Warner Bros.

Fan-Made, Fake Posters For ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ or ‘Untitled Batman Project’

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:50:31 -0600

CHICAGO – There was talk of a sequel even before “The Dark Knight” hit theaters and obliterated box-office records. That’s all we still have at this point, but we also have a pair of decent, fan-made posters for “The Dark Knight” sequel.

Though IMDb lists the poster above in its entry for the next “The Dark Knight” film, which is
currently being called “The Dark Knight Returns” or the “Untitled Batman Project,” this image
is a fan-made creation and can be found in this GameSpot discussion thread on Aug. 30, 2008.
Image credit: GameSpot discussion thread

Though so much of the project is still up in the air and unofficial, what’s currently being called “The Dark Knight Returns” (which may or may not be the sequel’s actual title) or the “Untitled Batman Project” (as it’s now listed on IMDb) has a fan-made poster above that dates back at least to Aug. 30, 2008 in this GameSpot discussion thread.

Though the poster above is currently displayed within the images for the “Untitled Batman Project” on IMDb with a release date for the film in 2011, we can confirm that it is fake. A number of other posters for “The Dark Knight Returns” have surfaced online and also have been confirmed as fake, fan-made creations (see below). While it’s too early to speculate on casting news, Aaron Eckhart has been in the news recently on the topic.

This poster for “The Dark Knight Returns” is confirmed as fake and is a fan-made creation.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

“The Dark Knight” recently hit the colossal $1 billion mark in global box-office receipts. This currently puts the Warner Bros. film as the No. 4 highest-grossing movie of all time. It’s just behind “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” ($1.066 billion), “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” ($1.119 billion) and “Titanic” ($1.842 billion).

Though there’s little conclusive information about the new film at this point, “The Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan may have his eyes set squarely this time on The Riddler. The Riddler (also known as Edward Nigma, Nygma or Nashton in the comic books from DC Comics) was played by Jim Carrey in 1995’s “Batman Forever”. There’s also talk about including Catwoman in the sequel.

Just like you could count on HollywoodChicago.com to bring you comprehensive and exhaustive coverage of “The Dark Knight” directly from the local streets of Chicago, so you can consider us a safe bet for our coverage on the sequel.

“The Dark Knight,” which was released on July 18, 2008, starred a powerhouse cast including the late Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, Chin Han, Eric Roberts and Anthony Michael Hall from writer and director Christopher Nolan.

If you can’t wait for 2011 for the next Christopher Nolan film, though, you’re in luck now! We have a just-released teaser trailer for Nolan’s sci-fi thriller “Inception”.

“Inception” features a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page (“Juno”), Cillian Murphy (“Sunshine”), Joseph Gordon-Levitt of “(500) Days of Summer,” Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), Ken Watanabe, Tom Berenger and Michael Caine (“The Dark Knight”). Emma Thomas is a producer of “Inception,” which is written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight,” “The Prestige,” “Batman Begins,” “Insomnia,” “Memento”).

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

‘Watchmen’ at Chicago’s Navy Pier IMAX Adds Morning Screening on March 6, 2009

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:22:30 -0700

CHICAGO – If you’re like many others who crave braving the opening-day crowds to see the highly anticipated new “Watchmen” film, HollywoodChicago.com has learned that Chicago’s Navy Pier IMAX theatre has just added one additional screening at 7 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009. Chicago moviegoers could even catch the flick and make it to work by 10 a.m.

“Watchmen,” which is a movie adaptation of one of the most celebrated graphic novels of our time, stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer, Laura Mennell, Stephen McHattie, Rob LaBelle, Gary Houston, James M. Connor and Mary Ann Burger from “300” director Zack Snyder.

Opening weekend will begin with a sold-out screening at midnight on Friday, March 6, 2009 (i.e. late Thursday night on March 5, 2009). IMAX tickets for opening weekend – including the newly added 7 a.m. screening – are now on sale. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $13 for children. They are available at the Navy Pier IMAX theatre box office at 700 E. Grand Ave. or online here.

The “Watchmen” ensemble.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

“The film and story are so detailed,” said “Watchmen” director Zack Snyder in a Tuesday statement. “The minutiae of its setting and characters are integral to the film. Seeing the film presented in IMAX will allow audiences to be fully immersed in the world of ‘Watchmen’.”

Here is the “Watchmen” plot description (source):

In a gritty and alternate 1985, the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown. After one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered, though, an investigation into the killer is initiated.

The reunited heroes set out to prevent their own destruction, but in doing so, they discover a deeper and much more diabolical plot.

Before “Watchmen” opens, Chicagoans have one last chance to see “The Dark Knight” in IMAX. Featuring the Oscar-winning performance by the late Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight” was originally released in July 2008. “The Dark Knight” will be screened for the final time in Chicago on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Tickets are now available now for the final days of “The Dark Knight”.

See our 26-image “Watchmen” slideshow of world-premiere arrivals.
See our 26-image “Watchmen” slideshow (part one).
See our 26-image “Watchmen” slideshow (part two).
Read more “Watchmen” coverage on HollywoodChicago.com.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Heath Ledger Wins First ‘The Dark Knight’ Award From Australian Film Institute

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:57:05 -0700

CHICAGO – With the 80th-annual Academy Awards set for Feb. 22, 2009 and Oscar nominations to be announced on Jan. 22, 2009, the late actor Heath Ledger on Saturday was awarded his first acting honor from the Australian Film Institute (AFI) for his supporting role as The Joker in “The Dark Knight”. Australia is his home country.

Heath Ledger as The Joker in “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

The AFI awarded Ledger – who died at the age of 28 of an accidental painkiller overdose in New York on Jan. 22, 2008 – one of its most prestigious awards: the international award for best actor.

The award ceremony was held at Melbourne’s Princess Theater. The award for Heath Ledger was accepted by his sister, Kate Ledger, and his family. The AFI said at its 50th-annual awards ceremony that Ledger was a “groundbreaking actor trapped in the body of a leading man. He was the untamed spirit many of us wish we could be. May the legend live on.”

“It has been without a doubt the most difficult year – losing such a loved family member,” Kate Ledger said at the AFI ceremony. “We are so proud of him and humbly accept this award on behalf of his beautiful daughter, Matilda, who we will cherish forever.”

For a woman in a lead role, Cate Blanchett won the equivalent AFI award for her role in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”. In addition to his role in “The Dark Knight,” Ledger is also remembered for his Oscar-nominated role as a gay cowboy in 2005’s “Brokeback Mountain”.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: Nine-Image Gallery of New ‘Watchmen’ Banners, Posters From ‘300’ Director Zack Snyder

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:28:30 -0700

CHICAGO – Warner Bros. recently released new posters and banner artwork for the highly anticipated 2009 film “Watchmen” from “300” director Zack Snyder. We present to you a nine-image slideshow of the new, high-quality “Watchmen” images for your viewing pleasure.

“Watchmen,” which is slated to open on March 6, 2009, stars Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Carla Gugino, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Malin Akerman.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All image credits for this “Watchmen” slideshow belong to Warner Bros.

watchmen1: Silk Spectre
watchmen2: Manhattan
watchmen3: Nite Owl
watchmen4: Rorschach
watchmen5: Ozymandias
watchmen6: Comedian
watchmen7: A “Watchmen” poster
watchmen8: A “Watchmen” poster
watchmen9: The “Watchmen” button

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Robert Downey Jr. Confirms Sherlock Holmes Role With Guy Ritchie Directing For Warner Bros.

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:04:34 -0600

CHICAGO – While the leap from 2008 blockbuster film “Iron Man” to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s titular mega sleuth wouldn’t seem the most logical next move for “A”-lister Robert Downey Jr., he will indeed play perhaps the most famed detective in literary history: Sherlock Holmes.

Guy Ritchie (“Revolver,” “Snatch,” “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”) will direct the film for Warner Bros. Early reaction to the announcement worries some film pundits.

Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark and Iron Man in 2008’s “Iron Man” (left) and Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes (right) in 1939’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles”.
Image credits: Paramount Pictures (left image) and BBC (right image)

Josh Horowitz at MTV wrote moments ago: “[Robert Downey Jr.] will surely make something arresting and innovative out of the part, but … does it have to be helmed by Guy? Does anything on his resume give you hope he has a Sherlock tale in him? I worry.”

The Hollywood Reporter adds: “The movie, which will shoot in the fall, takes its cue from a forthcoming comic book that producer Lionel Wigram wrote as a selling tool for a new take on the classic character. The concept sees Holmes as more adventurous and less stuffy than previous screen incarnations and mines more obscure character traits.”

E! Online reminds us: “This is not to be confused with the other awesome-sounding Arthur Conan Doyle-inspired film Judd Apatow is producing for Columbia Pictures with Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell set to star as [Sherlock] Holmes and Dr. Watson.”

The Robert Downey Jr.-starring and Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes film is slated to begin filming in Oct. 2008 with a release date in 2010.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

In ‘Get Smart’ Lifeless Retread, Steve Carell Can’t Fill Don Adams’ Shoe

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:37:59 -0600

CHICAGO – Observing the new “Get Smart” film, which is based on the 1960s TV sitcom of the same name, is to note how much has changed since the Cold War ended.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

KAOS and CONTROL – the U.S. and Russian spy agencies that square off in the movie – seem like relics of another era. In this age of homeland security and unlimited government wiretapping, it’s difficult to create fictional comedy that can compete with real-life absurdity.

The film version of “Get Smart” lives up to that truth. Combining dull action-movie elements, badly cast movie stars and an uncomfortable romance, the film has forgotten all about its TV roots and most of the humor.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Get Smart” in our reviews section.

View our full, high-resolution “Get Smart” image gallery.

Played by Steve Carell, Maxwell Smart is a Russian interpreter and communications administrator in the secret government spy agency CONTROL.

The chief (Alan Arkin) wants Smart to stay in the administration even though he longs to join spies like Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson) and work in the field.

After KAOS – a rival Russian agency – infiltrates and wrecks the CONTROL offices, Smart is promoted to field agent and partnered with super-spy Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). Their mission is to find out who’s behind KAOS and identify their evil plans.

“Get Smart,” which stars Steve Carell, Anna Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terence Stamp, Bill Murray and Ryan Seacrest, opened everywhere on June 20, 2008.

Steve Carell stars as Maxwell Smart (left) and Anne Hathaway stars as Agent 99 in “Get Smart”.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Anne Hathaway (left) stars as Agent 99 and Steve Carell stars as Maxwell Smart in “Get Smart”.
Photo credit: Tracy Bennett

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “Get Smart” review.

Chicago Filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos to Shoot Short Film ‘The Dark Knight Project’ This Weekend

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:55:33 -0600

CHICAGO – Chicago filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos says “no copyright infringement is intended” by his shoestring-budgeted short film “The Dark Knight Project,” which he announced to HollywoodChicago.com in the middle of the night on June 13, 2008.

The timing is but hours before the June 14 and June 15, 2008 shoot this weekend. Asserting he’s not looking to get rich or famous with the effort and is merely doing so for the love of the game, Warner Bros. may perhaps empathize.

With his “The Dark Knight Project,” Vasilatos is slyly piggybacking on a buzz-building train for a film that will potentially be 2008’s most prominent.

“The Dark Knight Project” from Chicago filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos will shoot in Chicago from June 14 to 15, 2008.
Image credit: Jerry Vasilatos

The news of “The Dark Knight Project” comes on the heels of our announcement of “72 hours of Batman” whereby “The Dark Knight” will be shown for a consecutive 72 hours in IMAX at Chicago’s Navy Pier beginning on July 18, 2008 for opening weekend.

The following statement about “The Dark Knight Project” was issued to HollywoodChicago.com and is being used with permission.

With the theatrical release of Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” approaching in July [2008], an intrepid group of Chicago filmmakers will take to the streets this weekend to shoot a Batman fan film that bridges events between 2005’s “Batman Begins” and the upcoming Warner Brothers blockbuster.

“The Dark Knight Project” chronicles the adventures of Gotham Midtown students Heather Nolan and Mikey Bale (played by Allyssa O’Donnell and David Sanchez).

Intent on being the first people in Gotham City to capture actual video of [Batman] in action for a school project, they set out with their video camera to interview people on the streets.

[They] witness the evacuation of a city block by police in the middle of a bomb scare and ultimately encounter Batman in the middle of a back alley break-in where he saves both high schoolers from a menacing group of thugs working for the Joker.

“I always wanted to shoot a Batman story. He is one of my favorite characters. Since I sincerely doubt Warner Brothers will ever ask me to direct one for them, I decided to use the resources I have available and do one myself,” jokes Chicago filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos, who wrote the story and is also producing and directing it.

“Every time I am downtown, I am reminded of the fact that we live in virtual Gotham City,” Vasilatos said.

He added: “Shooting an HD movie and emulating the same universe that Christopher Nolan created for ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ allows us to brand our short film with a certain authenticity and production value that we hope will have people thinking our story really could have taken place between the feature films.”

Assembling a talented group of filmmakers and cast from Chicago’s creative community, Vasilatos teamed up with co-producer Zoe Triantafillou and director of photography Trevi Albin to produce the film on a shoestring budget. [They are] relying on the downtown locations and authentic costuming to bring the short film to life.

“This is a complete labor of love,” Vasilatos said. “We’re not selling it. We’re not making any money off it.

“I just wanted the opportunity to shoot a short Batman story with high production values and share it with other fans in tribute to the character as well as director Christopher Nolan, who I think has finally nailed the type of Batman movie fans have always wanted to see on the big screen.”

Vasilatos’ crew shoots the film this weekend in several downtown locations leading to the climactic alley fight being shot off Van Buren on Sunday night between Batman (being played by Chicago actor Chris Nendick) and the Joker’s thugs.

Vasilatos also created a MySpace page for his two fictional characters Heather and Mikey where they have been blogging about their efforts to capture video of Batman to visitors. Their MySpace page is at www.myspace.com/darkknightproject.

A dedicated URL for the release of the film online is at www.darkknightproject.com. The short film will be released online in early July before “The Dark Knight” hits theaters.

Vasilatos, who returned to the Chicago production scene last spring, spent 10 years in Los Angeles working as a producer, director and editor with clients including Universal Home Video, The Reelz Channel and Fox Atomic.

His previous producing and directing efforts include the nationally syndicated entertainment news show “Made in Hollywood” and the Chicago Christmas movie “Solstice,” which was originally broadcast on Lifetime and is now enjoying a second life on Amazon.com under its new title “The Night Before Christmas”.

He also recently served as an editor on four episodes of the popular History Channel series “Gangland” during its first and second season. For more information or to arrange a visit to the set on June 14 or 15, call 323-309-7691.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

‘The Dark Knight’ Viral Marketing Continues With Revamped IBelieveInHarveyDent.com

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:11:34 -0700

CHICAGO – I received a call to my cell phone at 7:02 p.m. from 000-000-0000 directing me to IBelieveInHarveyDent.com for more “The Dark Knight” viral marketing. Indeed, the site has relaunched itself with a new campaign. A screenshot of the revamped site is below. To hear it from yourself, the phone call can be listened to here (source).

At the updated site, a slew of new promotional campaign materials have gone live at a new downloads page. These are all below.

This campaign calls for enthusiasts to print out these materials and display them in creative ways on the streets of cities across the U.S. A “you in action” page has appeared to show submissions, which are due by March 26, 2008 at noon. Photos and videos can be submitted here. The site gives some suggested ways to play along and explains its reason for doing so:

Show your support for Harvey Dent! Gotham City is collapsing from a runaway crime wave and Harvey Dent can save it. But he has to run for district attorney first.

The only way he’ll run is if he sees an outpouring of public support. Let’s all get out there and show Harvey Dent he’s got support to take back Gotham! Let’s get those videos and [pictures] coming!

We can do anything – the bigger and more creative the better. Here are a few creative examples that you can take photos and videos of:

Get your friends together and spell out Harvey Dent in human letters
Get a video of your school’s cheerleading team yelling out chants for Harvey Dent
Try to cover every square inch of someone’s cubicle area with Harvey Dent posters
Write and perform a “take back Gotham” song
Make up a “Dent dance” routine
See if you can get up a Harvey Dent sign in every single window of your dorm building
Turn your own car into a “Dentmobile”
Arrange a Dent parade down Main Street
Make a human pyramid with other Harvey Dent supporters

Be creative. Harvey Dent wants to see that we want change and we are ready to work for change. Harvey wants to see that people are ready to throw out the old, break out of habits [and] really do something new and different! That’s what taking back Gotham will take.

We’ll feature the best examples of great videos and [pictures] on the site. The future of Gotham City is in our hands now, people! Let’s get out there and make some noise!

Visual examples from the site of what to do can be found below.

The site also announces the “Dentmobile,” which will hit the road in various cities across the U.S. While the site says specific dates and locations are “coming soon,” the following route map is currently revealed. You can submit your e-mail address on that page for periodic updates.

So you can see what it looks like when you receive one of these calls, I have taken a picture of my cell phone and am displaying it below.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Despite Heath Ledger’s Death, Warner Bros. Presses on With Joker’s Viral Marketing For ‘The Dark Knight’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:34:35 -0700

CHICAGO – Once the swarm of sorrow hit the world on Jan. 22, 2008 following news of Heath Ledger’s death, questions soon ensued about its impact on Chris Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” and Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”.

While the status of “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” is entirely in limbo, “The Dark Knight” had completed filming and is in post-production. Still, followers wondered how Warner Bros. would tactfully react with its viral marketing and how it would advertise Ledger’s dark and crazed Joker character.

HollywoodChicago.com just received an answer: the show is going on. Our repeatedly reliable source (who was awarded the cell phone-embedded cake in Chicago from a WhySoSerious.com viral marketing effort) is back with new news from moments ago:

A WhySoSerious.com viral marketing movie
poster for “The Dark Knight”.
Image credit: IMDB

Good evening, Adam!

Chicago Joker phone here. I just got a text at 10:49 p.m. on the cake phone that said $30 was added to my account and the phone is now good until March 29, 2008.

After looking at the account information [from] the phone [that] was initially received in [Dec. 2007], I found the phones were set to expire tomorrow (Jan. 30, 2008). With the addition of the extra minutes, this means the viral campaign lives on despite the untimely death of Heath Ledger (may he rest in peace).

I have looked on message boards and several of the other cities have also confirmed that their phones have received extensions until the end of March.

I applaud Warner Bros. for continuing the marketing campaign and not letting the fans down. We all have the greatest respect for Mr. Ledger and I believe we all know how to separate the Joker character from Heath. I cannot wait for the next viral [campaign] to start. I will keep you updated as always. Thanks!

~ Vlkers54

3:25 p.m. update on Jan. 30, 2008: The source above just wrote back with another update. This information is from another informed Superhero! Hype message board member known as ianskyvox.

I just did a little bit of research [that] may shed some light on the scenario. Apparently whenever you add credit to pay-as-you-go phones with Verizon (such as these) the amount you add is good for two months.

Since we got the phones [on Dec. 4, 2007], they probably activated the accounts in late [Nov. 2007] so they could be shipped out and put in the cakes. Two months after that would be today (Jan. 29, 2008). Since the accounts were renewed today [on Jan. 29, 2008], they expire again on March 29, 2008 (in exactly two months).

There’s a possibility this is what was actually going to happen all along even if we hadn’t tragically lost our clown prince. This could even go on for months and months on end. [We could receive] another message on March 29, 2008 saying the accounts have been renewed again.

Our last [text] before this did say: “It’s time to be patient.”

Vlkers54 added: “It seems they might not have had a plan until after Jan. 30, 2008 to begin with. We will have to just be patient as [the Joker] has instructed us to be.”

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Darker Director For Darkest ‘Harry Potter’? Guillermo del Toro Hopes So

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:07:44 -0700

CHICAGO – So, Warner Bros.: Yes or no? Darker director Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) wants to direct “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” so badly he bought the final J.K. Rowling book for his daughter and latched onto it himself so she had to say: “When are you going to give it to me?”

He solidified his position of passion for the gig to MTV on Tuesday.

Guillermo del Toro.
Photo credit: mun²

“I read it and I was very moved by the ending. It ends very much like a [Charles] Dickens novel.”

“I’m definitely interested [in directing the seventh ‘Harry Potter’ film],” he insisted, “now that the movies have grown darker. They have a contrast between the gloomy existence of the kid and the world he’s exposed to. They have evolved into a really nice universe.”

MTV can envision the fit, too:

The ‘deathstick’: a wand of destiny [that] makes its bearer unbeatable. A resurrection stone [that] enables the one who wields it to visit with the dead. A trip to the afterlife and a final duel [that] makes “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” look like kindergarten cops and robbers.

Indeed, given all the new elements of the “Harry Potter” universe introduced in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” there’s little doubt it would be right in del Toro’s wheelhouse – especially after the visionary “Pan’s Labyrinth” cemented him as the master of fairy tales that cross over from children to adults.

Even back on Oct. 26, 2007, the director again talked to MTV in Budapest about his interest in the project. His name even popped up as a directorial possibility for the third film (“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”), which winded up going to good friend Alfonso Cuarόn.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com