Major ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Casting Spoiler Leaked By … The Studio?

What better way to start your day than with the confirmation of a ‘Dark Knight Rises’ rumor that has been circling ever since Christopher Nolan began shooting his anticipated sequel? Now, bear in mind that this could be a major spoiler, and so if you wish to go into the theater on July 20 with as clean a slate as possible, leave this page now.

Now! I mean it. I’m not going to warn you again.

Still here? Collider is reporting that the press notes for Warner Bros. ‘Wrath of the Titans’ lists ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ as a future credit for ‘Wrath’ co-star Liam Neeson. One simple line in an innocent studio press kit tears the lid off a flaming barrel of fan speculation, leading most to believe that Neeson somehow will resurrect his ‘Batman Begins’ role of Ra’s al Ghul.

But Neeson’s character allegedly died at the end of ‘Begins.’ How can he return for the trilogy’s finale? Well, Batman fans know that Ra’s has access to the Lazarus Pits, which resurrect dead warriors and have granted al Ghul multiple lifetimes. This news also confirms various rumor that had Nolan filming at locations that looked like Lazarus Pits, and also casts light on the rumor that Marion Cotillard might be playing Ra’s daughter, Talia.

Or maybe it’s a flashback of some sort. IMDB lists actress Joey King as playing “Young Talia Al Ghul.” And they also list Josh Pence as “Young Ra's Al Ghul.” So somehow, Nolan (wisely) will be connecting ‘Rises’ to ‘Begins,’ bringing true closure to what might go down as the greatest trilogy in geek history. (Sorry, ‘Star Wars’ fans.)

Neeson, meanwhile, tried to nip all of this in the bud, telling CNN that he doesn’t know if his “cameo” will even survive the final cut.

“I have no idea what the story is about. Nothing. Nothing. Seriously, I'm not sure if I'm still in it. It's a cameo – let's put it that way – if it still survives,” Neeson said.

Sounds like a smokescreen. Too little too late? Who knows, and who cares? We’re all going to ‘Rises’ anyway, and if Neeson’s in it as Ra’s, all the better. ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ will melt your face on July 20. See you there.