Warner Bros. has announced that filming has commenced on Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. Their announcement also confirms that the movie will be shooting on three continents: North America (Pittsburgh, New York, and Los Angeles), Europe (England and Scotland), and Asia (India). Furthermore, the press release partially confirms our story when we said that Nolan was possibly shooting the entire film in IMAX. While the entire movie won't be shot in IMAX, the press release states:
"Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on âThe Dark Knight,â which had marked the first time ever that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX® cameras. The results were so spectacular that the director wanted to expand the use of the large-format cameras for this film."
Hit the jump to read the full press release. The film stars Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and Michael Caine. The Dark Knight Rises opens July 20, 2012.
UPDATE: The first image of Tom Hardy as Bane has been released! Click here to check it out.
Here's the press release:
PRODUCTION BEGINS ON âTHE DARK KNIGHT RISESâ
Filming will take place on three continents, with an all-star cast
working under the direction of Christopher Nolan.
BURBANK, CA, May 19, 2011 â Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Picturesâ and Legendary Picturesâ âThe Dark Knight Rises,â the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolanâs Batman trilogy.
Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (âThe Fighterâ) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.
The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (âLa Vie en Roseâ), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.
Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine (âThe Cider House Rulesâ) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (âMillion Dollar Babyâ) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.
In helming âThe Dark Knight Rises,â Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on âThe Dark Knight,â which had marked the first time ever that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX® cameras. The results were so spectacular that the director wanted to expand the use of the large-format cameras for this film.
The screenplay for âThe Dark Knight Risesâ is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is being produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on âBatman Beginsâ and the record-breaking blockbuster âThe Dark Knight.â The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. âThe Dark Knightâ is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.
Behind the scenes, âThe Dark Knight Risesâ reunites the director with several of his longtime collaborators, all of whom worked together on the âThe Dark Knight.â The creative team includes director of photography Wally Pfister, who recently won an Oscar® for his work on Nolanâs âInceptionâ; production designer Nathan Crowley; editor Lee Smith; and Oscar®-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (âTopsy-Turvyâ). In addition, Paul Franklin and Chris Corbould, who both won Oscars® for the effects in âInception,â will supervise the visual and special effects, respectively. The music will be composed by Oscar® winner Hans Zimmer (âThe Lion Kingâ).
The locations for âThe Dark Knight Risesâ span three continents and include the American cities of Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles, as well as sites in India, England and Scotland.
âThe Dark Knight Risesâ is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release on July 20, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.