Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Our Quest To Be A <em>Dark Knight</em> Extra
By
Nell Casey
Published Oct 3, 2011
Modified Oct 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 3
By
Nell Casey
Published Oct 3, 2011
Modified Oct 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
On Saturday we visited the open call for extras for The Dark Knight Rises to check out the process and fulfill our lifetime dream of starring in a superhero blockbuster. When we arrived at the 2 p.m. call time, the line of hopefuls stretched all the way down 19th Street between 6th and 7th avenues. Even though Warner Brothers had attempted a clever ruse by calling the film Magnus Rex, every superhero nerd in NYC called their bluff.
Of all the people we spoke to, not one of them had ever tried to be an extra before—"It's Batman! It's Christopher Nolan!" exclaimed extra hopeful Jason Ruiz, "I've been a Batman fan all my life." Most had heard about the casting call through fanboy websites like Batman News and Superhero Hype, and of course, Gothamist. The casting notice called for people with military and police experience, but except for one woman who was on probation, nobody heeded the casting guidelines and showed up just to be part of the experience.
The process was quick and painless: fill out a sheet with your personal details (contact information, body measurements, etc.) and then pose for a Polaroid to accompany your fact sheet. And then, the waiting game as you constantly refresh your Gmail hoping that you've been picked!
Anyone can be an extra so long as they have valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, student ID, etc) and the willingness to hang out eating delicious snacks from craft services while chatting with Gary Oldman about British foreign policy and the Arab Spring. You can also expect long hours of mostly waiting around—but it pays pretty well (especially if you're currently unemployed), and you do get a peek inside the Hollywood filmmaking process. Here are our tips for getting into extra work:
Find the jobs. There are a few agencies around town that specialize in extras casting, so check their websites frequently for updates about open calls. Grant Wilfley Casting, Barabara McNamara Casting and Central Casting are the three biggies. Some even offer a database where you can submit your information and then they will contact you if they are casting your type.
Dress the part. You don't need to show up in full military regalia if they're looking for that type (that would be way too intense) but you shouldn't show up in that cute new Anthropologie sundress either. If they're looking for types to play law enforcement, as they were on this casting, wear clothes that offer a subtle suggestion in that direction: boots, dark colors, button down shirt, etc.
Be professional. If you get picked to work as an extra, prove your worth by being punctual, polished and professional. Show up on time, listen to what people tell you and don't be a hassle. If word of your poise spreads back to the casting agency then they are more likely to call you in for future jobs. If you show up sloppy and generally make everyone miserable... well, you get the idea.
Tagged
casting
casting call
extra
the dark knight rises
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
Spoiler alert: It's still 26.2 miles.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 2:36 p.m. ET
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .