Director Christopher Nolan officially announces plans for the sequel to Batman Begins, which would become The Dark Knight.
Heath Ledger is officially cast to play the role of The Joker in The Dark Knight, sparking significant media attention.
Principal photography begins for The Dark Knight, filmed in multiple locations including Chicago, to bring a realistic feel to Gotham City.
Filming wraps up and post-production begins, including extensive editing and special effects work.
Tragically, Heath Ledger dies from an accidental overdose during the post-production phase, impacting the film's release and promotion.
The film premieres at the Venice Film Festival, receiving critical acclaim.
The Dark Knight is released in theaters nationwide, achieving massive box office success and critical praise.
The film wins several awards, including a posthumous Academy Award for Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor.
The Joker and his gang rob a mob-owned Gotham National Bank, killing the manager and stealing the mob's money to undermine the criminal underworld.
Batman confronts the Joker's crew during the bank heist, but the Joker escapes, introducing himself as a new chaotic force in Gotham.
The Joker kidnaps Gotham DA Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes, placing them in separate locations rigged with explosives to force a moral dilemma on Batman and the police.
Batman attempts to save both victims but can only reach Dent in time; Rachel Dawes' death deeply affects both Dent and Bruce Wayne.
After surviving his injuries but losing his fiancée, Dent transforms psychologically and physically into the vigilante Two-Face, seeking revenge against criminals and those he blames.
The Joker rigs two ferries with explosives and arms civilians and prisoners, forcing them into a moral choice whether to blow up the other ferry or be destroyed when the timer expires.
Batman confronts and captures the Joker, trying to prevent further chaos in Gotham, but the Joker manipulates events behind bars.
Two-Face carries out revenge killings against those he holds responsible for Rachel's death, using a coin flip to decide their fate.
To protect Harvey Dent's heroic image and maintain hope in Gotham, Batman assumes responsibility for the murders committed by Two-Face, becoming a fugitive.
