Pop Culture Potporrui: Movie News

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

19 Aug 2007 08:50 PM

Did you have any doubt that Disney's "High School Musical 2" would NOT shatter records? (You wouldn't have if you had read my previous blogs.)

It was a date with Disney shared by millions of tweens and teens across the country. Make that multi-millions. According to Nielsen Media Research, Friday night's premiere of "High School Musical 2" on The Disney Channel drew an astounding 17.2 million viewers, making the made-for-TV movie the most-watched basic cable telecast in history. What's more, it also became basic cable's highest-rated movie ever, bumping TNT's 2001 Western "Crossfire" from the record book.

The original "High School Musical" movie also gave Disney big numbers when it debuted in 2006, but Friday night's sequel eclipsed its predeccesor by nearly 10 million viewers.

No surprise there. But here's some movie news that may shock you...

In a casting move that has many shaking their heads U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy just sealed a deal to appear in the next Batman movie.

Holy Hollywood Wannabes, Batman!

The role is reportedly a dream job for the longtime Batman fan. According to the movie's producers, Leahy's scene was filmed a few weeks ago and will appear in "The Dark Knight" when it is released next summer. Leahy's scene involves Batman, played by Christian Bale, The Joker, played by Heath Ledger, and Alfred Pennyworth, played by Michael Caine. The Vermont Democrat (who proudly reveals that he "doesn't wear tights" in the film) plays the role of a "distinguished gentleman."

"It's a pretty tense scene," said Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "It's going to be a very interesting one."

The politician is not a complete stranger to the world of the Cape Crusader; he's done voice-overs on Batman cartoons, written the preface for a Batman book and had small roles in the last two Batman features.

Leahy told news reporters he plans to donate his earnings from the film to the Kellogg-Hubbard children's library in Montpelier, where he got his first library card.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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