The Batmobile returns to the big screen when it rides onto the Pittsburgh set of Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight Rises.

The use of Nolan’s Tumbler in The Dark Knight Rises marks the first time in Batman movie history that we’ve seen a consistent Batmobile through the entire run of the franchise. Historically, the images released for the Batmobile have been one of the most anticipated sights from upcoming projects, including the Batman Live theater show. Normally, we’ll see an updated model to reflect higher tech of the day, so this is a nice change of pace.

In the leaked images, not only do we see the return of The Dark Knight‘s Tumbler, which was introduced in Batman Begins, but we also see the return of The Bat Pod. The Bat Pod which was introduced in The Dark Knight as a fail safe for the destruction of The Tumbler, but whether or not they will be used separately or if the The Tumbler will be destroyed is still a mystery. I, for one, hope that we will see them used separately because I, like most fans, love the tanked out version of the Batmobile.

I’m really happy by this news, but it doesn’t excite or surprise me. I expected this. Nolan has taken a realistic look at Gotham City and Batman as a character. So a flashier, edgier, updated version of the Batmobile doesn’t make sense. Batman would probably use the existing model, not add fins, or weird ribbing and lights. It just makes sense.

The Dark Knight Rises is set to release in the summer of 2012. And I can’t wait.

[Source: Superhero Hype]