here in Iceland, the crew goes to England to film there.