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Friday, September 12, 2003

CHRISTIAN BALE CAST AS BATMAN

Christian Bale has been cast in the title role in Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming Batman movie, to be directed by Christopher Nolan, it was announced Thursday afternoon.

Jeph Loeb, who writes the Batman and Superman/Batman comics and is a consulting producer on the Smallville television series, told The Continuum that the casting of Bale is "a terrific choice."

"He brings with him an air of mystery, danger and wealth," Loeb said. "And, from what I'm told, the chicks think he's hot!"

Bale, 29, who first drew critical attention for his starring role in Empire of the Sun, has starred in such diverse films as Little Women, Portrait of a Lady, Metroland, American Psycho and Laurel Canyon.

The announcement was made by Jeff Robinov, president of production for Warner Bros. Pictures.

"Now that we've found the best person to play Batman, we are really looking forward to moving ahead with the rest of our casting, and are excited about the exceptional group we are assembling," Robinov said.

Said Nolan, "What I see in Christian is the ultimate embodiment of Bruce Wayne. He has exactly the balance of darkness and light that we were looking for."

Principal photography on the film is expected to begin early next year. The script is written by David Goyer and Nolan, and will follow the early career of Batman. The film is being produced by Emma Thomas.

Goyer, who is writing and directing Blade: Trinity, could not be reached for comment on Thursday.



DARK HORSE COMICS FOR DECEMBER

Dark Horse Comics has released its solicitation information for December.

For a complete rundown, with cover images, CLICK HERE.



IRON MAN PREVIEW

Marvel Comics on Thursday provided The Continuum with two covers and six pages from the first arc from the new creative team on Iron Man.

Writer John Jackson Miller and artist Jorge Lucas take over the monthly series beginning with October's Iron Man #73, launching a new story arc "Best Defense" and new series direction inspired by the techno-thriller fiction of writers like Tom Clancy.

Here's how Marvel describes the first story:

"Tired of missiles that miss their targets and planes that ARE easy targets, the United States government wants the most successful weapons designer in our military's history back. But Tony Stark gave up building weapons many years ago. Undeterred, the military is resolute to get Stark - or more accurately, his technology - back any way they can ... even if it's against Tony Stark's will.

"This standoff leads to one of the most shocking developments in Stark's career, his nomination to the office of Secretary of Defense of the United States of America. Now, in addition to action-filled battles as Iron Man, Tony Stark has to face new foes, including secret factions within the Pentagon determined to defeat his nomination, the United State Congress in charge of confirming his nomination, and possibly the most ruthless adversary he's ever faced - the Washington, DC press corps."

Iron Man #73 goes on sale Oct. 10 and features a cover by Joe Jusko. Also shown above is the cover to Iron Man #75 by Adi Granov. Click on the thumbnails for larger images.





SMALLVILLE/FLASH TV NEWS

Michael McKean is playing Perry White in an episode of The WB's Smallville, a source close to the show confirmed for The Continuum.

The episode, "Perry," recently filmed for a likely sweeps showing. This version of Perry White is a reporter and not yet editor of The Daily Planet in keeping with Smallville's early Superman mythos.

McKean, 55, is married to Annette O'Toole, who plays Martha Kent in Smallville. McKean is a television and film veteran perhaps best known as Lenny from Laverne and Shirley and as David St. Hubbins in This is Spinal Tap.

McKean's casting had been kept under wraps, with an exclusive planned for TV Guide, but word leaked out on the SmallvilleFans.com site on Thursday. Representatives of The WB and Warner Bros. Television did not answer requests for information on the role.

In other DC television news, Variety reported Friday that The WB has committed to a pilot based on The Flash.

The WB show will have nothing to do with the CBS show that lasted one season in 1990. It is being developed by Todd Komarnicki, who will executive produce and is writing the pilot.

According to Variety, this version of The Flash won't wear a red costume and will be a 20-something Gothamite who uses his powers to time travel.

Which witch are you?


COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES

In case you missed The Continuum's recent coverage, here are some links:

* For Saturday, Sept. 6, including Sharon Stone talking about Catwoman, CLICK HERE.

* For Friday, Sept. 5, including Spider-Man/MTV news, CLICK HERE.

* For Thursday, Sept. 4, including X-Men: Evolution news, CLICK HERE.

* For Wednesday, Sept. 3, including Spider-Man animated news, CLICK HERE.

* For Tuesday, Sept.2, including Justice League and Batman news, CLICK HERE.

* For Monday, Sept.1, including Street Fighter and Teen Titans news, CLICK HERE.

* For Saturday, Aug. 30, including Mutant X news, CLICK HERE.

* For Friday, Aug. 29, including Justice League season-premiere news, CLICK HERE.

* For Thursday, Aug. 28, including Smallville season-premiere news, CLICK HERE.

* For Wednesday, Aug. 27, including Mutant X and Batman animated news, CLICK HERE.

* For Tuesday, Aug. 26, including Transformers news, CLICK HERE.

* For Monday, Aug. 25, CLICK HERE.

* For Saturday, Aug. 23, CLICK HERE.

* For Friday, Aug. 22, CLICK HERE.

* For Thursday, Aug. 21, CLICK HERE.

* For Wednesday, Aug. 20, CLICK HERE.



BRIEFLY

  • DC Direct's Batman Statue has sold out at DC Comics. The statue, designed by Jim Lee and sculpted by Tim Bruckner, sold out less than a week after its on-sale date of Sept. 4.

    "Tim did a fantastic job interpreting my 2-D image," Lee said "He really brought it to life, and I look forward to working with him on more projects in the future."

    "I'm not surprised at this sell-out; it's such a great statue and it ties into a great story." said Georg Brewer, DC's VP-Design & Retail Product Development, "Fans should look for the Catwoman Statue Jim and Tim are working on -- it will be every bit as strong."

  • Coming Saturday: TV news -- and much more!!!



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