According to a report, the rumors are true. Last we heard, Christopher Nolan’s “Batman 3” (did you hear he’s directing it??) was likely to start shooting in March or April of 2011 in New Orleans (Michael Caine said April himself).
Coming Soon essentially confirms all of these aforementioned rumors and speculation and says, indeed, it’s all true. With Christian Bale allegedly bulking up for the role, this all makes sense. This should mean in a few weeks we’ll have plenty of casting rumors that are probably more reliable than early nonsensical reports like Johnny Depp as the Riddler, etc. A more recent rumor pegged Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the Riddler, probably because of his Nolan connection in “Inception,” but that report was still too early to be taken seriously.
There will be pressure to shoot in 3D, even though Nolan and his team are not entirely keen on it. Most directors might have to cave, but considering the filmmaker’s “Inception” is closing in on the $800 million mark worldwide without 3D, the director probably has more than a leg to stand on. “Batman 3” (its working title of course) is currently scheduled for a July 20, 2012 date, which means the film will have to face off that summer against Marvel’s “The Avengers” (May 4), Peter Berg’s board game-with-aliens picture “Battleship” (May 18), J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” sequel (currently slated for a June 29 date) , and the rebooted 3D “Spider-Man” by director Marc Webb (scheduled for July 3). “John Carter of Mars” is also expected in the summer of 2012 and other possibilities include “Wolverine 2” and possibly the “Godzilla” reboot (presumably in 3D).
Are London and Chicago also down for the shoot? Or is it just New Orleans?
And why New Orleans?
I'm gonna use this opportunity to speculate wildly that the villain is gonna be Killer Croc. There's a definite swamps and crocodiles connection to New Orleans which will lend my wild speculation more credence. Done and done.
Guy, that's HORRIBLE speculation. have you even WATCHED a Christopher Nolan film?
I'm saying that tongue in cheek but in fairness, if you read Brian Azzarello's Joker graphic novel (which took a Nolan approach to the villains), his take on Killer Croc was a big, Ving Rhames looking crime boss with a real bad skin disease who hung out in an abattoir eating real rare steak.
And yes, I've watched a Nolan film, which is why I think that if he can make the comic book character of Ra's Al Ghul, an eternal Fountain of Youth bathing 600 year old terrorist into a realistic lead Batman villain, then he can sure as fuck do it with the rest of the villains.
Seriously, read the Croc bio from Joker here. It ain't soooo far fetched: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joker_%28graphic_novel%29
They are shooing in New Orleans because right now they have a incredible tax credit, Nolan can stretch the budget! If you remember Green Lantern was shot there earlier this year and the Twilight (I know, I know, bad example but still a block buster though) will be shooting there as well.
I don't think it has anything to do with the story line, but I can be wrong.
Aha, that makes perfect sense. Thanks.