Joseph Gordon Levitt and Gary Oldman on 'The Dark Knight Rises'

'The Dark Knight' was more 'disturbing' than 'The Dark Knight Rises' says Gary Oldman

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07/20/2012 by OnTheRedCarpet.com Staff

Warning: Video contains potential film spoilers.

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Scenes from 'The Dark Knight Rises'

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Gary Oldman has starred in all three Batman films directed by Christopher Nolan, including the recently released "The Dark Knight Rises," as Commissioner James Gordon, an honest Gotham City official.

The actor said that he found "The Dark Knight" to be more the "disturbing" movie of the two most recent Batman films and debated whether underage children should be allowed to see the newest movie. "The Dark Knight Rises" is rated PG-13 in the United States.

"There's things that my kids ... I don't want them to see. There are kids who are nine that have seen 'Ted' and 'Saw,' you know, and my kids want to see that stuff and I say. No,'" Oldman told OnTheRedCarpet.com in an interview earlier this month. "I think 'The Dark Knight' was a little more emotionally ... psychologically a little more disturbing I think 'cause of Heath's character [the Joker.]"

The 54-year-old actor is the father of three sons, 23-year-old Alfie with first wife Lesley Manville and 14-year-old Gulliver Flynn and 13-year-old Charlie John with third wife Donya Fiorentino. Oldman is currently married to his fourth wife Alexandra Edenborough.

Oldman was once married to actress Uma Thurman from 1990 to 1992 and was involved with actress Isabella Rossellini for several years.

"I'd let a 10-year-old see it," he said.

During a midnight screening of the film in Aurora, Colorado, on July 20, a gunman killed at least 12 people and 59 people have been reported injured so far. A 3-month-old baby was reportedly wounded.

The shooting suspect was arrested and identified as James Eagan Holmes, a 24-year-old University of Colorado medical school student.

Warner Bros. the studio behind the film, released a statement saying, "Warner Bros. and the filmmakers are deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time."

Following the shooting, the studio canceled its "Dark Knight Rises" premiere in Paris as well as media interviews that cast members such as Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway and Morgan Freeman were set to give in the French capital.

"The Dark Knight Rises" takes place eight years after the events of the 2008 movie "The Dark Knight." It is the final Batman film by Christopher Nolan, who kicked off the trilogy with "Batman Begins" in 2005. It is also the last film for Bale as Batman.

An escaped convict named Bane, played by Tom Hardy seeks to cause chaos in Gotham City and draw Batman out of exile after taking the blame for the death of Harvey Dent.

Anne Hathaway appears in the film as Selina Kyle, who is known as Catwoman in the comic books. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a Gotham City cop named John Blake and Marion Cotillard plays Miranda Tate, a board member of Wayne Enterprises who is eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne, Batman's alter ego, resume his father's philanthropic endeavors for Gotham.

Warning: Film spoilers ahead.

In the film, Commissioner Gordon gets wounded and is seen in a hospital bed for a while. Oldman talked about the luxury of shooting his scenes from a bed.

"Chris called me and said 'You get a good go at it and there's a little more for you to do, but you do spend the whole of the middle of the movie on your back,'" Oldman said. "I mean, it's nice work if you can get it!"

The actor also revealed that one of his stuntmen, who retired after winning the lottery but came back for special film, injured himself on set.

"When I first discover that there is a subterranean army and I roll off, into the water, there were two stuntman - the first one broke his femur on that fall and then they got another guy," Oldman said. "It was unfortunate, because he was a lottery winner who was semi-retired and just once-in-awhile came and did stunts for a laugh, but he had basically retired and he came in and broke his leg."

"The Dark Knight Rises" hit theaters on July 20. Check out the trailer below.

Reporting by George Pennacchio of KABC Television, parent company of OnTheRedCarpet.com that also produces the entertainment show "On The Red Carpet"(check for local TV listings).