(SPOILER ALERT) There’s been a new but old face face spotted on the set of The Dark Knight Rises, first reported by Hitfix but since confirmed by Variety, that none other than Liam Neeson has shown up for filming. As you probably remember, he played Ra’s Al Ghul in Batman Begins, but his character met a rather sticky end in the movie.
It isn’t known if the scene in question is a flashback, or if it is set in the present day and he is somehow resurrected, possibly by the Lazarus Pits, which are known to be in the movie. It is a possibility, as the Lazarus Pits have the ability to restore to health those who are at death’s door, and in the comics Ra’s has used them numerous time to bring himself back to life.
Interestingly, Josh Pence is playing a younger version of Ra’s Al Ghul in The Dark Knight Rises, although it is not known how this younger character, or Liam Neeson’s version will fit into the story. Liam Neeson filmed his part on Monday in London, and was spotted in New York City on Tuesday for the premiere of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway, so it doesn’t sound like he’ll have a huge role in the movie, but it is possible he’ll return for more filming.
We do know that Christopher Nolan is directing The Dark Knight Rises from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Aside from the confirmed cast members, we don’t know much more than that, but we’ll continue to keep you posted with any and all The Dark Knight Rises news as soon as it happens.