Is Batman a Black Lantern?

Months ago we at PCM had our ears to the ground listening to the rumblings in the DC Universe regarding Batman's death. Speculation was rampant. We researched the truth of where the story was going.

Was Batman lost in time? Did he die at the hands of his father? Was he to be re-animated as a Black Lantern? Who was the Black Glove? We provided all the answers in an earlier article.

Now the worm has turned. DC has made it's big reveal. Batman, or at least the body of Batman has become a Black Lantern. What does this mean? Is Bruce Wayne truly dead and gone forever? Or is he banished in time? Grant Morrison's Blackest Night story title says it all. But notice there may be a clue in that name. Notice that Night is not Knight. Could that be the clue that the Batman in his story is in fact an impostor? Perhaps that is the answer to the mystery of Nekron changing Batman back to a skull after kills everyone.

One thing is certain. Many readers are on board with this story as this Black Lantern Batman raises hell with his fellow Super Heroes. The Black Lantern Batman can kill instantly with a look.

There are many Black Lanterns now, Batman is the newest on Earth.

The Black Lantern Corps is composed of re-animated bodies of former heroes, villains and even normal people from all across The Universe. The Black Lantern Corps is powered by the corpse of The Anti-Monitor (encased in a battery) and are led by the The Black Hand.

The question of who becomes a Black Lantern is also up for discussion. Many believe it has to do with the person accepting death. Those that accept their death do not awake as Black Lanterns, those that did not want to die will respond to the call of the Black Lantern.

If you are into comic books, this is a story that is gaining momentum. You may want to pick it up and join in to see where it goes. If you need some more back story to understand the history of Bruce Wayne as a Black Lantern read Batman Becomes A God.

Batman Three Begins

Director Chris Nolan of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight has dropped out of pre-production on the film The Prisoner to begin work on the third installment of DC's rebooted franchise Batman.

While this is bad news for The Prisoner fans, it's great news for Batman fans. It assures them Chris Nolan is on board and that he is dedicated to the project in what be the best attempt to cap off a trilogy yet.

You may recall that neither Spider-Man 3 or X-Men 3 offered satisfying movie experiences or closure. While these franchises will go on, most films die at the third film mark. They run out of steam for various reasons from bad writing, to forced continuation or simply no real story to tell. Then again, Batman failed in the past because of overkill. There is plenty for Chris Nolan to learn from in past mistakes. Let's hope he saves the Batman franchise from doom.

So when will get another Batman installment? Interviews with actors in the previous Batman films from Gary Oldman to Morgan Freeman have alluded to 2012 and 2103. Other sources indicate it will be 2011. With Nolan removing himself from The Prisoner to work on Batman at this time, one is lead to believe 2011 is plausible.

Batman May Be No More

Rumors have been swirling that director Christopher Nolan may not return for another chapter of Gotham City, and according to Christian Bale, Bruce Wayne himself, another installment to the franchise may never come to be.

"I truly don't know that we're ever going to see another 'Batman' movie," Bale told MTV News. Bale himself is contractually obligated to return, but Nolan is not. "I don't even want to think about it," Bale said, when asked what the movie would be like without Nolan. So what might cause Nolan to call it quits you may ask? "It would be purely that he would need to find a story that was good enough — and if he can't find that, then it wouldn't happen," Bale explained. I guess all we can do is cross our fingers and hope that Nolan comes across the next great script for this successful franchise.

Chris Nolan's Batman Meets Real Super heroes

So you are in tune to the super hero hype? Down with the latest? Then you know Chris Nolan, director of the rebooted Batman franchise doesn't want Batman to have any meeting, let alone awareness of Superman's existence. This is in spite of the fact in the DC world these two characters know each other quite well.

So what is Chris's problem? Well, as he sees it, if Batman knew Superman existed, he'd have no purpose or meaning as he will understand he is not really a super hero. Chris says, "-- we didn’t address it directly in the film, but we did take the position philosophically -- that superheroes simply don’t exist. If they did, if Bruce knew of Superman or even of comic books, then that’s a completely different decision that he’s making when he puts on a costume in an attempt to become a symbol. It’s a paradox and a conundrum, but what we did is go back to the very original concept and idea of the character. In his first appearances, he invents himself as a totally original creation."

So don't expect any Marvel type endings with the next Batman installment where Wonder Woman or Green Lantern approach Bruce Wayne for a team up. In fact Christopher Nolan takes on that question directly with this quote: "I don’t think our Batman, our Gotham, lends itself to that kind of cross-fertilization. "

To emphasize Chris's point, College Humor has created this great short based on Batman bumping into not just Superman, but Justice League super heroes. Real super heroes. Check it out.

The New Batman AND the New Robin!

Here is a first look at the new Batman and Robin. Let me be the first to tell you I'm not geeked up over a new Robin. I'm not geeked up about any Robin actually. But the Internet is buzzing with who is the new dynamic duo?

Bruce Wayne is no longer Batman in the current DC Universe Dark Knight franchise. The buzz behind the cowl is who is Batman? Is it Bruce? Is it Damien Wayne or even Dick Greyson? Some speculate that Damien is Robin. Every aspect of the drawing above (such as hair color) is being analyzed to determine who is who.

What we do know is that Grant Morrison is return to the Dark Knight title to a split readership. Some say he killed DC with Final Crisis while others welcome him back as savior.

One thing is certain. Most everyone thinks that Robin has outlived his welcome. In this modern era he makes no sense with Batman unless Robin was re-written as a girl sidekick. What do you think?

Rebooting Superman - Again?

Word is the Wachowski Brothers MAY take the helm of the next SuperMan film. The Brothers second unit director James McTeigue is also on board. However someone may need to remind the crew that bullet time photography in film has already be replicated in a SuperMan movie based on their Matrix film technique. Superman needs more than a good director. What it needs is a good story. And sadly Warner Brothers wants to reboot it. Just like Hulk.

What bothers me as I think it may bother you too is that why do we keep rebooting franchises? We all know how SuperMan came about. We know the origin of Batman and re-origin of Batman and Ironman, The Fantastic Four, Punisher, Catwoman, Spider-Man and god knows we know the orgin of The Hulk! Did I miss anyone?

Some of these origin stories were so bad, the franchise was killed.

Why does Hollywood keep beating us over the head with reboots? Just move the story forward please! Take for instance Hellboy. The origin of Hellboy was OK. But the second Hellboy film was a fun ride. My message to Hollywood, "Please give us a story now! Take us on a fun ride!" Origin plots are wearing out the genre of superhero films.

The logic behind the reboot? DC is taking Marvel's recent tack, to develop one character at a time in their own story slowly tying them together. This was all started in the Spider-Man franchise where characters were introduced as cameos early and eventually played prominent roles.

Dispite bringing on big name directors such as the Wachowski Brothers, Warner Brothers have failed to figure out how to consistently make a good franchise work because they think one dimensionally. A Wall Street Journal article points out this flaw by WB Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov:

Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.

This is rediculous. Superman is not brooding and dark. Nor is Wonder Woman. Sadly we will be getting orgin films from DC on: Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. Rather than just focus on the human frailties, Warner Brothers is going to give us Batman the Dark Knight versions of SuperMan, Wonder Woman and others?

This certainly puts a nail in the coffin for now on any Batman vs SuperMan match up.

Christian Bale Owns Up

This week we were on top of yet another hot topic. Christian Bale's rant. Well it seems the pressure of the Internet has brought Christian to the realization he is accountable. Nice. But just as important, Christian gave his side of things in an effort for us all to understand how he came to behave so poorly the day he went on his foul mouthed four minute rant at cinematographer Shane Hurlbut. <---Audio Link unsafe for work or kids.

Christian Bale called into an L.A. morning radio program as his platform to speak. During his call in to the show he made a point to fall on his sword. He absolutely wants the public to forgive his behavior.

Rather than speak for him here are his own words as he spoke at length: "It's been a miserable week for me... ... I know I have a pottymouth, everybody knows that now.... ...The things I really want to stress is I have no confusion whatsoever. I was out of order beyond belief, I was way out of order. I acted like a punk, I regret that and there is nobody that has heard that tape that has been hit harder by it than me. I make no excuses for it, it is inexcusable and I hope that is absolutely clear. Ya know? ...and one thing that has really disturbed me throughout this because, because I'm just, I'm not - I'm not familiar-I'm not comfortable with this notion of being a movie star, I've always - I'm an actor, and I and I don't know how to handle the movie star thing. And the thing that disturbs me so much is that I've heard a lot of people saying that I seem to think I'm better than anybody else. And NOTHING could be farther from the truth. I am a lucky (pause) I don't want to swear, I'm a lucky (background laugther) S.O.B. I never forget that and that is why I put so much into what I do and why I care so much about it and why sometimes that enthusiasm just goes awry. And please, if anybody ever sees that I that really am thinking I'm better than anybody else, stick a fork in my backside turn me over I will be done. That is not me."

He continued after the DJ interviewing him joked that they gave him points for such a long rant, but Christian really was on task in his purpose to calling. Humility was his agenda so he answered to that point, "Absolutely listen, and let me tell you how I had that much energy ... let me try to put this into a little bit of context because there have seemed to be so many people that have given opinions about this but--you know what? None of them were there. Now so, we're making Terminator. I'm assuming you are familiar with the mythology. Have you seen T2? (interviewers agree), It is a great movie. And in it you will meet Sarah Connor. And she's in an insane asylum. Why is she there? Because she IS CRAAZY! (laughter). Now I play John Connor her son. And on the day that all of this happened the scene that we were doing I was trying to show a little of that in the blood craziness. And you know what? It went very wrong. And for reasons that, that-that that myself, and Shane (the DP) and every crew member that were in that hanger at Kirtland Air force Base that day they know the reasons, I got annoyed and what happened I made it ugly. And that was awful of me. I, I, I took it all way too far. And I completely mixed up fact and fiction--I'm half John Connor, I'm half Christian there, and... we all heard exactly what I said."

...I'm embarrassed by it. I ask everybody to sit down and ask themselves, have they ever had a bad day and have they ever lost their temper and really regretted it immensely. Feel free to make fun of me at my expense; I deserve it completely.

The DJ's offered up the caveat that people such as actors in the creative enterprise should have the right to screw up without having what they say aired as dirty laundry. Again Bale took ownership: "I hear you completely but it's no excuse. Because you know what. That, that confidentiality-that trust is really not there for covering up bad behavior."

Reflecting that this all took place last July (2008) the inevitable question was what about his intent to get the cinematographer (Shane) fired? "Oh listen, I've not only talked with him, we have resolved this completely, that very day we kept working for a number of hours. Listen when I'm saying 'I'm not coming back on the set if he's still hired' --You know what? It's hot air. I'm I have no intention of getting anybody fired. I absolutely believe in Shane's capability. He'd done a wonderful job on that movie. We not only kept working that day we worked together for at least a MONTH after that. Every single day. We saw each other two weeks back. And we worked together then. Everything is RESOLVED between us. There is no problem whatsoever. He's done a great job with it. And I really want through this in case any ones considered he's not doing a great job, I want everyone to know, I've seen a rough cut of the movie it looks fantastic and he's done a wonderful professional job."

Christian closed with explaining that he knows a lot of people won't see the movie because they think he is a 'Prima Donna'. Bale explained, "It ain't that. It's just maybe sometimes I care too much."

Bale closed begging, "Please, I'm asking people, do not allow my one time lapse in judgment my my incredibly embarrassing melt down to overshadow this movie. And to have all of those peoples hard work go to waste." He added that he didn't bully Shane as Shane was an ex football player and a big guy himself.

His final words: "I just want to make completely clear, I am embarrassed by it and I regret it; and I ask everybody to sit down and ask themselves, have they ever had a bad day and have they ever lost their temper and REALLY regretted it immensely."

I'm a forgiving man. I forgive Bale for his outburst and I get it. But he has little wiggle room for error going forward as he was indeed arrested after a complaint by his own family members in England at the time of Batman: The Dark Knight's release in the summer of 2008. I get that actors have an edge, but we are all accountable. Let's hope Christian has learned from this. Otherwise this long apology will be as he said, 'hot air'.

Read our original article here: Christian Bale Takes His Craft Serious: Verbally Abuses Co-Worker. Listen to the audio here, Warning: This audio file unsafe for Work or Around Children.

Why You May Never See Watchmen

Oh my... A judge has ruled on the Watchmen case. What! You say? You didn't know there was one? It's complicated. Two studios are at war and a judge which no one thought would make a ruling on it, has. What is more amazing is it is a ruling no one expected, not even the studio that the judge ruled in favor of. Sound familiar in today's society? Here is what you should know. The current ruling now puts the release of the movie in question--not just the release date.

The crux of the matter is 20th Century Fox has won a claim against Universal which now gives Fox a copyright interest in the Watchmen. Why? Because Warner Brothers should have never started filming Watchmen without the rights issue resolved prior. Fox has been attempting to halt the release of Watchmen and now they can. Will they? Money is involved so you bet it may happen.

What if the film is released later? Fanboy's should still care. Fox is well known for tight budgets and keeping films short on running times. Watchmen is complete, so budget is no longer at issue. But Watchmen is currently 2.5 hours long. Watchmen faithful may already be upset by the new ending of Watchmen, but to hack up the film after production is complete may cause a rift in viewership. Early word already is fans may boycott Wolverine in protest of the studio infighting.


Is it possible the most of Watchmen you may ever see are trailers like this one?



As a footnote, the current ruling is a short version. The judge in the case will offer a longer detailed ruling. What this means to us common folk is that this gives the judge some time for perspective which offers clarity to the implications of his ruling. A judge can then craft the more detailed ruling to force both sides to play nice and settle the matter. The judge may even issue a ruling that the film release and date are permitted and the money issue can be resolved after. But now with a ruling in place, both studios are most likely going to resolve the matter between themselves.

DC's Green Lantern get's spoiled!

The good news and early word on DC's Green Lantern project is that it will be strong on story and not insult the intelligence of non Green Lantern fans. Could DC be learning from the wisdom of Chris Nolan with his thinking man's Batman franchise.

PCM has found a detailed story line of the Green Lantern Movie now well under way. Be advised this is a long detailed spoiler of the Green Lantern movie.

The only question we at PCM are now asking is, if the Green Lantern project has not yet started as (Alan Horn) President of Warner Brothers quoted on 12/18/2008 in reference to Green Lantern: “Also on the board. On the runway. Hasn’t taken off yet, but we’re close".



Horn also states on Justice League, "Not yet". So you can stop youtubing for Justice League. It's just not in the works.

Third Batman Movie Takes Shape

They key to the latest Batman movie franchise is almost a lock, Christopher Nolan is on board. But that could fall apart as Warner Bros. wants Nolan to move on the project quickly. He is taking a careful approach to respect the character and fans. Word is Rachel Weisz may play Catwoman (wild rumour). Shia LaBeouf is also rumoured to be playing Robin. The latest breaking news is Eddie Murphy will play the Riddler.

PCM can tell you that the first News Organization to break this was The Sun. The Sun has a habit of breaking news without confirming sources. So we bring you this news with trepidation.

If Nolan stays on board, rest assured Eddie will play the Riddler straight and the movie won't jump the shark.

Batman Loans Batmobile to Harvey Dent... Gets Ticket?

It's not everyday the Batmobile is seen outside of Gotham. But you can be sure when it is, everyone wants a part of it. Actor Aaron Eckhart did NOT park it outside GMTV studios as some other news sources have claimed. However it was parked on Lambeth Street outside the GMTV studios where a parking meter officer quickly laid claim to his greatest parking meter ticket ever.

Do you wonder where he slapped the ticket? See our inset picture. And what did he use for a VIN or license plate number to complete the ticket? Well, that brings us to the news behind the news. The ticket is a wash as tickets cannot be issued to vehicles that don't have a registration.

Eckhart is on a press junket promoting the DVD release of Batman, The Dark Knight.

Morgan Freeman in Serious Condition

Morgan Freeman was injured in a car accident Sunday night in Mississippi. The 71 year old actor is in serious condition and was taken to a hospital in Memphis Tennessee. The wreck happened late Sunday night and the jaws of life were used to reach Freeman after his car left the highway airborne and landed in a ditch. While being extracted from his vehicle Freeman was lucid, conscious, and joking with some of the rescue workers.

Update 8.5.2008:

The actor broke his elbow and arm, as well as injuring his shoulder. He underwent surgery Monday evening, his rep stated:

"Morgan is doing well after his surgery last night [Monday] to reconnect nerves and repair damage in his left arm and hand. The surgery last night lasted four and a half hours. He's visiting with family this morning. As of this morning he's up and walking around and looking forward to his release in a few days."

Bad Mood Batman

With all the talk about his arrest and assault charges on his family, Christian Bale wasn't looking too happy when he was spotted back home in California. He's back home in America after a promotional tour around the world for The Dark Knight.

Yesterday, Bale was spotted out to lunch with his wife, Sibi, and her parents at a local neighborhood restaurant in Brentwood, California. Poor, Batman, things are going to well for him right now personally. However, financially, with the success of The Dark Knight, we're sure he's making bank!

Teen decapitated by Batman ride

A teenager at the Six Flags Over Georgia was killed around 2-2:30 p.m. today when he was hit and decapitated by the amusement park's popular Batman roller coaster, which can travel at up to 50 mph.

Cobb County police are investigating the death, which occurred after the 17-year-old scaled two six-foot fences marked with "Danger" and "Do Not Enter" signs.

"We do not know why this person was intent on gaining access to this restricted area,"
Park spokeswoman Hela Sheth said in a news release.

"Some witnesses have stated that the individual was trying to retrieve something he had lost. Others reported that he was trying to touch the ride," she added. "This is merely speculation at this point, and we are working with park visitors and local police to learn more."

Another Six Flags representative said the teen was one of a group of youth who jumped over the perimeter fence as the ride was coming, although none of the other kids, nor any of the people on the ride, were injured.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was reportedly with a church group at the time, although his family was at the park, as well, the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote on its website.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family," a statement form the park read. Cobb County reports have not returned calls seeking comments, not have they confirmed that the teen was decapitated.

The description of Batman: The Ride is described on the Six Flags website as such: "Soar like a bat out of Hades, through, above—and even underneath—Gotham City, suspended from the rails of one of the most innovative coasters of all time."

It is described as "one of the most spell-binding coasters ever," with "one-of-a-kind heartline spin producing a feeling of weightlessness."

It is not to be confused with the new The Dark Knight roller coaster, located at Six Flags Great Adventure. The ride's May 15 launch preceded the upcoming film by several months.