Is Joseph Gordon-Levitt the Next Batman?

As the last chapter of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy closes this year (with a bang, we might add), rumors surrounding Warner Bros.' forthcoming "Justice League," guaranteed to be a superhero-packed epic, already have fans and critics twitching with excitement.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, whose character was literally handed the keys to the Batcave at the end of "Dark Knight Rises," implying an inheritance, might be taking up the Batman mantle in this next film, which is slotted for a 2015 release.

"Justice League" combines the storylines of comic book giants Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and the Flash.

Although various sites are reporting different things, Hitfix is reporting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will be playing Batman. However in July, when asked if he had any desire to return to the Batman series, Gordon-Levitt told Digital Spy, "I just love that [The Dark Knight Rises] has such a great ending." He called the ending "very satisfying," which may indicate a reluctance to follow up Nolan's blockbuster hits. The project is in such an early stage of development, we'll have to wait and see which rumors pan out to be true.

What we do know at this point is the script will be penned by "Gangster Squad" writer Will Beall. As for the film's director, names being tossed around include Ben Affleck and Andy Wachowski.