Just over a decade ago, Warner Bros.' Batman film franchise seemed destined to evaporate in a puff of candy-colored nonsense. Now, on the doorstep of Christopher Nolan's second installment in the revitalized saga, the "Clooney nipple suit" days seem far, far away.

All the difference a decade (and a change in directors makes) is underscored in a report published by The New York Times Sunday -- a report containing four new stills from The Dark Knight, bowing July 18.

The stills are only part of the story, though; the article -- which spends two pages retracing Nolan's career and following him around the TDK set -- is plenty interesting in its own right. Have a taste of what the director told the Times about his thoughts when setting up the sequel:

As we looked through the comics, there was this fascinating idea that Batman's presence in Gotham actually attracts criminals to Gotham, attracts lunacy. When you're dealing with questionable notions like people taking the law into their own hands, you have to really ask, where does that lead? That's what makes the character so dark, because he expresses a vengeful desire.This escalation has now meant that he feels more of a duty to continue. And now you have not just a young man in pain attempting to find some kind of an answer, you have somebody who actually has power, who is burdened by that power, and is having to recognize the difference between attaining that power and holding on to it.

The article also includes some (predictably complimentary) words from stars Christian Bale and Aaron Eckhart, as well as quotes from Michael Caine, who discusses, again, his experiences working with Heath Ledger.

Source: The New York Times