There have been a ton of rumors, but nothing whatsoever concrete has emerged about the third upcoming Batman film. We know director Christopher Nolan will indeed return again to helm the film, and we now know today that the movie's release date is set for July 20, 2012. As for the title, story, and villains - not a single thing is known. As least we know when to expect the film now...that's at least something.

The Christopher Nolan Batman films have been huge successes, but you can only tackle the same material so long before you grow tired of doing it. In the case of Nolan it seems that three is the limit, as the next Batman film will reportedly be his last.

"I'm very excited about the end of the film, the conclusion, and what we've done with the characters," Nolan said. "My brother [Jonah] has come up with some pretty exciting stuff. Unlike the comics, these thing don't go on forever in film and viewing it as a story with an end is useful. Viewing it as an ending, that sets you very much on the right track about the appropriate conclusion and the essence of what tale we're telling. And it hearkens back to that priority of trying to find the reality in these fantastic stories. That's what we do."

Batman: Arkham Asylum is set to release this week on the Xbox 360 and PS3, and already people are heralding it as the greatest comic book game of all-time. We'll know shortly and bring you of a review of it when we get our hands on it, but until then we thought we'd look at and review perhaps the most known story regarding the fabled institute for the criminally insane – Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth. Featuring the talent of Grant Morrison, is the definitive tale of Arkham all it's cracked up to be?

Rumor warning! Rumor warning! I feel the need to say that because when it comes to potential news regarding a third Batman film, most of it is crap speculation websites throw out there to get hits for their site. The latest speculation says that director Christopher Nolan might not direct a third film, supposedly because the death of Heath Ledger impacted him so greatly.

"The death of Heath Ledger in January of 2008 rocked Mr. Nolan hard. So hard that Chris was convinced that TDK was going to be it for him and Batman on film," according to Batman-on-Film's source, adding that the Joker was envisioned as the villain in the third film.

Batman is dead. Long live…Batman? Okay, let's get the spiel out of the way. Bruce Wayne isn't dead, but rather lost in the past of time. Nightwing didn't want anyone to become the new Batman, but he did after he saw the city needed Batman. Nightwing is Batman and Bruce's son Damian is now Robin. There's the gist, here's the story, and it's all merely okay.

Kevin Smith is known mostly for his raunchy comedies, but he's also got a body of comics behind his writing credits. Most recently, he finished up a three-issue mini called Batman: Cacophony. Smith will be returning to the Batman franchise again, penning a 12-issue maxi series called Batman: The Widening Gyre. The book will also introduce a new character to the DC Universe, much like he did with his creation Onomatopoeia.

"The Widening Gyre is a 12-issue Batman mini-series split into two volumes, with a half year break between each. Issues one through six (Book I) will ship monthly. Then, the story goes on hold for six months. Then, issues seven through 12 (Book II) will once again ship monthly. Yes, I built in the break to insure we don't run into my usual problems with lateness. But I'm trying to improve, folks: first six scripts and first issue's art -- by Cacophony artist Walt Flanagan -- were already done before we took this public. But here's the kicker: three weeks after the last issue of The Widening Gyre, we'll launch a solo series featuring the new character, which I'll be writing bi-monthly."

Read more for info on Smith's Green Hornet book

As the search for Batman's replacement continues, destinies are discovered, but will it be too little too late when one person thinks the Batman cowl has already been claimed? The latest issue in the Battle For The Cowl mini is an action packed extravaganza that cries out for this mini to be longer. While some of the new roles are shaping up like I pretty much thought the last time around, one new hitch throws some previous speculation into question.

Would Nicolas Cage be able to play a Batman villain in the third Batman film? I don't think he has the chops. He was great in Leaving Las Vegas, but other than that, he doesn't inspire in me the same quality Heath Ledger did with his casting addition. Thankfully it's just wishful thinking on his part right now.

“I would love to play a supervillain. I think that would be a whole lot of fun,” Cage told MTV News, welcoming an invite to take on the Batman. “Yeah. If they call and invite me, I’d do it. Certainly.”

Batman is dead. Okay, not really, but for the time being he's out of sight and out of mind, and within the realm of comics that usually means dead (though he's not). Gotham City is going to hell without its caped crusader, as the criminal community thinks it's their time to run wild now and claim the city as their own. The city "needs" a Batman, but is anyone good enough to take up the mantle of the departed mentor?

There hasn't been anything said to suggest otherwise, but it looks like after Nolan directs his next film he'll probably head to do Batman 3. If he chooses not to direct a third Batman film, rumor has it that 300 and Watchmen director Zack Snyder might be in the running to pick the franchise up where Nolan left it. I think if people just let Nolan have some time to himself and away from the project, he'll easily be back for a third film.

Nobody knows anything about an upcoming Batman sequel! Rumors have said everything from the Joker returning to Cher playing Catwoman, but everything has been false so far. The Dark Knight's producer - Michael Uslan - has revealed, however, that the current plan is to get the next sequel out in 2011.

Here's a rumor about possible villains for a third Batman film, so in others words probably a big ol' lie. The site Moviehole claims to have heard from someone at Warner Bros. that "http://www.moviehole.net/200917274-joker-and-dent-in-batman-3">Joker may be in the next Batman film. I know, I know, a so called "someone" isn't a great description for a supposed "inside source."

Actor Aaron Eckhart isn't helping rumor matters either, as he suggested there's always the possibility that Two-Face could appear in a third film too.

"Harvey — if he’s not dead — is in a serious coma,” stated Eckhart to MTV, “and I’m not sure he’s coming out. They might pull the plug on him.”

Batman: Cacophony is far from high art, but it's good fun. You won't see the depth of The Dark Knight within this Batman story, but there are opportunities to laugh, and some good character interaction between the book's three main stars: Batman, Joker, and Onomatopoeia. Besides being entertained, the book does make me want to check Kevin Smith's Green Arrow run out, if only to see more of the sound effects heavy villain.

DC has released a new Battle For the Cowl image for their upcoming Batman mini, trying to find who is going to take the role of Batman over now that Bruce is dead (okay, just missing, but still). All of the Batmen dressed up reminds me of when all the Superman clones came out after he died. There are some familiar faces like Alfred and Harley Quinn (why is she in this pic?), but everyone else is fair game as to their real identity (though Damian seems to be with Hush and the weird two-sided Batman is almost certainly Two-Face). You've also probably got Robin and then Nightwing going from left to right, but what of the Batman using guns? And what's with the crate? Check the image out and see what you think.

I wish I had an actual insider source, because then I wouldn't have to rely on "news" that apparently is as far from news as you can get. Based on what Aint It Cool News is saying and even IGN (which I find hilarious given AICN points to IGN's news about Rachel Weisz as Catwoman complete crap), all the rumors coming out about the new Batman film are nothing more than ways for sites to get traffic.

I really shouldn't even be surprised about IGN's part in all of this - I worked there for an extended time and witnessed a whole lot of junk go down. I actually started The Hachiko to get away from stuff that I saw and didn't appreciate.