So Batman 3 is definitely full steam ahead. Today, in an interview with the LA Times’ Hero Complex Blog, Chris Nolan talked a little bit about the final installment in his Batman trilogy.

Although we had known for some time that Nolan would return to direct for the sequel to The Dark Knight, we now have confirmation that the film is moving forward. So, what do we know so far?

• The title is “The Dark Knight Rises.”
• July 20th, 2012 is the tentative release date.
• Christopher Nolan will direct a script written by his brother, Jonathan, based on a story by Chris and David S. Goyer.
• The villain is not The Riddler. And although Nolan previously pronounced Two-Face dead, that may have changed since then. Mr. Freeze is not up for consideration. One villain they haven’t ruled out is Superman, but I would be shocked if that was the case. He did hint at the possibility of the villain not being a comic-book character, which is not a bad proposal.
• Tom Hardy has been cast in a lead role, and the filmmakers are looking for a new female lead.
• Nolan said, “We’ll use many of the same characters as we have all along, and we’ll be introducing some new ones.” Ok, I respect the lack of information he releases on his upcoming film projects, but that is verging on nonsense.
• The film will be the final in Nolan’s trilogy and will bring the story to a conclusion, something rare and great to see in this era of milking a franchise until it disintegrates. I kind-of hope Bruce Wayne sacrifices himself at the end of the film.

Thoughts? Do you like the name? I’m not a huge fan, but it’s a nice twist on The Dark Knight and “The Dark Knight Returns” by Frank Miller. Villain ideas? Black Mask, Hugo Strange, a non-comic-book character possibly.

Alright, so that’s it for Batman 3, and I know it is enough to get me in the theater come summer 2012. Let’s try to forget about it for a year-and-a-half and enjoy the movie when it comes.

In an unsurprising move, Fox revealed that Avatar will be re-released on August 27th to theaters around the country.

James Cameron has added eight minutes of deleted scenes back into the movie, which seems a little weird. He had previously stated that there were over 20 minutes of material that didn’t make it into the final cut. However, as Steve Weintraub of Collider pointed out, originally Avatar was 162 minutes long. The IMAX format can only support films up to 170 minutes long. (due to the large film, I presume) Basically, Cameron was limited by the format.

I am still amazed at the success of this movie. I mean, everyone went to see it. Its audience transcended every barrier: age, gender, it didn’t matter. Avatar made 2,730,829,876 in worldwide box office. Anyway, come August, that number will only get closer to 3 billion.

Here’s Fox’s official press release:

On August 27, return to Pandora and re-experience James Cameron’s History-Making Epic film, with more than Eight Minutes of Never Before Seen Footage- exclusively in Digital 3D and IMAX® 3D. Since – and largely as of result of – AVATAR’s release last December, the number of available digital 3D screens has exploded, and moviegoers who missed experiencing the film in 3D, as well as fans that want to return to Pandora again, will now have that opportunity. The Oscar® and Golden Globe® winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It is also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time.

So, if you somehow missed it the first time, or just want to see the film again as it was intended to be viewed, make sure you get out in late August for a sure-fire spectacular end to this summer movie season.

The as-yet-untitled Batman 3 was included in the 20-film deal announced between Warner Bros. and IMAX last week, but no other information was given. Warner Bros. has now announced that they are releasing Batman 3 on July 20, 2012.

Director Christopher Nolan does not want to film in 3D, but sources believe that the movie will come out in both IMAX and conventional theaters. Nolan is working on the storyline for his next Batman installment, co-writing with David Goyer and brother Jonathan Nolan.

Christian Bale is set to return as the titular crime-fighter. Also rumored to return for Batman 3 are Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Gary Oldman.

Batman Begins earned $352 million worldwide, while The Dark Night topped out around $1 billion. As the movie is set to premiere in 2012, to keep on schedule they should go into production this fall, with filming into swing by winter.

Nolan is currently in post-production of his highly anticipated sci-fi thriller Inception, starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Inception will be released in theaters on July 16, 2010.

Today, IMAX and Warner Bros. announced that they have signed a deal to release twenty films in the format over the next three years. In the statement, several release dates were revealed, as well as an update on Guillermo del Toro’s The Hobbit.

First, the deal: After having a lot of success in the past, Warner Bros. is going all-out with the IMAX format. The deal, revealed today in a press release, details the company’s plans to exhibit 20 films in IMAX theaters over the next 3 years.

The first five movies under the agreement are Legends of the Guardian: The Owls of Ga’Hoole 3D (September 24, 2010), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (3D) (November 19, 2010) and Part II (3D) (July 15, 2011), Happy Feet 2 (3D) (November 18, 2011), and The Hobbit (December 2012). In addition, the studio will release 15 other films over the course of 2011, 2012 and 2013, including Gravity, Fury Road, Batman 3, and Superman.

In addition to this being a huge success for IMAX, now we know that The Hobbit is not dead. As of right now, both Hobbit scripts have been handed in to the studio and, although not officially green-lit, the finances are being worked out right now.

This is reassuring, considering how grim the movie’s future looked as a result MGM’s financial trouble. As far as I know, there will still be two parts, but the press release only listed one. Could WB be paring the story down to make it fit into one film?

I sure hope not. I can’t wait to see del Toro’s take on Middle-Earth. Hopefully, the film(s) will make a splendid, tonally different, addition to the terrific Lord of the Rings series.

According to a recent press release by the IMAX Corporation, the company’s current draw, Avatar, is absolutely shattering IMAX box office records.

In just ten days, the film has already taken in $39 million worldwide, making $8.8 million domestically and $3.6 million internationally in its second weekend. The $8.8 million from IMAX showings counts for about 12 percent of Avatar‘s domestic gross, despite IMAX theaters making up less than 3 percent of the screens playing the movie.

Although IMAX theaters make up a small portion of the total screens showing Avatar, 17 of the top 20 locations showing the film in the U.S. were IMAX theaters.

Internationally, IMAX theaters in both Poland and Japan saw record openings, and Avatar is still set to open on 11 IMAX screens in China, which will likely also see record breaking numbers.

Greg Foster, the Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, credits the overwhelming success of Avatar with the style of the movie, which is perfectly suited for the IMAX experience. “To have reached $39 million from 249 screens in just 10 days demonstrates that moviegoers clearly understand the value of experiencing Avatar in IMAX,” said Foster.

IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond echoes this, saying that the weekend’s box office results show that moviegoers are clearly favoring IMAX as the way to see Avatar, and believes that “Avatar is well on its way to becoming our highest grossing Hollywood IMAX title.”

I can assume that on May 4th, 2007 no one felt like a bigger dunce than yours truly. While most would say I walk through every single day as a nimrod, it never rang truer than when I dressed up as black costume Spider-Man for the midnight IMAX showing of Spider-Man 3. After feeling like I was on the red carpet due to all the photos people wanted, I suffered the horror of those two and a half hours. The moment I entered my car with my brother and our good friend, I immediately tossed the costume off after previously warning people in line for the 3:25 AM showing that they were about to be assaulted. Yes, the irony of some idiot dressing up for the film telling people to avoid said film.

Anyhoo, the purpose for this trip down memory lane is to proclaim that Sony will release Spider-Man 4 on May 5, 2011 in IMAX. Unsurprising really as the two previous installments were released on the format. But now comes the questions. Will Raimi film with the IMAX cameras Christopher Nolan and Michael “Explodo” Bay used? Or will he opt to go for the 3D treatment? Hmm, Spidey in 3D? Now that might make that insufferable third entry watchable. Just please don’t let this adventure of the everyone’s favorite web-slinger suck as bad as the last.

If Inglourious Basterds hadn’t come along, J.J. Abram’s Star Trek would still be my very favorite movie of the summer. It’s exactly the sort of movie a summer season deserves, and it functions perfectly as both a prequel and a sequel.

At the same time, it also opens the floodgates for a thousand new interesting stories in the Star Trek universe.

Simply put, Star Trek fans who were disappointed with what they saw missed the point entirely.

They have another chance, though, because Paramount is re-releasing the film into Imax on 85 screens starting on Friday.

The full list of theaters is as follows. Go revisit Star Trek in theaters, before you race to grab the Bluray like me. The list is surprisingly inclusive of many locations (including my local Imax!) so you really have no excuse.

Mesa , AZ – Gateway 12 + IMAX Theatre
Phoenix , AZ – Deer Valley 30 with IMAX
Aliso Viejo , CA – Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 with IMAX
Camarillo , CA – Camarillo 12 with IMAX
El Dorado Hills , CA – El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 with IMAX
Emeryville , CA – Bay Street 16 with IMAX
Escondido , CA – Escondido Stadium 16 with IMAX
Fairfield , CA – Fairfield Stadium 16 + IMAX
Fresno , CA – Fresno Stadium 21 + IMAX
Ontario , CA – Ontario Palace Stadium 22 + IMAX
San Diego , CA – Palm Promenade 24 with IMAX
Santa Clara , CA – Mercado 20 with IMAX
Simi Valley , CA – Civic Center Stadium 16 + IMAX
South Gate , CA – South Gate Stadium 20 with IMAX
Stockton , CA – Downtown Stockton 16 + IMAX
Universal City , CA – Citywalk Stadium 19 with IMAX
Westchester , CA – Bridge De Lux 18 + IMAX
Altamonte Springs , FL – Altamonte Mall 18 with IMAX
Aventura , FL – Aventura Mall 24 with IMAX
Cape Canaveral , FL – IMAX Theater
Fort Myers , FL – Gulf Coast Town Center Stadium 16 + IMAX
Jacksonville , FL – Regency 24 with IMAX
Orange Park , FL – Orange Park 24 with IMAX
Orlando , FL – Pointe Orlando Stadium 20 + IMAX
Orlando , FL – Waterford Lakes Stadium 20 with IMAX
St Petersberg , FL – Baywalk 19 + IMAX
Tallahassee , FL – IMAX Theatre Tallahassee
Tampa , FL – Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
Tampa , FL – Veterans 24 with IMAX
Tampa , FL – Channelside Cinemas Stadium 9 + IMAX
Augusta , GA – Augusta Exchange Stadium 20 + IMAX
Kennesaw , GA – Barrett Commons 24 with IMAX
Morrow , GA – Southlake Pavilion 24 with IMAX Honolulu , HI – Dole Cannery 18 with IMAX
Boise , ID – Boise Stadium 21 + IMAX
Batavia , IL – Randall 14 + IMAX
Lincolnshire , IL – Lincolnshire Stadium 20 + IMAX
Woodridge , IL – Cinemark 16 + IMAX
Noblesville , IN – Hamilton 16 IMAX
Portage , IN – Portage 15 + IMAX
Louisville , KY – Stoney Brook IMAX
Newport , KY – Newport Levee 20 with IMAX
Harahan , LA – Elmwood Palace 20 with IMAX
Boston , MA – New England Aquarium
Saco , ME – Cinemagic Saco 12 with IMAX
Detroit , MI – Detroit Science Center IMAX Theatre
Grand Blanc , MI – NCG Trillium Cinema + IMAX
Lansing , MI – Celebration – Lansing 19 + IMAX
Sterling Heights , MI – Forum 30 with IMAX
Ypsilanti , MI – Showcase Ann Arbor 20 + IMAX
Roseville , MN – Rosedale 14 with IMAX
Saint Louis , MO – Ronnies Cinemas 19 + IMAX
Charlotte , NC – Stonecrest At Piper Glen Stadium 22 with IMAX
Concord , NC – Concord Mills 24 with IMAX
Council Bluffs , NE – Star Cinema 16 with IMAX
Henderson , NV – Sunset Station Stadium 13 with IMAX
Las Vegas , NV – Brenden Palms 13 + IMAX
Las Vegas , NV – Red Rock Stadium 15 + IMAX
North Las Vegas , NV – Aliante Station 16 with IMAX
Brooklyn , NY – Sheepshead Bay 14 with IMAX
Deer Park , NY – Deer Park Stadium 16 and IMAX
New Rochelle , NY – New Roc City Stadium 18 + IMAX
Williamsville , NY – Transit Center Stadium 18 +IMAX
Columbus , OH – Easton Town Center 30 with IMAX
Springdale , OH – Showcase Springdale 18 IMAX
Bensalem , PA – Neshaminy 24 with IMAX
Homestead , PA – Waterfront 22 with IMAX
Philadelphia , PA – Tuttleman IMAX – Franklin Institute
Tarentum , PA – Pittsburgh Mills Mall 17 + IMAX
Myrtle Beach , SC – IMAX Discovery Theatre
Chattanooga , TN – Tennessee Aquarium
Knoxville , TN – Pinnacle Stadium Cinemas 17 + IMAX
Colleyville , TX – Colleyville Cinema Grille & IMAX
Garland , TX – Firewheel 18 with IMAX
Houston , TX – Gulf Pointe 30 with IMAX
Mesquite , TX – Mesquite 30 with IMAX
Sugarland , TX – First Colony 24 with IMAX
Sandy , UT – Jordan Commons 16 + IMAX
Midlothian , VA – Commonwealth Stadium 20 with IMAX
Virginia Beach , VA – Lynnhaven 18 with IMAX
Woodbridge , VA – Potomac Mills 18 with IMAX
Kent , WA – Kent Station 14 with IMAX
Lacey , WA – Martin Village Stadium 16 + IMAX

Canada

Hull , QC – Canadian Museum Of Civilization
Victoria , BC – National Geographic Theater

How interested are you in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen? Interested enough to read technical yet fascinating  tidbits from Industrial Light & Magic regarding  the film’s presentation?

You are one interested mutha’. Check out the below fact sheet.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is due out June 26th.

COOL FACTS

• 14 robots last time, 46 robots this time (ILM only)
• If you had all the gold ever mined in the history of man, you could build a little more than half of Devastator.
• Optimus Prime will be life size on IMAX screens in many forest fight shots.
• Devastator’s hand is traveling 390 miles per hour when he punches the pyramid.
• The pyramid destruction simulation was 8 times bigger than the old rigid simulation all-time record holder at ILM.
• All robot parts laid out end to end would stretch from one side of California to the other, about 180 miles
• Devastator’s parts stacked tip to tip would be as tall as 58 empire state buildings.
• If all the texture maps on the show were printed on 1 square yard sheets, they would cover 13 football fields.

Megan Fox: Just cuz...

DISK SPACE

• Trans1 took 20 Terabytes of disk space.  Trans2 took 145 Terabytes.  Seven times bigger!
• 145 terabytes would fill 35,000 DVDs.  Stacked one on top of the other without storage cases, they would be 145 feet tall.

RENDERING TIMES

• If you rendered the entire movie on a modern home PC, you would have had to start the renders 16,000 years ago (when cave paintings like the Hall of Bulls were being made) to finish for this year’s premiere!
• A single imax shot in the movie (df250) would have taken almost 3 years to render on a top of the line home PC running nonstop.
• IMAX frame render times:  As high as 72 hours per frame!

IMAX

• Optimus Prime will be life size on IMAX screens in many forest fight shots.
• Imax frames take about 6 times longer than anamorphic to render.
• IMAX frame render times:  As high as 72 hours per frame!

ILM SCREEN TIME

• ILM Screen Time is about 51 minutes.

DEVASTATOR

• Devastator is as tall as a 10 story building.
• Devastator has more than 10 times the number of individual parts found in an average car.
• Laid out end to end, Devastator’s parts would be almost 14 miles long.

DEVASTATOR TOTALS

• Number of geom pieces: 52632
• The total number of polygons: 11,716,127
• The total length of all pieces: 73090 feet
• The total length of all pieces: 13.84 miles