Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Watanabe joins 'Batman' cast

|
|
 
  
Published: Feb. 24, 2004 at 3:19 PM

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Oscar-nominated actor Ken Watanabe has joined the cast of director Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film about the origins of the "Batman" legend.

The announcement was made in Burbank, Calif., by Jeff Robinov, Warner Brothers Pictures president of production.

Watanabe, who is nominated for a best supporting actor for his performance in "The Last Samurai," will play the villainous Ra's Al Ghul.

Also starring in the film will be Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne-Batman; Michael Caine as his trusted butler, Alfred; Katie Holmes as a childhood friend of Wayne's; Liam Neeson as Wayne's mentor, Henri Ducard; and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, a former board member and sidelined employee of Wayne Enterprises.

Directed by Nolan from a screenplay by David Goyer, the movie is scheduled to start production in London in March.

The film, which explores the origins of the "Batman" legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham, will be released in 2005.

Topics: Bruce Wayne, Christian Bale, Jeff Robinov, Katie Holmes, Ken Watanabe, Liam Neeson, Lucius Fox, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman
© 2004 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Protesters, police clash at NATO summit Notable deaths of 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards
The 137th Preakness Stakes Annual Solar eclipse occurs in U.S. Chen Guangcheng arrives in the U.S.
Additional Entertainment News Stories
1 of 29
Members of the Army's Old Guard place flags at Arlington National Ceremtery
View Caption
U.S. flags are seen in the rucksack of a soldier with the Army's 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, as he places flags at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Flags-In Memorial Day ceremony on May 24, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. American flags were placed at each of the more than 220,000 grave markers in honor of those who served and Memorial Day. UPI/Kevin Dietshc
fark
High school approves senior prank involving markers. Because you're reading this on Fark, you can...
Guess which German city is having a problem with rats? C'mon, this is an easy one
No one has ever been arrested on the charge of pimping in North Dakota ever before - until now
Vatican police investigating leaking of confidential documents come to the obvious conclusion. The...
Professor complains that crosses on state university entrance tower violate the separation of church...
TORONTO FARK PARTY - June 2nd. 1pm Blue Jays v. Red Sox, 8pm variety show at The Comedy Bar - stand-up,...