Excl: UPDATE on DARK KNIGHT Spoilers
By: Jarrod Sarafin, News EditorDate: Thursday, August 30, 2007
Source: Scooper: "Flyboy"
I'll begin this article much like yesterday with a MAJOR SPOILER warning. Now that the warning is out of the way, it's time to bring on some more details on what we published yesterday in regards to a certain "funeral procession" that was filmed for the upcoming DARK KNIGHT. One of our most veteran scoopers, Flyboy, has returned to our ranks to pass some details and a clarification or two to us on what really went down when they filmed this scene and who the procession is for..
Here's what veteran Mania scooper, Flyboy, has to say on the subject:
I was indeed an extra on Saturday the 25 of August on the Batman set here in Chicago for the filming of the scenes you referenced and the link to the scoop of Morgan Freeman's picture.
Firstly, I have a picture from the set. If you zoom in on the picture in the wreath, it is pretty clear that it is a white person. That's about all I can tell from that, but it certainly isn't Morgan Freeman.
Secondly, the PA openly told us that this was a processional for the fallen "commissioner". When she said that the other PA's hushed her as we were supposed to only be told it was a "fallen cop". Anyway, made complete sense.
Shall I continue with spoilers? Here they go.. big one coming up regarding this scene.
As we filmed the processional, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhal, Some guy from Lost playing the Mayor, and Gary Oldman were on hand for the scene. Gary was "policing the street during the processional and walked right in front of me, talking to police on his walkie talkie. Chris Nolan and him discussed the scene behind us, decided for a retake as he wasn't looking up enough. So... they did it again, again in front of me. Good times.
When we got to the end of the street where the "white flowers" lay, we listened to a speech by the mayor and a gun salute began. There were tons of real and fake cops dressed as cops in the parade paying tribute, to yes, one of their own.. the Commissioner. As the gun salute began... one shot... two shots... and just before three, the guns turn on the Mayor! and BAM! Shots ring out, shooting at the mayor on stage as Gary Oldman dives to save the Mayor (my guess another reason he gets the promotion). The crowd and the cops scatter on this 3rd shot. We did this scene at least 15 times. Best of all, guess who's in the crowd now.... yup! The Joker! Heath Ledger, in full makeup but dressed as one of the salting cops with a hat on, was one of the guys shooting at the Mayor. Either the rest were his thugs or he had some control over them as all of the saluters turn their guns on the Mayor at that point.
Once the chaos subsides, another officer is down on the ground and that is the end of the shoot. Closeups were done the previous day and alas, I could not go due to work obligations..
I've attached the best picture I have from the set that shows the wreath on the left side. I sincerely doubt this was for Morgan.
Alas, No Batman on set for this scene... but neither was Morgan.
The speech given by the mayor did mention the fallen was the commissioner.
Take care
"Flyboy"
Here's the photo Flyboy sent along as well...
Another Mania scooper who didn't send along a codename has sent along footage of a building explosion involved with the upcoming Batman film...To see the footage on Fox news, click here.
THE DARK KNIGHT hits theaters everywhere on July 18, 2008.
