Official Release Date of July 20, 2012 Set For ‘The Dark Knight’ Sequel ‘The Dark Knight Rises’

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CHICAGO – While the highly anticipated sequel to the box office-obliterating film “The Dark Knight” is already known by many tentative names (“Batman 3,” “Untitled Batman Project,” “The Dark Knight Returns,” etc.), one fact is now true as of April 30, 2010: its release date on July 20, 2012, according to an announcement by Warner Bros. on that day.

When “The Dark Knight” filmed in Chicago, HollywoodChicago.com was one of the best places on or off the Web to comprehensively learn about everything related to the film from its filming to its viral networking. For the upcoming 2012 film, we’ll be your Bible again. Want proof? Hit this link. It’s one of the best links on the Internet about “The Dark Knight,” which hit theaters on July 18, 2008. For “Batman 3” coverage and more, tune into HollywoodChicago.com and tell your friends!

“The Dark Knight” stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Eric Roberts, Chin Han, Anthony Michael Hall, Eric Roberts, Ritchie Coster, Nestor Carbonell, Ron Dean and Monique Gabriela Curnen from director Christopher Nolan and writers Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan.

Heath Ledger stars as the Joker in “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: Warner Bros., copyright DC Comics

“The Dark Knight” opened in theaters to a record-smashing $158.4 million, which has yet to be beaten in an opening weekend. The film raked in $533.4 million by the conclusion of its box-office run, which made it only the second film to ever cross the $500 million mark at the time. Since then, “Avatar” also did so. Globally, “The Dark Knight” has earned just in excess of $1 billion, which puts it in the league of top-five films of all time. The film had a production budget of $185 million.

“The Dark Knight” won two Oscars and garnered another 79 wins and 61 nominations. The academy gave golden Oscar statues to the late Heath Ledger for his supporting performance as the Joker and to Richard King for best sound editing. For the tentatively titled “Batman 3” film, we have official confirmation about the following information:

1. The new “Batman 3” will again be directed by Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight,” “The Prestige,” “Batman Begins,” “Insomnia,” “Memento” and the upcoming 2010 film “Inception”).
   
   
2. The screenplay for “Batman 3” will again be written by Jonathan Nolan (“The Dark Knight”). David S. Goyer gets a screenplay credit this time. He wrote the story for “The Dark Knight”.
   
   
3. So far, we know about the following four return casting selections for “Batman 3”: Christian Bale (as Bruce Wayne and Batman), Gary Oldman (as Commissioner Gordon), Morgan Freeman (as Lucius Fox) and Michael Caine (as Alfred).
   
   
4. Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan are executive producers. Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven and Emma Thomas are producers.
   
   
5. Wally Pfister returns as cinematographer.
   
   
6. Nathan Crowley returns as production designer.
   
   
7. Lindy Hemming returns as costume designer.
   
   
8. Christopher Nolan is currently in post-production on “Inception”. There currently isn’t an official title for “The Dark Knight” sequel or start date for filming.
   
   
9. “The Dark Knight” opened on July 18, 2008 and “Inception” debuts July 16, 2010.
   
   
10. The new “Batman 3” film will debut in conventional and IMAX theaters almost exactly four years after “The Dark Knight” opened.
    
    
11. The summer of 2012 is shaping up to be a major geek movie season. Marvel’s “The Avengers” is set for May 4, “Madagascar 3” is coming on May 18, board-game adaptation “Battleship” is set for May 25, “Brave” from Disney/Pixar is set for June 15, the “Star Trek” sequel is coming on June 29, the rebooted “Spider-Man” is set for July 3 and “Batman 3” is slated for July 20.

HollywoodChicago.com on Sept. 12, 2009 already had fan-made posters for “Batman 3”. For new “Batman 3” news, tune into HollywoodChicago.com early and often. You can bet that it’ll be here!

Update on Nov. 11, 2010 at 10:11 p.m.: The name for Christopher Nolan’s third Batman film officially is “The Dark Knight Rises”.

Read our full review of “The Dark Knight”.
Read our comprehensive coverage of “The Dark Knight”.

By ADAM FENDELMAN Editor-in-Chief/Publisher HollywoodChicago.com adam@hollywoodchicago.com