WRITERS: David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan, and based on the characters by Bob Kane.
PRODUCER: Emma Thomas.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan.
ORIGINAL MUSIC: David Julyan.
DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros.
BUDGET: $135 million (USA)
SHOOTING DATES: March 2004 -- ???
- This is the *fourth* Batman movie (not counting the currently-in-production Batman spinoff Catwoman) being developed at Warner Bros. following: Batman Beyond, Batman: Year One and Batman Vs. Superman. Each of the three projects appear to be shelved at the moment, with only this film seeming as though it might happen within the next few years or so.
- Guy Pearce was a strong contender for the role of Batman / Bruce Wayne. He has worked with director Christopher Nolan previously on Memento (2000). Other actors considered for the role included Ashton Kutcher, David Boreanez, John Cusack, David Duchovny and newcomer Hugh Dancy.
- Marilyn Manson was once considered for the role of Scarecrow.
- A very large number of directors were considered to direct the film. For some time, despite the fourth movie's failure, Joel Schumacher was attached to direct the film based on the Batman: Year One saga. After he left, among others, the producers popted for an even darker approach, and officially asked David Fincher to direct, who ultimately declined. At one point, following the Dark Knight saga, with Clint Eastwood taking the director duties as well as donning the cape. In 2002, producers planned to make a Superman Vs. Batman movie with Wolfgang Petersen' at the helm, but Petersen instead opted to make Troy (2004) for Warner Bros. Finally, Chris Nolan took over the project in 2003.
- Chris Cooper turned down the role of James Gordon.
- Viggo Mortensen turned down the role of Ra's Al Ghul, the main villian in the film. Daniel Day Lewis was also approached for the role.
- The movie restarts the Batman franchise, having nothing to do with the previous four Warner Bros. movies.
- The Batman costume was so tight, it took three squirts of talcom powder to get Christian Bale to fit it.
- Filming was temporarily delayed on the London soundstage due to the sound of amorous pigeons in the rafters above.
- The crime boss Carmine "The Roman" Falcone was a character from the comics. He was Gotham City's last "old school" gangster. He was killed, and his empire wiped out, when Batman's familiar rogue's gallery came into prominence.
