***SPOILER WARNING***

Looks like the rumours are true Bat-fans, the character of Ra’s al Ghul will make an appearance in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES after all, so says actor Liam Neeson himself.

The actor has been doing the publicity rounds recently, pimping his new man vs. wolf pic THE GREY (our money’s on Neeson), and in a chat with ShowbizSpy inadvertently dropped a massive spoiler:

“I was on set for maybe an hour-and-a-half and the director didn’t tell me anything of what it’s about. So, I’m being very honest when I say I have no idea what’s going to happen.”

What Neeson probably didn’t realise is that by telling us nothing, he actually told us everything since his casting had never been officially announced. Although if it did only take an hour-and-a-half to turn around, expect the scene to be little more than a nip-to-the-toilet-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo.

How Ra’s al Ghul will fit into the story is anyone’s guess – is it through flashback, or did he survive his nasty fall in the finale of BEGINS? – but we’re quite happy to remain in the dark until June to find out.

Oh, who are we kidding, there’s more…

***SPOILER WARNING 2***

Further clues can be gleaned from actress Joey King, who, in a recent chinwag with My Entertainment World ensured she’d never work with Nolan again by revealing:

“I play young Talia al Ghul. I can’t give too much away because I promised Mr. Nolan I wouldn’t say anything. There are too many secrets about the character and the movie.”

King’s use of the word ‘young’ suggests there will also be an ‘old’ version of the character, so yeah, our money’s on Neeson appearing in flashback form. This also adds stock to the long-standing rumour that Marion Cotillard’s character of Miranda Tate is actually Talia all growed up.

If you’re unclear as to why any of this would be of interest, the Ghuls (in the comics at least) have long held the secret of immortality in the form of The Lazarus Pits, a healing reservoir with rejuvenating properties.

Which might prove very handy indeed if Bane succeeds in ‘breaking the Bat’… 

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