THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Topples THE AVENGERS As Most Viewed Trailer On iTunes

As DCMarvelFreshman revealed in an article back in October, the first trailer for Marvel's The Avengers 3D broke iTunes records after being watched 10 million times. In news which is sure to please the self proclaimed "Nolanites", it is now The Dark Knight Rises that holds that honour after a whopping 12.5 million views in its first 24 hours. Here is the press released from Warner Bros. in full.

The new trailer for Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' "The Dark Knight Rises" smashed the record for most combined downloads through the iTunes Movie Trailers site ( www.itunes.com/trailers ) and the iTunes Trailers iOS app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The trailer went online at 10:00 Monday morning, December 19, and was viewed more than 12.5 million times in its first 24 hours, breaking the previous record by well over two million. The trailer can be viewed in HD at http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/thedarkknightrises/ .

Opening on July 20, 2012, "The Dark Knight Rises" is the much-anticipated epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. The film's international all-star cast is led by Oscar(R) winner Christian Bale ("The Fighter") in the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar(R) winner Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose"), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Reprising their roles from both "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," Oscar(R) winner Michael Caine ("The Cider House Rules") plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar(R) winner Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby") plays Lucius Fox.

The film is directed by Nolan from a screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on "Batman Begins" and the record-breaking blockbuster "The Dark Knight." Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull are the executive producers, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. "The Dark Knight Rises" is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman created by Bob Kane. A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, "The Dark Knight Rises" will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.