According to a report, the rumors are true. Last we heard, Christopher Nolan’s “Batman 3” (did you hear he’s directing it??) was likely to start shooting in March or April of 2011 in New Orleans (Michael Caine said April himself).
Coming Soon essentially confirms all of these aforementioned rumors and speculation and says, indeed, it’s all true. With Christian Bale allegedly bulking up for the role, this all makes sense. This should mean in a few weeks we’ll have plenty of casting rumors that are probably more reliable than early nonsensical reports like Johnny Depp as the Riddler, etc. A more recent rumor pegged Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the Riddler, probably because of his Nolan connection in “Inception,” but that report was still too early to be taken seriously.
There will be pressure to shoot in 3D, even though Nolan and his team are not entirely keen on it. Most directors might have to cave, but considering the filmmaker’s “Inception” is closing in on the $800 million mark worldwide without 3D, the director probably has more than a leg to stand on. “Batman 3” (its working title of course) is currently scheduled for a July 20, 2012 date, which means the film will have to face off that summer against Marvel’s “The Avengers” (May 4), Peter Berg’s board game-with-aliens picture “Battleship” (May 18), J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” sequel (currently slated for a June 29 date) , and the rebooted 3D “Spider-Man” by director Marc Webb (scheduled for July 3). “John Carter of Mars” is also expected in the summer of 2012 and other possibilities include “Wolverine 2” and possibly the “Godzilla” reboot (presumably in 3D).