Director Chris Nolan is thinking ahead, way ahead. He is still early in to the pre-production stage of his Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight and he is already thinking about IMAX. Nolan is shooting four scenes in the high resolution 15/70 IMAX film format. This is actually a first; most films are actually re-mastered for IMAX screens.

The first of the scenes, including a prologue that introduces Batman’s arch-nemesis The Joker, was shot in April, several weeks in advance of the actual start of principal photography.



Nolan commented, “In continuing the story of such a great icon I’m thrilled to be able to expand the scope of the film, not just in terms of its story, but in giving Batman and the Joker the largest possible canvas on which to face off. No existing technology compares with the IMAX format in terms of its ability to throw the audience into the action, and we’re very proud and excited to use this technology in a way that no one has before.”



We also got a brief synopsis for The Dark Knight.

Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.

The Dark Knight hits theaters (regular and IMAX) on July 18, 2008.