Bane now intelligible in ‘Dark Knight Rises’

A few months ago, film industry insiders were hissing over the indecipherable mumblings of the new villainous Batman character Bane following a preview of "The Dark Knight Rises." While writer-director Christopher Nolan said it didn't need changing, he has apparently buckled to fan un-fare.

The now-famous prologue footage, which has since been tweeted and parodied, has apparently received an audio makeover, according to those who saw it replayed at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday.

While no one is yet reporting Bane's exact lines in the sizzle reel, we do know what he's up to: hijacking a plane with his cohorts.

[PHOTOS: 'Dark Knight Rises' Stills]

The footage also cuts to a lackluster, perhaps unhealthy, Batman (Christian Bale), who is reassured by Alfred (Michael Caine) to not worry: "It takes a little time to get back in the swing of things."

Also revealed is that Selina Kyle (Catwoman) , played by Anne Hathaway, seems aligned with Batman and also works in Wayne Manor as a maid.

From EW:

As Bale sports the bat ears, and Hathaway dons the cat ears, the two costumed characters confront each other. "You've given them everything," she says.

"Not everything. Not yet," he growls back.

Just what that means, what goal she's working toward, or who exactly "them" is, is left mysterious.

Bane is also seen in the reel attacking the Gotham Stock Exchange, according to IGN, in a report that revealed other spoilers from the footage.

Some took to Twitter to discuss Bane's seemingly enhanced voice:

This, the finale in Nolan's Batman trilogy, lands in theaters July 20th. It will feature two-times the amount of visually-stunning IMAX footage than did "The Dark Knight." A new teaser trailer for "Rises" will play ahead of next weekend's "Avengers" screenings nationwide.

Bane is played by 34-year-old Tom Hardy—who has appeared in such films as "Layer Cake," 2004, and more recently in "This Means War" opposite Reese Witherspoon.


Watch 'The Dark Knight Rises' Teaser Trailer