James Holmes, the allegedly disturbed gunman accused of opening fire in a packed Batman movie premiere, killing 12 people, finally went on trial Monday, nearly three years after the shocking massacre.

The 27-year-old, who has pleaded not guilty due to insanity, listened calmly as the judge gave preliminary remarks at the trial, which could see him face the death sentence for the 2012 shootings. 

The Batmobile, the futuristic car used in the "Batman" television show, has been sold at auction for $4.62 million, U.S. media reported Monday.

The crime-fighting vehicle was built by George Barris, who bought a 1955 Lincoln Futura at a junk yard for just $1 and transformed it into one of the most recognizable vehicles in entertainment history, the ABC television network said.

The alleged gunman in the Colorado cinema massacre of 12 people is due to be arraigned for trial Friday, after testimony this week gave harrowing new details of the slaughter.

James Holmes, 25, is accused of opening fire at a a midnight screening of the latest Batman movie in a theater in Aurora, Colorado on July 20, killing a dozen people and injuring at least 58 more.

Batman flick "The Dark Knight Rises" held on to the top spot at North American box offices this weekend despite last week's mass shooting in Colorado, according to figures released Sunday.

Twelve people were killed and 58 wounded when a gunman sprayed bullets into a midnight premiere of the final installment of the Batman trilogy in Aurora, Colorado on July 20.

The gunman arrested over the Colorado movie theater massacre bought more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition over the Internet in the last two months, the local police chief said Friday.

All the ammunition was purchased legally; as were four weapons bought by James Holmes at local gun shops over the last 60 days, according to Aurora police chief Dan Oates.

Pittsburgh police say a man tried to carjack a plainclothes officer near filming for the latest Batman movie — and allegedly told him it was part of the script.

Detective Robert DiGiacomo was in an unmarked vehicle around 7:15 p.m. Saturday, looking for a suspect in an assault. That's when police say a man opened the car door, sat down and told the officer to get out.

French actress Marion Cotillard will join Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the cast of "The Dark Knight Rises," the finale to the recent Batman film series, Warner Brothers said Tuesday.

The film reunites the actors with Christopher Nolan, who recently directed them in the the popular film "Inception."

Michael Gough, the British actor best known for playing Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred in a series of Batman movies, has died at age 94.

Gough appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows, including British science-fiction show "Doctor Who." He died of old age at home in England on Thursday, surrounded by family, his ex-wife Anneke Wills said through her agent.