Batman 3 To Start Filming Next April

Actor Michael Caine, who plays Bruce Wayne's buttler and friend Alfred Pennyworth in Christoper Nolan's Batman movies, has told Digital Spy that he believes filming on the third movie is set to begin in April 2011: "I think they're going to do it in April, that's about as much as I know."

However, he doesn't seem to be sure whether his character's coming back or not for the third Batman outing - let's bet that he does, shall we?
[Digital Spy]

Chris Nolan will NOT recast The Joker for Batman 3

Ever since the death of Heath Ledger --- who gave such an amazing and chilling performance as The Joker (which nabbed him a posthumous Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor) --- people have often speculated whether or not director Chris Nolan would ever bring back the character in Batman 3 by recasting the part.

Taking the story from the latest issue of Empire Magazine, Obsessed with Film posted Nolan's answer online:

“No”, says Nolan emphatically and unhesitatingly. He resists elaborating simply because, quite understandably, he says, “I just don’t feel comfortable talking about it”.
[Obsessed with Film]

I for one simply agree with that decision. I believe Ledger's performance was so unique that it would be crazy simply to try to imitate or recreate it.

Besides, there are still some fascinating Batman villains to choose from for Batman 3 like The Riddler (I'm still plugging David Tennant for the role!), Bane, Catwoman (maybe to a lesser degree) or even The Penguin if he's handled well enough.

Does anyone else agree with Nolan's decision?