The Dark Knight

CHICAGO – Once the swarm of sorrow hit the world on Jan. 22, 2008 following news of Heath Ledger’s death, questions soon ensued about its impact on Chris Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” and Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”.

CHICAGO – Heath Ledger has been found dead in his Manhattan apartment, according to CNN. He was 28.

CHICAGO – Back on Dec. 4, 2007, we reported on “The Dark Knight” viral marketing activities that concluded in fans rushing around the U.S. to snag cakes in bakeries. Items were baked inside them and enthusiasts tore apart the treats to find out what they were. The Joker promised that the embedded cell phones would have a purpose later.

Semi-alarming photos surfaced on Monday from London of Heath Ledger not as the Joker in “The Dark Knight” but as a character being hung by a noose in the upcoming fantasy film “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”. These photos are from JustJared.com.

A second trailer for Pixar’s “WALL-E,” which will be packaged with “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” for its Dec. 21 release, is now online. “WALL-E” is slated to open on June 27, 2008.

Following the appearance of a bootlegged recording of the official trailer for “The Dark Knight” and the promise at a new viral site that the real thing would appear on Sunday, it indeed did.

CHICAGO – A bootlegged recording of “The Dark Knight” IMAX prologue, which is showing in theaters before “I Am Legend,” is now on YouTube. My review of the prologue is here.

While I typically swerve clear of conjecture and fake imagery, this post is dedicated to the pursuit of clarity because this particular fan-manipulated imagery has been causing a good deal of confusion.

Three new posters surfaced in the last 24 hours for “The Dark Knight” and fans didn’t even have to work hard for them through viral games. The first poster is the film’s international teaser poster.

I’ve been hearing similiar rumblings and Superhero Hype! has now gone on record about it. Moments ago, the credible site reported that “The Dark Knight” trailer will surface online early next week at its official Web site.