Batman's arrival ruffles HK politicians: report

HONG KONG (Reuters) - The arrival of Batman in Hong Kong this November for filming of the latest Hollywood sequel has ruffled local politicians who say the masked hero could disrupt traffic and cause noise pollution, reports said Friday.

In "The Dark Knight" due for release next July, the caped crusader will leave Gotham City for Hong Kong to fight his enemies, Hong Kong's Standard newspaper reported.

But local politicians who met the film's producers on Thursday reportedly expressed concerns at the inconvenience and "traffic chaos," Batman might cause during the nine-day shoot.

One district councilor warned residents in the normally teeming, high-decibel city to "prepare earplugs" as the movie-makers planned to use a helicopter for late night scenes, the report added.

"Of course, we are worried that the residents will be disturbed," Kam Nai-wai, a district councilor for the affected downtown district of Central was quoted as saying.

Hong Kong's stunning, modern cityscapes and harbor panoramas have proven a draw for Hollywood producers in the past, including a "Tomb Raider" movie starring Angelina Jolie.

"We welcome the movie but want to ensure arrangements are hassle free," said Kwok Ka-ki, a legislator who attended the meeting. "Just don't get it done in the middle of the night at 2 a.m.," he told Reuters, referring to the helicopter sequences.

The Batman flick will be directed by Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Michael Caine, with filming to also take place in Chicago and London according to reports.