The Australian newspaper The Herald Sun is reporting that “Industry gossip now suggests the rising Australian star Sam Worthington could score the part of Batman in the third installment of the successful prequel franchise.” We’ve already gotten a bunch of e-mails linking this story, which means the story is already getting around the internets. But the fact of the matter is, Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight sequel isn’t even close to approaching the casting stage. Christian Bale has said that he would return for another film if Nolan came back with a good story, and anyone who believes that Warner Bros would mess with any of the main ingredients in their successful comic book franchise is on crack. – From SlashFilm

Terminator Salvation director McG doesn’t blame Christian Bale for his blow up last summer – saying the set is a passionate place and things happen. Of course, McG should take on some of the responsibility – we know it’s only 4 minutes of audio – but a director shouldn’t let his film set descend into such chaos.

McG also addressed rumors of a possible Arnold Schwarzenegger cameo in the new Terminator film. The director revealed to the audience that they were working on a revolutionary technique for “doing something with that” and that he wasn’t sure if it would even work.

Everyone is onboard for Sex & the City II.

Take a look at some more Transformers 2 toys – The Fallen and Wheelie. You excited!

Joss Whedon’s new TV show, the Dollhouse, debuts Friday, and reviews coming out are decidedly mixed. Most people are saying that the show will need some time to gain an audience. Also, several are noting that the show’s premise may cause some issues since the main character, Eliza Dushku, will essentially become a new character each show. Critics are wondering if viewers are going to want to ’start new’ each week. Given Whedon’s track record (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity), we’ll certainly give it time – but will your normal viewer and the network.

“It’s been a miserable week for me,” Bale told hosts Kevin Ryder and Gene “Bean” Baxter. “Listen, I know I have a potty mouth, everybody knows this now.

“The thing that I really want to stress is I have no confusion whatsoever. I was out of order beyond belief. I was way out of order. I acted like a punk. I regret that.

“There is nobody that has heard that tape that’s been hit harder by it than me. I make no excuses for it. It is unexcusable. I hope that that is absolutely clear.”

As for what brought on the much-played rant, Bale said that the day’s shooting was particularly intense and that he “puts so much into what I do and care so much about it and sometimes the enthusiasm just goes awry.”

“I’m embarrassed by it. I ask everybody to sit down and ask themselves, have they ever had a bad day and have they ever lost their temper and really regretted it immensely.”

Not that he doesn’t understand the public’s insatiable desire to hear—and mock and remix—the audio.

“Feel free to make fun of me at my expense, I deserve it completely.” – from Yahoo

Ah, the spin rolls out. It’s fun to see it happen.

There’s two sides to every story of a superstar’s verbal smackdown of a futz-happy DP. If we’re to believe Radar, Shane Hurlbut—the berated cinematogapher in question—was a set terror the crew was glad to see humiliated. According to their report (accompanied by this photograph, which they say is the two men minutes before the legendary screaming match), the confrontation elevated Bale to kingly heights among the peasant crewfolk Hurlbut had sadistically shamed countless times before. – From Defamer.com

You’ve heard the rant, now here are the pictures you haven’t seen. RadarOnline.com has obtained photos of actor Christian Bale on the set of his new film Terminator Salvation. The pics include Bale with DP Shane Hurlbut, the target of Bale’s 4-minute, F-bomb meltdown. After Bale’s blowup the DP was not allowed within 100 feet of the set if Bale was on it, sources tell us. In the final days of filming, the DP was back on set, and he and Bale did not have any more harsh words. Bale became a hero to cast and crew after his tirade against Hurlbut, who was widely despised, sources tell RadarOnline.com exclusively. “Hurlbut was a condescending (bleep) to everyone,” a source told us. His favorite line was “Why don’t you go stab yourself in the head, you idiot.” – From Radaronline.com

In one of those ‘please don’t do it’ modes, someone is planning a remake of the classic Slap Shot. Here’s has five reasons it’s a stupid idea.

Robert Downey Jr. said that Mickey Rourke will NOT be playing the Crimson Dynamo in Iron Man 2. When asked if Rourke would be playing Whiplash, Downey was unable to confirm or deny that report, adding that “maybe it’s some semblance of both.”

Hollywood is looking to make a bio pic on Ernest Hemingway. Who to play the celebrated author and drinker? Russell Crowe wouldn’t be bad. Robert Downey Jr.? Lots of good ideas.

Downey also dishes a bit on his new Sherlock Holmes film – plus there’s a new photo.

The Oscar nominees luncheon was held today. I get this image of cafeteria and bunch of people eating pasta salad and ham and potato casserole made by old ladies in the lunchroom.