Production timeline of a film: The Dark Knight (2008)
Hi folks, thanks to the great response to my previous post for Batman Begins, I've decided the logical choice for the next post to be for the sequel.
I was originally going to do The Lord of the Rings trilogy but the vast amount of information will probably keep me reading up on it throughout the rest of the month. It's a wildly interesting read nevertheless.
Once again, many thanks to Jett from batman-on-film.com for his outstanding updates throughout the years. Let's get on to it...
Post Batman Begins
2005
Jun: Batman Begins is released to both critical and commercial success. Warner Bros. is reportedly "thrilled" by its reception and immediately greenlights a sequel to the reboot. Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman all are signed to 3 picture deals starting with 'Begins'. Warner also signs its writer David Goyer to pen the story immediately after the second week of its release. The only question?: Will Christopher Nolan be back?
It may seem to be a given, but Nolan has a fair share of projects he'd like to work on including his adaptation of the Christopher Priest novel 'The Prestige', which will reportedly star Jude Law. He is also hoping to resurrect his Howard Hughes project now that Scorsese's 'The Aviator' has been away from theaters.
Warner Bros. would love to have a sequel ready for release by summer of 2007, but that would mean fast tracking the project, echoing the two year journey from Batman Forever (1995) to the disastrous Batman & Robin (1997). In Warner's mind, Nolan did his job in rebooting a tired franchise in 8 years and delivered a film that will not easily be topped. The question that remains will be if Warner Bros. can be patient for Nolan to return to the franchise even if it takes a few years longer than a sequel would normally be made?
'Begins' sets an Imax release 5 day record, which could pique the interest of motion picture studios to release their tentpole films in Imax formats in the near future.
July: Warner Bros. President Alan Horn gives an interview with Fox News(http://ift.tt/1XcGLB7), confirming the next film(s) will stay in tone with Batman Begins, alleviating fans fears among reports/rumors the studio is looking to go lighter in tone a la the previous films.
"Batman Begins," he said, had to be "about Batman's dark side, about the Dark Knight. We couldn't go back to what had happened before." He meant to "Batman Forever" (1995, starring Val Kilmer) and "Batman and Robin" (1997, with George Clooney). "They were terrible," he said. "But we're also the studio that made 'Catwoman' and 'Pluto Nash,'" he said with a chuckle. "Everybody makes mistakes."
Rumors and message board speculation aplenty as Katie Holmes is reportedly not returning for the sequel and Steve Carell's name is added to the list of "Joker candidates", joining Sean Penn, Paul Bettany, Johnny Depp, Crispin Glover, and Lachy Hulme to the 'wishlist' made by fans across the net.
August: Some newsworthy bits make the rounds as Cillian Murphy gives his first interview on the sequel and if he has been contacted about appearing as the Scarecrow again (he has not heard anything yet).
Steve Carell speaks out on the rumors of his involvement as the Joker.
"I just heard that for the first time this morning and I had no… Yeah! That would be hilar - I would love to do that! But I doubt that it's true. (Laughs) ... No, he's [possibly Charles Roven] never said anything about that, so I think that's probably completely fabricated. But I love it. I love the rumor. That would be cool. (laughs)"
AiCN reports Christopher Nolan's next film will undoubtedly be 'The Prestige', which will either have him not returning to do the sequel to 'Begins' or the studio would wait another year for him to finish work on this film.
Producer Charles Roven gives a brief statement to the Chicago Sun Times that the sequel will return to Chicago as the backdrop to Gotham City.
Will Batman return to Chicago to shoot on location for a proposed sequel to "Batman Begins," starring Christian Bale again as the Caped Crusader? Save a parking spot for the Batmobile on Lower Wacker. "We're definitely talking about doing another Batman," says producer Chuck Roven. "And we love Chicago...Chicago was fantastic to us last time."
Sep: Famed Batman writer Frank Miller, which Begins was heavily influenced by his 'Year One' arc, [gave his opinion](http://ift.tt/24TpVdd) on 'Batman Begins'.
"I totally thought they did a damned good job [on that movie]," says Miller. "It was the first 'Batman' movie I've genuinely liked. I sat there, I watched it, and I came out of there going, 'Well done, man.' Sure, they used my stuff – they used everybody's stuff, but they used my stuff a lot – but they did it well, and that's all I care about. It was Batman. What I mean by that is, I thought the character was true. You understand, when I work on a character, I have a very, very hard time seeing anybody else's interpretation. I get very possessive. But when I went out to see this thing, I said, 'This is a pretty cool Batman.' I wasn't sitting there going, 'This is a merchandising tool.' I felt like it really had heart and substance, and Christian Bale with no doubt performed the best Batman I have ever seen."
Bloody-disgusting.com reports Crispin Glover shot down rumors of his involvement as a potential Joker candidate with Warner Bros.
"The rumors that he will play the Joker in the next Batman were also shot down. According to Crispin, they are strictly internet based but he would love the opportunity to do it. He hopes that the buzz might rub off on the studio."
Sequel title rumors are thrown around heavily revolving around 3 potential titles: 'Batman Attacks', 'Batman Strikes', and 'Batman Escalation'. All 3 are met with lukewarm responses from the fan community.
Oct: "The Prestige" is officially announce as Christopher Nolan's next film and will star his 'Begins' star Christian Bale, as well as Wolverine from the X-Men franchise, Hugh Jackman as rival magicians. This all but confirms that Nolan will return to work on the sequel after this film as Bale would not have signed on without Warner Bros.' approval knowing they would have to film the sequel the same time if the project was fast-tracked. Warner is making a smart business decision by waiting for the creative minds to move on their own pace.
THR quotes Warner exec Jeff Robinov as saying "Chris Nolan is going to come in and tell us what the next 'Batman' will be today".
Christopher Nolan speaks with IGN filmforce about the sequel as well as about.com
Two villians, or just The Joker? "I wouldn’t want to talk about any specifics per se. All I can really say is it’s a film we’re talking about doing." Will WB make the same mistakes with this series that they did with the last one? "Well, to me it’s more about the filmmakers and their collaboration with the studio. I don’t think you can necessarily lay all the blame at the feet of the studio or all the blame at the feet of the filmmakers. With franchise properties, with the idea of sequels, as I see it, the only reason to do a sequel is to do something better than the film you’ve made before. That’s the reason you have to be doing it, with that kind of intention. That’s the only way in which I would enter into the process." Can Robin be used without dumbing down the thing? "Possibly, but I can’t really talk about specifics."
Boxofficemojo has another interview with Nolan about the sequel.
"I can't talk about it. These are very early days. I'm going to do THE PRESTIGE first—about a couple of magicians who become involved in sabotaging each other acts, set in turn of the century London—and then we'll be looking at doing a BATMAN picture. Batman is positive, but I believe that, in the first couple of years, he's going to find an increasingly negative response from society, because the truth is that, when you have a powerful, negative city like Gotham, it didn't become corrupt by accident, and those entrenched people are going to respond very vigorously."
Dec: Christian Bale breaks his silence on the sequel and talks about Batman to IFMagazine.
"It's all that kind of deal where I'll get it in the head if I talked," laughs Bale.
One thing Bale was extremely pleased with was the support fans gave him and director Christopher Nolan’s dark, art-house-like superhero film and hopes the next film will continue in that vein.
"We know now that people have supported what we achieved," admits the actor. "I have to say though that I always like the idea of not knowing if people are going to like it and then that gives me a certain drive to improve what I believe the correct way of bringing the character about. I like the slightly self-destructive notion of like, 'You know what, I'm going to do this regardless and if people don't like it then well I'm out. That's it.' I'm kind of enjoying that possibility and that will always be there, but we can't help that recognize that we're probably on slightly safer ground now with the second one. But in doing that there's the great danger of becoming too comfortable and obviously with the second one you have to outdo the first one."
The key for Bale is progressing with the character and story.
"You have to keep on moving forward and pressing on and finding new and impressive character points and storylines, but I've got real confidence," says Bale. "I think that Chris is such a smart man and when I did finally get into the game I would have certain questions about why he was doing something and not quite understanding it. He would explain it to me and it would be like, 'Now that he's said it's so obvious. That really works. Yeah.' So I have great faith in him that he will be pulling something out of the hat that will be even better than the first one."
2006
Jan: USAToday does an interview with Adrien Brody where the actor essentially throws his name into the Joker hat.
"I watched BATMAN BEGINS," said the actor when asked what movie he last watched. "I thought it was really cool. I would love to play The Joker. I think he would be deformed and creepier."
Feb: Variety reports David Goyer has written a treatment for the sequel and Jonathan Nolan, brother of the director's, will pen the screenplay.
Warner Bros. Pictures is already planning the next installments to “Batman Begins” and “Superman Returns,” with respective helmers Christopher Nolan and Bryan Singer in line to return.
Neither director’s deal is closed; the studio has hired Jonah Nolan — Christopher’s brother — to pen the screenplay for the untitled “Batman” project. Studio has options on “Batman Begins” star Christian Bale and “Superman Returns” star Brandon Routh.
Next installment in the Caped Crusader franchise is further along in the process since “Batman Begins” was released last summer; Singer’s “Superman Returns,” now in post, doesn’t bow until June 30.
It’s not clear when the “Batman Begins” sequel would begin shooting, although it would likely start production and be released before the “Superman” sequel.
Christopher Nolan is presently shooting “The Prestige,” a Disney release that Jonah Nolan scripted from a Christopher Priest novel.
“Batman Begins” co-writers David Goyer and Christopher Nolan wrote a treatment for the sequel. Goyer, who recently completed “The Invisible” for Touchstone, also is set to write and direct “The Flash” for Warners.
Mar: Actor Tom Wilkenson speaks to Empire Magazine about his character from Begins and if he is interested in returning for the sequel.
"I rather liked him [Falcone]. I kind of thought it was fun to play...I thought it was a great role. [As far as returning for the sequel], my character’s mad and possibly dead so I don’t think so."
Jun: Robin Williams throws his hat into the Joker mix as well. Speaking to IGN UK: "Oh God, I'd love to do that one. Well, you want to do a different Joker. You know, if they do 'Arkham Asylum,' it would be amazing. 'Arkham Asylum' is one of the greatest, nastiest comic books ever."
Jul: In an interview with Turner Classic Movies, Michael Caine lets slip of the villain of the sequel.
"...there are three pictures I want to do, small parts. One [Children of Men, released September 2006] is with Alfonso Cuaron who directed Y tu Mama Tambien, I wanted to work with him and then Christopher Nolan who directed Batman is doing a smaller film called The Prestige about magicians and it’s very interesting. And we’re going to make The Joker next year."
July 20th 2006: During Comic-Con in San Diego, LatinoReview breaks the news of the coveted role of the Joker going to Heath Ledger. Also noted is the production title of the sequel will be 'Rory's First Kiss'.
July 20 - July 23: The internet freaks out.
August 1st, 2006: Warner Bros. sends out a press release regarding the casting and the title for the sequel to 'Begins'.
As a follow up to last year’s blockbuster Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan is set to direct Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Dark Knight, written by Jonathan Nolan, based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. The film will be produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan. Additionally, Christian Bale will resume his role as Bruce Wayne and Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has been cast as The Joker. The announcements were made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Christopher Nolan revamped the Batman franchise in 2005 with the immensely successful Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale in the title role, which chronicled the early years of the superhero. Nolan first garnered attention from critics and fans in 2000 with the groundbreaking drama Memento, which he wrote and directed. He went on to direct the thriller Insomnia, starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and recently wrapped production on The Prestige, with Hugh Jackman and Bale.
Bale was most recently seen in the ensemble cast of Terrence Malick’s The New World. His other credits include Little Women, Portrait of a Lady, Metroland, American Psycho, Laurel Canyon and Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun, which was his first starring role.
Ledger most recently earned Oscar Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the award-winning drama Brokeback Mountain. His other credits include Casanova, Monster’s Ball, Lords of Dogtown, The Brothers Grimm and The Patriot.
“Chris’ unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight,” said Robinov. “We also can’t wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker.” “I'm excited to continue the story we started with Batman Begins,” added Nolan. “Our challenge in casting The Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless. Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale’s Batman is going to be incredible.”
Production is set to begin on The Dark Knight in early 2007.
Pre-Production
Sep: David Goyer gives a brief update on the project to CBR news.
How about THE DARK KNIGHT? Chris Nolan's finished with THE PRESTIGE and Heath Ledger has been cast as the Joker. I'm guessing the two of you and screenwriter Jonathan Nolan will be getting together pretty soon?
“That's already been done.”
Has the story already been completely worked out?
“It's gone into Jonathan's hands and it's now out of Jonathan's hands and now in Chris' hands.”
Have you had a chance to look over the final product and make some additional suggestions?
“Yup. It's really further along than people may think.”
Heath Ledger finally breaks his silence after being cast as the iconic Joker to the Toronto Star newspaper.
"It's definitely going to stump people. I think it'll be more along the lines of how the Joker was meant to be in the comics, darker and more sinister."
“I wouldn't have thought of me, either. But it's obviously not going to be what Jack Nicholson did. It's going to be more nuanced and dark and more along the lines of A Clockwork Orange kind of feel. Which is, I think, what the comic book was after: less about his laugh and more about his eyes.”
"I actually hate comic book movies, like f**ing hate them, they just bore me sh*less and they're just dumb. But I thought what Chris Nolan did with [BATMAN BEGINS] was actually really good, really well directed, and Christian Bale was really great in it."
"He's going to be really sinister and it's going to be less about his laugh and his pranks and more about just him being a just a f***ing sinister guy."
[Asked if he decides to do a big movie like this, because of agent pressure.] "I'm sure they're super happy that I'm doing this [THE DARK KNIGHT], because this is the first time I've really kind of taken something like that, so they're over the moon. But I think it's just going to be a really fun experience, and I love to dress up and wear a mask."
[How will his Joker look?] "I've seen a few interesting designs on the look and I think that it's going to look pretty cool."
"When he explained to me the angle he wanted to take, I was like, 'Yeah, I could do that,'" Ledger says. "[Nolan's] going to make it a lot more sinister, and we've got a little plan for him, but it's exciting. Any opportunity to don a mask is always exciting to me."
[BATMAN (1989)] was dominated by Jack Nicholson's acclaimed performance as the psychotic villain, but Ledger isn't intimidated by his predecessor's turn.
"I love, love, love what Nicholson did," Ledger says. "[But] his performance was catering to the style of directing the movie was made under. It was a Tim Burton film. It wasn't Chris Nolan."
Oct: During a Q&A for 'The Prestige', Nolan answers briefly about questions regarding 'The Dark Knight'.
- Is Harvey Dent in the film - "I don't want to go into too many specifics. Yes, he is."
-
Will Dent be played by an American, Aussie, or Brit, and has an actor been cast? - “You’ll see” and “Not yet.”
-
Does it tie into BATMAN BEGINS? - “It does, absolutely. It's a pretty direct continuation of where the last film left off, and the last scene of BATMAN BEGINS suggests a strong direction we wanted to take the story in. It absolutely carries on with a lot of the thematic concerns and hopefully takes it someplace new.”
Nov: Composer Hans Zimmer gives an interview to soundtrack.net on what we can expect for the next film music wise.
You mentioned before that you were probably going to be working on The Dark Knight, but it's not certain... "Nothing is ever certain. They haven't even finished the script yet."
Assuming you do it, though, would you be able pull James Newton Howard back in? "Absolutely! I should say we are doing Batman. I wouldn't leave home without him!"
In the score to the first film, the main "Batman" theme only shows up towards the end, kind of like a springboard for the second film... "Absolutely, that's the whole idea. It's Batman Begins! There's a whole theme that's written and on purpose not in the movie. We were basically betting that this movie might work out alright and there would be another one, so we wanted the character to develop. He hasn't earned that theme yet!"
Dec: According to the Chicago Tribune, Warner Bros. has committed to shooting 'The Dark Knight' in Chicago for its Gotham City portions a la 'Begins'.
2007
Jan: Variety breaks the news that Katie Holmes will not return as Rachel Dawes and will instead star in the film 'Mad Money' with Queen Latifah. What will happen with the character remains to be seen.
Feb: LA Daily News reports Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' will begin filming in April of this year.
THR and Variety report Aaron Eckhart has won the role of Harvey Dent in the upcoming film. Maggie Gyllenhaal is in negotiations to replace Holmes as Rachel Dawes.
Variety additionally breaks the news Warner Bros. has commissioned a Justice League project from screenwriters, Kiernan and Michele Mulroney. Apparently this film will have nothing to do with the Nolan films and will be its separate entity/universe.
MSNBC.com talks to Ledger about the Joker
As the Joker in the new "Batman" movie, have you tried on the mask yet? "Metaphorically, yes. I've been bouncing around like a lunatic for four months. I definitely have a different take on him, but I've yet to do a proper makeup run. It's on the agenda."
Do you walk around the house all day practicing your laugh? "I'd be lying if I said I haven't been."
April 13th, 2007: Principal Photography begins in Chicago.
Tons of set reports by Chicago citizens flood the message boards as the two week shooting schedule in Chicago is ripe for discussion. Apparently Nolan and his crew are seen with Imax cameras for a scene on a rooftop and inside of a national bank. Many report seeing actor William Fichtner on set filming scenes for the film.
According to LA Daily News, Eric Roberts has been cast as a 'Mafia Kingpin'.
Christian Bale speaks with IESB.net
On working with Heath Ledger: "Absolutely, he is a great choice for it. I like it personally. Heath has a really crazy take for playing that role. He’s going to do something really different with it."
Will we see more detective work from Batman?: (Bale picks up water bottle, starts drinking; laughter in room) "Is that clear enough?"
On playing The Batman again: "You know, I think that you got see with the other versions. You know it wasn’t my cup of tea anyway, you know, it didn’t really keep it going but I got Chris Nolan, whom I’m working with for the third time now. He ain’t going to be making a movie if he’s not going to do something very different with it, which he states. Actually, I’m very much liking the idea because I’m having the pros playing the role before. So I know it already and obviously there will be progress. We got a great cast, and Chris and I work very well together, so I know that we are going to find an awful lot to add to it. It’s certainly not the last thing is treading water, but what we have now, we were confident before in what we wanted to do but other people didn’t know, it was untested now other people support us too so we have all of that extra support behind us to sort of let rip and take it through."
May: The official website for The Dark Knight goes live with its first look at the logo for the film.
May 20th, 2007: The first look at Ledger as the Joker appears online.
Warner Bros. mysteriously posts the domain http://ift.tt/24TpWhj on its http://ift.tt/17fwaKp site.
Warner Bros. officially announces 'The Dark Knight' will be the first feature film to be shot partly with IMAX cameras.
"All directors promise that their sequels will be bigger and flashier than the predecessors'. But Christopher Nolan doesn't mess around.
The director's sequel to Batman Begins -- The Dark Knight -- will become the first feature film to be partly shot in the IMAX format, an expensive and cumbersome process that typically is the province of documentaries and short films.
Nolan will shoot four action sequences — including the introduction of The Joker, played by Heath Ledger — on IMAX. The move is one of Hollywood's most pronounced steps yet in its embrace of IMAX theaters, which are increasingly showing commercial fare on their giant screens.
'There's simply nothing like seeing a movie that way,' Nolan says. 'It's more immersive for the audience. I wish I could shoot the entire thing this way.'
'Batman has some of the most extraordinary characters in pop culture. We wanted The Joker to have the grandest entrance possible.'"
Jun: Entertainment Weekly magazine releases the first ever look at the new batsuit worn by Christian Bale in the film. They also release a photo of the Bat-pod.
Jul: Despite not setting up an official panel at the famed San Diego Comic-Con, Warner Bros. begins its marketing blitz for the film in the area. A skywritten message on the sky prompted curious onlookers to dial the number written and directed to a voicemail from the Joker looking for candidates who are worthy of "tryouts".
WhySoSerious.com becomes the next site to pop up in the viral marketing.
On the 2nd day of Comic-Con, the teaser trailer finally hits and makes top headlines. The Dark Knight, despite not physically being there, dominates discussion at the media/fan heavy event.
Aug: Excitement on the net as 18 photos are somehow leaked to the mainstream, and despite Warner Bros.' effort to try and contain them, they're spreading at a rapid pace.
Sep: Distressing news, as a crew member of 'The Dark Knight' has passed away from a tragic accident.
Via Warner Bros.: "There was a fatal accident at a special effects facility for THE DARK KNIGHT. A technician on the film died when the truck he was in struck a tree following a test run. Warner Bros Pictures and the entire cast and crew of The Dark Knight are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and their hearts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased."
Principal Photography wraps after filming in Hong Kong for a 'heist' sequence.
Post Production
Nov: Empire Magazine shows off the first full glimpse of The Joker in their new issue, to hit stands in January.
Christian Bale is cast as John Connor for the next installment in the Terminator franchise. Discussion arises about the status of the third Batman film with Bale's schedule growing smaller by the day.
Dec: The Dark Knight prologue, filmed in IMAX cameras entirely, makes its debut in front of I Am Legend screenings only at IMAX theaters. The trailer comes at the end of the prologue.
A full length trailer makes its debut online.
2008
Jan: MTV catches up with Mark Hamill on his thoughts on Ledger's Joker. "For all those fans that dreamed of an adult approach to the material, BATMAN BEGINS got nearly everything right. I have no doubt this one will be just as good or better. The balls-out debauched psycho approach seems like a great way of reinventing everyone’s favorite scary (and scar-y) clown. [I] can’t wait to see it."
Warner Bros. is reportedly undecided on whether they would like to shelve the George Miller 'Justice League: Mortal' film or continue on with it.
January 22nd, 2008: Fans are stunned to the announcement of Heath Ledger's death.
Warner Bros. releases the first statement along with a tribute memorial on the official website: http://ift.tt/1XcGJJr
Christopher Nolan writes a tribute message for Ledger in Newsweek as a guest columnist: http://ift.tt/13EwJRG
Feb*: USAToday examines the options for the studio in marketing the late actor's character for the summer blockbuster.
Christian Bale will not be the one to play the titular character in Gotham Knight, as veteran and fan favorite Batman actor, Kevin Conroy will once again play the role that made him famous. The anime film will consist of several segments, all directed by different auteurs.
Mar: The marketing team moves to focus on Harvey Dent by outlying Aaron Eckhart's schedule to appear in person (and in character) at designated rallies: http://ift.tt/24TpS0V
DarkHorizons reports the final cut of the film is somewhere between 160-180 minutes.
The latest on viral sites: http://ift.tt/1XcGLBj
Apr: The 3rd and final full length trailer makes its debut
Jun: Only a month away from release, Rolling Stone magazine's critic, Peter Travers, releases the first review for the film, exciting fans across the internet with the header: "Heads up: a thunderbolt is about to rip into the blanket of bland we call summer movies."
July 18th, 2008 - July 23rd, 2008: 'The Dark Knight' releases to an all time box office record of $158 million in its opening weekend and making $400 million worldwide in only its 18th day of release. Critical and commercial reception is at a stratospheric high for the franchise. One can only wonder where the story goes on now...
Thanks for taking the time to read it all if you've done so, properly spent my Sunday morning with sore hands now. Logically, I guess the next one would be the time between this film and The Dark Knight Rises. However, just glancing at a few tepid crazy rumors ("Miley Cyrus will be Batgirl!" or "Chris Nolan hates Christian Bale and wants Sam Worthington to play Bruce Wayne!!"), the sheer amount of news/rumors/bullsh*t that came from this time period will be absolutely exhausting by the time its said and done.
That and please leave more suggestions if you have other films you would like for me to report on, from its concept to the release. Cheers and have a good rest of the Sunday to you.
Submitted May 16, 2016 at 01:11AM by lipstickpizza http://ift.tt/1ZUaTk5
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