I guess Bruce Wayne digs Mountain Dew. >>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS. (This story was updated on Wednesday, 5/16/12, FYI.)

 It's a slow RISES news day and this is sort of cool anyway. Check out RISES Trailer #3 "BTAS Style." (Thanks to BOF'er "Chris F." for the heads up!)

 TOTALFILM.COM has revealed a new image of Tom Hardy as Bane. CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!

 Another great op-ed over at MODERN-MYTH-MEDIA.COM -- "Superhero Cinema 101: Embracing Versatility with Professors Nolan & Whedon" by Sean Gerber.

 I've been asked if my enjoyment of THE AVENGERS has changed my opinion about a Justice League film. >>> CLICK HERE FOR MY ANSWER!

 If you've never seen "The Tumbler" in person, now you can! To see tour locations, visit TUMBLERTOUR.COM. (Thanks to all the BOF'ers for the heads up!)

BOF's Founder & The Tumbler in Beverly Hills, CA (June 2008)

 We're just about 2 months out from the premiere of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES on July 20, 2012. Though were sprinting to the finish line, there is still A LOT of stuff to enjoy 'til that happens. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY!

 Check out this great op-ed over at MODERN-MYTH-MEDIA.COM by Sean Gerber: "Can The Dark Knight Rise Above THE AVENGERS?"

 Don't forget, TOTALFILM.COM will be revealing something RISES-related tomorrow (May 11th) at the link provided. I'm guessing it's Bane-related.

 Speaking of, TOTAL FILM MAGAZINE, the latest issue has a big feature on THE DARK KNIGHT RISES that includes new images from the film. It seems as if they've already been scanned and are showing up online on various websites -- except this one, of course. Not cool.

 Joss Whedon is a class act!

 Via an interview with THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, Marion Cotillard -- who plays "Miranda Tate" in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES -- talks a bit about her role in the film...

Miranda Tate? Talia Al Ghul? Both?

The actress started filming [THE DARK KNIGHT RISES] in June 2011, working on and off until the fall in locations including Los Angeles, New York and Pittsburgh. She says there were long gaps when she wasn't needed: "It was a very, very small role."

Otherwise, Cotillard is coy about the picture, whose storyline has fueled pages of Internet speculation. All she'll confirm is that, contrary to some fans' belief, she does not play Talia, the vengeful daughter of Liam Neeson's character, Ra's Al Ghul (who appeared in BATMAN BEGINS), and that she takes the role of Miranda Tate, an ecologically minded businesswoman who "is fascinated by Wayne Enterprises. They go through difficulties, and she wants to help provide the world clean energies. She's a good guy." But does she stay that way? "Yes," she insists.

Interesting. Either we're all wrong -- Yes, I'm one of those fans who believe her to be Talia -- or she's simply not telling the truth to the article's author. Would the latter surprise anyone? What else is she going to say? Regardless, we shall find out for sure very soon!

(DISCLAIMER: Trust me, I have NO inside intel on the real identity of Marion Cotillard's RISES character. And if I did, there's no way I'd be talking about it here on BOF. I'm simply speculating like all Batman fans. - "Jett")

 BOF's Senior Contributor Sean Gerber (who is also the founder of MODERN-MYTH-MEDIA.COM) headed over to the Kitson store in Santa Monica, CA and snapped a few pics of their RISES merchandise display. >>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT!

 Mathew Modine says who he is really playing in RISES as well makes one hell of a bold box office prediction! >>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

 The cool cats over at COLLIDER.COM posted some pics of new RISES merch found over at a Kitson store in Santa Monica, CA. You'll definitely want to check out their report as it features a very cool pic of a "Bane Bust" that's on display at said store. Below are three of the shirts now available over at the KITSON WEBSITE...

I think I shall be getting both of Bane and Bat-Symbol shirts for myself, while the wife is keen on the Catwoman one. (And no haters, I am NOT getting any sort of kickback by posting this merch here.)

 See the headline above? I'll give you my take on that question in the latest BOF MAILBAG.

 All of the winners of that cool RISES T-shirt design competition have been revaled over at DESIGNBYHUMANS.COM. I shall be buying a few of them methinks.

 The BOF Roundtablers -- Sean, John, Josh, Brad, and Chris -- and I discuss and generally geek out over the third and final trailer for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. >>> CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

 Now that we've all seen RISES TRAILER #3, so it's time to discuss it! We'll be recording a new BOF PODCAST tonight, so Tweet your question to Sean via @MODERNMYTHMEDIA, email them to me at MAILBAG@BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM, or post them over at the FACEBOOK BOF FAN PAGE.

 Check out this cool article about this Summer's comic book films over at CNN.COM. You might even recognize one of the people who contributed to the article. ;)

 Check out BOF's own Chris Clow's latest "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Update" over at MOVIES.COM.

 Wow. CLICK HERE to watch the third and final trailer for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES!

 Now that Trailer #3 is out, it'll be the topic of our next BOF PODCAST which we will be recording Friday evening. Look for it on BOF early Saturday.

 Since so many of y'all asked via email today, I've posted my initial thoughts on the new trailer over in the BOF MAILBAG.

 A new viral RISES campaign has began which will lead us to trailer #3! CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY (or on the image below)!

 The winners of the RISES T-shirt contest are being revealed over at SHAREASALE.COM, FYI.

 Great question: "What sort of Batcave will be see in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES?" Check out my answer in the latest BOF MAILBAG.

 Check out THIS GREAT FEATURE on THE DARK KNIGHT RISES over at Geoff Boucher's Hero Compex Blog.

 A BOF OP-ED: "GET OVER IT Fanboy...RISES' Catwoman IS Catwoman!" by Cary Ashby.

 You see the headline above, right? A very interesting question indeed, and I've addressed it in the latest installment of the "BOF MAILBAG."

 Yes, I know that there are some new RISES images floating around out there on the Net. Thanks for all of your emails. There's one of The Batman, one of The Batman with The Bat in the background, and another rather cool one of The Dark Knight and Bane about to go to bigtime blows. But here's the deal folks...

They were NOT officially released by Warner Bros.

And THAT is why they are not on BOF and why I'm sure that they are being "Removed at the studio's request" on a website near you as we speak.

 More from CinemaCon! Check out what Michelle Pfeiffer had to say about Anne Hathaway as Catwoman over at MODERN-MYTH-MEDIA.COM. Though I hate BATMAN RETURNS, I do love MP's turn as "Catwoman."

 UPDATE: Here you go folks, Sean Gerber's EXCELLENT report of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES presentation at CinemaCon '12! >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY! (And make sure you check out and read regularly Sean's own site, MODERN MYTH MEDIA. Thank you!)

 Check out the new BOF/MMM Podcast where Sean and Josh discuss the new RISES footage screened at CinemaCon RIGHT HERE (or on the logo below).

 Director Chris Nolan presented a "sizzle reel" of new footage from THE DARK KNIGHT RISES today in Las Vegas at Cinemacon. BOF was there in the form of Sean Gerber and Josh Costella and their report will be posted here shortly. Here's what Sean texted me right after he saw the footage...

"It was nothing short of incredible, Bill! We saw The Bat in action, a lot of interaction between Batman and Catwoman, and lots of other shots that make good on the 'war movie' description of the film."

Stay tuned to BOF for Sean's full report!

 Via an interview with THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, director Chris Nolan says there will be over an hour of IMAX footage in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. The operatic quality of THE DARK KNIGHT and THE DARK KNIGHT RISES felt very well suited to IMAX’s larger canvas," said Nolan. Click on the link provided for the full story.

 If you haven't already, check out this GREAT op-ed from THOR and THE AVENGERS star Tom Hiddleston ("Loki") about the greatness of comic book/superhero films. Here's what he had to say about THE DARK KNIGHT...

"Superhero movies also represent the pinnacle of cinema as 'motion picture.' I'd like to think that the Lumière brothers would thrill at the cat-and-mouse chase through the netherworld streets of Gotham in THE DARK KNIGHT with helicopters tripping on high-tensile wires and falling from the sky, and a huge Joker-driven triple-length truck upending 180 degrees like a Russian acrobat."

Bravo!

 FYI. I pulled two images of Tom Hardy as Bane that I recently posted here on BOF at the request of Warner Bros. I had no idea that they were illegally leaked -- or I certainly wouldn't have posted them in the first place. Just coming clean about my mistake in case you were wondering where they went.

 (This story was UPDATED on Sunday, 4/22/12) You saw the headline above right? I told you all this past Wedesday, April 18th what I've been hearing and now I can confirm it. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY!

 BATMAN FOREVER's Dark Knight -- Val Kilmer -- recently talked a bit about his turn as The Caped Crusader, gave his take on the Nolan Bat-Films, and where he thought the Burton/Schmacher series went wrong. >>> CLICK HERE TO READ.

 OK folks, listen up. Michael Uslan DID NOT reveal the ending of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES! He was asked how it ended and he joked that it ends with the words "THE END." It's a misleading headline and nothing more. The interview -- at a recent comic con -- was actually very cool. Mr. Uslan talked about the greatness of Chris Nolan, spoke of the fun of going to movies and knowing NOTHING about them beforehand, and fired the audience up telling them "Just WAIT 'til you see THE DARK KNIGHT RISES!"

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

 Since this is my site, I figured I'd post this from an up-and-coming artist. Who is 15. And is probably related to me.

 THE AVENGERS? Read on...

Back on January 11th, I reported the following here on BOF...

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."

Well, May's almost here and I thought I might post a bit of scuttlebutt I've heard: The new trailer might be "attached" with THE AVENGERS. If so, we could possibly be seeing it in about 2 weeks. With THE AVENGERS being such a huge film, I could see why Warner Bros. would want to have a trailer out then. I don't think it being a "Marvel Movie" is an issue at all. Quite frankly, it's good for the entire when any comic bood/superhero film does well -- Marvel, DC, whomever.

Look, don't bet the house on this, OK? I'm just letting you all know what I've been hearing and I consider it nothing more than rumor right now. Remember, DARK SHADOWS comes out a week after THE AVENGERS (May 11th) and like THE DARK KNIGHT, it's a Warner Bros. film.

Also, I expect the publicity and marketing for RISES to ramp up significantly in May. If you remember, that's when it really kicked into gear for THE DARK KNIGHT four years ago in 2008. For example, BOF exclusively released a TDK JOKER BANNER on May 18th of 2008. FYI.

 Check out the new BOF Podcast HERE where we discuss the recent RISES feature in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY and also answer questions from the BOF Mailbag.

 If you're interested in seeing the new RISES images that are included in the new EW feature on the film, CLICK HERE (or on the thumbnail below).

 For info on the upcoming documentary about Batman fans -- LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT -- CLICK HERE.

 Check out this great interview with Chris Nolan about filmmaking over at DGA.ORG.

 Batman and Catwoman are on the cover of EW's "Summer Preview" Issue. Click on the link provided or the image below to check it out -- as well as a few blurbs about the film from Nolan, Hardy, and Hathaway.

I really hope no one is still complaining about the "look" of Catwoman in RISES after clicking on the image below...

...though I'm quite sure some are. *sigh*

 This makes me both happy and sad at the same time. See the counter over there on the upper right? Only 100 days -- plus a little H-M-S -- 'til THE DARK KNIGHT RISES hits theaters on July 20th, 2012. As I've said MANY times, enjoy this ride my friends (and the ride is almost over)!

 Per EW.COM, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES will be rated PG-13 for "...“intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language." I believe this info made the rounds yesterday, but I didn't think news of a PG-13 rating -- which was expected -- was really "news." While, the mention of "sensuality and language" is a bit interesting, I'm quite sure there won't be any F-bombs dropped or hanging-from-the-ceiling sex taking place.

 Check out the latest installment of BOF contributor Josh Costella's "Saying Goodbye to the Nolan Batman Series" over at MODERN-MYTH-MEDIA.COM.

 Oh no! "Outtakes" from THE DARK KNIGHT RISES have "leaked." CLICK HERE to hear 'em!

 RISES' Batman vs. Bane, "Golden Age Style."

 CLICK HERE to listen to the latest BOF Podcast.

 The BOF Mailbag HAS BEEN UPDATED!

 HERE is a first look at 3 RISES-based costumes -- Batman, Bane, and Catwoman -- that will be available soon.

 You can now check and and vote for the T-shirts that have been submitted to DESIGN BY HUMANS. There are some really cool ones as well as some "meh" ones as well. Also, there's still time to send in your design as the contest goes on until APRIL 11th, 2012. CLICK HERE for more info on the contest to and to submit your design.

 The Batmobiles were let loose from Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, CA this past Friday, allegedly to film something for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES' Blu-ray/DVD extras. CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO! - UPDATED 4.3.12 with new video.

 Make sure you check out the latest "RISES Countdown" over at MOVIES.COM by BOF's own Chris Clow.

 I've been representin'...

...have YOU? If so, post your pics Fridays on TWITTER during "#batmangearfriday!"

 This is brilliant! "Heath Ledger as The Joker" Lego Portrait!

 FYI: A MAJOR RISES spoiler has shown up online. While "officially released" on the the surface, I have reason to believe it was revealed by mistake. Stay tuned...

UPDATE! While the outlets that are sourcing Warner Bros. Pictures when it comes to this news -- and they'd technically be right -- Warner Bros. themselves are not commenting on the story. From where I stand, this was information that was inadvertently announced and never meant to be revealed until the film's release this Summer. If you're avoiding spoilers, I'd do my best to avoid this information.

 Posted due to lack of real RISES news. The last trailer for RISES has been done Lego-style. CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!

 This is rather cool. A new documentary is in production and it's about Batman...fans. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

 The BOF Roundtablers and I recoreded a new episode this morning and discussed whether or not RISES will be at the San Diego Comic Con this Summer and answered several of your questions. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN or on the image below.

 As we get closer to the July 20, 2012 release date of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, more and more merchandise related to the film is being unveiled -- like this BATMAN VS. CATWOMAN book for kids. The reason I post it here is because it provides another look at Catwoman -- one based on her "Wayne Costume Ball" look from the trailer. CLICK HERE or on the image below for a larger image.

 There have been some "news reports" online suggesting -- and some flat-out saying -- that RISES will premiere at Comic Con in San Diego this Summer with "Team Nolan" in attendence. This is the topic of the latest BOF MAILBAG.

 FYI: A potential bigtime spoiler involving Commissioner Gordon is making the rounds online. All I'll is that this revelation comes via merchandise and it's something I'm sure that the filmmakers don't want out there. Be careful where you surf online.

 Want to design a T-shirt for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES and maybe win some cash? Then CLICK HERE or on the image below for details! Oh yeah, Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas are choosing the winners!

Design By Humans is looking for several artistic Humans to design graphic t-shirts, inspired by the upcoming, highly anticipated film THE DARK KNIGHT, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures. This exclusive contest is a rare opportunity to produce artwork for one of the most renowned movie entities on the planet and have a chance to get your design seen by the Art Department at Warner Bros. and THE DARK KNIGHT filmmakers.

From the top 10 finalists selected, the top 3 winners will be chosen by THE DARK KNIGHT Director/Writer/Producer Christopher Nolan and Producer Emma Thomas. Collectively, finalists will have the opportunity to win up to $12,500 in prize money for the winning t-shirt design, with the top prize being $3,500. The contest starts now and we will be accepting submissions until April 2nd at midnight. The contest is free to enter.

DISCLAIMER: BOF has nothing to do with the contest...I'm just passing along the info to you readers. Good luck!

 Happy St. Paddy's Day everyone! Have fun, be safe. Cheers...

 According to HEAT VISON, director Chris Nolan has screened the first cut of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES for Warner Bros. execs. Per the report, "Nolan has been a fixture on the Warners lot during the past few days after finishing a monthslong shoot and editing process."

When I attended the premiere of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES PROLOGUE back in December, Chris Nolan told us that he hadn't yet began the editing process. So I'm assuming that he's spent the last two and a half months doing just that. Also, producer Emma Thomas told me back in June of 2008 that they had just finshed the editing of THE DARK KNIGHT only a week before it screened for the press. So I'm quite sure that this Friday's screening of RISES was a very rough cut and the editing process will continue until mid to late June.

 While I decided not to attend Wondercon this year, Sean Gerber of MODERN-MYTH-MEDIA.COM did and snapped a few pics of RISES merchandise on display. CLICK HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT.

 Sean also saw a short preview of the upcoming animated adaptation of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. You can read his take on it HERE.

 BATMAN AND ROBIN: THE MUSICAL is definitely an improvement on the original. Enjoy!

Here's the cover of the Spanish edition of Michael Uslan's biography, THE BOY WHO LOVED BATMAN...

CLICK HERE for more info if interested.

 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES is only four months away, so as a result, the BOF PODCAST is back! Not only are we back, but me and the "BOF Roundtablers" will be podcasting on a regular basis through RISES' release in July. And hopefully, we'll have some "special guests" along the way! So if you are so inclined, check out the latest episode RIGHT HERE or on the logo below. Here's this show's description...

"Jett and the "BOF Roundtablers" -- Sean Gerber, Josh Costella, John Bierly, and Chris Clow -- return to discuss THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, Batman on film post-Chris Nolan, and answer a few of your questions via Twitter!"

(A special thanks to Sean Gerber who runs BOF's sister site, MODERN-MYTH-MEDIA.COM, for his work as the show's host as well as podcast editor.)

 Posted only because IT'S FUNNY. Enjoy!

 Thanks to MODERN-MYTH-MEDIA.COM, I found the following images below. What you have is the "Movie Masters" action figures of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's "John Blake" and Michael Caine's "Alfred Pennyworth." Head on over to MMM for more details.

 A new marketing image of Christian Bale has showed up over at the official DC Comics website. >>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!

 I think I shall be wearing THIS SHIRT I just purchased to many of my RISES-related endeavors and trips this Summer.

 Actor David Gyasi has a small -- very small -- unspecified role in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. Here's what he had to say about the experience (via DYI)...

* "I didn't get a script, so basically I had the audition in my head. I arrived on set, and Christopher Nolan was giving me the lines I had to say. He would literally say, this is what just happened, and this is what you're reacting to. I know absolutely nothing! I know that sounds like a cop-out, but I was there, and I worked with Tom Conti and a little bit with Christian Bale, but I was there on a need to know basis. I'm hoping that I'm still in the film, as I'm a fan of the films, so I'll be watching with vested interest!"

Ha! That Nolan is one secretive dude!

 Congrats to BEGINS/TDK/RISES cinematogrpaher Wally Pfister on getting his first directing gig.

 Check out costume designer Lindy Hemming's comments on what Bane, Bruce Wayne, and Batman will be wearing in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY.

 Got lots of email of late asking me they question you see in the headline above. You'll find my answer in the latest installment of the BOF MAILBAG!

 Now these are badass! Click on the images below for more details!

 A new book titled TALES FROM DEVELOPMENT HELL by David Hughes details the "development hell" of the Batman film franchise between 1997's BATMAN AND ROBIN to 2005's BATMAN BEGINS. You can check out an excerpt from the book over at MOVIELINE.COM. If you're interested in that particular history of Batman on film -- like me -- the book might be worth picking up.

 I found the image below over at STARKINDUSTRIES.RU (thanks to several BOFer's emails). It's a page of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES stickers that reveal a "new" look at Bane...

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

 Great stuff from Hans Zimmer on why Nolan's so secret. >>> CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY!

 Here is BOF's review of JUSTCE LEAGUE: DOOM -- and Batman's kinda the star of it.

 This isn't THE DARK KNIGHT RISES news, but it's still "Batman on film." JUSTICE LEAGUE: DOOM will be available on February 28, 2012, and here's a preview clip featuring Batman.

 Wow. I CAN NOT believe THIS is for real! *wink*

 Alright folks, the BOF MAILBAG has been updated!

 RISES producer Emma Thomas had a few cool quotes about the film, and you can check them out HERE (or on the image below)...

 Nic Cage says he might have been The Scarecrow in BATMAN TRIUMPHANT. Ah, the days of BATMAN TRIUMPHANT...oh the memories!

 RISES concept artist Tully Summers says that the film is a "war movie." CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY.

 Check out the Tom Hardy's new interview on THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW RIGHT HERE,or by clicking on the image below...

 Kicking it old school BOF! "Is Batman BEYOND a Reboot?"

 Check out the Bane, Catwoman, and Batman "Movie Masters" that were displayed at Toy Fair '12 HERE.

 Check out what Gary Oldman had to say about Sir Michael Caine's thespian skills HERE.

 Video: Tom Hardy isn't worried about Bane's voice (and you shouldn't be either).

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

 DC Direct has revealed 3 statues and 3 busts based on Batman, Bane, and Catwoman from THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. Click on the thumbnails below to check 'em out...

 Gary Oldman reveals that he once "misplaced" a Bat-Script which led to a freakout. CLICK HERE or on the image below to watch the video!

 Toy Fair 2012 is coming up, and two more RISES statues have shown up online. CLICK HERE or on the image below to give 'em a look.

 A few Bat-blurbs from Michael Caine via THE MIRROR...

* "On BATMAN, you get shot if you speak about it. [All I can say is that] this one will definitely be the best [BATMAN] ever."

* "The director, Chris Nolan, is the most secretive guy. The first time he came to me for Batman he came to my house in the country on a Sunday morning. I opened the door and he was standing there with a script. He said, 'do you want to play the Butler?' He stayed while I read it and took the script away. He wouldn't trust me with it! When you do one of the films it's like signing the Official Secrets Act."

Click on the link provided above for the full interview.

 As we get closer to the release of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, more and more merchandise will be revealed -- like bobbleheads. You can check two based on Batman and Bane HERE (or on the image below).

 Via VARIETY.COM, the first look at Mattel's Bane action figure from the Movie Masters line...

 A good look at "The Bat" -- in toy form -- via USATODAY.COM...

 HERO COMPLEX has an exclusive look at a few upcoming RISES-related toys. Click on the link provided on the image below to check them out.

 Check out this German RISES toy promo by clicking HERE on on the image below.

 Below is a quote (via a recent STYLE MAGAZINE interview) from Christian Bale in which he gives his take on the Batman character...

“For me, he’s an anarchist and a free spirit. He knows that there are parallels between him and his enemies because life is never stable – you always have to fight for it. Keeping in mind that it may never be boring and that nobody is obliging you to behave like a superhero and to always have your muscles flexed and bulging."

 Wow, the young lady in that image below could have been Catwoman.

 My friends over at LATINO REVIEW have posted a couple of blurbs from Tom Hardy about playing Bane...

* "Bane’s mask is tight, actually. I got used to it, but you get used to anything really, in time."

* "I didn’t get into a dark place at all [to play Bane]. A lot of dark characters are easy to have distance from, it’s something I feel comfortable with, I suppose."