The latest Batman movie has shattered box office records in its opening weekend. “The Dark Knight” emerged as not just the new number one movie at movie theaters but also became the top grossing movie for its opening weekend, taking in an estimated $155 million dollars and eclipsing the previous record established last year by “Spider-Man 3” by $4 million. On “The Dark Knight”’s opening day alone the movie grossed $66 million, setting another benchmark record for ticket sales for an opening day. By comparison the previous adventure, “Batman Begins”, opened to a moderate $44 million dollar opening weekend before finally coming to a full stop with a little over $200 million in ticket sales. At the pace “The Dark Knight” is traveling it will surpass the total ticket sales of “Batman Begins” sometime in the middle of this week.

“Mamma Mia”, another new movie out this weekend, didn’t reach the same high watermark as Batman but it nevertheless did alright by grossing $27 million. Will Smith and his superhero tale “Hancock” dropped to third place with $14 million in ticket sales, bringing that film’s total gross to $191 million.

The “Ali” and “Men in Black” star plays an alcoholic, homeless superhero in “Hancock” who doesn’t give a care as to how his image is looked upon by the public. Audiences may have gone out to take in Will’s new movie but critics haven’t been as favorable to the picture with negative reviews popping up in “Entertainment Weekly”, “The Washington Post”, “Newsweek”, “The Wall Street Journal” and more outlets. “’Hancock’ is a hodgepodge of intriguing ideas that, if developed further or presented as more than throw-ins to a confused production, might have made for a unique superhero film,” wrote James Berardinelli in his review of the movie.

Barring a possible strike by the actors guild which could happen as early as next month “Nottingham” is scheduled to begin filming in the late summer. The movie is scheduled for release in November 2009.

While “Iron Man” has proven to be a huge box office hit for Marvel Studios the $150 million dollar “Incredible Hulk” is a gamble. It’s a reboot of the concept of scientist Bruce Banner who, after being bombarded with gamma radiation, turns into a hulking green brute when he loses control over his emotions. Maybe Marvel sensed that Norton’s anger could act against the amount of money “Hulk” would make with audiences and decided to sooth the savage beast with more creative control.

The movie will use the original songs of the Broadway stage play and not make any major changes to the 1912 setting. The film’s producers would like to film as much as is possible at the original London locations used in the story such as Tottenham Court Road, Covent Garden, Wimple Street and the Ascot racecourse. The story will also use material from the original George Bernard Shaw play “Pygmalion” which served as the basis for the Broadway musical.

Talk of a “Sex in the City 2” has already begun. Shortly before the movie’s release gossip had been floating around that the movie’s producers had signed all of the film’s stars to sequel options in their contracts. One insider told a British newspaper that “They want it to be a franchise and think they can stretch it over at least a trilogy.”

Director Steven Spielberg has told fans that he would think about making another Indiana Jones adventure if “Crystal Skull” attracted audiences. Perhaps it’s time to hire a writer?

Davies will remain as producer on “Doctor Who” for the remainder of the current fourth series and for three specials that will be broadcast in 2009. There is speculation that actor David Tennant, who currently plays the Doctor, may also wish to make an exit when Davies departs the show. If that is the case a new face will be found to play the alien Doctor and one potential candidate may be James Nesbitt. Nesbitt played the lead in “Jekyll”, a recent mini-series that Moffat penned.

Screenwriter John Logan is in talks to adapt the game into a film. Logan’s past works include “The Time Machine” and “Gladiator”.

A sequel to the videogame is in development and is slated for release sometime in 2009. It will be out before the movie can be finished.