The sequel to Christopher Nolan’s 2005 Batman Begins will be titled The Dark Knight.

Heath Ledger has indeed signed on to play The Joker in the film. Speculation has begun on the casting of the movie’s other roles. Phillip Seymour Hoffman has reportedly been offered the role of The Penguin, although it is said to be unlikely that he would accept it. According to BOF, in this film The Penguin will be tranformed into a British arms dealer/mob boss with designs on Gotham.” In the long running comic series, the character has been more of a gentleman villain.

Ryan Phillippe is also said to be in line as a potential young Harvey Dent, Gotham’s District Attorney who later becomes Two-Face.

The new title, The Dark Knight, might hint towards a third or fourth film title of The Dark Knight Returns. The famous Frank Miller graphic novel of the same name has been waiting to be made into a film for years now.

Christian Bale will also be returning to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne / Batman. Bale has expressed interest in making a second film with The Joker storyline in more than a few media interviews.
“I want to see the Joker, because I think it will be a very different kind of Joker than people have seen before,” he said. “I think even the card that you see at the end of the movie shows that it is a darker, more sinister-looking Joker than anything I have seen depicted before. I think it would be a good adversary.”
Christopher Nolan is also signed on to direct.

Warner Brothers is expected to announce the title and the casting on August 1st 2006.

Update: 7/31/06 7:15pm pt

The official Warner Bros Press Release:

As a follow up to last year’s blockbuster [1] 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.

Christopher Nolan revamped the Batman franchise in 2005 with the immensely successful Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale in the title role, which chronicled the early years of the superhero. Nolan first garnered attention from critics and fans in 2000 with the groundbreaking drama “Memento,” which he wrote and directed. He went on to direct the thriller “Insomnia,” starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and recently wrapped production on “The Prestige,” with Hugh Jackman and Bale.

Bale was most recently seen in the ensemble cast of Terrence Malick’s “The New World.” His other credits include “Little Women,” “Portrait of a Lady,” “Metroland,” “American Psycho,” “Laurel Canyon” and Steven Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun,” which was his first starring role.

Ledger most recently earned Oscar Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the award-winning drama “Brokeback Mountain.” His other credits include “Casanova,” “Monster’s Ball,” “Lords of Dogtown,” “The Brothers Grimm” and “The Patriot.”

“Chris’ unique vision is what made ‘Batman Begins’ such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of ‘The Dark Knight,’” said Robinov. “We also can’t wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker.”

“I’m excited to continue the story we started with ‘Batman Begins,’” added Nolan. “Our challenge in casting The Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless. Watching Heath Ledger’s interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale’s Batman is going to be incredible.”

Production is set to begin on The Dark Knight in early 2007.

[Article courtesy of Peter Sciretta, [2] Slashfilm.com]