The only way I see two villians working is if one is a background villian, something that highlights something that could happen. Example, let's say Ra Al Ghul is indeed in it, but just as a cameo or small part, that way something is set up for the two sequels that are already confirmed.

I'd like it if they treated the villian like the Shark in Jaws...you never see him til the end...you always see what happens when he says or does something...but you never see him til Batman fights him or whatnot...

In the comic books as of late, Catwoman has given up crime and is working with Batman. (I think Batman even brought her into the inner sanctum - he's now overseeing a team of heros in Gotham - Robin, Batwoman(girl?), Nightwing appears from time to time, The Huntress, Oracle (Barbra Gordon), and possibly one other I can't think of)

Just because they're casting more than one villain doesn't mean that all the villains are center stage in the way they were in the last several Batman movies. I'll use the first Burton one as an example. You had Jack Nicholson cast as a villain, but you also had Jack Palance and Tracey Walter as villains, as well. But Nicholson was clearly "the one". So, if they can establish that in the new one, with one main villain and some supporting ones, I'll have no problem.

Let's add Max Shreck to Tom's little list...

Latest rumor is Morgan Freeman for Commisioner Gordon and Guy Pearce for Harvey Dent.

From Cinescape.com...
 

Variety reports today that Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman are confirmed to be in the cast for Christopher Nolan's BATMAN film. The trade magazine also connects the dots and lists Neeson's character as the whispered heavy the Internet's been buzzing about for months, R'as al Ghul. Freeman will play Lucius Fox, another already rumored character, who is the CEO of Wayne Enterprises.

The excellent casting continues!
Looking forward to this one, more and more! :)

Updated the first post with the latest news... Ken Watanabe as Ra's Al Ghul

I love the director, and everyone cast so far except holmes (but she's cute so who really cares), I feel like this movie has the potential to be the best superhero movie of all time, I can't wait

Who is Henri Ducard?

This has got to be one of the best ensemble casts ever! All Batman movies in general have huge celebrity casts...I can't wait for the promo character posters....there will probably be at least 10 or so with all the celebs and characters they have for this one...

Isn't that the guy from Space Travelers? I'm having a hard time digesting the idea of a new batman movie... didn't like any of the last series of em, but it doesn't feel like it's been long enough for me to wash the taste of them out of my mouth. Perhaps a trailer will change my mind. I have little faith in Christian Bale as an actor in general, but I won't write this off just yet. Oh - and Michael Caine?? Shit, he's in like every movie ever made. Seems like an odd choice... why not just make James Caan or Sean Connery be Alfred? Lance Henrickson? I think Alfred should be some unknown old guy, but that's just me.

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo...e/lastpre2.jpg

Hmm.. not bad, not what I was expecting, but that can be a good thing.

http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/st...-20596,00.html

Viggo Denies 'Batman' Rumors
Mon, Feb 23, 2004, 05:02 PM PT
By Vanessa Sibbald

http://images.zap2it.com/ltvimages/i...kingpr_240.jpg


LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - A couple months ago, rumors circulated that Viggo Mortensen might play a role in the upcoming "Batman" sequel, "Batman: Intimidation."

Directed by Christopher Nolan and based on a script he co-wrote with David Goyer ("Blade"), the fifth movie based on the DC Comics cape-wearing crime fighter re-envisions the franchise, partially basing the story on Frank Miller's popular comic book, "Batman: Year One" -- itself a redefinition of the Batman origin story -- and Mike Barr's "Batman: Year Two."

Christian Bale will play the lead character in the film, Bruce Wayne (AKA Batman), with Michael Caine playing his butler Alfred Pennyworth and Katie Holmes as the love interest, Rachel Dobson, assistant to Gotham's District Attorney Harvey Dent. In addition, "28 Days Later" star Cillian Murphy will play the villain, The Scarecrow, and trade reports announced last week that Morgan Freeman has signed on to play Wayne Enterprises' Applied Science Dept. head Lucius Fox, while Liam Neeson will play Henry Ducard, a mentor to Bruce who is also villain Ra's Al Ghul's protigi. Dennis Quaid is reportedly "close" to signing a deal to play Jim Gordon, the Gotham City beat cop that will one day become police commissioner, according to Cinescape, while others say "The Last Samurai's" Ken Watanabe is in talks to play the film's leading villain, Ra's Al Ghul.

Mortensen's involvement came from an interview with Cain last December when the actor told SciFi Wire that Nolan was eyeing "The Lord of the Rings" star to play a villain in the film. Yet Mortensen himself says that he is not involved in the project.

"I'm not signed up to do anything at this point, but I guess there was interest from them and other people. But at the moment I'm not available because I'm involved [in doing press for 'Hidalgo']," he tells Zap2it.com.

"Batman: Intimidation" starts filming Feb. 25 (tomorrow) in Iceland, according to Web reports, and will open in theaters in 2005.


Chris

:thumbsup: on Katsumoto

Dang. (Must resist nagging feeling about possible suckiness of Batman film...)

I conquer.

As do I. I'm glad to see Cillian Murphy will be in it too.

It's a shame Liam Neeson is not going to play the Ra Al Ghul part. He would of been the perfect choice....Ken is a decent, if not odd choice.

Only two casting choices I really don't understand are Katie Holmes and Michael Caine.

Me, too.

http://www.angelfire.com/crazy2/bdeloach/Cillian2.jpg

:drool: And he can act, too!

Boy he and Tom Welling could be twins!

Chris

The more I think about it, the more I like Ken as Ra al Ghul. He was great in 'The Last Samurai' and he has the physical apperance to seem intimdating, to even Bale.

However, why cast such big people as Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Dennis Quiad? It seems like they are just signing them so they have an all-star cast, something that really hurt the previous Batman films.
:(

There's nothing wrong with an All Star cast as long as they're taking the material seriously and aren't there for looks to say, "Hey I was in a Batman movie."

I really doubt it'll be comical like Tommy Lee Jones or over-the-top like Jim Carrey. I think it'll be taken a lot more seriously. Look at Any Given Sunday or Heat which had a boat load of stars.

I agree. The all star cast wasn't the problem in those films. The problem was the use of multiple characters, where everyone was the lead, and Batman wasn't. 60 villians, 50 good guys, and no coherent plot. This time around, it seems like you have a solid story, and that the WB is using its boatloads of money to the tune of 150 million dollars to make this cast incredible. Let us not forget that this is Warner's signature franchise. While they are taking the movie to a more respectable area, they are NOT making a low budget movie. They want this film to amke lots of money, and of course are going to try and draw as much marketing muscle as they can. And you know what? I'll take these actors anyday...they may be famous, but they are GOOD actors.

Surprising, but excellent casting choice. Watanabe's got the physique, the charm, and especially the voice to play Ra's. I can't wait to hear him say, "Detective..."

From Superhero Hype:

"It's not BATMAN: INTIMIDATION GAME, which we've now learned was the project's pre-production code name during its early development cycle. Now that Nolan's film is moving into the active phase of its production, this title will be what Warner Bros. will be refering to the film during the duration of its shoot (which begins next month) and as it moves ever forward towards its release in the summer of 2005. Let the rumors be finally put to rest: The official title of the movie is BATMAN BEGINS."

I kind of like Intimidation better then Batman Begins. Hopefully we'll get a better name before it's release.