With the $810m smash that was Inception now firmly behind him, Christopher Nolan is back in Gotham, working with brother Jonathan to nugget out the script for The Dark Knight Rises, which will be landing on its cast members' doorsteps in January.

Alfred himself, Michael Caine, shared that news with Empire, revealing that the film's shoot will kick off in the summer and be done and dusted in six months. “Emma [Thomas], the producer, said we'd get the script in January. Christopher said: 'Script in January, shoot in May, finish in November.'"

Until then the confirmed cast members remain - fittingly - in the dark. "Christopher is the most secretive guy in the world," Caine said, "he won't tell you anything." Expect more casting news to follow in the very near future. In the meantime, for a glimpse at what may be going on chez Nolan right now, have a read of Jonathan Nolan's fascinating reflections on The Dark Knight.