'Dark Knight' Rising in Newark Next Week? Officials Won't Say

Newark may become Gotham City for two days next week.

Officials in New Jersey's largest city started informing residents and visitors Wednesday of expected traffic delays downtown Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 because of what appears to be the filming of the next Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises."

City officials would not confirm that's the flick, but the speculation comes after Newark Mayor Cory Booker announced on Twitter in May that he met with the film's producer, "Met with the producer and studio team for the next Batman Movie. Great people! They hope to film scenes in Nwk. Holy Brick City Batman! POW!"

An email sent to a Warner Bros. spokeswoman Wednesday was not answered.

An advisory sent from city officials to media Wednesday only stated traffic delays are expected because of "filming," but did not name the movie.

The notification stated the area around city hall and downtown Newark along McCarter Highway, Raymond Boulevard, University Avenue and Broad, Market, Mulberry, Halsey and Washington streets will see delays because of road closures and re-routing buses.

NJTransit also sent an advisory Wednesday that stated the city's light rail will not operate between Newark Penn Station and Orange Street station and between Newark Penn Station and Broad Street station during the two days. NJTransit also advised customers that buses that normally operate on Raymond Boulevard will be re-routed to Market Street because of intermittent road closures on Raymond Boulevard between McCarter Highway and Mulberry and Broad streets.

The traffic and mass transit changes will be from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on both days, according to the advisory.

Scenes for "The Dark Knight Rises" already have been shot in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Jodhpur, India. The film is being directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader.

— Staff reports