UPDATED INFO: It’s unusual that a source as established as Variety would publish something that’s just flat out wrong, but now it appears another big name publication is offering up their own insider information, and going against what Variety was claiming about Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s potential role in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. Entertainment Weekly has posted the following:
A source close to the situation says that recent reports that Gordon-Levitt will play Alberto Falcone (a.k.a. the Holiday Killer) — the son of former mob kingpin, Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson) — are incorrect. So, Batman fans: Begin the re-speculation now!
Hmmm… so is that crazy Robin rumor true? Or maybe our original guess that he’d play the Riddler? But Nolan said there wouldn’t be a Riddler in this movie, right? I can’t remember, this is getting pretty ridiculous thought. I wish Warner Bros. would just come out with an official announcement so we could stop this silly little guessing game. But that would mean no free publicity to their franchise. I love Batman, and Nolan’s take on the films, but this misinformation stuff is getting a little old. Expect (hopefully) and official announcement from the WB camp soon. Our original article is intact below.
We first reported in July of last year that actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who last worked with director Christopher Nolan on INCEPTION, was being considered for a possible villain role in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, the much-anticipated sequel to THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) and the third in Nolan’s Batman trilogy. At the beginning of February, it was all over the internet (around the same time as the unusual Robin rumor) that Joe was officially cast in the film, though his role remained a secret… until now. Variety is reporting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will in fact be playing Alberto Falcone, the son of mob boss Carmine Falcone (played by Tom Wilkinson in BATMAN BEGINS). This is rather interesting, as it effectively ties together the first movie with the third, and also provides an unexpected villain for Batfans to look forward to. In the DC Comics lore, Alberto is also called The Holiday Killer, and played an imprtant role in the Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale mini-series BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN – which is excellent by the way. There’s also a potential connection for this with the casting of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, as in the Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale mini-series CATWOMAN: WHEN IN ROME and BATMAN: DARK VICTORY, in which Kyle believes Carmine Falcone is her biological father. Perhaps Selina and Alberto will have a relationship in this new film, or be competing over who gets to bring down Batman.
It’s also known that actress Juno Temple is under consideration for a supporting role, rumored to be a streetwise Gotham girl. So far Warner Bros. has not made any official comment regarding Joe’s role or any major story details about the film. Nolan is said to still be working on the script, at the same time he’s acting as a creative consultant to Zack Snyder’s SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL reboot starring Henry Cavill, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane. But not to worry, there’s still plenty of time for more exciting Batman movie news, since THE DARK KNIGHT RISES doesn’t come out until July 20, 2012. Are you excited about Joe being in the movie? How about Tom Hardy as Bane, or Anne Hathaway as the new Catwoman (potentially)? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Alberto Falcone in the comics, as illustrated by Tim Sale - courtesy of ComicVine.com
Hmmmm… color me confused. I love Joe, so just about any role he ends up with is fine by me, but maybe it’s about time Warner Brothers come out with the truth. Is the crazy Robin rumor a possibility? Maybe my original guess of The Riddler? But Nolan said there’s no Riddler in it… didn’t he? I can’t keep this straight. Expect some sort of official announcement from WB soon, I would think, unless they want this free publicity for their franchise to keep rolling.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
Whatever role joseph gets is fine with me. I liked how “cool” he was in Third Rock.