Possible New Batman Sequel

Movie Web site JoBlo has caught wind of some significant Batman rumors.

While at Showest, the movie theater industry trade show, the Web site discovered that Warner Bros. is hard at work, getting the next installment of the Batman franchise together.

They discovered several key tidbits, the most important being that director Christopher Nolan will return to helm the next film. Nolan was the man behind the original reboot, Batman Begins, as well as the phenomenally successful, The Dark Knight.

Speaking of The Dark Knight, which earned Heath Ledger a posthumous Academy Award, JoBlo heard news that James Cameron would be at the official press conference. This may mean a return cameo for the Joker as Cameron's effects company is pioneering the technology for better digital facial regeneration.

More news is that the third film is so far titled, Battle for Gotham, and possibly going for an "R" rating. This would mean an even darker film than the previous The Dark Knight, the success of which many critics attribute to its darker tone.

The official press conference announcing Warner's plans for the next Batman film will be Thursday.