HOLLYWOOD'S A-list has gathered in New York for the premiere of the latest Batman film not to feature the Batusi.
The Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale, is the sixth Batman film in a row to deliberately exclude the super-hero's trademark dance.
Instead the film is two and a half hours of Bale's existential angst as he rides around Gotham City, dressed like a giant bat.
Director Christopher Nolan told reporters his film was a soulful exploration of the different aspects of the Batman character, this time focussing on his big, pointy ears.
But he refused to take any questions on his decision – once again – to shun the Batusi.
Nolan also defended his ban on the words 'ka-pow!' and 'blam!' adding: "This isn't some comic book caper. Bruce Wayne is the tortured echo of our own darkest nightmares, who just happens to dress like a really big bat."
The Batusi, first performed by Batman in 1966, is the Caped Crusader's interpretation of the Watusi, a popular go-go dance of the time.
Batusi dancers make a horizontal V-sign with the index and middle fingers of each hand and draw them across the face, in front of the eyes, one hand at a time, while gryrating the lower half of the body. It is not dark or frightening in any way.
