Even as Christian Bale basks in the gargantuan success that is "The Dark Knight," today the actor's standing as a leading man is suddenly a lot shakier thanks to his arrest in London on assault charges. For the latest on the arrest, check out our full report here.

It couldn't be more inopprtune timing for the star as he's in the middle of attempting to re-start another huge franchise in the form of "Terminator Salvation." Only days before the arrest the actor described the way this new effort would be handled on the big screen, "It will be in a similar fashion to the way that 'Batman Begins' revitalized and reinvented," Bale of course is picking up the John Connor role previously occupied by Eddie Furlong, Thomas Dekker and Nick Stahl in the film. Director McG has been known to compare the "Terminator" re-launch with Chris Nolan's Batman series, and Bale revealed to us that he hopes to do several sequels. Read more...

The caped crusader is back in a BIG way on the silver screen. Everyone has been buzzing about it for months and here it is! maybe you saw it last night or this morning? Maybe you're checking it out this weekend or maybe you're scrambling for tickets like many of us? Well, before we let you sound off on the flick, maybe you want to take a look at some of truly exhaustive recent "Dark Knight" coverage.

--We talked to all the former Batmen, from Adam West to Michael Keaton

--We talked to all of the stars of "The Dark Knight"

--We've debuted exclusive clips from the film

--Our very own Kurt Loder weighed in with a review

--We looked at some of the comic book influences on "The Dark Knight"

--We asked the cast of "The Dark Knight" what villain they'd like to see in the next one.

Is that enough for you?!? If you've seen the movie by now, probably not. Well now it's your turn. Did "The Dark Knight" live up to the hype? Sound off!

"The Dark Knight" is still three days away from showing the world what MTV staffers lucky enough to see the film early already know, that Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart have created terrifying, complex new versions of the Joker and Two-Face that will surely stand the test of time.

But riddle us this, riddle us that, just what's next for the Big, Bad Bat?

Well, the Riddler, of course, if you believe Gary Oldman. Or Catwoman if you listen to Nester Carbonell. Or...well, we'll just let you check out what Jennifer Vineyard got Christian Bale, Eckhart, David Goyer, and the rest of the cast and crew to cough up about who they think should be the villain in "Batman 3” here.

One thing everyone agrees on, of course, is that whoever they choose will have to be reinvented to go along with Nolan's more realistic tone. Right? Read more...

I have a problem. I watch clips and coverage of "The Dark Knight" far too much. I've probably watched more clips, trailers, and interviews for this film than anything since "The Phantom Menace." Don't worry. I've seen "The Dark Knight" and there is nary a Gungan in sight.

There is however an awesome car chase that pits Batman against the Joker. You've seen a taste of it in the trailers, but now we're pleased to show off an exclusive look right here.

Like what you see? What scene or performance are most looking forward to in "The Dark Knight"?

By Jasmine Rencher

After "Batman Begins" and its upcoming sequel "The Dark Knight," Christian Bale is no stranger to the crime fighting role. Next summer our knight in not-so-shining armor will be seeking justice again, but in a different outfit.

"I've been doing a movie [called] 'Public Enemies,'" he said recently about the flick he just wrapped opposite Johnny Depp, Channing Tatum and Marion Cotillard in her first post-Oscar role. The fact-based film tells the story of notorious American gangsters John Dillinger (Depp), Pretty Boy Floyd (Tatum), and Baby Face Nelson (English actor Stephen Graham) during a crime wave in the 1930s. Bale has been cast as FBI chief Melvin Purvis, the man who brings down the three outlaws. Read more...

You can tell a lot about a person by the Batman he sides with. Most of us nowadays are probably going to go with Christian Bale, right? I mean he (and Nolan’s world) captured the Dark Knight in a way that really raised the franchise to previously unimagined heights (at least in terms of widespread acclaim).

But then again, I love me my Michael Keaton. He’s the Batman I grew up with after all and his snarling utterance of “I’m Batman” just edges out Bale’s growling utterance of “I’m Batman” in my book.

In the last week we’ve also talked to both Adam West (more on that soon) and Val Kilmer (stay tuned for an amazing discussion of the bat nipples) but much as I love them, they’re kind of also-rans in this superhero contest, right?

We're delving into a lot more than the casting of Batman in this article just up all about the history of the character. Check it out here.

And in the meantime, maybe you want to weigh in? Who best captures the Batman in your mind’s eye? Sound off.

- Go with him if you want to live: Christian Bale signed on for three “Terminators.” (BBC)

- “How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!” Keira Knightley joins “King Lear.” (Telegraph)

- And here I thought I was feeling lucky. Clint Eastwood gives a definitive no to any future “Dirty Harry” projects. (Cinematical)

- " 'Avatar' is the single most complex piece of filmmaking ever made." James Cameron discusses his new sci-fi epic. (Search Engine Watch)

- If Indy doesn’t give you your fill, catch even more Shia in this first teaser for “Eagle Eye.” (Yahoo)

- Number 23 on the court, number 1 in our hearts: Spike Lee to direct a Michael Jordon documentary. (/film)

When I was at ShoWest in Vegas last week, I learned quite a bit. Eddie Murphy's next movie has changed titles from "Starship Dave" to "Meet Dave," for instance, and has a disturbing poster with a tiny Eddie peeking out from big Eddie's ear. Dustin Hoffman has a romantic film coming up called "Last Chance Harvey," and something called "Traitor" still manages to look uninteresting despite boasting both Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce.

Other things, I didn't need to learn. For instance, when "The Dark Knight" hits theaters in July, it's gonna be bigger than Victor Buono as King Tut. Read more...

He may not have been the original John Connor, but up until recently Nick Stahl was the most recent version of mankind's only hope. Now, Christian Bale is the newest "Terminator" star, Thomas Dekker is the kid brooding all over "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," and the "T3” actor has a message for the fans wondering why he...ahem...won't be back.

"I don't care really, to be honest," admitted the 28-year-old actor, at Sundance recently to promote "Sleepwalking" and "Quid Pro Quo," two upcoming indies with decidedly smaller budgets than "Rise of the Machines." "I don't have much interest." Read more...

If there was a hotter ticket in New York last night than the debut in IMAX of the first minutes of "The Dark Knight," I don't know what it was. Certainly I was primed for massive enjoyment from the start and no, that had nothing to do with the wine and delectible treats up for grabs on the Upper West Side of Manhattan last evening.

In short, it looks like director Chris Nolan may have delivered once again. The six minute opener is a clean, crisp, and confident start to the next installment of the franchise. Think the bank heist in "Heat" with a little 70s "Dog Day Afternoon" thrown in. And though the moments we saw of the Joker in full on action were brief, any fears I had for Ledger's interpretation were put to rest. With a few words and idiosyncratic moves (there's a swagger to this madman), Ledger has created something all his own. Read more...