If you’ve got a few extra bucks lying around, you might want to consider sending a nice sympathy bouquet to burly rapper/actor David Banner. And if you’re really swimming in the dough, you should also send a “New Beginnings Hydrangea Plant” to “Spawn” star Michael Jai White. Why? Because only one of the two are hanging out in Gotham City these days.
After last month’s minor media sensation (which you may have read about here), here or perhaps here), MTV News once again has the exclusive on David Banner’s quest to “smack Batman in the face.” Long story short: He didn’t get the part. Over the weekend we visited the Chicago set of “The Dark Knight,” the currently-filming sequel to “Batman Begins”…and what we saw is looking really, really good. Keep checking back for more about that in the weeks to come, but while there we caught up with producers Emma Thomas and Chuck Roven, who confirmed that Banner’s much-heralded audition hadn’t landed him the role.
Instead, the role of “Gamble” has officially gone to Michael Jai White, the muscular martial artist/stuntman/actor best known for roles in such films as “Spawn” and “Exit Wounds.” Thomas and Roven also cleared up fan confusion over who, exactly, the baddie is, explaining that Gamble is one of several mob bosses attempting to take over Gotham’s streets now that Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson in the first ‘Batman’ flick) is out of the picture. As “Dark Knight” opens, Batman and Jim Gordon must decide whether to focus their energy on aspiring thugs like Gamble, or the homicidal Joker (Heath Ledger), a costumed anarchist bank robber.
As best as we can tell (along with sites like this one), Gamble is a brand-new character to the Batman universe, and has never appeared in any DC comic books.
The casting of White seems particularly appropriate, considering that the genre favorite has provided voices for several “Justice League” cartoon shows as both Doomsday and Green Lantern. Unfortunately, the overly-excited David Banner most likely found the casting decision slightly less exciting than some Batman fans - but with two other movies on the horizon, we’re thinking he’ll be just fine.
“The Dark Knight” is currently filming in Chicago under the alias “Rory’s First Kiss.” Featuring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and newcomers Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, the flick will continue filming in the windy city until early November, with additional work to follow in London and Hong Kong. The flick is due in theaters July 18, 2008.
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:44 pm
The Dark Knight will be the Godfather of comic-book movies.
July 4th, 2007 at 3:58 am
I soo agree with you.
July 4th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Excellent choice. Haven’t heard from him in a while. Fantastic cast for TDK. 2 questions. 1.Who is Anthony Michael Hall’s character? and 2. Will Cillian Murphy have a bigger role in TDK (meaning will we see The Scarecrow/The Joker pairing)?
July 4th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
I cant wait for Rory’s First Kiss!!!
July 7th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
michael jai white would be better in luke cage film instead. but it will be good part for him
July 8th, 2007 at 6:11 am
Please this movie is very better more than Spawn part-1. If Micheal Jay White must return to new movie Spawn 2 : Spawn VS Batman. He is great figure of Spawn so lots power !!!
July 10th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Excellent choice. Batman needs worthy foes and a Black gangster along with other ethnic groups represented in all aspects of Gotham life adds to the realism of the film. Reality keeps it relevant. I do believe the franchise needs to incorporate some of the more horrific & less explored villians including Manbat, Clayface and Puppet Master. They should also introduce a realistic Batman Aircraft using a surplus attack copter like the cobra with modern but spartan aesthetics.
July 15th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Did you seriously just call the Joker an anarchist?
Like Noam Chomsky anarchy?
July 16th, 2007 at 9:16 am
You guys should correct this article to be more clear: Michael Jai White voiced Green Lantern in a Video Game, not the Justice League cartoon. Phil LaMarr (of MadTv and Pulp Fiction fame) was the voice of Green Lantern in the cartoon. Just an FYI.
Also, Michael Jai White was ridiculously good as Iron Mike in 1995’s Tyson.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:12 am
Black people are not really numerous in Batman.
Good to have a change !
August 12th, 2007 at 6:08 am
WHAT HAPPENED TO LIVING LAHAINA! PUT IT BACK ON AIR! IF YOU CAN SHOW BORING SHOWS ABOUT SPOILED WHITE GIRLS IN LAGUNA BEACH, OR SHOW US HOW DYSFUNCTIONAL RUN’S HOUSE IS, OR SHOW US SPOILED LITTLE 16 YEAR OLDS HOW SPOILED THEY REALLY ARE, THEN YOU CAN SHOW HOW FUNNY HAWAIIAN SURFERS ARE AND HOW MUCH BETTER THEY LIVE WHEN THE LIVE LAHAINA! PUT IT BACK ON AIR!
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:09 am
good michael jai white is a good vilan. he will do good in batman .
October 11th, 2007 at 12:48 am
How can you redo the Joker? I mean go from Jack Nicholson to Heath Ledger??? Come on…Other than that Im gonna shoot in my pants.
December 21st, 2007 at 3:46 pm
As a comic book fan jack nicholson wasn’t, was not a good joker. he was crazy enough, or dark enough. the joker is the one who killed robin/jason todd, paralyze batgirl/oracle/barbara Gordon, this is the villain that ismore dagerous then any other villain in any comic book. And heath ledger will do it justice (unlike jack Nicholsen and tim burton) hell at least ledger at least read the comics, oh wait so did christain bail, chirs nolan, and david goyer.
And if you dont belive do to the website and download the new trailer. also if you don’t like what i said read all the joker comics.
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:17 am
Michael Jai White is perfect for this role. He gives it a “credible threat” kind of vibe. I cannot wait for this movie to come out. I REALLY freakin’ love what nolan, Goyer and Bale have done with Batman.. I think I am going to have an orgasm!
Peter
March 24th, 2008 at 12:48 am
No pun intended, but what is so special about this Joker? The Dark Knight trailer I have seen leads me to believe that the movie will be based mainly on Batman and Joker. I rather see Mr. White in another Spawn movie, but think he can pull this movie off just fine.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
David Banner has his own video blog! Check it out! He’s got some cool shows on there that are definitely worth your time! It’s on his myspace!
www.myspace.com/davidbanner