The Dark Knight Returns to the KabukiE. "Doc" Smithbyline‚ Jul. 18‚ 2008Based on the DC Comics character Batman, "The Dark Knight" is the 2008 sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins", considered perhaps the best of the Batman films ever made. Co-written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the film continues the Batman film franchise after an eight-year hiatus. Christian Bale reprises the lead role as Batman/Bruce Wayne. Batman's primary conflicts in the film include his fight against the Joker (played by the late Heath Ledger) and his strained friendship with district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). For his conception of the film, Nolan was inspired by the Joker's first two appearances in the comics and "Batman: The Long Halloween" and Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One". The movie was filmed primarily in Chicago (as was Batman Begins), as well as in several other locations in the United States, the UK, and Hong Kong. Nolan also used an IMAX camera to film six major action sequences, including the Joker's first appearance in the film. The Batsuit was redesigned, with a cowl allowing Bale to move his head. The film also introduces a recreation of the Batcycle. Warner Bros. created an aggressive viral marketing campaign for The Dark Knight, developing promotional websites and trailers highlighting screenshots of Heath Ledger as the Joker. After Ledger's death in January 2008, however, the studio refocused its promotional campaign. |