According to the latest rumors we have an establish list of sweeping hot topics such as:
1.The two female casting list shuffled
2.The villain of the film unconfirmed as Hugo Strange.
3.The film not including 3D or Joker, but IMAX camera.
4.The film leaving Chicago for Detroit and reports of Asia.
5.This Film is the last Nolan but the last Bale Batman as well.
6.Tom Hardy only official new cast member.
7.Multiple script leaks?
Aim for the next film by popular rumors rests the film on the shoulders of a lesser known villain called Hugo Strange. He spends his late nights, stalking and dressing up as Batman. Believable, considering 2008's The Dark Knight featured many impostor Batmen, and Batman "on the run".
The actor Tom Hardy, cast as an unknown, has shaved his head and grown a beard in preparation for this role. But this is speculation.
http://io9.com/5731209/does-tom-hardys-facial-hair-reveal-his-batman-character-plus-alien-prequels-starring-role-comes-down-to-two-actresses
Joker was the notable villain in the Batman film containing less Bale than Batman Begins, considering the movie wasn't about the Joker, nor Batman. The Dark Knight title is attributed in the words of Nolan himself, to the fall of the White Knight Harvey "Two Face" Dent. The announcement of the Dark Knight Rises title only causes more fan speculation that maybe Nolan was bringing back Aaron Eckheart's character. But in an MTV interview Eckheart said "while walking on the beach...Nolan says he's not returning."
His cast so far seems to all be unknowing and strangely and shockingly even in 2011 unaware as to what they will be doing. In my opinion I do not think this is completely true. Mags reporting the movie Based on Prey. But was TDK or BB based entirely on any book-similar origin design but NEVER the same plot. Hence the Gotham Knights movie exploring a "new" batman universe out of continuity with the comics dubbed the "Nolan-verse". Epics in this verse include the 3 book series BATMAN: FEAR ITSELF, INFERNO, and DEAD WHITE
Months ago Tom Hardy was unsure who he was playing(exited to work with Bale)
Both Caine and Oldman "confessed" the riddler but was revealed by Nolan as deliberate Red Herrings-denouncing Riddler all together.
Bale unsure as the plot but also exited to work with Hardy. Fans want to see the Joker again. I'm sure they remember the Mummy Returns; not a bad movie in itself but redundant returning to the same villain. Catwoman was noted to be in the film but only by outrageous fan speculation to dying reputation Cher, and overused one trick pony Angelina Jolie. Nolan not filming another Bat-film-
Warner most definitely is- So they can release a series of 3D Batman flicks. Nolan will be filming with producer Mr.Roven in IMAX camera more than last time.
In relation to the recent rumors of red herrings. From "reliable sources" state Multiple scripts have been leaked. Although none have been confirmed and are generally undirected to a end of a franchise, but depressingly able to impress News folk all over. These "sources" also say the female lead is now strongly favoring Talia Al ghoul as a character and the actresses including Kira Knightly and Tom Hardy's squeeze.
These role are also unconfirmed as people "CONFIRM" every piece of "maybe" news as well as the newspapers printing Rumors on the front page. At of which Michael Caine poked fun at.
In my very biased opinion on this news- Everything unless officially quoted and or proved by from Emma Thomas, Producers Charles Roven, David S. Goyer, Mark Millar, Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, or Jonnnathan Nolan- It is all Red Herrings. e.g Misdirection which is a plausible viral idea.
The people of Gotham in Nolan's TDK are also being mislead. Led to believe Batman is a enemy of the state. Nolan has us in the same pincers. TDKR might as well be filmed at this moment and we would not know otherwise. (though it "isn't". Misinformation,and clever planning has allowed the entire cast to make us believe anything while learning nothing. The Dark Knight Rises is scheduled for July 2012 release and is expected to be the end to a saga BEGAN in Batman Begins.
AS my Grandmother once said "If you wanna hide something, hide it in plain sight"
I recommend Knightfall, Dark Victory, Gotham Knights:Pushback, Vengence of Bane 1and 2, Long Halloween, Hush, Prey, and Knight's End series.
By the time you finish the movie will be out already.