News: Bale is Batman

Well, I knew he was one of the two finalists, and I had a feeling he was the one. And I knew that the decision was coming REAL soon. This press release in today from Warner Brothers announcing that Christian Bale will be the next Batman. Oh yeah, congrats to all you Bat fan-boys, this is what you wanted:

BURBANK, CA, 11 September 2003 –- Christian Bale has been cast in the starring role of Bruce Wayne in Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming Batman movie, to be directed by Christopher Nolan and produced by Emma Thomas. The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of production for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Principal photography on the film is expected to begin in early 2004. The movie is written by David Goyer and Nolan, and will follow the early career of The Dark Knight.

Said Nolan, "What I see in Christian is the ultimate embodiment of Bruce Wayne. He has exactly the balance of darkness and light that we were looking for."

Robinov stated, "Now that we've found the best person to play Batman, we are really looking forward to moving ahead with the rest of our casting, and are excited about the exceptional group we are assembling."
Now, according to Harry at AICN, "one" of the villains is Ras Al Ghul, and The Scarecrow--as has long been reported by BOF--will have a "small part." And the film will also include London as a setting. What has Nolan and Goyer have cooking? The great thing is that we soon shall see!

Also, keep an eye out for some things an earlier scooper--the "Fuel Man"--told BOF. If you remember, he said the following were mandated by Nolan: smaller, sleeker batmobile, & the departure of the rubber suit. He had also mentioned that Bale was one of the names on WB's Bat-list.

It is on! After over five years of running this site. Over five years of trying to make sure that WB would give us the ultimate Bat-film. After five years of wishing and hoping, and ups and downs. After almost getting BATMAN vs. SUPERMAN in the summer of '02--only to have the rug pulled out from under us. We have finally won! We perhaps ARE finally getting the ultimate Bat-film! With a great director, screenwriter, and now an actor that most Bat-fans wanted, how could this go wrong? Good job WB, you got this one right. And I gotta wonder if BOF, and YOU influenced WB at all? Now WB, get that damn movie out--which by the way, is scheduled for a 2005 release.

Morgan Freeman is The Scarecrow -
Tony Hopkins is Pennyworth?
Thursday, 10.30.03:
And didn't I just tell ya'll that there would not be any major casting news--official news, that is--until after the first of the year? Yeah, I think I did. Anyway, AICN is reporting the same timeframe for casting annoucements that you 'ol friends here at BOF have been telling you: There will be no major casting annoucements until after the first of the year. Cool. But Harry is also reporting this:

"...the producers are looking at a few high level actors for a few of the supporting roles. It looks like they are focused on Morgan Freeman for a 'Dr./Scientist' role. What this role is, I don't know for sure...but it's possibly one of the main villian roles. And get this.....they are considering Anthony Hopkins for 'Alfred'."

Now, I could dig that casting--in fact, dig it quite a bit. Let's see if it pans out. What I am curious about is, who the hell is going to be Gordon? And, didn't I tell ya'll that I have always heard that The Scarecrow was in this film? I guess we will soon see.		 Malkovich to be The Scarecrow?
 Wednesday, 10.08.03:
I was talking via email last night to another internet entertainment reporter--from one of the bigger websites you'd know--regarding the latest BATMAN casting rumors. And he reminded me that John Malkovich has long been rumored for the role of The Scarecrow. And that's true, going all the way back to the days of the long dead BATMAN TRIUMPHANT. And with the rumors that The Scarecrow could be in Chris Nolan's Bat-film, perhaps Malkovich is up for that role? I'm not saying he is--hell, I don't even know for sure that he's up for any Bat-role. But, IMO, he's make a pretty good Dr. Crane.

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