Only a couple of weeks ago it felt like the Batman Begins sequel was so far away and would take forever to arrive. But with all the things going on about casting rumours etc, 2008 now doesn’t feel so long away and I can now start getting officially exicted about seeing the “The Dark Knight” back on screen.

Yup that’s the title folks, “The Dark Knight”. Personally, I love it. It sounds much better than the rumoured “Batman Continues” or simply “Batman 2″. I also like the fact that they have dropped the “Batman” in the title, which is the first time that has happened in motion picture history. I would have preffered them to go one step further with the title and call it “The Dark Knight Returns” but then I guess fans would be expecting the movie to follow the plot of the excellent Frank Miller graphic novel which wouldn’t be the case.

And it’s now being confirmed that oscar nominated star Heath Ledger WILL BE the Joker in the upcoming movie. Was it ever in doubt after he was offered the role? Who could turn down the chance to be the Joker? Here is the official press release of the news, taken from Dark Horizons…

“As a follow up to last year’s blockbuster Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan is set to direct Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Dark Knight, written by Jonathan Nolan, based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. The film will be produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan. Additionally, Christian Bale will resume his role as Bruce Wayne and Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has been cast as The Joker. The announcements were made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures”.

Officially mark me down as being exicted. It’s like being back in 2003 again when we first heard rumblings of the Batman Begins movie, then all the awesome casting that came with that. Now to find a certain actor to play D.A. Harvey Dent and possibly The Penguin, expect casting to be complete by end of the year.