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!

By Andrew Ross Rowe

Step aside, Chewbacca-costume-wearing tall guy. Make way, sorta-looks-like-Santa-Claus Gandalf impersonator. The Batman fans are out in full effect!

Everyone from the Caped Crusader himself to the Joker to Poison Ivy showed up to stand in line at midnight for the opening-night showing of "The Dark Knight."

But why not see the movie at a normal time, rather than on a weekday in the middle of the night? I suppose it's moot to ask someone who's wearing full regalia from a comic book. At least I took advantage and shot some video!

"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...

Writers have disagreed throughout the years over what makes the Joker the Joker. (Read about the history of the Joker, from "Batman" #1 to Heath Ledger here.) Is it his laugh, his menace, his ironic absurdity? But few today argue over who did it the best:

"Bruce Timm and Paul Dini," comic-book legend Jeph Loeb said of the work done by the co-creators of "Batman: The Animated Series," who, for the first and only time in history, made the Joker equal parts menacing and comical, combining the very silliest and scariest aspects of the character.

"Virtually flawless," Loeb added, "which is really extraordinary, given the times, that they rethought how Batman should be presented in an animated way and wound up telling some of the best Batman stories that have ever been told."

What went into their creation? Would you believe everything but the kitchen sink? Read more...

- "The Incredible Hulk" looking like a bad bet to make some green, with fighting between star Ed Norton and Marvel Studios. (NY Times)

- Some of Heath Ledger's scenes for "The Dark Knight" reportedly on the chopping block due to eerie parallels to actor's death? (Cinema Blend)

- Has Blue Sky optioned "The Anubis Tapestry"? Ask your mummy. (/film)

- Everybody loves NY. No, everybody, including Orlando Bloom Ethan Hawke, Hayden Christensen, and Shia LaBeouf. These thesps and others join "New York, I Love You."(Variety and The Hollywood Reporter)

Best known as Mini-Me in the "Austin Powers" trilogy, pint-sized player Verne Troyer stars as a member of a traveling theater group in Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," otherwise known as the film that tragically features Heath Ledger's final performance.

When we caught up with Troyer -- who is currently starring in Uwe Boll's "Postal" and will soon be seen in Mike Myer's "Love Guru" -- the actor became visibly emotional when discussing his work with Ledger, thanking his Aussie colleague for "letting him be part of his life." Watch the poignant moment below, and then click here for more of Troyer's tribute to his fallen friend.

Last month we gave you a sneak peak of some of the upcoming toys from "The Dark Knight," and today we continue the theme with a first look at DC's line of collectible statues, mini-busts and movie props from Chris Nolan's upcoming superhero romp. So click here or on the photo below to check out the new grappling launcher, Ledger's Joker and more.

- Ellen Page to Sam Raimi: "Drag Me to Hell." "Juno" star joins horror effort from "Spider-Man" director. (Variety)

- Guillermo del Toro wants to make "Dr. Strange"? (Empire)

- James McAvoy in talks to board "Perrier's Bounty," the story of three fugitives on the run from a big-time gangster. (Variety)

- The more you know: Dennis Quaid talks "G.I. Joe," says he's signed on for three films. (Collider)

- Travel through the looking glass with the first picture from "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." (Coming Soon)

- Harry takes off his bad hat in respect. "Jaws" actor Roy Scheider dead at 75. (NY Times)

News just in on the death of actor Heath Ledger.

From MTV News: Ledger died of an accidential overdose of prescription drugs, the New York City medical examiner's office has ruled. The report said actor's death was caused by acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine.

Our full story on the medical examiner report on Heath Ledger can be found here. Check out more on Ledger's life here and two of our last conversations with the actor here and here.

Naturally, everyone in Hollywood these days is still shaken over last week's tragic death of Heath Ledger. Few, however, had been in touch with the actor recently quite like "Juno" star Ellen Page, who had been in talks to star in Heath's intended directorial debut, "The Queen's Gambit."

"It was talked about," the Oscar-nominated actress said of her possibly taking the lead role in an adaptation of the novel about an orphan who becomes a chess prodigy. "But, you know," she sighed, shaking her head, "obviously, that's not the [most important thing right now]." Read more...