The New York Times has a nice set visit feature on The Dark Knight. I would recommend you read it, but even the first paragraph features a pretty major spoiler. Sure, it was something we wrote about last year, but we gave you full warning, placed it after a jump, and were still criticized heavily for publishing it.
Check out some of the new photos above and below. Click on the images to enlarge. I have also excerpted a few of the more interesting/revealing but spoiler free paragraphs:
“It picks up where ‘Batman Begins’ left off, with Mr. Oldman’s police lieutenant, Jim Gordon, warning about the perils of escalation: that Batman’s extreme measures could invite a like response from the criminal element. And sure enough, a deadly new villain, the Joker, emerges to wreak havoc.”
“In a political context this would politely be called an “unintended consequence.” (Gotham as Baghdad, anyone?) Mr. Nolan doesn’t deny the overtones. “As we looked through the comics, there was this fascinating idea that Batman’s presence in Gotham actually attracts criminals to Gotham, attracts lunacy,” he said. “When you’re dealing with questionable notions like people taking the law into their own hands, you have to really ask, where does that lead? That’s what makes the character so dark, because he expresses a vengeful desire.”
“All the talk of darkness obscures what may come as an aesthetic surprise in “The Dark Knight”: the creepy shadows and gothic Wayne Manor are gone, replaced by sleek towers, shiny surfaces, bright lighting and the vistas of a city with shoulders bigger than Batman’s. “I’ve tried to unclutter the Gotham we created on the last film,” said Nathan Crowley, Mr. Nolan’s production designer. “Gotham is in chaos. We keep blowing up stuff. So we can keep our images clean,” setting a solitary hero against the vastness of Chicago.”
You can read the full New York Times article online now.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:00 am
This film cannot come out quick enough for me…
I find myself just rewatching the trailer or the 8 min bank heist clip… every few days.
I’m pretty sure I’m gonna se it more than once on opening day.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:15 am
redandjonny pretty much summed up my feelings on this film.
This is really the “one” film I’m looking forward to the most this year. I know its still early in the year, but yeah.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:15 am
me three. ive been rewatching ever tdk trailer/clip/etc a few times every other day since theyve been available. no other upcoming movie comes close to having my attention/anticipation, as much as this one. heath is the main reason - for me - and i wish he could be here to enjoy it with us.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Firstly I’d like to say thank you for the warning of the “major spoilers” - I would of certainly read them otherwise as I too am craving the release of this film.
It’s like a modern day Godfather part 2 situation where you have a talented director capable of taking this movie further to actually better the original!
Due to the movie and storys surrounding it - this film will become one of those legends that claims a notorious place in film history!
March 10th, 2008 at 6:41 am
There’s a sequel to BATMAN BEGINS coming out?
WHERE WAS THE SPOILER WARNING?!?!
March 10th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I agree with everyone. I’m more pumped for this flick than I was for Episode I (keep in mind, I read nothing about that one before it came out…whoops). I think that Heath’s death will clearly have an effect on how you feel when you walk out of the theater, but regardless, it’s going to be masterfully done.
Vote Harvey Dent.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Its quite amazing how much realness they’ve crammed into the tale. I’m really impressed by their focus on escalation and a fight without end. These aren’t the stuff superheroes used to face!
March 10th, 2008 at 9:26 am
i love that pic with the joker and batman in it, its like both are listening to Mr. Nolan’s instructions while they are focusing on their characters. amazing.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I guess we’re not going to see “Robin” aka Jason Todd, get killed by The Joker.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
i wonder if the third one will have the same ‘villian-redemption’ angle, with two-face, that spiderman 2 had with doc ock at the end…harvey is always torn between his good side, so maybe him standing down at the end might not be a bad way to go out. after that i’d be sad but ok if nolan, bale & co., called it a day. out on a high note, you know?
@ redandjohnny/hunter/peter
what’s the best comic-book-movie in your opinion? whatever it is, do you think TDK will take its place, as best comic book adaptation ever? (mine is spiderman 2, though i know alot of people dont agree. and so far, for me, TDK is looking to dethrone it)
March 10th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I am a Batman Freak!!!! Yes a BatFreak!! Nolan has done as is about to do again what others have tried and failed so so badly.
Every part of Batman Begins and I am sure of The Dark Knight (hopefully) is crisp and new and brings the humanity back to the series that was so cartoonrized(is that a word??). I in other words I am freaking stoked for this!!!!
March 11th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Yeah - I wouldn’t like to see Two-Face be born and then redeemed in the same movie - there’s way to much in between to fit into one film. I think Harvey becoming Two-Face will be the climax of TDK that breaks our heart - it needs to end unfinished (like Batman Begins) so that Nolan has something worth coming back for!
Its interesting about Joker - as we won’t get Ledger back for a sequel although if we get Robin into the 3rd movie (a la Batman: The Dark Victory) it would make sense because everything goes to hell in TDK and so after Harvey turns to Two-Face; Batman and Gordon would need some help!
Then Batman and Robin fall out and like in Miller’s ‘The Dark Knight Strikes Again’ Robin actually disguises himself as the Joker as part of his revenge against Batman - which may justify putting a new Joker into the films - which may make a nice 4th movie?
But it’s a big IF!
March 11th, 2008 at 6:29 am
I honestly think that, as long as we see the Miller/Loeb-esque Batman continue and really dig into the detective aspect of him, we’ll be good to go.
Just the fact that the Falcone aspect is included in these films alone stands to show the quality of writing and the care they’ve put into them.
All of that points to Harvey Dent being a great, torn character. Just like he’s written by Loeb.