DARK KNIGHT RISESCBR's own T.J. Dietch has put together a comprehensive look at the "Dark Knight Rises" production notes that hit earlier this week from director Christopher Nolan, including some tidbits about when the film takes place in the trilogy timeline.

"Our story picks up eight years later, when it seems that Batman and Commissioner Gordon have succeeded -- the Dark Knight is no longer needed in Gotham," Nolan said. "In that regard, Bruce Wayne has won the battle, but he is traumatized by what happened and doesn't know how to move on from being the figure of Batman. 'The Dark Knight Rises' very much deals with the consequences of his and other characters' actions in the previous films."

The studio also revealed a new IMAX poster for the film...

...as well as a new international trailer with some new footage to drool over.

With "The Dark Knight Rises" being the final film in Nolan's "Batman" trilogy, the actors who have taken on roles in the Bat-universe since "Batman Begins" continue to share retrospective thoughts -- including Gary Oldman, who spoke with Empire Online about his experience as Commissioner James Gordon.

"I think when you're into something like this and you don't know if there's going to be a third -- for instance, when we made Dark Knight we didn't know for sure there'd be a third -- you go about your life; it's not something that you're constantly thinking about," Oldman told Empire. "But once you're there back with all the people again it's like a reunion. There's all the same old people, the same old camera crew, the same old Wally [Pfister, cinematographer], there's the make-up people and you just sort of get back into the swing of it and it's just great to see everyone. So that's a bit bad, that we won't all get together again - or certainly not in that way. I may end up working with Chris again and I may end up working with Christian and Michael or any one of them, but it will be in a different situation. When you like something and you enjoy something you want it to go on. But it's all got to end sometime."

Meanwhile, IGN has posted an exploration of "The Dark Knight Manual," a coffee-table book from Insight Editions that includes tidbits about the Joker's origin, hints of Dick Grayson in the Nolan universe and more info on Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character, John Blake.

The book indicates that the Haley Brothers Circus exists in Nolan's universe, and sharp-eye fans will note (despite the spelling difference) that Haly's Circus was the former home of Dick Grayson before the death of his parents. Furthermore, John Blake is described as an orphan who "channeled his anger and pain ... into his work serving and protecting Gotham." Sounds a lot like an eccentric billionaire without the Bat-costume.

The L.A. Times Hero Complex has a profile on director Christopher Nolan. Although it contains very few spoilers and details on "The Dark Knight Rises," it's still worth checking out as it contains quotes from stars Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway about the process of making a Batman film.

To wrap up the week, Hot Toys has posted photos of its upcoming Batman/Bruce Wayne figure inspired by "The Dark Knight Rises."

Opens July 20

AMAZING SPIDER-MANAlthough "The Amazing Spider-Man" hit theaters this week, news continues to trickle out -- especially behind-the-scenes features, including this video from Popular Mechanics detailing the build of the fight sequence at Midtown High.

Empire Magazine's podcast interviewed producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach about spoilers from the film. Definitely give it a listen if you've seen "The Amazing Spider-Man," otherwise, you might want to stay away.

The original Norman Osborn, Willem Dafoe, spoke with Empire Online users in a live chat and briefly gave his thoughts on "The Amazing Spider-Man."

"I have lots of thoughts," Dafoe said. "Where do I start? I haven't seen it. I don't know what to say. I will say that I did see the preview and I was kind of shocked at how it's another version of exactly the same story. Surprising. I wish them well, but I think it's hard to beat the charm, the naive charm, of the first one. There's never really any possibility of going back."

Now in theaters

DREDDIn an interesting tidbit picked up by Comic Book Movie, 2000AD forum user BlackMocco had apparently posted on the official forums about being unable to get into an advanced screening of "Dredd" -- and when the film's writer, Alex Garland, heard about it, he sent him this:

Opens September 21

THE BOURNE LEGACYInternational poster featuring Jeremy Renner coming at you from Cine1.

Opens August 10

THE WALKING DEADMore details are certain to come for "The Walking Dead" next week during Comic-Con International at San Diego, but here's a teaser poster (courtesy of Comic Book Movie for season three with images of some fan-favorite characters to tide you over.

Season three premieres this fall on AMC

BATMAN & SUPERMAN: COMIC-CONIGN has posted this hilarious short from the folks at How It Should Have Ended with Superman and Batman discussing whether they're planning to attend CCI 2012.

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