Wow! Have you seen the Herald Sun website today? It's got a report about Eddie Murphy signing on to star as The Riddler in the next installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman series.

What a load of crap!

Firstly, they've gotten the news from that fine, upstanding media outlet that is the UK's The Sun, and secondly, Nolan, himself isn't even on board yet, let alone an actual script, let alone an actual character list, let alone an actual cast ...

And that comes from none other than the head of Warner Bros. (the studio that makes these films), Alan Horn, but more on him in a moment.



We've all had our share of fun with the rumours and innuendo about a possible Dark Knight follow-up after its amazing run in cinemas (myself included - I couldn't help it), but things have gotten a little out of hand.

I mean Eddie Murphy for God's sake! As if Nolan would have the former comic great who is now nothing more than an embarrassment (when he's playing anything other than a donkey) appearing in his 'serious' 'reality-based' Batman series.

The Sun ridiculously has reported Murphy has been "signed" to star in the planned third film, which is "set for a 2010 release" and being called "Gotham".

And get this, The Sun also "revealed" via "insiders" that Shia Labeouf was signed to star as Robin and Rachel Weisz as Catwoman. Nothing against those two actors, but plenty against the characters. Remember Chris O'Donnell? Remember Halle Berry?

Who's making this alleged film again? Joel Schumacher?

This "insider" was quoted as saying, “Chris (Nolan) wasn’t sure if he wanted to do another movie but as soon as he decided to, he got the wheels in motion.

And, “Eddie’s a fantastic addition. Everyone’s excited to see what he does as the Riddler.”

Yeah right. Next they will be saying Heath Ledger is set to reprise his role as The Joker.



On the same day this report comes out, an entertainment website with a bit more credability than The Sun, or the Herald Sun for that matter, Collider.com releases its interview with Warner president Alan Horn.

Now, if anyone knows what is going on, it would be him.

He does admit the studio wants a third Nolan-helmed Caped Crusader picture, but nothing has been set in concrete. They are actually trying to talk Nolan in to jumping back in the hot seat.

"We've been talking to Chris Nolan and what we have to do is get him in the right place and have him tell us what he thinks the notion might be for a great story, but Chris did a great job and we'd love to have him come back and do another one," Horn said.

"The story is everything and we are very respectful of Chris. We have a wonderful relationship with him and we are going to be respectful of his timing and we want to get it right. Also, I think the fans expect that - they want us to make a terrific movie - we have to give them another great movie."

As much as I would love to see a Dark Knight follow-up sooner rather than later, it's makes sense for the makers to take their time. No need to rush. Just do it right.

And I think they will, with Nolan back on board. He's almost as said as much - see here - but at the moment he is taking a well-earned break.