Batman Gears Up to Fight Mystery Villain

By Elizabeth Yun Posted Mar 9th 2011 11:20AM

Comic book fans and cinemaphiles have a common question on their lips today: Who will be Batman's new nemesis in the 'Dark Knight Rises'?

Speaking to E! Online at the premiere of 'Red Riding Hood,' Gary Oldman, who plays Commissioner Gordon in the Christopher Nolan-directed superhero reboots, revealed, "I think it's a villain from one of the old, old, from way back from the old comics."

It was already confirmed that 'Inception' star Tom Hardy would be making an appearance as Bane, and Anne Hathaway beat out some heavy competition, including Keira Knightley and Jessica Biel, to land the role of Catwoman. But reports of Nolan casting Joseph Gordon-Levitt in an unspecified role in the third installment have led to a new round of villainous rumors.

Oldman wouldn't give away much, but he did confirm, "It's not going to be the Joker." Late actor Heath Ledger won a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his turn as the Joker in 'The Dark Knight.' Nolan already confirmed last summer that the Joker would not be making a return. "For me, Heath was the definitive Joker," he said. "It wouldn't feel appropriate to readdress that character."

If Gordon-Levitt is, in fact, joining the cast, he would make a great Riddler, but Nolan quashed those rumors before they even started when he told the Los Angeles Times in October, "It won't be the Riddler."

And we won't be getting any more hints from Oldman, who, when pressed, added, "If I told you who the villain was, they'd kill me."

Nolan hinted that he plans to make 'The Dark Knight Rises' his last contribution to the franchise when he told the Los Angeles Times, "We want to finish our story." Christian Bale, who stars as Batman, also revealed that this would be his last time appearing in the role "unless Chris says different."

Tags: batman, Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, the dark knight rises

Comments

(19)

Wednesday 09 March

By stu

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it should be the Madd Hater!

By Cat Jones

Madd Hater? I'm guessing you mean Mad Hatter....

By Andy

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I'm sorry, but Anne Hathaway just looks like a dufus. Jessica Biel would be a much better (sexier) Catwoman.

By rm444

Gotta agree on both counts.
Biel would be absolutely booty-licious in that skin tight cat suit. Purrrrrrrfect.

Has it actually been confirmed that Hathaway is going to don the cat suit? Last I heard, she was cast as Selina Kyle, which doesn't necessarily mean Catwoman will make an appearance.

By K the Pimp Daddy

"Nolan, who is producing, not directing, 'The Dark Knight Rises'..."

Christopher Nolan is directing The Dark Knight Rises, you may be confusing this w/ Superman which he's strictly producing.

By Karl

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1) "It's not doing to be the Joker" contains a typo that shouldn't be too difficult to find.
2) Christopher Nolan is - and always has been - directing THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. The statement about him producing, not directing, refers to his involvement in the new Superman movie, which Zack Snyder is directing.
3) I'm convinced no one edits anything anymore.

By Courtney

I hope it is the Penquin!!

By tony

maybe its the warlock.

By vinny

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maybe Hollywood needs some new ideas!

By Scott K

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Heath Ledger did a terrible job as the Joker he did not deserve the oscar or even a nomination for that horrible portrail. I watched it once and will never watch that movie again. The first one was great. HEATH LEDGER KILLED THE JOKER.

By qwerty

Scott K, I'm sure Heath Ledger would've been heart broken that you didn't like his PORTRAYAL of the joker. How could he not be after hearing criticism like that from a worthless virgin who spells at a first grade level? Stay off big kid forums and just continue to play video games and whack off to Jack Nicholson's picture, okay?

By Stan

I'm gonna take Karl's approach to this one:

1) Scott K is an arse.
2) Scott K is - and always has been - and arse.
3) I'm convinced Scott K is an arse.

Thursday 10 March

Oh, and before Karl notices it, that's "an arse". LOL =D

By umhmmyeahok

Joseph Gordon-Levitt will be playing Robin...

By Ruth

Doctor Death would be a great villain for Batman to fight.

By Erik

I would like to either see Black Mask, Clayface, Hush, or The Ventriloquist.

By Asep Duvaine

I would put money on it being Hugo Strange.

By JSG

Dr. Hugo Strange.. nuff said.