LOS ANGELES - Writer-director Christopher Nolan has called "Action!" on his latest Batman film.

Warner Bros. Pictures says principal photography began this week on "The Dark Knight Rises," the conclusion to Nolan's Batman trilogy.

The film will be shot in India, England, Scotland and the American cities of New York, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.

Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne and Batman. Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are also returning to the cast. Newcomers for the third installment in the franchise include Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Gordon-Levitt, Hardy and Cotillard also appeared in Nolan's 2010 film "Inception."

"The Dark Knight Rises" is slated for release on July 20, 2012.