You can finally read Geoff Boucher’s three-part interview with “The Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan in its entirety. It’s an interesting read, though Anne Thompson basically says what all of us are thinking … this is a well-timed feature that’s meant to put DK back on radars as Academy members are contemplating votes.

SPOILER ALERT!!

Harvey Dent did die at the end of The Dark Knight. And according to Aaron Eckhart, he’s staying dead.

Speaking to ComingSoon.net, Eckhart said, “He is dead as a door nail. ”

CS: So he’s not coming back?
Eckhart: He ain’t coming back baby!

CS: I was hoping he would.
Eckhart: No. I asked Chris [Nolan] that question and he goes, “You’re dead” before I could even get the question out of my mouth. “Hey Chris, am I?” “You’re dead!” Alright, cool.

I believe in Harvey Dent. But I’ll only believe this “fact” when Nolan’s third Batman film is in the can, because anything is possible.

Even though it’s more likely than not a rumor based on spurious speculation and wrapped inside wishful thinking, the story that blasted around the Web a few days ago saying that Christopher Nolan was thinking about casting Cher as Catwoman in the next Batman film, is worth a pause. Would this be stunt casting? Absolutely. Would it work? Hell, yes.

For one, think about how Nolan went out on a limb to cast Ledger against type and was rewarded many times over with the first truly disturbing screen incarnation of the Joker we’ve ever seen. Then think about how every other version of Catwoman has been some variation (good and bad) on the same old purring dangerous sex kitten cliche. Bringing in Cher to play something “like a vamp in her twilight years” not only goes in a whole new direction, it also has the potential to elevate the character to something real and quite beyond a latex-suited fanboy fantasy.

And let’s not forget that even though Cher’s a diva who just can’t seem to stop performing all those farewell concerts, she did win that Oscar and is no slouch as an actress. So on the off-chance that this rumor turns out to be true, it could well turn out to be one of the most inspired casting coups in history.

On the other hand, they could go with the obvious sex-bomb choice like Angelina Jolie (as some rumors have been claiming), which could be interesting, but only if the lady has decided to try acting again, which given her recent work, doesn’t seem too likely…

The Titanic vs. Dark Knight debate has been limited to the box office, as pundits debate whether Chris Nolan’s sequel will surpass the record-holding $600 million earned by James Cameron’s 1997 Oscar winner. (It won’t, for the record, though it should surpass Star Wars for the No. 2 slot.)  

But it also got me wondering: How will Nolan follow up what has become his most financially successful film? And more importantly, how long will it take?

Avatar ... not coming Summer 2009

Titanic’s critical and financial success elevated Cameron’s industry status (and fattened his bank account). But the world still awaits his follow up more than a decade later. I’m not counting the documentaries he allowed to be filmed as he hid on the bottom of the sea. We want a feature, with a story and, preferably, live actors (tone down the CGI, Jim).

Cameron has said Avatar will reach theaters in December 2009. But it has been pushed back before. I’m almost willing to bet the gun-shy director - an admitted perfectionist - never releases another film.

To put this into perspective, Nolan has made all six of his films since Cameron last made a full-length feature.

Where will Nolan go next? The masses, of course, want a third Batman. Rumors have swirled about certain actors playing potential villains. But they are just that: Rumors. Nolan himself hasn’t committed to a third film. And chances are he’d try and squeeze a different project in before a required trip back to Gotham (let’s pray it’s as good as The Prestige, which followed Batman Begins). Whatever Nolan’s next project, I just hope he avoids Cameron’s career path and decides on it soon.