"Batman Returns" Penguins Artwork Revealed

Conceptual artist Tim Flattery (Batman Returns, Batman Forever) released some amusing artwork he made for Tim Burton's Batman Returns, involving penguins armed with buzz saws, boxing gloves, and other comic weaponry.

Video: Watch "The Batmobile" Documentary

You can watch the entire documentary, The Batmobile, on YouTube for at least a little while. The film surveys the history, evolution, and significance of the iconic vehicle, and features insights with Tim Burton (who, as you know quite well, directed Batman and Batman Returns, and produced Batman Forever), Adam West, Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, and many more.

This documentary will eventually be released on Blu-ray and digital download this holiday season.

Video: "The Batmobile" Documentary Trailer

Warner Bros. Online has posted a trailer for a documentary on the history of the Batmobile. Tim Burton (director of Batman and Batman Returns, as well as producer of Batman Forever), Christopher Nolan, Adam West, Christian Bale, Joel Schumacher, and many others will be contributing to the documentary, giving a thorough history of the design, evolution, and significance of the iconic vehicle of one of the most infamous superheroes.

The documentary -- simply titled, The Batmobile -- will be previewed at Comic-Con in San Diego today, reports WorstPreviews.com. It will be broadcast on the CW on Monday, July 16th at 8:00 PM EST, and will eventually be released on Blu-ray and digital download this holiday season.

Michael Gough, 1917-2011

Legendary actor and frequent Tim Burton collaborator Michael Gough died on Thursday, March 17th. He was 94.

Michael Gough had an extensive career with roles in over 150 films. He began acting in the 1940s and became a staple of the British Hammer horror films in the 1950s and 1960s (which Burton is quite fond of).

Gough is perhaps best known as playing Alfred Pennyworth in Burton's Batman in 1989 and Batman Returns in 1992. He played the same character in the Joel Schumacher sequels, such as the Burton-produced Batman Forever (1995). Gough continued to work with Burton in other films, playing Notary Hardenbrook in Sleepy Hollow (1999) and supplying the voice of Elder Gutneckt in Corpse Bride (2005). Gough came out of retirement to provide his voice to the Dodo Bird in Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010), his final performance.

Johnny Depp as Batman?

There have been a few rumors floating around on the Internet regarding Johnny Depp playing the Riddler in Christopher Nolan's Batman universe -- but Depp almost played the Dark Knight himself for Batman Forever. The actor was recently interviewed by Robert Genola of ComicBookMovie.com:

Q: Are rumors true that you are playing The Riddler in the third Batman movie?

Johnny Depp: No, that was just one of those things that is speculated on the internet and what not. But I was fortunately considered to play Batman in "Batman Forever".

Q: Were you not interested?

Johnny Depp: Not at all, I was very interested. What happened was Tim (Burton) was producing it and he was trying to talk Joel Schumacher (the Director) and the movie bosses to give me a shot at the role but it just never really worked out.

Q: What if you were offered to play The Riddler in Batman 3?

Johnny Depp: I would not be quick to say no, yeah. I would certainly not turn it down right away, but I'm not sure I could do it justice. Especially after how well Heath did as The Joker, I think my playing Riddler would be a step back for the films. But hey, never say never.