David Letterman is in some hot water – at least with fans of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy.

Last night on the Late Show, during an interview with guest Anne Hathaway, who plays Catwoman in the soon-to-be-released The Dark Knight Rises, Letterman referred with some surprise to the end of the film.

After lauding the film as wonderful and exciting, Letterman says some friends mentioned that they hadn’t seen the first two installments, so they may not be able to follow The Dark Knight Rises.

“I said, ‘It’s not necessary,” Letterman explains. “It’s not essential to see all previous installations of Batman, and I think this is it, and in the end Batman is dead.”

Hathaway looks visibly surprised by the comment and a moment of silence lingers between the two before Letterman insists that he’s just joking.

“He’s not dead,” Letterman insists. “Relax will you?”

Either way, Bat-o-philes are in a rage. Well, a little rage. Most believe Late Show editors would nix the spoiler from the show if it were true.

What do we think? We think Letterman’s joking. Long time fans of the late night king know he has a deadpan sense of humor. We also know he’s whip-smart and an industry veteran. He’s not going to spoil a film or risk being known as someone who spoils a film (it doesn’t help when you go to book guests).

Letterman would know that the anticipation for The Dark Knight Rises is high. He’d know that fans are speculating rampantly on the film. And he’d know that “fake spoiling” the film would be funny in one of those “he didn’t just do that, did he?” kind of ways.

More importantly, his writers would know that. And it’s possible – even likely – that his writers came up with that bit for just the response it’s getting.

But, then again, we’ll see, won’t we?

What do you think? Share your view in the comments section!