Did David Letterman spoil the ending of "The Dark Knight Rises"?

Anne Hathaway, David Letterman, July 12, 2012

/ CBS

(CBS News) Was it a joke, or did David Letterman just spoil the ending of one of the most highly anticipated films of the year?

Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises" doesn't hit theaters until July 20, but Letterman may just have given away the ending. Maybe.

(Spoiler Alert)

On Thursday's "Late Show With David Letterman," the veteran late-night host interviewed "Dark Knight" star Anne Hathaway, who portrays Catwoman in the final film of the trilogy.

"It's not essential to watch previous installations of Batman, and I think this is it," Letterman told Hathaway. "And in the end, Batman is dead."

Hathaway smiled, turned her head and said, "Dave!," before laughing it off.

"No, he's not dead ... He ain't dead, just relax," Letterman told viewers.

Later, Hathaway said, "I just want you to know the wrath that you have just invited onto yourself. Chris [Nolan], I had no part in it, I'm sorry."

Tell us: Do you think Letterman just gave away the movie's ending?

[annaker]

No. Dave was just being Dave. As loyal watchers know he likes to run off at the mouth and say absurd things and be quite over-the-top sometimes. He may have just said this to be provocative - but it may turn out to be true.

[wfhall49]

Yeah he is a royal pompous pain in the ass.

[10121965]

Hey kids! Remember when Joaquin Phoenix freaked out on Letterman in 2009 or so? Big hoax! Would Letterman really be stupid enough to give the ultimate spoiler to 2012's biggest, tightest wrapped movie? If he's an idiot. But more likely someone's pulling the strings for him.

[griff713]

are you kidding? Hollywood wouldn't dare kill a golden goose like the Batman series...

[derpderp2]

Most fans have been speculating for months that Christian Bale as batman will die towards the end of the film with Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character, John Blake "Rising" as the new Batman

[No_Absolutes]

the people who saw the advanced screening last week already said Gordon-levitt's character is just a cop, nothing more.

[pbaird2]

What difference does it make? People see a film after reading the book and know the outcome. Even IF Batman dies in this rendition of this film, it would not require a miracle to find a way to bring him back. When a sequel is at stake, nothing is ever final...even death.

[BERTHDZ]

It is not live TV people. It is taped during the day and airs much later CBS would not have allowed it to air if he had given up the ending.

[Truth_Bee_Told]

Why would CBS care if he gave away an ending to Time Warner/Warner Brothers property?

[ADomenick91092]

CBS would care because they would likely be sued.

[ssporleder]

I did not read much of this because I want to see the movie so I had someone check it.

They may or may not have blown it for the viewers.

But you blew it larger.

[wfw3536]

Letterman's a dope, why go to see the movie when this dope gives away most of the plot. I don't know why folks waste their time watching this washed up hack.

[BERTHDZ]

Calm down!
It is not live TV it is taped during the day and airs much later. CBS would not have allowed it to air with him spoling the ending.

[bobnjersey]

[I don't know why folks waste their time watching this washed up hack.]
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he has one of the longest running shows on tv ... so he's clearly a hack ... and you have acute senses for identifying that which people like and don't like.