Paul Bettany has emerged as a surprise contender for the role of The Joker in the sequel to Batman Begins. An insider told Batman-On-Film that his current competition looks to be Lachy Hulme and Crispin Glover, but not however, Mark Hammil. The source says Warner Bros believes the actor, who voiced Joker in the animated series, is "told old" for the role. In the next Batman film, the Dark Knight and Harvey Dent (rumored to be played by Liev Schreiber) take on the Joker.

Bettany starred in such films as A Beautiful Mind, Dogville, and Wimbledon. He's also the lucky guy married to Jennifer Connelly.