Castingsides
Contents
- 1 March/April 2007
- 1.1 Larger shares
- 1.2 It's rude to stare
- 1.3 What're you, superstitious?
- 1.4 He's here
- 1.5 It's an inside joke
- 1.6 You need us
- 1.7 Let's cut to the chase
- 1.8 For the sake of time
- 1.9 I don't wanna hear you talk
- 1.10 He didn't do anything wrong
- 1.11 I want my phone call
- 1.12 His smile
- 1.13 My insides hurt
- 1.14 This is for my wife
- 1.15 It's my day off
- 1.16 Look at me
- 1.17 Welcome to Hong Kong
- 1.18 It was me
- 1.19 I think you're underestimating the situation
- 1.20 God knows we need him
- 1.21 It'll get better
- 1.22 Do you want to die?
- 1.23 Let's put it to a vote
- 2 Authenticity
- 3 See you in December
March/April 2007
A user on an acting gig site Showfax, Inc [1] finds a project in Chicago called Rory's First Kiss which is looking for actors. Casting sides, which are usually bits of dialogue taken from the movie's script, could be accessed via the site for $1 each.
Chicago
Category: Features Project: RORY'S FIRST KISS Casting Director: JOHN PAPSIDERA |
Since Rory's First Kiss is the known working title for The Dark Knight, it was assumed that the casting sides were pieces of the script that were leaked, similar to the way the Batman Begins script was leaked before the movie opened.
WARNING: THE CASTING SIDES CONTAIN SCENES AND PLOT ELEMENTS THAT DO APPEAR IN THE DARK KNIGHT. DO NOT READ THEM IF YOU WISH TO WATCH THE FILM SPOILER-FREE.
EXT. BANK - DAY
Four of a kind. Let's do this.
Four guys? That's it?
There's two on the roof. Every guy is an extra share. Six shares is plenty.
Seven shares. Don't forget the guy who planned the job.
Yeah? He thinks he can sit it out and still take a slice - he's out of his mind.
Right after I put two in his heart.
If you can find his heart. Some say he ain't even human.
You mean the chicken shits who believe in ghosts. That you?
Hey, guys harder than the both of us are afraid of him...
Look, you wanna hang back and tell scary stories, be my guest. Just means a larger share for me.
You know what? You're onto something.
Less guys. Larger shares. |
It's rude to stare
INT. BANK - DAY
You have any idea who you're stealing from? You and your friends are dead.
You idiot. What makes you think the guy who hired you isn't going to kill you, too?
Call it a hunch.
It's rude to stare.
What are you? You freak. Criminals in this town used to believe in things. Honor. Respect. What do you believe in, huh? What do you bel-
|
What're you, superstitious?
EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS -- CONTINUOUS
I want eighty for the bag.
Eighty? It was sixty last week.
No, man. I don't like it tonight.
|
He's here
EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS -- NIGHT
No! No, get 'em off me! Off me!
Shut up.
They're all over me! They're crawling in my mouth.
Who sold you the stash?
They're going to eat my insides! PLEASE!
Come closer. I'm gonna unscrew your brain.
(nervous) He's here. |
It's an inside joke
INT. BASEMENT -- NIGHT
The Mob used to dump bodies here. They wouldn't be found for months. Maybe years. So tell me, where can I find your boss?
What's so funny?
It's an inside joke.
Let me in on the laugh.
There's no need to find him because... he's gonna find you.
You want to play games?!
(rattled) You wouldn't...
I have. Starting with the knee caps.
(sobbing) I don't know anything.
You giggle, you poke fun...
I'm sorry - I'm sorry...
|
This scene has been reworked drastically in the final film.
The Cop =
Thug =
You need us
EXT. ROOFTOP, PARKING GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
We're trying to help you!
I don't need help.
Don't let me find you out here again.
VIGILANTE (CONT'D) You need us! There's only one of you - It's a war out there!
What gives you the right?! What's the difference between you and me?! |
Avenger =
Vigilante =
Let's cut to the chase
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM
Give us the money and we'll deal.
Deal first. Then maybe we'll talk about the money.
PROSECUTOR As soon as they hear you got pinched, they're going to kill you.
Are you threatening my client?
No, I'm just assuming your client's cooperation with this investigation. As will everyone. So let's cut to the chase.
EVANS He won't give you the money. But he'll give you his clients. All of them.
That's pretty brave. I'm surprised.
|
Prosecutor =
For the sake of time
JUDGE SALIZAR listens to both the PROSECUTION and the DEFENSE ATTORNEY in his chambers.
Your honor, sitting my client next to the rest of these defendants will unjustly incriminate him.
This is an arraignment hearing. You want him to stand trial on his own, pled him not guilty. But take a number because the docket's about to get full.
That's not my point. Charges are being levied here that will automatically depict my client as being part of a conspiracy. He's only been accused of fraud.
How backwards is this town when only being accused of fraud makes you out to be [a] saint? This isn't my concern today, though. My concern today is making sure the judicial process moves forward in a prompt and precise manner, which is why your client will sit wherever he is sat. Court will begin in fifteen minutes. See you inside, gentlemen.
...If I read through this list of charges we'd be here all the [sic] night. So for the sake of time lets [sic] just say multiple counts racketeering, extortion, fraud, and conspiracy to commit murder. Whatever laws we have instituted, you gentlemen have been accused here of violating. So...
...how do the defendants plead? |
Judge Salizar = Judge Surrillo
The threatening note is a
I don't wanna hear you talk
INT. NIGHTCLUB -- NIGHT
(shouting over music) Can't we go someplace quieter?! We can't hear each other talk!
I don't wanna hear you talk.
(can't hear) What?!
You know, you are as stupid as you look.
Stupid enough to get you to buy me whatever I want. |
He didn't do anything wrong
EXT. ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
JAMES Why's he running, Dad?
THE CHIEF Because we have to chase him...
He didn't do anything wrong!
It doesn't matter, son.
Why, dad? Why? |
The Chief =
The Figure =
I want my phone call
INT. ?
I want my phone call.
That's nice.
How many of your friends have I killed?
I'm a twenty-year man. I can tell the difference between punks who need a little lesson in manners... (cracks his knuckles) And the freaks like you who would just enjoy it.
(quiet) And you killed six of my friends. |
The Prisoner =
His smile
INT. VACANT ROOM
RANDOLPH What happened?
(breathing hard) Took...they took our guns, our uniforms...
Who?
I don't know. I just remember his...
His what?
His smile |
Randolph =
My insides hurt
INT. HOLDING, MCU
Look at these ugly bastards.
I don't feel good.
You're a cop killer. You're lucky to be feeling anything below the neck.
(agony) Please. My insides hurt.
Step away from the bars.
The boss said he would make the voices go away. He said he would go inside and replace them with bright lights. Like Christmas.
That's great. Please step-
I need a medic in holding. |
This is for my wife
INT. POLICE VAN -- CONTINUOUS
Berg, isn't it?
Chief?
You okay, son?
I'm good, sir.
I'm gonna need your weapon, son.
What?
The gun.
Why? Because my wife's in the hospital?
Yeah. That would be why.
I have to...
Officer, drop your weapon on the ground. NOW!
I can't. You know I can't...
Do it for your wife, son!
This IS for my wife. I'm sorry, sir. |
The Chief =
The Prisoner =
It's my day off
INT. BAR, GOTHAM HEIGHTS -- DAY
Sweet Jesus. D'you see this, Mike? They blew up a mall...
Shouldn't you be out there, you know, doing something?
It's my day off.
You're a piece of work, you know that?
I mind my own. You should do the same.
I gotta take a leak, keep an eye on things, will ya? |
Look at me
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Tell them your name.
(weak)
Are you the real Avenger?
No
Why do you want to be like him?
He's a symbol...that we don't have to be afraid of scum like you...
But you do, Brian. You really do. You think he's helped this city?
Look at me. (Brian looks down) LOOK AT ME!
|
Voice =
Welcome to Hong Kong
EXT. PENINSULA HOTEL, CHINA - DAY
Welcome to Hong Kong, Mr. Faulkner, how was the trip?
Thank you, fine.
Mr. Lau regrets he is unable to meet you in person. But with his current legal difficulties...!
I understand!
I'm afraid for security reasons I have to ask for your mobile phone.
Follow me, please. |
Faulkner =
It was me
INT. COURTROOM, SUPERIOR COURT -- DAY
With Carmine Falcone in Arkham, someone must've stepped up to run the so-called family (Rossi nods) Is this man in the courtroom today? (Rossi nods again) Could you identify him for us, please?
You win, counselor. It was me.
Say again?
I'll say it how many times you want. I'm the guy.
Mr. Rossi, I'm confused...
Must be dumb then, huh?
Need the court remind you that you are under oath?
Nope. I'm good.
I've got a sworn statement from you that this man, Salvatore Maroni, is the new head of the Falcone crime family.
Maroni? He's a fall guy. I'm the brains of the organization.
Permission to treat the witness as hostile?
Hostile? I'll show you hostile. |
Prosecutor =
I think you're underestimating the situation
INT. GARAGE -- CONTINUOUS
We've found our missing bus. It's a hostage situation, sir.
THE CHIEF No, it's a shooting gallery. Why'd he choose a spot with such big windows?
We have clear shots on five subjects. Snipers take them out, smash the windows - a team rappels in, a team moves in by the stairwells. 2 or 3 casualties, max.
I think you're underestimating the situation, Sergeant.
Maybe. But we either take 'em now, or they dig in and things get complicated.
Complicated?
Deadly, sir. Very.
Tell your men good luck.
Red team, you're up. We're going in in sixty seconds. |
The Chief =
God knows we need him
INT. RADIO STATION
... hell, you got half the army on the streets - I wanna know when you're gonna catch the sonofa-
Okay. The guy's got a point - what can you say to people about their safety when this maniac's running around free?
The National Guard is here to reassure everyone that law and order is not under threat in this city. The Chief has assured me that -
And how's Randolph doing? We're hearing a lot of different stuff-
Mike, please, don't fuel people's paranoia. Randolph's alive, and looking forward to getting back to the job.
Wish him a speedy recovery. God knows we need him. Let's take another call - you're on the air. |
It'll get better
INT. DINING ROOM, DENT HOUSE -- EVENING
You have a lovely home.
Thank you. Not much of a place to raise kids, though.
Well, how could you want to raise children in a city like this?
It'll get better. Soon.
I meant, the kind of city that idolizes a masked vigilante...
Shouldn't we be proud of an ordinary citizen standing up for what's right?
Yes, but the society needs people like you - elected officials, not a man who thinks he is above the law.
When people just stand by and watch the scum take over - the law is already a secondary consideration.
But this is democracy, is it not? You cannot be advocating a secret police? In America?
A kingdom under siege always selects one man to protect his people. It is his duty. His honor. And when he's victorious, power is passed onto a successor who will take up his mantle.
Someone like you? Or... could it be that you are this secret, honorable knight who is desperate to save his land and lay down his arms? |
Gannon =
Do you want to die?
INT. PASSENGER LOUNGE, PRISONER FERRY -- NIGHT
Stand down.
Do you wanna die?!
I...
You don't wanna die. But you don't know how to take a life. Give it to me.
These men will kill you and take it, anyway. Give it to me, you can tell people I took it by force... give it to me and I'll do what you should have done ten minutes ago. |
Let's put it to a vote
INT. PASSENGER LOUNGE, COMMUTER FERRY -- NIGHT
Stay back.
Who are you to decide? We ought to talk it over, at least.
We don't all have to die. Why should my babies die? Those men had their chance!
We're not talking about this...
They're talking over the same exact thing on the other boat.
If they're even bothering to talk. Let's put it to a vote.
I'd vote for it. Same as most of you. Doesn't seem right that we should all die...
So do it!
I didn't say I'd do it. Don't forget. We're still here. Which means they haven't done us in, yet, either.
No one wants to get their hands dirty. Fine. I'll do it. Those men on the boat made their choices. They chose to murder and steal. It makes no sense for us to die, too.
|
Authenticity
A fan who spoke with The Dark Knight screenwriter Jonah Nolan at the NYC IMAX prologue screening confirmed that the sides were written to be leaked on purpose. Thus, their authenticity can be questioned. However, some of the dialogue in the sides proved to be very similar to what was shown in the IMAX prologue and Whysoserious.com/Myhero, and the name Brian Douglass has appeared as an ardent Batman supporter in one of the ARG websites. From screenings of the final theatrical cut, all of the scenes depicted in the casting sides do appear in the film.
See you in December
On April 1, 2007, the casting sides on Showfax, Inc were taken down and replaced with a reformat, along with a new casting side. Its authenticity was immediately questioned since it was April Fool's Day, and the formatting was drastically different from the originals. There was a hidden message in the new one - by taking the first letter in each line, "See you in December" was spelled out. This were thought to be an elaborate April Fool's joke not involving The Dark Knight's viral marketing, until the same message turned up at Ibelieveinharveydenttoo.com