HQ ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ promo art featuring Batman, Bane, and Catwoman [Update]

Update 04/23/12: The images have been removed at the request of Warner Bros.

Update 04/19/12: I’ve added another HQ promo of Bane to the gallery.

We’ve seen these photos before, but never in such high quality. Cardboard-Cutouts.com gives us a great look at Batman, Bane, and Catwoman from The Dark Knight Rises. It looks like Christopher Nolan’s version of Catwoman will not carry a whip, once again we see her holding a gun. You can pre-order these cardboard cutouts at the source link, and be sure to check out the photos in high quality in the gallery.

SOURCE: Cardboard-Cutouts.com [via Superhero Hype forums]

Op-Ed: The Dark Knight Rises’ PG-13 “surprise”

The following is an opinion piece written by Matt Smith, a friend of Batman-News.com. Views expressed here are his own.

The Dark Knight Rises being a PG-13 movie should be a surprise to no one who is an aficionado of superhero movies. For those who don’t know, the film is officially rated PG-13 for “intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language.”

Intense sequences of violence/action are nothing new to Nolan’s Batman movies or superhero movies in general for that matter.  It is pretty much a given with every superhero film that there will be action scenes and violent moments that, despite the degree of their intensity, is an automatic PG-13.  The PG-13 rating is a wonderful tool for the studio because it advertises, “our movie is for a grown up audience, but please take your kids too.”  It’s more alarming for fans if a superhero film is rated below PG-13.  Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, for example, gained a PG rating for “sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo” in 2007.  It is possible to attribute the lower box office to the rating itself leading movie goers to believe it would be a more of a kid-oriented movie.

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‘The Dark Knight Rises’ receives a PG-13 rating

Update 04/12/12: TheDarkKnightRises.com has been updated with the official PG-13 rating.

I think we all expected that The Dark Knight Rises would receive a PG-13 rating, but now we know why! Straight from Warner Bros.’ Exhibitor website comes the rating for “intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language”. I think we can assume that Catwoman will be bringing some sensuality to The Dark Knight Rises. Language too? Maybe Bane will drop an F-bomb. For comparison, here are the official reasons for the PG-13 ratings for Batman Begins and The Dark Knight:

Batman Begins – intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic

The Dark Knight – intense sequences of violence and some menace

And if you’re looking at the image above and wondering what’s under the “synopsis” tab… it’s currently blank. We’re still waiting for Warner Bros. to release an official plot summary. My guess is that’ll come some time next month, maybe along with trailer #3?

SOURCE: Nolan Fans forums (jake088800)

“Leaked”: Christian Bale and Morgan Freeman ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ set audio

You may have seen the parody videos that have been making their way online recently featuring Christian Bale and Morgan Freeman on set of The Dark Knight Rises. News has been slow, so I wanted to share them here on Batman-News.com for those who haven’t heard them yet. The Morgan Freeman impression isn’t very good, but the voice of “Christian Bale” is spot on! Check out 6 more videos featuring “leaked” audio from The Dark Knight Rises after the break. Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments section below.

Warning: The videos contain strong language.

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Adam West gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Adam West, aka Batman, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday. West is now 83 years old and has been acting for more than 50 years. “We are thrilled to honor Adam with this prestigious award. Fans have been waiting for this special day for many years,” Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler, who hosted the event, said in a statement. “Adam West fired up the billion-dollar Batman franchise: the golden years and the classic Batman, the Bright Knight. He deserves his place of honor on our famed Walk of Fame.”

Back in July of 2011, Batman-News.com had the opportunity to interview Adam West, and got his thoughts on the other Batman interpretations. Check out the video after the break.

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The Dark Knight Rises: Attack of the Batmobiles (video)

Last Friday Warner Bros. brought out all five Batmobiles for a parade down the streets of Burbank, California. According to Josh Turchetta, who shot the footage above, Warner Bros. was filming a bonus feature segment for The Dark Knight Rises’ Blu-ray release. Legendary Pictures posted photos from the event on their Facebook page. It’s cool to see all of the Batmobiles together, so I’ve got to ask…

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ to be post-converted to 3D [April Fools]

Update: In case you haven’t figured it out yet… April Fools!

Back in September of 2010, Christopher Nolan explained that he was “looking into” 3D technology. As we all know, Nolan opted to stick with IMAX, and shot a large portion of The Dark Knight Rises in that format. However, Warner Bros. will be releasing a 3D version as well, by post-converting The Dark Knight Rises to 3D. The conversion will be done by Burbank’s Stereo D LLC., the same company that converted Titanic for James Cameron. Best of all, the 3D conversion will not delay the movies release date! Are you excited to see The Dark Knight Rises in 3D? Check out the press release and leave your thoughts in the comments.

BURBANK, CA— Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that “The Dark Knight Rises” will be released to RealD^® and Dolby^® 3D^® theatres simultaneously with the film’s wide release in conventional and IMAX^® theatres on July 20, 2012. The epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is being post-converted by Burbank’s Stereo D LLC., the same company in charge of converting “Titanic” for James Cameron. “Chris Nolan’s groundbreaking vision makes his films ideally suited for the immersive capabilities that 3D has to offer,” said David Fueller, Warner Bros. Picture’s president of domestic distribution.

The filmmaker shot large portions of the film with traditional 2D IMAX^® cameras, and plans on keeping the IMAX^® screenings true to that format. However, the Academy Award^® nominated filmmaker is looking to expand upon the film’s much anticipated release. “As the number of 3D screens around the globe continues to grow, we’re thrilled to offer film’s like ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in richer experiences for the moviegoers,” said Victoria Gelfond-White, President, Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures International.

Christopher Nolan stated, “Our experience in working with the talented artists at Stereo D was awe inspiring. We did various brightness and depth tests, and when we saw how the tests were developing, we were very impressed!” Nolan and his cinematographer, Wally Pfister, have been secretly meeting with the stereoscopic effects company since November of last year. The conversion will cost approximently $10-20  million and will not delay the film’s release.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Chris Nolan, Emma Thomas and Warner Bros. Pictures to deliver one of the year’s biggest films in three dimensions,” added Lirpa Sloof, Chairman and President of Stereo D. “Chris has proven to be an immensely talented director. He has the vision and skills to make an immersive blockbuster film that is truly larger than life. We’re excited to be a key ingredient in what will surely be the biggest film this side of April Fools.”