AT THE MOVIES: Bale's days numbered as Batman; ticket prices soar

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Christian Bale has portrayed Bruce Wayne/Batman in both the widely popular "Batman Begins" (2005) and "The Dark Knight" (2008), but after next month's "The Dark Knight Rises" Bale appears to be moving on.

"I wrapped a few days ago, so that will be the last time I'm taking that cowl off," Bale revealed to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. "I believe that the whole production wrapped yesterday, so it's all done. Everything's finished. It's me and Chris [Nolan] -- that will be the end of that Batman era."

Most showings for "The Dark Knight Rises," in the major markets, have already sold out for IMAX screenings on opening weekend. Tickets are even beginning to pop up on eBay for $150.

The final installment of director/writer Christopher Nolan's Batman saga will hit theaters on July 20. "The Dark Knight Rises" stars Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Tom Hardy (Bane), Anne Hathaway (Selina Kyle/Catwoman), Liam Neeson (Ra's Al Ghul), Gary Oldman (Jim Gordon), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), Michael Caine (Alfred), Marion Cotillard (Miranda Tate) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (John Blake).

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