New 'Skyfall' Trailer Reveals Threat Facing James Bond & MI6

 

At Comic-Con 2012 we got new updates on the upcoming 23rd James Bond movie, which is entitled Skyfall. Daniel Craig is back as 007, this time under the direction of Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes and a supporting cast that includes returning players like Judi Dench as Bond's boss, 'M,' and new additions like Naomie Harris (28 Days Later), Ralph Fiennes, and Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) as the new villain plaguing MI6.

The Skyfall trailer and synopsis have already established that this film will deal with some threat from M's past that comes back to haunt her and Bond ' but a new trailer that debuted at the Comic-Con 2012 'IMAX Remix' event has revealed what the nature of that threat will be. Read on if you want to know ' but be warned, it could be considered a MINOR SPOILER:

As reported by Total Film, who was on hand for the event:

It turns out that M was responsible for a data drive containing the identities and current locations of every British Intelligence Agent currently operating in the field. Quite a sensitive bit of kit then, and not something you'd want falling into the wrong hands. Except that's exactly what happens'

Naturally, when the classified information gets out, MI6 agents start dropping like flies ' presumably resulting in this particularly somber moment, as glimpsed in the Skyfall trailer:

Moreover, this plot development also lends credit to an earlier rumor, which pointed to a sequence in Skyfall where carnage caused by Bardem's assassin character is literally brought to James Bond's doorstep. It would stand to reason that the personal information on Bond that was on M's data drive would give 007's foes everything they would need to infiltrate his life. However, in the Skyfall trailer's sweetest moment (in my humble opinion), Bond reminds us that he's no one's easy target, when he delivers the line, 'Some men are coming to kill us, but we're going to kill them first.'

SIDE NOTE: this compromised agent story is also the same basic premise of Brian De Palma's first Mission: Impossible film. Take that how you will.

The rest of the new IMAX trailer was said to contain some visually spectacular sequences, including that train sequence we heard about way back when as the film was going into production. Head over to Total Film  to learn more. And check back here soon ' we'll post the new trailer when it debuts online.

Skyfall will be in theaters on November 9, 2012.

Source: Total Film

'The Wolverine' Set Video; Jessica Biel On Dropping Out

The Wolverine has had its share of production woes ' most notably when Darren Aronofsky dropped out as director, delaying the film's release by two years ' but that's all a thing of the past now that production's in full-swing.

Last week, production photos from the set of The Wolverine hit the internet (before they were taken down) featuring what looked like a World War II prison camp. Today, there's a set video ' courtesy of Autralia's 7News  ' featruing the very same thing.

There's very little footage of the set itself, but near the end of the above clip, you can vaguely make out a bunch of shirtless soldiers running as fast as they can ' possibly as part of a prison break?

To mark the start of production, producer and star Hugh Jackman tweeted:

'we're on day 1 of shooting'..wolverine is back' feel so pumped about this one' never felt so ready!!!! will keep y'all posted!!!'

It's somewhat reassuring that Jackman sounds so jazzed about the film. Hopefully, that excitement will translate into a stellar product ' or at least a product that's deemed more stellar than its widely panned predecessor, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Meanwhile, Total Recall remake star Jessica Biel talked to Crave Online about the rumors of her being up for a role in Wolverine, only to bow out of the running due to scheduling issues. She said:

'Yeah, I was talking to them about it, hearing what it was about and everything. Yeah. It was not completely out of the realm of possibilities. We just couldn't make it work.'

On the character she would've played in The Wolverine:

'That particular character was really cool. She was this vivacious woman who is thrilled about her own immortality, and it was interesting, that kind of persona, I thought, for a quote-unquote 'villain' character. And I was really interested in the director, so it was worth the conversation. [James Mangold] is great. He's talented.'

The character she's referring to is Viper, a villain(ess) who, at one point in the comics, blackmailed Wolverine into marrying her to shore up her criminal empire. She was also a member of Hydra, the evil organization that was used in Captain America: The First Avenger as a swastika-less stand-in for the Nazis. Which begs the question ' if Viper first appeared in a Captain America comic and is not strictly a Wolverine character, how does Fox have the rights to use her in a Wolverine film?

The Wolverine - directed by James Mangold (Knight and Day) - hits theaters July 26th, 2013.

-

Follow me on Twitter @benandrewmoore.

Sources: Australia's 7News [via Superhero Hype] & Crave Online

Marc Webb Still in the Running to Direct 'Amazing Spider-Man 2'?

Sony Pictures decided to reboot the Spider-Man franchise after the proposed budget for Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 4 swelled to $300 million. The result of that decision is The Amazing Spider-Man, a 3D production sold as 'The Untold Story' of Peter Parker that, in reality, revisits the origins of the arachnid-powered superhero while planting the seeds for future installments that branch out into unexplored territory. That bait-and-switch gamble has paid off, thanks to the sturdy efforts of TASM director Marc Webb (coupled with Spidey's enduring popularity).

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was put in motion a year before Webb's reboot even hit theaters, with a Summer 2014 release in mind. Spider-Man producers Avi Arad and Matthew Tolmach are keeping that ball rolling at full speed and have been pushing for Webb to return for the sequel, so he may continue mapping out the TASM universe.

Webb's involvement is questionable due to his deal with Fox Searchlight, as the studio backed his freshman feature (500) Days of Summer and is anxious for him to fulfill his second movie commitment. Sony, as a result, finds itself in a situation reminiscent of Lionsgate's with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire earlier this year, where the sequel's rapid progress inspired Hunger Games director Gary Ross to take a pass. Webb's contractual obligations, not his creative preferences, are at the heart of the Amazing Spider-Man 2 dilemma, but the end result could be the same (ie. a fast-assembling blockbuster sequel in need of a new director).

Movies Now has been following the behind-the-scenes proceedings on Amazing Spider-Man 2, and says there's one possible scenario that would free up Webb for the comic book sequel. Fox is giving thought to allowing Webb to return for the project, in exchange for an two-movie deal with the studio. Webb is already loosely attached to helm the post-apocalyptic young adult tale Age of Rage, so such a compromise would be easier to strike if Webb finds another developing Fox project that fits his storytelling sensibilities.

Amazing Spider-Man 2 is being written by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who are reworking a previous script draft penned by TASM co-writer James Vanderbilt (the scribe behind Raimi's abandoned Spider-Man 4). It's thought that the former are structuring the sequel to not only pick up the handful of narrative threads that were intentionally left dangling by Amazing Spider-Man (no pun), but also match the tone and worldview put forth in Webb's film. Arad and Tolmach have teased the idea of future installments sharing continuity with Marvel's Avengers universe, but that proposition is little more than a lucrative pipe dream (for the time being).

It stands to reason that Webb could travel the same path as Christopher Nolan did with his Batman trilogy, should he continue to work on the Amazing Spider-Man franchise. The latter, like Webb, encountered issues marrying his indie filmmaking tendencies with the demands of a studio blockbuster on Batman Begins, but would go on and mature into a cinematic storyteller with a distinct voice with The Dark Knight and Dark Knight Rises. However, there's a catch: if Webb strikes the aforementioned deal with Fox, it might restrict him to directing just one additional Spider-Man flick.

We'll keep you updated on the situation with Webb as the story continues to develop.

Meanwhile, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opens in theaters on May 2nd, 2014.

-

Source: LA Times

Margo Martindale & Ken Leung Join 'Person of Interest' Season 2

CBS made big news when it picked up Person of Interest - and with the show's pedigree, it's easy to see why. After all, it was created by The Dark Knight Rises scribe Jonathan Nolan and produced by J.J. Abrams (who has been busy with his untitled Star Trek sequel).

Plus, it stars film actor Jim Caviezel (of The Passion of the Christ) and Lost Emmy winner Michael Emerson. With the second season only two months away, the CBS drama has started lining up some big-name guest stars.

The network itself took to its Twitter account for the latest casting update:

Casting News! 'Lost' alum Ken Leung & Emmy winner Margo Martindale to guest this fall on #PersonOfInterest.

While Martindale has a long and varied film and television career, the actress has become a particularly hot commodity since her 2011 Emmy win for her work on Justified (which has been renewed for a fourth season). On that show, she played season two baddie, Mags Bennett. At this time, there are no further details on what kind of role she'll play on Person of Interest, but don't be surprised if her character ends up being up to no good.

Leung, meanwhile, has appeared on Oz, The Sopranos and (most recently) The Good Wife, as well as films like Rush Hour, Saw and X-Men: The Last Stand. However, he is perhaps best known for his role as Miles Straume on Lost. His guest appearance on Person of Interest will mark a reunion of sorts between him and former co-star Emerson, and it will be interesting to see if the two former castaways will share much screen time.

All in all, both casting moves are smart ones for Person of Interest, as these actors are established television actors whose most celebrated roles are on series with a devoted following. The upcoming sophomore year of the show ' which follows a former CIA agent (Caviezel) and a mysterious billionaire (Emerson) on a mission to prevent New York City crimes ' will be critical in the show making its mark as a consistent hit with a potentially long future. Adding talents like Martindale and Leung is a step in the right direction.

Person of Interest season 2 premieres Steptember 27th, 2012 on CBS @9pm.

-

Source: CBS Twitter Account

Comedy Central Roaster Jeff Ross Gets His Own Show

Comedy Central's 'Roast' specials have proven to be some of the network's most popular programs in the last few years. There's something about seeing iconic figures like William Shatner and David Hasselhoff being simultaneously celebrated and mocked that never fails to draw in audiences. And so it makes perfect sense that longtime roaster Jeff Ross is now set to get his own show.

Variety reports that the half-hour series, titled The Burn with Jeff Ross, will feature a panel of comedians poking fun at the latest happenings in the world of pop culture. Ross will serve as both host and executive producer on the project, which will be preceded by an hour-long special - Jeff Ross Roasts America - on August 11th.

Ross has been a regular fixture on the network's original celebrity roasts since the late 1990s, way before 'winning' tributes to the likes of Charlie Sheen became required viewing. The next installment (which centers on Roseanne Barr) airs August 12th.

Will Ross have better luck than 'Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn'?

If the concept behind The Burn sounds familiar to longtime Comedy Central viewers, that's likely because it bears a striking similarity to the network's Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, which ran from 2002 to 2004. In fact, Comedy Central has made several attempts at recreating the success of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report (both of which were just renewed) by introducing series such as The Showbiz Show with David Spade (2005-2007) and David Alan Grier's Chocolate News (2008) that relied on topical news items to provide continuously fresh content.

This is just smart business for Comedy Central. These shows are far cheaper to produce than more conventionally scripted series, as they don't rely on costly sets, effects or ensemble casts. It's a strategy that its sister networks MTV and VH1 have relied on for years. Anyone remember Best Week Ever?

However, if anyone is qualified to have a show like this, it's Ross, who has spent much of his career at Comedy Central riffing on celebrities and pop culture in general. His prominence there will likely maximize the show's performance with the network's hardcore viewers. Will you be watching?

The Burn with Jeff Ross premieres August 14th @10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central.

-

Source: Variety

Open Discussion ' July 30, 2012

As usual ' talk about whatever you like as long as it's related to movies, TV or Screen Rant itself ' just remember to play nice.

The 10 Best Things About Chris Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy

In 1997, the Batman saga seemed to jump the shark when George Clooney donned the bat suit in the critically-reviled film Batman & Robin. After four films in that series - featuring three different actors as the Caped Crusader- the franchise seemed to have nowhere to go. It was difficult to imagine then that Batman would soon be revitalized in a new series of films that were both commercially successful and critically-praised.

But that changed in 2005 when Christian Bale put on the suit, Chris Nolan stood behind the camera and a new franchise was born with Batman Begins. Now, it's hard - especially for young people - to imagine Batman movies without Nolan behind the camera. Seven years after Begins hit theaters, the trilogy reached its inevitable conclusion with the release of The Dark Knight Rises (Read our review). With that in mind, we decided to list the 10 best things about this unforgettable trilogy of films.

Movie News Wrap Up: July 28th, 2012

This week:

Get ready for some despicable Minions; Jeremy Renner and Bill Condon decide to plug WikiLeaks; Steve Zaillian and Ridley Scott remember The Day Britain Stopped; and Jon Favreau occupies Wall Street.

Despicable Me did anything but despicable business at the box office. The animated film scored a mighty $251 million domestically and another $291 million elsewhere around the globe. A sequel is in the works, but there's also news that a spin-off centered on the minions ' possibly titled The Minions ' is coming.

According to Deadline:

'The film is an original story that will introduce new characters and reprise others that originated in Despicable Me, but the focus is on the antics of the yellow fellows as they interact with human characters.'

The plan is for Despicable Me 2 to open on July 12th, 2013, with The Minions debuting the following year.

If it's not a franchise, it's just not worth it ' right?

Source: Deadline

 -

Wiki, wiki, wi, wi, wiki 'leaks?

Jeremy Renner is eying the role of Julian Assange in DreamWorks' WikiLeaks film. Josh Singer wrote the script for the film, which may be directed by Twilight: Breaking Dawn helmer Bill Condon.

According to Deadline, the film will be based on the books WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War On Secrecy, by David Leigh and Luke Harding, and Inside WikiLeaks: My Time With Julian Assange At The World's Most Dangerous Website, by Daniel Domscheit-Berg.

The untitled film is in the very early stages, with Renner and Condon far from confirmed. It would be a meaty role for Renner and a subject with more bite for Condon, who has also directed the superb Gods and Monsters. Another WikiLeaks film, written by The Hurt Locker scribe Mark Boal, is also in development.

Source: Deadline

 -

Ridley Scott has about a gazillion film projects in the pipeline, but that hasn't stopped him from adding yet another one to the list.

The Prometheus director has joined with his American Gangster partner, Steve Zaillian, to pick up the rights to the BBC's The Day Britain Stopped.

According to THR:

'The telefilm [directed by Gabriel Range] took place around a fictional disaster, in which a train strike is the first in a chain of events that led to a meltdown of the country's transport system.'

This version of the film will 'not be a remake, but is more inspired by the original.' The duo is currently seeking a writer for the project, which probably won't be directed by Scott.

Source: THR

-

Jon Favreau has joined the cast of Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street. The Iron Man director will play a securities lawyer in the film which will be toplined by Scorsese favorite Leonardo DiCaprio.

Though Favreau started in Hollywood on the acting side of things, the last few years have seen him concentrate on directing. However, he also has a batch of acting roles in the pipeline, including a return to the role of Happy Hogan in Shane Black's Iron Man 3, as well as joining Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy in Identity Theft.

Favreau is also planning to direct a big screen version of the hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which features the music of the great Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Oh, what a night.

Source: Deadline

That's it for now. See you at the movies.

'Skyfall' Olympics Trailer: First Glimpse of Javier Bardem as Silva

After a fairly long hiatus ' it's been four years since Quantum of Solace ' James Bond will return in Sam Mendes' Skyfall this November. And though we've seen the trailer and heard tell of the Comic-Con footage (courtesy of our very own Kofi Outlaw), we've yet to see more than a shadowy glimpse of the villain, played by Javier Bardem.

Last night, a teaser trailer (above) aired during the Olympics opening ceremony that featured, among other things, the first shadow-less glimpse of Javier Bardem's blond, creepy villain, simply known as 'Silva.'

The teaser is fairly brief at 33 seconds, but it has everything you could possibly want from a Bond movie trailer: action, romance, the Aston Martin, Bond's family home burning to the ground, a person falling to his death, and Bond himself dryly uttering the words: '007 reporting for duty.'

The second to last shot in the teaser ' of Bond leaping onto a train as the caboose gets torn loose, standing upright, then nonchalantly straightening his right cufflink ' is so quintessentially Bond that it's hard not to get extremely excited about the film. In fact, it's incredibly reminiscent of the scene in Goldeneye where Pierce Brosnan smashes into a car with his tank, stops to assess the damage, calmly adjusts his tie, then drives off.

Alas, there is but a glimpse of Bardem's 'Silva' character, but it's enough to assume that his blond hair (which appeared in some set photos a while back) is probably not a wig within the continuity of the film, as some hypothesized. Might 'Silva' be a throwback to creepy, blond villains of yore as portrayed by Robert Shaw in From Russia with Love, Ronald Rich in You Only Live Twice, Andreas Wisniewski in The Living Daylights, and Gotz Otto in Tomorrow Never Dies? One can only hope.

James Bond (Daniel Craig) also appeared in the opening ceremony of the Olympics (sort of), escorting the Queen herself to the event. Check it out below:

 
James Bond escorts The Queen to the London 2012... by coolchrisvilla

It's interesting that Danny Boyle ' who directed the opening ceremony and the clip above ' was actually rumored at one point to be up for directing James Bond 23 before Sam Mendes became officially attached. Looks like he got his chance to direct James Bond after all.

Skyfall ' starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, Naomie Harris as Eve, Judi Dench as M, Javier Bardem as Silva, Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory, Albert Finney as Kincade, and Ben Whishaw as Q ' hits theaters November 9th, 2012.

-

Follow me on Twitter @benandrewmoore.

'The Master' & 'Killing Them Softly' Get New Release Dates

Two anticipated fall movies will be getting new release dates ' although, at this point, both films should be used to the torturous path from script to screen. First up, P.T. Anderson's The Master - which has been slowly gaining notice thanks to some impressive trailers, will actually be coming to theaters sooner before later, now arriving on September 14th (good news, for once). Meanwhile, Killing Them Softly, the new crime drama from Assassination of Jesse James filmmaker Andrew Dominik, is facing yet another change to its release date.

The Weinstein Company is behind both halves of this latest release date juggle; scroll down for details on the films and how they will fit into their new slots.

Killing Them Softly will now be in theaters on October 19th, a month later than the September 21st release date it carried up until now. The film re-teams Dominik with his Jesse James star Brad Pitt, in a crime drama about a Mob enforcer named Jackie Cogan (Pitt) who is called in when a card game under mob protection gets heisted. The film is based on the novel by Gorge V. Higgins and stars some familiar mob movie types like James Gondolfini (The Sopranos) and Ray Liotta (Goodfellas). Check out this clip from Killing The Softly.

Brad Pitt in 'Killing Them Softly'

The film originally flew under the title of Cogan's Trade and was initially aiming for an early 2012 release before it landed a fall 2012 release instead ' which has now, of course, been shifted. Dominik is a uniquely-styled filmmaker (the love/hate divide over Jesse James stretched far and wide), and despite its premise, there's little doubt that Killing Them Softly is not the easiest sell. An October release seems appropriate enough for an arthouse take on a genre flick; however, the movie will have big competition like Paranormal Activity 4 and Alex Cross crowding the theater, while other indie offerings like Sopranos creator David Chase's Not Fade Away will be more direct competition. Still, it's nice to know that ' thanks to Not Fade Away and Killing Them Softly now opening on the same weekend ' we'll be getting a double dose of Tony Soprano on the silver screen.

The Master has had its own stumbles ' mostly in securing funding ' no doubt due to the fact that it shares some not-so-subtle parallels with the real-life story of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Thanks to emerging Hollywood power-player Megan Ellison (True Grit, Lawless, Killing Them Softly), Anderson got the funding he needed to make the film, which trailers suggest focuses more on the account of a lost soul WWII vet named Freddie Sutton (Joaquin Phoenix).

Joaquin Phoenix in 'The Master'

With Phoenix giving what looks to be an arresting performance ' matched by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams as fictional versions of Hubbard and his wife ' no doubt the Weinstein company wants The Master out there early to start building the sort of awards campaign that Harvey Weinstein is (in)famous for. The Master now opens against Finding Nemo 3D and Resident Evil: Retribution, with more direct arthouse competition coming from Perks of Being a Wallflower (with Harry Potter alum Emma Watson) and Liberal Arts (headlined by rising actress Elizabeth Olsen).

The Master will be in theaters on September 14, 2012.

Killing Them Softly will be in theaters on October 19, 2012.

Source:  Variety

Producer Frank Marshall: 'No Ideas' for 'Indiana Jones 5'

Easily one of the most iconic characters of the 1980s, Indiana Jones helped cement George Lucas and Steven Spielberg as the go-to-guys for epic (and laugh-out-loud) action adventure. However, in spite of a solid story foundation (about an archaeologist/professor/adventurer out to unearth the world's greatest mysteries) that would seemingly make for a steady stream of Indiana Jones stories (much like the James Bond movies), the filmmakers and star, Harrison Ford, limited the character to a trilogy of (mostly) solid films.

Until 2008, when heavy-hitters Spielberg, Lucas, Harrison, and' Shia LaBeouf brought the character back to the big screen for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. A near-universally panned misadventure full of bizarre story choices and (arguably) sloppy filmmaking, the film also left a door wide open for potential sequels ' sequels that, according to producer Frank Marshall, aren't likely to ever be filmed.

Previously, both Ford and Spielberg had indicated that the basic Indiana Jones 5 story had been established ' and that it was up to Lucas to flesh that core idea into a script.

In a dated interview with Ford, the actor laid out the trio's process for developing Indiana Jones movies:

'We come to some basic agreement and then George goes away for a long time and works on it. Then Steven and I get it in some form, some embryonic form. Then if we like it we start working with George on it and at some point down the line it's ready and we do it.'

At that time, Ford claimed: 'Steven and George and I are sort of agreed on a germ of an idea and we're seeing what comes of it' - with Spielberg updating press on the project over a year later: 'George is in charge of breaking the stories [...] He is working on Indy V. We haven't gone to screenplay yet, but he's working on the story. I'll leave it to George to come up with a good story.'

Several years back, Marshall seemed optimistic about the possibility of another Indy adventure but now, speaking with Collider, the Hollywood veteran behind numerous fan favorite movies (including the Back to the Future and Bourne trilogies) asserted that despite repeated claims that George Lucas is working on Indiana Jones 5 story there are 'no ideas' for a follow-up Indy adventure:

'I say, for me, [Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is] the last hurrah. I know that yes, we talk about it, but there's no idea, there's no MacGuffin.'

Admittedly, Marshall's quote is tricky to decipher, since he leads with 'I say' and 'For me' ' meaning that Ford, Lucas, or Spielberg might disagree. However, it's hard to misconstrue the last part of his statement 'I know that yes, we talk about it, but there's no idea, there's no MacGuffin.' The assertion is in direct opposition to prior updates on the project ' likely indicating that while the filmmakers might have batted around a few ideas and sent Lucas off to ponder the best of the bunch, none of them were truly viable options for moving forward.

While it's hard to dismiss the possibility of another Indiana Jones film (especially after Crystal Skull made $786 million worldwide), Harrison Ford definitely showed his age in the last installment and time will be a factor in any film that puts the iconic leading man center stage again ' assuming he's even interested in returning to the role.

Additionally, it's possible that we could eventually see a rebooted Indy story; however, despite the series' roots in campy WWII adventure serials, most fans would be opposed to anyone but Ford cracking the whip. For many, the actor is essential to the character ' as evidenced by a mixed response to the 1990s TV spin-off, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, which managed to snag critical acclaim (including ten Emmy Award wins) but was effectively 'cancelled' during its second season (though The Family Channel later produced four TV movies under the brand). In spite of competent contributions from George Hall (playing a 93 year-old version of the character) as well as Corey Carrier and Sean Patrick Flanery (playing Indy at 10-years-old and as a teenager, respectively), the core premise wasn't enough to spark the interest of viewers without Ford at the forefront.

As a result, in spite of the rich set-up of an adventuring college professor who kicks Nazi butt while searching for supernatural artifacts, it's possible that, in an industry chock full of reboots, spin-offs, and sequels, the Indiana Jones filmmakers may have already learned their lesson ' and are prepared to let the fan-favorite character rest.

-

Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick for more on Indiana Jones 5 as well as future movie, TV, and gaming news.

Source: Collider

2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony ' How Did NBC Do?

Danny Boyle's secretive Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics has finally been revealed. Taking audiences on a beautifully chaotic journey through many iconic moments in modern British history, Boyle's opening ceremony made for an awe-inspiring beginning to the world's most legendary event.

However, while much of the world watched live as the 2012 London Olympics began, American audiences had to wait until primetime to watch the lighting of the flames. Looking to make up much of the $1.3 billion that NBC spent on the rights to the Olympics, the Opening Ceremony that American audiences watched was vastly different than what the rest of the world witnessed.

Continuously cutting to commercials throughout, the subtle, nuanced program that Danny Boyle planned out was all but eviscerated, as a need to recoup some of the money spent on the Olympic rights took its toll on a ceremony that the world was raving about just hours before. Though some may have been happy about the faux fast-paced Olympic Ceremony (coming in 30 minutes under the live broadcast), many who watched had issues with NBC's coverage.

Appropriately complaining about not being able to watch the Olympic Ceremony live with the rest of the world, many complaints quickly turned to the abundance of commentary that was provided by Today Show hosts Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer ' and later NBC Sports commentator Bob Costas, taking over for Vieira. Stepping over many of the beautifully crafted moments of the Opening Ceremony, it was almost impossible for anyone to have appreciated Boyle's carefully planned program the same way they could have if it was aired live, uninterrupted, and without such substantial commentary.

At one point questioning whether something was 'creepy' or 'cute,' Lauer and Vieira's commentary quickly became familiar to anyone who has had to sit next to talkative theater goers. With many people taking to Twitter to question whether they could stop talking long enough for viewers to actually enjoy the opening ceremony, we pose the question to you'

How did NBC do with the coverage of the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony?

Laurence Fishburne Joins NBC's 'Hannibal'

Although his time on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation only lasted a few seasons, fans will be able to see acclaimed actor Laurence Fishburne on the small screen once more in NBC's upcoming Hannibal series from Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller.

The series is scheduled as a midseason replacement, which gives Fishburne plenty of time to get involved in the production and also explain why Hannibal is still casting at this point in the television cycle. Now that he's signed on, NBC has announced that Fishburne will be taking on the role of Jack Crawford.

The Crawford role is seen as an essential recurring character that will have plenty of interaction with Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) as the head of the FBI Behavioral Sciences Unit, and therefore Graham's boss. Chances are, that relationship will also provide an opening for Crawford to interact with Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) ' especially considering the series' first season will take the characters back to a more civilized time, when Graham saw Lecter as more of a mentor and less of a cannibalistic murderer with a penchant for organ meat and Chianti.

If the cast that has been lined up is any indication, Fuller's plans to detail the rise and fall of the inimitable Dr. Lecter may prove to be something special, indeed.With this much talent jumping on board, Hannibal should at the very least attract a sizeable audience when it finally premieres. As far as the show's creator is concerned, the show is lucky to have landed the actors it has.

In an announcement regarding the casting of Fishburne, Fuller had this to say:

'Laurence Fishburne is an iconic man who has been making his cinematic mark since 'Apocalypse Now' and it's a thrill not only to work with him but to see such a brilliant, sophisticated actor step into the shoes of Thomas Harris' brilliant, sophisticated character. I cannot imagine a better cast for 'Hannibal' than the one we've assembled.'

Fishburne will join Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy in 'Hannibal'

With his work in The Matrix films especially, Fishburne not only earned himself the attention of a whole new audience, but also transitioned into playing characters with a certain amount of integrity and authority. Since then, he's parlayed that kind of disposition into significant roles in films like Mission: Impossible III, Contagion and next year's highly anticipated Man of Steel, where he'll be stepping into the iconic shoes of Daily Planet editor in chief, Perry White.

Fuller, in the meantime, has been incredibly busy with his two new projects preparing for air on NBC. In addition to Hannibal, Fuller has been revamping The Munsters for modern audiences in the upcoming series Mockingbird Lane, which features the likes of Eddie Izzard as Grandpa and Jerry O'Connell taking on the role of Herman Munster.

In the past, Fuller's work has always leaned more toward the slightly macabre, but at each series' core was a more heartfelt and quirky sensibility ' something like the aforementioned Pushing Daisies or Showtime's Dead Like Me. His work on the Hannibal Lecter end of the television spectrum has yet to be tested, and with director David Slade (30 Days of Night, Awake) handling the series' pilot, Hannibal may prove to be a whole new side of Fuller that television never even knew it had been waiting for.

Hannibal is expected to premiere on NBC as a midseason replacement. Screen Rant will keep you informed of a premiere date or additional casting as it is made available.

-

Source: TVLine

Medal-Winning Movies About 25 Olympic Sports

The thirtieth (XXX) Olympiad gets underway this Friday, with the opening ceremonies starting off the games in all their traditional splendor. In honor of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, we've decided to award gold, silver and bronze medals to 75 films which feature sports - both official and demonstration - listed in 25 categories.

There will be 28 Olympic total sports on display this year, but not all of them have been showcased in a movie. We couldn't find any notable films for the following sports - pentathlon, handball, badminton or field hockey - but there are plenty of great flicks that deal with a number of prominent sporting events included in the Olympics. So let's begin awarding the medals...

Open Discussion ' July 27, 2012

As usual ' talk about whatever you like as long as it's related to movies, TV or Screen Rant itself ' just remember to play nice.

Open Discussion ' July 25, 2012

As usual ' talk about whatever you like as long as it's related to movies, TV or Screen Rant itself ' just remember to play nice.

'Dark Knight Rises' Star Christian Bale Visits Colorado Shooting Victims

After the horrific mass shooting at a Friday night screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, Warner Bros. opted to cancel the film's Paris premiere, as well as several other events around the world.

That was fine for actor Christian Bale though, who spent his time away from the red carpet doing something more constructive: visiting the hospital where seven victims of the tragedy were recovering from their injuries.

According to a report in the Denver Post, the Batman star visited with victims for two and a half hours on Tuesday afternoon and also spent time with several doctors, nursing staff, police officers, and emergency medical technicians.

While a cynic might try and dismiss Bale's visit as an act of vanity, that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, Bale specifically requested that the media not be notified of his visit so that he could spend his time talking with the injured.

Over the weekend, Bale released an official statement about the shooting, saying, 'I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them.' With his visit, Bale put actions behind his words, hopefully providing a moment of enjoyment for seven people who sorely needed it.

Christian Bale visits with shooting victim Carey Rottman

The perpetrator of the theater massacre ' 24-year-old James Holmes ' made his first appearance in court yesterday and is expected to be formally charged next Monday. While there is no doubt that Holmes is guilty of the crimes, the case will still likely take some time to make its way through the court system.

However, that is nothing compared to the time it will take many of the victims to recover from their wounds ' both mentally and physically. Perhaps Bale's visit, while modest in its scope, can help some of the victims accelerate that process.

-

Source: Denver Post

'Breaking Bad' Season 5, Episode 2: 'Madrigal' Recap

Given that its potency as a drama series is virtually second to none, it's fantastic when Vince Gilligan and the writers of Breaking Bad remind everyone just how on top of their game they can be when it comes to seriously dark comedy. Back when he was a writer on The X-Files, Gilligan often wielded his pen in a similar fashion, producing episodes that managed to keep a dry wit about the otherwise shadowy and foreboding elements that made up the series.

'Madrigal' is no exception. The second episode opens up at Madrigal Electromotive GmbH ' the gigantic corporation responsible for such fine eateries as Burger Stays, Haau Chuen Wok, Palmieri Pizza, Whiskerstays and (formerly) Los Pollos Hermanos ' where the audience is treated to a stone-faced Herr Schuler (Norbert Weisser) examining the finer aspects of new dipping sauces (Franch being the clear standout) before running into the bathroom to evade the polizei sniffing around Madrigal's conference room. Once there, Schuler goes down in television history for his ingenious use of a portable defibrillator as an on-the-fly suicide aid.

The sequence at Madrigal serves to not only enhance the breadth of the situation Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) and his array of Los Pollos Hermanos locations were involved in, but also to illustrate just how in the dark Walter White (Bryan Cranston) remains. With a major company like Madrigal somehow involved in (or facilitating) Fring's meth dealings, the amount of interest from the legal side of things increases exponentially. That means Walter's quest to succeed Gus in the Southwestern meth arena is likely going to run headlong into some very intrigued DEA agents.

While Walt rests comfortably in the ignorance of just how much the authorities know ' thanks largely to his computer-wiping stunt from the premiere ' his next step is to secure his partnership with Jesse (Aaron Paul). That means assuaging Jesse's guilt over the lost ricin cigarette by searching his house with a fine-toothed comb, and then letting him find a planted, salt-filled duplicate in his Roomba's collection bin. (The original vile of ricin being hidden away in Walt's house for later use, no doubt.)

As much as the pieces of Los Pollos Hermanos and the meth ring are still being sifted through by the authorities, Walt also picks through the remnants of Fring, grabbing those elements that will help transition the fallen empire into the one he plans to see rise again. And with Jesse backing him wholeheartedly (being played into an overwhelming guilt for nearly killing Walt last season), the next thing on Walt's to-do list is to recruit the reluctant Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) to essentially do what he does best, but for the guy who killed his former employer.

Initially, Mike wants nothing to do with Walt's plan, but the aforementioned knowledge recently gleaned by the authorities puts him in a precarious position, and sees the finances he secured for his granddaughter pretty much fade away. That places Mike at the mercy of someone he seems to detest. More importantly, though, it takes him through a situation similar to Walt's, but with the advantage of a much quicker illumination. As Walt relaxes, thinking he's won, so, too, does Mike ' at least in the belief that the 11 men who could compromise the entire operation were compensated sufficiently enough to ensure their silence. His only mistakes are not knowing how much the DEA knows and believing his word to be adequate in calming the nerves of Lydia (Laura Fraser) when she insists on executing those weak links.

Lydia has it in her head that the world is crumbling down around her, and the only way out is through a sufficient amount of bloodshed. So she does what any nervous executive would do and lets the plan come to fruition, with the other guy hired to do the same job. After a suspicious call from Chow (James Ning), Mike heads over for what we assume will be a tête-à-tête about the hush money Chow was paid that's now in the possession of the DEA. The thing about Mike is he's already worked out that it's a double-cross and makes his way inside through a clever use of a stuffed animal, elminating the guy who would be $30k richer for getting rid of the ol' Ehrmantraut. That leads Mike back to Lydia, who ' knowing she's going to die ' pleads with her killer not make her body disappear, preferring instead that her daughter find a corpse than believe she has been abandoned. Mike, not really excited about either possibility, offers Lydia a stay of execution, as long as she can still procure some methylamine for Walt's upcoming shot at the title of meth king.

And with that, a unenthusiastic partnership is born.

One of the key things 'Madrigal' sets up is just how blindly Walt is heading into the next phase of his plan, and just how manipulative he's willing to be to get there. While he's intent on moving forward and getting his hands on the 'gold in the streets,' Hank (Dean Norris) is just steps away from pulling the curtain back on Fring's world to see the man he only thinks he knows so well. And if Hank were to ever realize his boss' words ('The whole time he was someone else completely, right in front of me, right under my nose') had more to do with Walt than he'd like to know, Heisenberg may be in for a rather rude awakening.

-

Breaking Bad will continue on Sunday with 'Hazard Pay' @10pm on AMC. Check out a preview of the episode below:

Robert Downey Jr. Talks Big Action & Risky Stunts in 'Iron Man 3'

We recently brought you a few updates on Iron Man 3 via our Comic-Con 2012 coverage.Marvel President of Production Kevin Feige (alongside writer/director Shane Black) confirmed that The Hulk will not make an appearance in Iron Man 3 and provided some insight into the nature of the story. Additionally, Don Cheadle spoke about War Machine's  role in the third installment of the franchise.

Today we bring you some tidbits from Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr., in regards to what we can expect to see in Iron Man 3.

The actor stressed and reiterated that the film would explore the character's inner demons in more depth. 'We did a little of that in 'Iron Man 2',' Downey said. 'But if you think about someone who saw the sky open up and a wormhole and fought off an alien species ' suffice to say that he's a little rattled.'

There have been runors that the film contains a stunt sequence in which Downey will be performing from a great height, so when the actor was asked if he was going to give Tom Cruise a run for his money (in reference to the infamous Burj Khalifa sequence in Mission: Impossible ' Ghost Protocol) Downey responded:

'Well I don't know. I just said while I'm physically able I'd like to leave it all on the field and I'd like there to be ten moments where people wonder how I was stupid enough to actually do that stunt. Most of all me.'

Iron Man in 'The Avengers'

When asked if he was taken aback by the success of The Avengers the actor quipped:

'Well here's my problem: every time one of my movies comes out I think it's going to be the number 3 or the biggest thing of all time and so it's really weird. I cried wolf and one actually showed up this time.'

The bulk of what we can gather is that Iron Man 3, as we imagined (and has been reported), will be a more grounded offering in the Marvel series of films; one that will focus on developing the character in the real-world before sending him off to fight invaders from another realm once again in an Avengers 2. We can expect ' as one would given that this is a Shane Black endeavor ' an emphasis on innovative action. Of course, time, as always, will tell.

Look for Iron Man 3 in theatres on May 3, 2013.

Follow me on twitter @JrothC

Sam Worthington Up To Join Schwarzenegger's 'Ten'

It's the Terminator union that nobody expected (asked for?), as Sam Worthington circles Arnold Schwarzenegger's Ten. The Terminator Salvation and Avatar alum has already headlined Man on a Ledge and Wrath of the Titans this year, which've both performed less-admirably than hoped for at the box office (and been given an even colder critical reception).

Ten is one of several upcoming Schwarzenegger vehicles meant to re-establish the brawny star as a lethal weapon onscreen, during his post-California politics acting career (along with The Expendables 2, The Last Stand, The Tomb, and The Unknown Soldier).

Variety describes Ten as a 'testosterone-heavy riff' on Agatha Christie's classic murder-mystery story Ten Little Indians (a.k.a. And Then There Were None). The script by Skip Woods (Swordfish, The A-Team) follows an elite DEA task force that steals millions in revenue from a drug cartel during a raid on one of its safe houses. Thereafter, the team members are mysteriously killed, one by one.

There's an element of Commando to that premise, with a mystery enemy hunting down members of an elite squad. It's not surprising then, to learn that David Ayer is directing Ten, considering he's already written a script draft for the Commando remake. Furthermore, given the recurring themes of corruption and moral compromise in Ayer's previous work (Training Day, Dark Blue, Street Kings), it's a good bet there's a traitor among Worthington and Schwarzenegger's ranks  - who's struck a deal with the aforementioned cartel (possibly, one of those two actors).

Ah-nuld on the set of 'The Tomb'

Arnold put in a good showing at the Comic-Con panel for Expendables 2, and his longtime fanbase remains loyal enough to turn out for his second run as an actor. It could be argued that Worthington stands to gain more than his (almost) 65-year old costar does, given that he's yet to demonstrate any major drawing power, when not appearing in a mainstream popcorn genre flick (see: The Debt, Texas Killing Fields, etc.).

Ayer has End of Watch due out in a couple months, and this writer can testify that the movie looks to offer a visually-experimental (more importantly, interesting) take on the street cop drama sub-genre, based on what was shown at Comic-Con. If Ayer carries over some of that technique to Ten, it could add some needed spice to what otherwise reads as a gritty, but familiar, serving of action-drama from the filmmaker.

We'll keep you updated on Ten as the story develops.

-

Source: Variety

6 Minute Clip from Joe Wright's 'Anna Karenina'

Whenever director Joe Wright and actress Keira Knightley get together to make movies, people tend to take notice. Their first two collaborations ' 2005's Pride and Prejudice (not to be confused with the long-gestating Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) and 2007's Atonement ' both had solid box office earnings as well as plenty of awards attention. Now the pair is poised to release their third literary adaptation with Anna Karenina.

Based on Leo Tolstoy's celebrated 1877 novel, the film will face the challenge of distinguishing itself as a worthwhile endeavor, given that the source material has already been adapted a number of times before. We've already seen the film's poster and trailer, but the above six-minute clip, courtesy of Oh No They Didn't, offers an even closer look at Wright's unique approach.

With his Anna Karenina, Wright aims to create ' in his words ' a 'fluid linearity' throughout the film, wherein actors can physically move from scene to scene. This effect was created by constructing more than 100 sets in a single integrated location where nearly all of the film was shot. Wright (whose previous film was last year's action thriller Hanna) has demonstrated such ambition in his past work and will likely utilize the technique to its full effect here.

Sharp viewers may recall the five-minute tracking shot in Atonement which featured a seafront view of the war at Dunkirk. For those who haven't seen the film, the sweeping sequence allows the camera to follow a group of soldiers as they survey the devastation that the war has left in its wake, capturing a wide array of inspiring and heart-wrenching events along the way. It's among the standout moments from that film and, from a technical standpoint, makes a good case that Wright is just the director to make a similar effect ' albeit on a grander scale ' work beautifully in Anna Karenina.

Knightley stars alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson (of Kick-Ass fame) and Jude Law, and between that cast and Wright's unique vision for the film, Anna Karenina could garner plenty of attention this fall, conveniently entering theaters just as Oscar season heats up.

Joe Wright's Anna Karenina is due for release on November 9th, 2012.

-

Source: Oh No They Didn't

New 'Bourne Legacy' Clips Are Heavy on the Action

The last year has been pivotal for Jeremy Renner's career. In December, the star joined Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible ' Ghost Protocol, a franchise he may eventually inherit. Then, in May, Renner fought as Hawkeye in The Avengers. Now, in just a matter of weeks, Renner will play his third high-profile secret agent as the heir apparent to Matt Damon's Bourne franchise, and if the latest clips for The Bourne Legacy are any indication, Damon has left the series in good hands.

In the first clip (above), courtesy of IGN, Aaron Cross (Renner) tangles with a couple of cops as they corner leading lady Rachel Weisz in an alleyway. Meanwhile, the second clip ' via Yahoo ' features Renner and Weisz in the midst of a high-octane chase through the streets of Manila.

Check out the second clip below:

Given Renner's knack for globe-trotting action adventure (as evidenced by his last two films), it's little surprise that he fits into the Bourne universe with ease. Director Tony Gilroy has mentioned that Bourne Legacy would feature higher stakes than the previous films, as well as a change in the series' signature 'shaky cam' aesthetic. These clips certainly seem to indicate the latter without sacrificing the intensity and visceral nature of the onscreen action.

Still, despite Renner's action hero prowess and the film's sharp style, it remains to be seen whether fans of the series will support the new direction. As it stands, talk about a fifth film is already underway, with both Gilroy and Damon saying they're open to the idea of Damon and Renner sharing the screen in future installments. Of course, that depends on how well The Bourne Legacy performs at the box office (and how it connects to the trilogy that preceded it).

Are you looking forward to The Bourne Legacy, or have you tired of seeing Renner portray a super-spy? Let us know in the comments.

The Bourne Legacy ' which also stars Oscar nominees Edward Norton, Joan Allen, Albert Finney and David Strathairn ' hits theaters on August 10th, 2012.

-

Source: IGN, Yahoo

'[REC] 3: Genesis' Red-Band Trailer

A couple of years have passed since the U.S. release of [REC] 2, but domestic fans of the Spanish horror series have a new reason to get excited with the release of a new red-band trailer for the next chapter in the franchise.

Whereas [REC] 2 picked up right after the events of the first film, [REC] 3: Genesis follows a young couple's wedding (and subsequent reception) where all hell breaks loose when guests complain of a mysterious infection. Eventually, the newlyweds are forced to fight for their lives against hordes of zombies. In addition to featuring new characters, the film looks to incorporate only sporadic use of the 'found footage' style which made 2007's [REC] such a standout in the first place.

Paco Plaza ' who co-directed the first two films ' helms this third entry in the series, based on a script he co-wrote with Luis Berdejo. At this point, one might not expect [REC] 3: Genesis to inspire new fans to join the franchise. However, the series' new direction may garner renewed interest, especially given its relative abandonment of the now-overused 'found footage' technique.

It's become commonplace to bash Hollywood remakes of foreign properties, but in the case of the [REC] films, the original deservedly has outlived its imitator. American audiences may remember that [REC] was adapted into 2008's box office hit Quarantine. And while that film was a success, it failed to develop into its own franchise ' with the exception of a direct-to-video sequel.

Conversely, the makers of the [REC] series already have plans for a fourth and final film in the pipeline. Reportedly titled [REC] 4: Apocalypse, it's easy to figure out why ' with a subtitle like that ' there might be nowhere else for the franchise to go. In the meantime, it'll be interesting to see if this third entry makes the same splash as the first two, despite multiple changes to the franchise's aesthetic.

Are you a fans of the [REC] series, or is the series already in danger of over-extending itself? Sound off in the comments.

[REC] 3: Genesis will be available on demand on August 3rd, 2012, before being released in U.S. theaters on Septemeber 7th.

-

Source: IGN

Open Discussion ' July 23, 2012

So no doubt you've seen the final film in the Chris Nolan Batman trilogy: The Dark Knight Rises! But remember, this is NOT the place to talk about it ' if you want to discuss it freely, head on over to our Dark Knight Rises Discussion.

As usual ' talk about whatever you like as long as it's related to movies, TV or Screen Rant itself ' just remember to play nice.

10 Things to Know Before Seeing 'The Dark Knight Rises'

With The Dark Knight Rises (TDKR) arriving in theaters nationwide , thousands of fans are eager to see how the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy ends. Some of us at Screen Rant have already seen the film - read our official Dark Knight Rises review - and are eager to hear your opinions on it.

In the meantime, we wanted to offer you a list of 10 things you should know about the film before you see it. There are a few plot details mentioned here, but the list offers nothing that will likely SPOIL your enjoyment of the film.

These facts will simply serve to prepare you for TDKR before you experience it yourself....

'The Dark Knight Rises' European Premiere: Cast & Crew Talk Batman's End

As the final installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy and the sequel to the incredibly successful, Oscar-winning The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises is a cinematic event like no other.

Fortunately, Screen Rant was at the film's European premiere in London to talk to the cast and crew ' including Tom Hardy and Hans Zimmer.

WARNING ' THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS DARK KNIGHT RISES SPOILERS!!!!

I made my way down to London (as per usual with this sort of event) to the BFI IMAX cinema for a screening of The Dark Knight Rises. We were ushered into the foyer, where the Batpod was on display alongside the costumes of Batman, Bane and Catwoman. We had to surrender all electronic equipment before entering the screening.

This isn't going to be a review piece (read our Dark Knight Rises review here), but the film is stunning, powerful and visceral. The director takes the series to the next level ' not only in terms of action, but also emotionally. I've been a Batman fan for a quarter of a century, and it's great to see the character portrayed in this way. If you have the opportunity to see the film in IMAX, then you should do so -  some moments are truly breathtaking.

The Batpod from 'The Dark Knight Rises'

After the screening, I made my way to the Odeon in Leicester Square to pick up my press pass for the screening. I had a couple of hours to kill, so I pottered about London, grabbed a coffee and started writing my notes. I eventually took my position on the press line and waited ' praying that the rain would hold off (it didn't). Attending the premiere for the film was Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Morgan Freeman, composer Hans Zimmer, producer Emma Thomas, screenwriter Jonathan Nolan - and, of course, the man who resuscitated the Batman franchise, Christopher Nolan.

There was a carnival atmosphere in the air. Most of Leicester Square was filled with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the film's stars. Some of those gathered were in costume, while others were wearing Batman-themed garments. At the center of the square stood a giant cracked Batman mask, surrounded by shooting flames. The premiere kicked off with the Tumbler doing a lap around the square, and then the stars arrived ' to cheers from the crowd.

Cast and crew started arriving fast, with Tom Hardy getting loud cheers from the crowd ' he worked them like a pro, too, signing autographs and taking pictures. Hardy spoke to me about what it was like to join the third film in the series, saying:

'[Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, and Anne Hathaway are] all incredible actors, and of course Nolan's an incredible director, so it's a dream come true.'

He also mentioned how he prepared for the role:

'I went to the gym and I put some weight on, and I put a mask on and I got on stage and I did an accent ' that was it.'

Then I had an opportunity to speak with the film's composer, Hans Zimmer, and I asked him about the challenges he faced when composing the score for this third film in the series:

'A new villain, not getting sad that it was our last one, figuring out how not to procrastinate forever, because it was our last one. I didn't want it to end. In one way or another Chris and I have been working together now for eight years ' so it felt a little sad.'

The character of Bane brings an added dimension to this new film, so I asked Zimmer how he created a theme for the character. According to Zimmer:

'If the truth be told, I wrote the Bane thing and recorded it last year, the first of July, in London ' before Chris had even started shooting. It just came out of conversations with the script really. So I just had a really insane idea and went for it and he liked it.

All right, I'll tell you the long story: I went to Warner Bros. and asked 'Have I earned the right yet to hire a really big orchestra and try this idea? If it goes wrong then we can chuck it away and don't mention that I just blew half the budget.' They said go ahead. It turned out okay, and the old chant works.'

Cillian Murphy was also on hand to discuss his small (but pivotal) role in the film as Jonathan Crane ' the only villain to appear in all three of Nolan's Batman films.

'I never die, I don't know why not. It's just nice to be back. It's always nice to work with Chris and just nice to play a little part in the last two.'

Cillian Murphy, A.K.A. Jonathan Crane, A.K.A. Scarecrow

Without a doubt, one of the most important behind-the-scenes creators working on Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy has been his brother, Jonathan, who co-scripted The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. I asked him how he went about concluding the trilogy, to which he said:

'Different writers and comic book artists have always tried to imagine how this ends. I read all of those. Chris read some. But he was really proceeding from his place with living with this character for ten years now and he's trying to imagine what is the fitting ending for our take on this character. Chris always had a sense of where we wanted to go and you get to a fundamental moment where, if it's all working, a kind of gravity, where if you add to it, it then supports the underlying idea. I'm very happy with the ending and I certainly hope audiences are.'

Christopher Nolan, director of 'The Dark Knight Rises'

The Dark Knight Rises concludes Nolan's take on the Batman myth and the premiere event concluded with the stars taking their seats in the Odeon to watch the epic battle between Batman and Bane.

The Dark Knight Rises is currently in theaters, and I highly recommend that you check it out.