Film News: Warner Bros. Officially Confirms ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Principal Photography

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Last update: 9:59 a.m. on May 20, 2011
CHICAGO – Warner Bros. on Thursday finally issued an official statement confirming that principal photography is under way for “The Dark Knight Rises”. That’s like telling a mom she’s a mom two weeks after she delivers. The press release contained 455 words – yes, we counted – and literally only one word in it is new. Everything else we’ve already reported.

While we’re posting the whole press release below, we’ll highlight the following paragraph because it’s the only one that’s remotely interesting.

The locations for “The Dark Knight Rises” span three continents and include the American cities of Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles as well as sites in India, England and Scotland.

We haven’t been reporting Scotland as a filming location for “The Dark Knight Rises,” so thanks for that, Warner Bros. Of course, we still have no official plot synopsis for the film. Fans are only left to their rabid speculation based on all the filming images and information hitting the Web. The full press release from Warner Bros. is below. You’ll want to read it, but you’ll also be disappointed.

Production Begins on “The Dark Knight Rises”

Filming will take place on three continents with an all-star
cast working under the direction of Christopher Nolan

BURBANK, Calif. (May 19, 2011) – Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises”: the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”) as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

In helming “The Dark Knight Rises,” Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on “The Dark Knight,” which marked the first time ever that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX® cameras. The results were so spectacular that the director wanted to expand the use of the large-format cameras for this film.

The screenplay for “The Dark Knight Rises” is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan. The story is by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. The film is being produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight”.

The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. “The Dark Knight” is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.

Behind the scenes, “The Dark Knight Rises” reunites the director with several of his longtime collaborators (all of whom worked together on the “The Dark Knight”). The creative team includes director of photography Wally Pfister, who recently won an Oscar® for his work on Nolan’s “Inception”; production designer Nathan Crowley; editor Lee Smith; and Oscar®-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”).

In addition, Paul Franklin and Chris Corbould (who both won Oscars® for the effects in “Inception”) will supervise the visual and special effects, respectively. The music will be composed by Oscar® winner Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”).

The locations for “The Dark Knight Rises” span three continents and include the American cities of Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles as well as sites in India, England and Scotland.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release on July 20, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, which is a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“The Dark Knight Rises” will again star Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Michael Caine as Alfred. The film also stars Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Juno Temple, Josh Pence, Diego Klattenhoff and Alon Aboutboul. Nestor Carbonell and Daniel Sunjata are currently rumored to be involved.

The film, which is again directed by Christopher Nolan, is scheduled for release on July 20, 2012. “The Dark Knight Rises” is written by David S. Goyer (story), Bob Kane (characters), Christopher Nolan (screenplay), Christopher Nolan (story) and Jonathan Nolan (screenplay) with original music from Hans Zimmer and cinematography by Wally Pfister.

We can know confirm that the shooting alias (i.e. fake name) for “The Dark Knight Rises” is “Magnus Rex”. The alias for “The Dark Knight” was “Rory’s First Kiss” and “Batman Begins” was known as “Intimidation Game” during filming.

The first set photo of newly cast Israeli actor Alon Aboutboul has been added to Facebook and we’re publishing it first below. He’s playing a mad scientist. More London set photos from today can be found at this excellent Facebook gallery.

Alon Aboutboul (with the sunglasses pointing a finger) on the set of “The Dark Knight Rises” on May 19, 2011.
Image credit: Glenn Armour at the official “The Dark Knight Rises” community on Facebook

As he shot 66 photos today at the St. John Street set for “The Dark Knight Rises,” we asked Glenn Armour (the photographer of the above set photo) about today’s security on set. He said:

“Security was very tight. They let you take pictures from the other side of the road, but no further. Otherwise, two big bears would start having a go at you. It was fun! You can’t see any of the inside. They have that place on proper lockdown.

They were pulling all of the equipment out. They did say they’re now finished and there would be no shoot on Friday or Saturday as they have completed it. I’m not sure if that’s true. They could be lying to try and get people to go away, but a lot of equipment was coming out. I mean a lot. There was four to five truck’s worth leaving the set. We will find out tomorrow.”

Glenn Armour has also shared with us the following set video from “The Dark Knight Rises” filming at St. John Street in London.

By ADAM FENDELMAN Publisher HollywoodChicago.com adam@hollywoodchicago.com