ROTTEN TOMATOES: "The Dark Knight" Nabs Eric Roberts

"The Dark Knight" Nabs Eric Roberts

by Jen Yamato | April 26, 2007

Bruce Wayne will have his hands full with some Eric Roberts come 2008, as the actor has just been cast as a villain in the "Batman Begins" sequel, "The Dark Knight."

The LA Daily News reports that Roberts is joining the cast as an as-yet unnamed "mafia kingpin"; we're not sure just yet how he'll figure into the probably massive plot involving Batman (Christian Bale), the Joker (Heath Ledger), and Harvey Dent/the future Two Face (Aaron Eckhart).

You may also remember Roberts from such movies as...

The Oscar-nominated Roberts is celebrated for his character work in film and television, in a career that dates back to the 1970s; we can't decide if our favorite recent role of his is his current stint on "Heroes" (as paper company agent Thompson) or as a sketchy tournament master in this summer's "DOA: Dead or Alive."

"The Dark Knight" (we like to refer to it's fake working title, "Rory's First Kiss") hits July 18, 2008.

Source: LA Daily News

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(1-20 of 29 posts) | Reply

GreenBastard writes:
on Apr 26 2007 02:54 AM

I've got no idea how to take this news.

(Reply to this)

Matanuki writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:10 AM

In reply to this comment (#862843)
Take it well.

(Reply to this)

BUCK69 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:10 AM

In reply to this comment (#862843)
[b]GOOD NEWS[/b]
Eric Roberts is a damn fine actor [one of the most underated out there]. This is good news. This latest cast addition will add more credibility to the franchise, not that it needs anymore.

(Reply to this)

Mr. Kong writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:17 AM

In reply to this comment (#862845)
I had no idea who Roberts was until this news came up, so I'm taking your word for it...... for now.

(Reply to this)

cgcbooks writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:32 AM

This is good news. Check out the film, Star 80 where he plays a real asshole. He is a fine actor.

(Reply to this)

frogleg writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:36 AM

He's not bad, he's just been in a lot of bad movies. I'm sure he'll be fine in this.

(Reply to this)

mojodaddy writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:40 AM

He's in Heroes so I'm down with it. I like his character on the show.

(Reply to this)

arpeggio191 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:46 AM

heroes rules.

holy crap 2008 can't come soon enough!

(Reply to this)

Gimy writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:51 AM

"add more credibility"? how does MR. B movie add any cred to this? how many villians are gonna be in this? 30? i'm a lil' worried...who's next to be cast, van damme? steven segal as the penguin??

(Reply to this)

blank blank writes:
on Apr 26 2007 06:41 AM

who doesnt know who eric roberts is? for you 12 year olds out there, he was that guy in that killers video... eric roberts' movies are hilarious for the most part (in the so cheesy they are good way) but he's also a good actor who can pull off "mafia kingpin" with the best of them.

as to mafia kingpin, could he possibly be Sal Maroni, who in the comics threw the acid in Dent's face to make him two face? maybe, maybe not. wont know till 2008.

(Reply to this)

lonechicken writes:
on Apr 26 2007 06:47 AM

After a long string of big names, we get this? Maybe making headlines soon will be the casting of Billy Baldwin or Kevin Dillon. How about Luke and Owen Wilson's brother (In Homer Simpson voice: I've already forgotten his name).

(Reply to this)

BUCK69 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 06:53 AM

In reply to this comment (#862851)
"Mr. B" movie has one oscar and three golden globe nominations, so comparing him to Steven Segal and Jean Claude Van Damme is like comparing Christopher Nolan to Uwe Boll. Talk about a lack of credibility. Worry all you want, but next time try to make a legitimate counter-argument. Don't make assinine comments just for the sake of making them.

(Reply to this)

Crenshaw writes:
on Apr 26 2007 07:23 AM

[b]Awesome[/b]
Eric Roberts is a great choice for a Batman role. I was blown away when he showed up on Heroes (although not as excited as when Malcolm McDowell showed up). For you kiddies out there who pretend to be movie fans, Eric Roberts is Julia Roberts' big brother, but he's not in films because of her (it's likely the other way around). For those who need a little schooling get to your local video hut and rent (if you can find them) "Star 80", "Runaway Train" and "The Pope of Greenwich Village." Pope and Train will highlight his acting chops, and Star 80 will highlight his creepy character chops. So, so creepy....

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on Apr 26 2007 07:42 AM

Also check him out in the made for TV version of Brother Sweet Brother...classic.

(Reply to this)

elcid08 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 08:06 AM

In reply to this comment (#862851)
Actually, as of now, I only count two confirmed bad guys, the Joker and this new mob boss. Two Face will most likely not show up until the very end or the start of the 3rd one (if there is one) much like the Joker was only mentioned at the very end of the first.
Also, Batman Begins had three bad guys and it worked pretty well. Plus, how many bad guys does this new Spider man movie have? If it is well directed it will work out well. I have faith

(Reply to this)

Tombstone Law Dog writes:
on Apr 26 2007 08:39 AM

So I admit I got into Roberts in his lesser known role as Alex Grady, the second most valuable member of the U.S. Tae Kwon Do team in 'Best of the Best' ..ya know, back when martial arts movies were cool in the late 80's.
Here's a dare; watch that movie today and tell me it doesn't *still* transcend the genre.
My only concern is Roberts has spent the last 15 years making almost a pocket industry out of playing some sort of asshole crime figure; The asshole husband of Kim Basinger in 'Final Analysis', the Asshole mob son in 'The Specialist' and now the creepy-and-compelling-yet-still-basically-an-asshole high muckey muck on 'Heroes.' I have faith in Everybody in this franchise, so I hope they channel the best of Roberts without rehashing prior work.

(Reply to this)

sir_mcchris_the_pirate writes:
on Apr 26 2007 09:15 AM

Is this the same guy off of the Mr. Brightside video? I'm just wondering

(Reply to this)

The_Corrector writes:
on Apr 26 2007 09:31 AM

In reply to this comment (#862851)
If you actually spend time worrying about how movies you have nothing to do with are going to turn out, you should probably stop worrying, and stop imagining what sex with a girl would be like, and just kill yourself right now.

(Reply to this)

Kid_Ikarus writes:
on Apr 26 2007 09:48 AM

This is FANTASTIC news!!!

(Reply to this)

gemini0577 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 10:04 AM

I think this is great news. Roberts is a compelling actor and despite having a variety of poor projects under his belt (come on, which actor doesn't) he'll be a solid addition to this flick. I do not agree about the credability statement though because judging from the first, the Nolan and Bale returning team is all the cred this movie needs... everything else so far has just been gravy!

(Reply to this)

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