William Fichtner, who plays Detective Mahone on Prison Break, has become the latest addition to the all-star cast of The Dark Knght.  A sequel to Batman Begins, the critically acclaimed “re-booting” of the Batman franchise, brings the Joker into the fray and is just getting production underway.  Fichtner, long a respected character actor, will play a bank teller in the film.  Name actors will occasionally play bit parts in big-budget films, but considering that Fichtner's involvement has been announced, one has to assume that this bank teller role is at least somewhat significant.

The Dark Knight, like Batman Begins, will be directed by Christopher Nolan, who got his big break with the indie hit Memento and has become one of the biggest up and coming directors out there.  For me, The Dark Knight is one of my most anticipated upcoming films.  Batman Begins is easily one of the best (if not the best) comic-book films ever made, turning around a franchise that had almost been Joel Schumacher-ed to death with the apocalyptic flops of Batman Forever and Batman and Robin.


Batman and Robin was especially an affront to mankind, featuring some of the silliest casting the world has ever seen (Schwarzenegger as the Ice Man, Clooney as Batman, a chubby Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl).  Batman Begins was a gritty and perfectly done adaptation that removed all memories of Batman and Robin.

Fichtner joins a cast that was a huge part of the Batman Begins' success.  Christian Bale is putting forth a diverse body of work and has become one of our most interesting working actors.  Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman add instant credibility with their roles.  And, for the sequel, Heath Ledger will be playing the Joker in an inspired bit of casting.  The fact that they've tabbed William Fichtner, a great actor in his own right, in a small role is just indicative of how well-regarded this project is.

-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer

(Source: TeenHollywood)
(Image Courtesy of FOX)