During preparations to film "The Dark Knight" (2008), the sequel to "Batman Begins" (2005), it was reported that Hulme was being considered for the role of the Joker. This caused considerable speculation both in the press and amongst movie fans on the Internet. Ultimately, the role went to fellow Australian actor Heath Ledger and Hulme later said that the media fuss had annoyed him and that in reality, he had never been in the shortlist for the role as rumours had suggested, nor had he even met the film's director Christopher Nolan despite media reports to the contrary.