Producer excited about new 'Batman' film

LOS ANGELES, March 29 (UPI) -- Hollywood producer Charles Roven says he is thrilled to be working on "Batman Begins," the prequel expected to revive the "Batman" film franchise.

"It's definitely a challenge to take any kind of icon that has had a really long history -- I think the first Batman appeared in detective comics in 1939 ... And it has had multiple incarnations in animated TV shows, live-action TV shows, in Saturday afternoon serials and in movies, so it is very challenging," Roven told reporters in Los Angeles recently.

"It's also very exciting. I was very flattered to be asked to participate in it. I think (director) Chris Nolan is an incredibly talented director. I think David S. Goyer and Chris Nolan wrote a spectacular script and we've been blessed with an amazing cast of actors."

"Batman Begins," starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Liam Neeson, is filming now in Iceland.

Asked how he got so many talented people to sign on to the project, Roven replied simply, "When you have a script that's as good as this script people want to be involved in it."

Three "Batman" films released between 1989 and 1995 were blockbusters, however, one released in 1997, starring George Clooney, proved a critical and boxoffice disappointment.

Nolan's film marks the first attempt to bring the hero back to the big screen.