Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...

I don’t know anything new about this film. I wish I did. I’d love to know something new about this film, but right now, even with me knowing people inside this thing, it’s locked up pretty tight.

Still, we get bags and bags of e-mail asking about this and SUPERMAN, and since we don’t have anything new to report, the least I can do is link you to the most recent rumors over at Batman-On-Film.com to give you something to enjoy:

More "fuel" for the Bat-fire!

Tuesday, July 8, 2003 (second update): So much for being on "standby," huh? This excellent bit of news really sheds some light on what direction Nolan's Bat-film is taking and what it could look like. Now for the disclaimer: This guy can not give away his ID, nor the ID of the company at which he works. This company is in the running (among others) to do some work on the Nolan Bat-film. I know, but I won't say for the sake of protecting the ID of this source. And this is a new source, so BOF does not vouch for the 100% validity of this info. However, I have done this long enough to weed out most of the BS that comes along (daily, trust me on that). And he sent me something that tells me he does what he says he does. And with that said, here's the latest....

ANYWAY, this is some of the info gleaned from our many meetings--

Ashton Kutcher- definite interest, but those pushing for him quickly lost ground. Nolan has a vision & tone for the film. Not so much "Dark," as the character is obviously that, but SERIOUS; Nolan wants to do a comic adventure w/ real world feel. Kutcher won't get past Nolan, & WB won't mess up their relationship w/ Nolan. Read: KUTCHER'S OUT.

Costume-Look for the new bat-rig to be more faithful to the comics, as in not all black. Also, look for the sculpted "rubber" look to go away, a la Spiderman.

Batmobile- smaller, sleeker; think dodge viper crossed with a small dragster.

Villain-Scarecrow is the front-runner; he may not be the one, or the only one. There is talk of introducing a NEW villain via the movie!

Casting-Open field, but Nolan DOES have prospects in mind. It won't be hard to cast this film. There was discussion about Christian Bale, unofficially, because Matthew McCoughnahey is a name being pushed for Superman. Both were teamed in Reign Of Fire. WB wants to coordinate the casting of their premiere properties, as they want to re-launch both for a trilogy-plus run, with an eventual cross-over/team-up. Bale would be a solid Bruce Wayne, having the look, build, & height, as well as the talent for the role.

Whoever gets the nod for both roles is hoped for a 3 picture deal. This will mean a 25-30 something star for each film. THIS ALSO means younger versions of Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, & Harvey Dent, than in the previous films. Alfred will be in his fifties; Commissioner Gordon will be in his forties, & more along the lines of Miller's "YEAR ONE" Gordon. A teen-age Barbara Gordon, Gordon's niece, may make a non-Batgirl cameo. (not Alicia Silverstone's Barbara PENNYWORTH from Batman & Robin).

Logic would dictate that the same treatment would be given to the Flying Grayson's Although all involved say Robin WILL NOT be part of the plot. Harvey Dent WILL NOT be Two-face, solidifying the thought that this is a restart to the franchise. This is significant, as this opens the door for an appearance by The Joker, either in this or future films. Dent will be a contemporary of Wayne's; look for him to be in his mid thirties. Names for the part include Noah Wiley from ER, David Duchovney, & Dougray Scott (also mentioned for Bruce Wayne)! Gordon has no names attached, but agents for Dennis Quaid, Sam Neil, Patrick Swayze (?!) & Dylan McDermott(?!) have all been contacted. WB/Nolan want Gordon to be a significant role in the upcoming franchise. Look for him to be a grizzled, hard as nails cop that begrudgingly befriends Batman.

Lots of new rumors to chew on, so get your choppers working and let’s see what you think.

Thanks for the heads-up on this one, and thanks to Batman-on-Film.com.

"Moriarty" out.