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Any Bat-movie news in 2006?
The biggest fanboy buzz for 2006 has easily been about "X-Men 3,"
"Superman Returns" and even how the first blond James Bond, Daniel
Craig, will do in "Casino Royale." We here at BOF have been keeping
track of rumors attached to something called the 2008 “Batman Begins”
sequel.
At the beginning of the year it's natural to make predictions, so I am willing to go on the record with some sequel predictions:
• I'll start with an item I haven't heard anyone mention in
conversation or on the Internet, but it seems the most obvious: The
most exciting “Begins” sequel news would be director Chris Nolan and
screenwriter David Goyer saying they plan to include The Joker’s
girlfriend, Harley Quinn, in the storyline.
It seems natural, given that Harley Quinn's immense popularity in
"Batman: The Animated Series" eventually led to DC Comics making
Harley part of the current comic book continuity. Before this thing
called "Batman Begins" came to fruition, keep in mind Harley was
rumored to be one of two villains in "Batman 5." We've already seen
The Scarecrow in what became "Begins," why not the everly perky, yet
dangerous Harley Quinn in the follow-up?
Even if Harley doesn't make the cut for the sequel, we could see her
in the third film. Psychologist Harleen Quinzel could fall in love
with or be seduced by The Joker after he's put behind bars by Batman,
Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent.
Harley Quinn is a natural fit in the "Begins" universe. You heard it
here first.
This begs the question of who should play Harley? Jenny McCarthy
would be a natural fit, given her outrageous personality, but
actresses with more "street credibility" such as Reese Witherspoon or
Kirsten Dunst would work. Both actresses might be too mainstream for
someone like Nolan, who prefers equally talented actors/actresses who
remain "under the Hollywood radar." That's certainly the case with
Witherspoon, who probably will walk away with the Oscar for Best
Actress for the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line."
• Nolan might finally announce the sequel's title, along with what
actor will play The Joker. Internet rumors have attached Crispin
Glover, Johnny Depp, Christopher Eccleston, Adrian Brody, Tim Roth,
Sam Rockwell, Lachy Hulme and Paul Bettany to the role.
• Although 2006 might be too early for Nolan or Goyer to reveal a
title — much less who will play The Joker — (Warner Bros. kept the
title “Batman Begins” under wraps for months), fans will at least
hear when filming will start. Nolan, Christian Bale and Michael
Caine will have plenty of time to brainstorm about the sequel while
they film Nolan's "The Prestige" (also starring Hugh Jackman, David
Bowie and possibly Scarlett Johanssen) in the winter and spring.
Nolan has all but confirmed to the media he will work on the "Begins"
sequel after the thriller about two competitive magicians (Bale and
Jackman).
• We might even hear: The next two movies will be filmed back-to-back
(similar to “The Matrix” and “Pirates of the Carribbean” follow-ups);
who will play District Attorney Harvey Dent (fated to become Two-Face
in the third film); and confirmation if The Penguin will have a small
role in the second one. Bob Hoskins and Philip Seymour Hoffman have
been the two names thrown around for the Oswald Cobblepot part.
2006 might be a slow news year for "Batman Begins" fans, but don't
count on it
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