Nordling here.
Sometimes I hate being the guy to write up film reports on AICN, because unfortunately I have to spoil some great things for myself. Especially when it comes to THE DARK KNIGHT RISES - I think I've figured out much of the plot already. And today, Drew McWeeny, with a Hitfix exclusive, has reported that a major actor is returning to the franchise. I wouldn't read any further if I were you, but you know you will...
Liam Neeson filmed a scene as Ras Al Ghul for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES on Monday, according to Drew. He's reprising his role from BATMAN BEGINS, which as you recall, the fact that he was the villain of the film was a twist at the time, not revealed in the marketing campaign. Warner Brothers offered a terse "No comment" when Drew tried to confirm if Neeson was indeed filming for Christopher Nolan's film, but I trust Drew's sources on the matter. Drew stated that he couldn't confirm whether it was a flashback or whether his character returns in the present day of the film.
Until now, Nolan's Batman series has been fairly grounded in reality, with clear explanations for events in the films. Ras Al Ghul returning to the film would suggest that Nolan's bringing something more unusual into the series, which actually makes sense, considering his other films. THE PRESTIGE has a very weird third-act twist that was not signaled in any way in the film before it happened. Some people still have issues with it (I actually thought it worked in the film). Is Nolan doing something similar with THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, bringing the strange into what until now has been a mostly logical series? We'll see next year.
Nordling, out.
