Harley Quinn Cast in 'DKR'?

This just in from Hollywood.com:

Nolan is looking to add Juno Temple to the cast as a "street smart Gotham girl," which would be a great way for her to gain some more mainstream exposure and make for another talented addition to an already talent-heavy cast.

A "street smart Gotham girl"? Why not a Joker fan girl cone completely crazy with Clown Prince of Crime infatuation? This Juno is no pregnant highschooler with a penchant for lounge chairs and Sherlock Holmes-style pipes. This Juno is all about Atonement, being a Wild Child, and taking out enemies in A Single Shot.

Come on Mr. Nolan, there's no way you're leaving Mr. J's lover out of your third installment, are you?



No fucking way.

No Ledger for 'DKR'

After the rumor circled the web like a hurled Batarang, it appears Christopher Nolan's wife and producing partner, Emma Thomas, has put the kibosh on whether a Heath Ledger Joker would appear in 'Dark Knight Rises.' According to ReelzChannel, Thomas said curtly:

"I heard the rumor. We're not doing that."

Nolan himself also denied the rumor. I suppose this is as well. Heath Ledger's Joker will forever remain as a special highlight of the great event that was 'The Dark Knight.' It would be nice to see Joker again, but if not Heath, then who?

There's probably only one actor with the gravitas who also kinda resembles Ledger, that could pull off the role. I'm talking about Harry Osborn, er, Mr. James Franco:

I've heard nothing but good things about Franco in his latest film '127 Hours.' While he has already had major roles in blockbuster films like 'Spider-Man,' Franco seems set for a major step up into critical and leading roles. He'd be perfect as a replacement for Joker. I don't necessarily see him fitting in as any other villain, however.

What do you think? James Franco as Joker?

Joker Cameo in 'Dark Knight Rises'?

Joker returns?

So says showbizspy:

“The idea is to use these fragments of cut scenes and use CGI to have The Joker appear one last time,” reveals a movie insider.

According to their sources, Nolan wants to maintain some continuity between 'TDK' and 'Rises' similar to how Scarecrow popped up for a cameo in the latest Batman film. Ledger's death hit Nolan especially hard, and he has said there is no additional footage of the Oscar winner portraying Gotham's Clowned Prince of Crime.

However, with some creative editing, it might be possible to make an "old" scene appear new. It could work, but only in a very limited sense. Perhaps we could see a psychiatrist interviewing the Joker in Arkham Asylum through the grainy black and white lens of a security cam. It would be brief, and might even use footage we've seen before but altered in some way to appear fresh. Or perhaps Nolan does have additional unseen footage of Ledger that could be worked into part of a new scene.

Whatever the case, I'm favorable towards seeing the Joker one last time in 'DKR,' even if it's only a glimpse. We are left, after all, with questions at the end of 'Dark Knight.' After Joker is captured, what becomes of him? Prison? Arkham Asylum? Or did the SWAT team do what had to be done? Seeing Joker ensconced in a "padded cell forever," as Batman says, would help bring closure to the character.