The Dark Knight Begins Filming

"The Dark Knight", the sequel to Batman Begins has begun filming.

The Story this time around deals with Batman, with the help of Lt. Gorden and D.A. Havey Dent tracking down The Joker, but not killing him.

The fim has started six days of pre-production filming in Chicago as of 4-18-07.

"I am very excited that Warner Bros. has decided to return to Chicago. And the city, through the efforts of our Chicago Film Office, is ready to assist in making sure production runs smoothly with little to no inconvenience to our residents," Mayor Richard Daley said in a release. "The film industry is important to Chicago because it strengthens our economy and creates jobs."

Interior filming is April 18th-20th and Exterior filming is April 21st-24th. This also includes helicopter work. Van Buren Street between Canal and Wacker will be closed during exterior filming. Parking restrictions are also in effect.

The filming will end up moving to London in May. It will move back to Chicago in June.

Christopher Nolan is returning as director and is co-writing the screenplay with his son, Jonathan. Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Gary Oldman (Lt. Gordan), Michael Caine (Alfred) and Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox) are returning. Katie Holmes will be replaced by Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes. Joining the cast is Brokeback Mountain actor Heath Ledger as The Joker and Erin Brockovich actor Aaron Eckhart as D.A. Harvey Dent, who ends up becoming the villain Two-face later on.

Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard will also be returning as the music composers.

The film is due in theaters July 18th, 2008.

My opinion? I love Batman and I'm always excited to see another film on our favorite caped crusader. I'm interested in how Ledger will play The Joker, I have a feeling he will surprise us all.

2008 can't come any sooner.

Sources-Coming Soon, JK news

Batman, the dark knight

Credit: DC comics

Copyright: DC comics