A few Bat-blurbs from Bale -- including what finally turned him on to Batman. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY.

 The start and director of THE GREY have nothing but high praise for Chris Nolan's Batman films. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO.

 The BOF MAILBAG has been updated. Question...

"With the 8 year time gap between THE DARK KNIGHT and RISES, I’ve got a few questions: Has Bruce stopped being Batman after the events of TDK or did he continue on as Batman for a while? Since RISES is the end of Nolan’s Batman story, I would love to see veteran Batman. What’s your view on all this?"

CLICK HERE FOR MY ANSWER!

 Some new images of busts/statues featuring Catwoman from THE DARK KNIGHT RISS give us A PRETTY GOOD LOOK AT SELINA IN COSTUME...

FYI! I'm going to hit this link/story with a SPOILER! for all the BOF'ers who want to know or see NOTHING outside of anything "official." (The thumbnail above reveals nothing more than we saw in that FIRST OFFICIAL CATWOMAN IMAGE released last August.)

 Be careful where you look for RISES news online if you are one of those avoiding everything that could be considered spoilerish. It seems that a possible RISES cameo is being posted online and it showing up in headlines. Heads up!

 I Tweeted this out earlier today, but figured that it definitely needs to be here on BOF proper...

In exactly 6 months from today, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES!

Cheers!

 The "BOF Mailbag" HAS BEEN UPDATED!

 Bloggin' The Bat-Movies is back! Fixin' to take on the Nolan Trilogy.

 Heed my warning folks and be careful where you look for RISES news if you are one of those avoiding everything. There is a pretty big SPOILER online in regards to a role in RISES and it’s all over the Net spreading like wildfire as these things usually do. Apparantly, this news was dropped by Joey King -- a young actress who is in the film. Consider yourself warned.

UPDATE: I'm going to assume that this news was OK to reveal or she wouldn't have said it. However, if you are one of those individuals trying to avoid all details of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, I'd still take my warning seriously.

 Unbelievable.

I found this story this morning over at MOVIES.COM. Apparently, tickets for Midnight July 20th IMAX screenings of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES are going for up to $200 on Ebay! I don't know what's more crazy: asking that much for 'em or someone actually spending that sorta coin for 'em! For the full report, click on the link above.

Wow.

 According to WIRELESSGOODNESS.COM, Batman's new vehicle is known as (mouse-over to read) "The Bat." Click on the link provided for the full story.

 Good stuff from RISES screenwriter Jonathan Nolan on the film and Team Nolan's cinematic Batman story coming to an end. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY!

J-Nol is a very cool dude and I'd like to thank him publicly here on BOF for his contributions to Batman on film as well as taking the time to visit with a some guy who runs a little ’ol Batman site down in Texas!

 In the recent issue of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, director Chris Nolan addressed the nonsense -- and yes, it IS nonsense -- over Bane's voice. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY!

 3 new RISES pics via ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. >>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK 'EM OUT!

 Check out the latest "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Countdown" column by BOF's Chris Clow over at MOVIES.COM.

 The Bale-Batman is on the cover of the new ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. And the the mag's story also includes their RISES set visit report. >>> CLICK HERE FOR FOR THE FULL STORY!

 I got a heads up that the next trailer for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES will come in mid to late May -- possibly with DARK SHADOWS. I figured Warer Bros. might attach the next one with WRATH OF THE TITANS on March 30th and I still believe that could happen. Stay tuned.

 Per THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, Warner Bros. is not buying any Super Bowl ads this year. This of course means that, like four years ago with THE DARK KNIGHT, no Batman during the big game. No surprise here and Sean Geber and I said as much in the last BOF PODCAST.

 It seems that Tom Hardy enjoyed "going bad" in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES playing the villain Bane. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY!

 According to SLASHFILM.COM, tickets for the July 20th, 2011 midnight screenings of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES are already being sold at select locations.

 As much as I believe that this "uproar" over Bane's voice in RISES is nonsense and much to do over nothing, I did laugh at COCO's PARODY. Click on the link or the image below to check it out and get a laugh!

 CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO INTERVIEW with RISES cast member Mathew Modine.

 My friends over at COLLIDER.COM recently ran a story saying that the audio mix of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES PROLOGUE had been altered to make Bane's dialogue "clearer." I held off linking to their original story as I personally didn't believe it to be the case. Being the stand-up site that they are, COLLIDER has now retracted the story as they believe that "...it’s important to own up to your mistakes rather than just forget about them."

 Chip Kidd -- who is writing the upcoming graphic novel BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN -- is designing the "definitive" book on Christopher Nolan's Batman on film trilogy.

 MTV NEWS has a good synopsis/explaination of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES PROLOGUE.

 Happy New Year BOF'ers! Thanks for all the support the last soon-to-be 14 years! 2012 is going to be a great year for all of us Batman on film fans, and ALL that I've been sitting on -- plus more -- is coming soon. THE FIRE RISES!

 Could "Robin" be in RISES? CLICK HERE for Part 2 of my op-ed in which I ponder if Robin RISES.

 In a new interview, Anne Hathaway talks a bit about THE DARK KNIGHT RISES and Catwoman. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY.

 Make sure you check out our own Chris Clow's latest "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES COUNTDOWN" over at MOVIES.COM. Good stuff!

 Nothing really new per se, but I thought it was cool enough to post. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO.

 As 2011 comes to an end, I've put together a chronology of BOF's coverage of RISES this past year. >>> CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE FULL STORY!

You've seen trailer #2 for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, now see it "Sweded."

 And this craziness was over a trailer! Check out this new press release I just got from the fine folks at Warner Bros. Pictures RIGHT HERE!

 We've seen these before, but now Warner Bros. is offically releasing them. >>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK 'EM OUT!

 I know there are MANY “Let’s Break It All Down!” articles when it comes to both the PROLOGUE and trailer #2. Consequently, I’ve received a TON of emails asking me to do the same. Truth be told, I can not for many reasons. However, I’ll be flapping my gums more come 2012!

 Check out Michael Uslan's short, but spot-on, reaction to the PROLOGUE and trailer #2 RIGHT HERE. BOF can always count on MU and his friendship when it comes to anything "Batman."

 Check out BOF's Mark Hughes' latest TDKR article over at FORBES.COM.

 Apparently, "I Can't Understand Bane!" is the new "The Joker Is Permawhite!" To be fair, I'll give this THR's HEAT VISION article some run here on BOF. While I had no issue with Bane's voice in the PROLOGUE, I totally get why some folks do. Regardless, I still think it's much to do over nothing, as many of the people that seem to be complaining about it have yet to see the PROLOGUE! I'm sure everyone understood Bane when he said...

"When Gotham's...ashes...you have my permission to die".

Right? Anyway...

Other than cleaning it up a bit, don't change a damn thing Chris. Bane sounds AWESOME.

 And if I don't get the chance: Happy Holidays and New Year to all reading!

 According to a brand new Tweet by @wbpictures, the new RISES trailer is up at APPLE TRAILERS. Enjoy!

 You can also check out the trailer HERE ON BOF. I'd DEFINITELY watch it over at APPLE TRAILERS first.

Man, it's awesome!

 That's right BOF'ers, we've recorded a new BOF PODCAST! MODERN MYTH MEDIA's Sean Gerber and I discuss THE PROLOGUE, trailer #2, and what to expect in 2012. >>> CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO LISTEN!

 Check at BOF's Chris Clow's new "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Countdown" article over at MOVIES.COM.

 Is Bane trying to recruit Batman fans like me? CLICK HERE or on the image below for more details!

 At the press screening of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES PROLOGUE, producer Emma Thomas told me that trailer #2 for the film would be coming next week -- which is now this week -- and that it was "awesome." Well, she was right as I've seen it -- and I'm not talking about that crappy cell phone-filmed bootleg that's currently making the rounds. As BOF told you back on October 31st, the new trailer will be attached to SHERLOCK HOLMES 2 (and it is, trust me) this coming weekend. I figure it'll be online at the OFFICIAL TDKR SITE before the end of the weekend.

 Want to plug my friend Jim's short interview with Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas (also from the RISE PROLGUE press screening) which you'll find over at IGN.

 The BOF Mailbag QOTD has been been updated -- "Jett, what's your take on Bane's voice?"

 Warning! Audio from the RISES PROLOGUE has leaked online. I've heard it and it is legit. However, the quality is horrible and doesn't do it justice at all. Don't cave in and listen as you will negatively affect seeing it fresh on the big screen either now or next Summer. Also, Warner Bros. is pulling them down as fast as they can anyway.

 CLICK HERE to check out a damn good interview by Geof Boucher with director Chris Nolan which took place at the PROLOGUE press screening we all attended last Thursday. Here's a short excerpt...

"It was pretty emotional as we would finish these characters and say goodbye to Alfred for the last time and say goodbye to Commissioner Gordon and eventually, with Christian, fairly close to the end, saying goodbye to Batman...it was a big deal. And with these newer characters too, finishing with Anne and all these guys. It was quite touching, I must say.”

I too asked the director -- as well as producer Emma Thomas and screenwriter Jonathan Nolan -- if they were going to miss Batman and all three told me that they would indeed. Anyway, click on the link provided to read the entire article.

 Per THE SURRAY COMET, young actress Leilah De Meza was offered, and turned down, the role of "Young Talia Al Ghul" in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. Why? The role required her to shave her head. It seems that Joey King eventually nabbed the part.

This is no surprise -- it's actually expected -- as we know Josh Pence is playing Ra's Al Ghul as a young man in the film.

 "The Legend Ends...The Dark Knight Rises." Awesome. (Click on image to enlarge.)

 Heads up! Go check out what's going on at THEDARKKNIGHTRISES.COM right now!

UPDATE! "Operation Early Bird" has began! Basically, enter the coordinates being announced at the official site and enter them on a map over at OPERATIONEARLYBIRD.COM. If you want to see THE PROLOGUE, well, early, here's your chance!

 Well, I got to see THE DARK KNIGHT RISES PROLOGUE early and you can check out my report from LA RIGHT HERE!

 FYI: Keep you eye on OPERATIONEARLYBIRD.COM.

 The viral campaign for TDKR continues over at @thefirerises. So, what's "Operation Early Bird?"

 As we all know, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES is it for this group of Batman on film actors and filmmakers. Here's what Gary Oldman had to say (via CRAVEONLINE.COM...

"For us I think it's the end. Whether [Warner Bros.] will make more, my guess is probably. I mean, they don't have POTTER anymore. So, there could be a 'Batman 4' and '5.' It may be Chris overseeing it in a producorial position, but for us and for Chris I think that's it. It's a great way to go out though. It's a great story. Epic, epic thing it is."

Actually Gary, the next one will be "Batman 1, Vol. 3."

 Sad news BOF'ers.

I just got a text from Michael Uslan informing me that the great Jerry Robinson -- the creator of The Joker -- passed away in his sleep.

Jerry Robinson
January 1, 1922 - December 7, 2011

So sad to hear this news! However, I am glad that I attended the "Spotlight on Jerry Robinson" at Comic Con 2010 couple of years ago and got to meet him.

I'll have more on this later here at BOF. In the meantime, there's a great feature on Mr. Robinson by HERO COMPLEX's Geoff Boucher. and you can check it out HERE.

My condolences go out to his family, friends, and all Batman fans as well.

 It appears that the viral campaign for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES is beginning. Click on the image below for more info!

 So what's "The Harvey Dent Act?" I don't know, but CLICK RIGHT HERE to read what Gary Oldman had to say about it.

 Going west...

 Not much, but yet another video interview with Gary Oldman being asked about TDKR CLIC HERE OR ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO WATCH.

 COLLIDER.COM has a cool interview with Hans Zimmer. Here's a quick blurb from the composer about the score and the use of the fan's chants on it (Click on that link if you haven't recorded yours yet!)...

"You always want to create a sound that nobody has ever heard, but I think, this time, we might be doing that. As a musician, I think about what environment things are recorded in. Now, you have hundreds of thousands of voices, all recorded in their own individual environment. Up until now, that’s been impossible to do. There’s a lot of people doing a lot of editing, as well."

Visit COLLIDER.COM for the full interview. (Thanks to BOF's Josh Costella for the heads up!)

 The "BOF MAILBAG QOTD" HAS BEEN UPDATED. Topic: "Is Warner Bros./Nolan "screwing" the fans that don't have access to "The Prologue?"

 Ever wanted to see Steve Buscemi as Commissioner Gordon? Well you can RIGHT HERE in a hilarious SNL skit!

 Find out where you can check out THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: THE PROLOGUE in IMAX RIGHT HERE.

 Gary Oldman talks a bit about Jim Gordon't mental state in TDKR -- and the "parting gift" he took home from the set. >>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO INTERVIEW.

 Check out BOF's own Chris Clow's latest "TDKR Countdown" installment over at MOVIES.COM.

 MTV MOVIES has voted the trailer for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES the best of 2011.

Ironically, it was BOF's #1 trailer for the year as well. (Check it out HERE -- you KNOW you want to see it again!) At #2 on my list was the one for BATMAN: YEAR ONE.

There was no #3.