Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan has publicly denied popular Dark Knight casting rumors: Ryan Phillippe, Phillip Seymore Hoffman or Sean Penn as The Joker.

"No truth, no truth to any of those rumors. All interesting ideas though," Nolan said.

Last week it became a widely reported that Sean Penn was originally offered the role of The Joker, but decided after much consideration to turn down the offer.

And in Late July it was widely speculated that Philip Seymour Hoffman was offered the role of The Penguin. When asked about this rumor at a press roundtable, Nolan laughed it off.

"As the penguin, no, not true."

Ryan Phillippe was also said to be in line as a potential young Harvey Dent, Gotham's District Attorney who later becomes Two-Face.

But either all these rumors are in fact untrue or Nolan is just trying not being able to sign the stars to a contract. You Decide.