No Nolan for Batman Sequel?
Could director Christopher Nolan be turning his back on the bat? I know that was a corny opening but I had to do it. IGN is reporting that Nolan’s attachment to Warner Bros and a third Batman film isn’t set in stone. They cite a couple of sources that make his future with the rebooted franchise seem uncertain. Being that Batman is my favorite comic book character I had to delve in to this story.
Find out more after the jump.
According to the site a trusted “industry source” is saying that there’s a snow ball’s chance in hell that Nolan will direct a third Batman film. There were already rumors about the director’s reluctance to participate in another feature after all the drama that surrounded the unfortunate passing of Heath Ledger. In case Nolan definitely decides to nix Batman, they’re saying the studio does have a short list of directors on hand to replace him.
“The death of Heath Ledger in January of 2008 rocked Mr. Nolan hard. So hard that Chris was convinced that TDK was going to be it for him and Batman on film,” according to BoF’s source, adding that the Joker was envisioned as the villain in the third film.
I do believe that Nolan was deeply effected by Ledger’s death as was the rest of the world. I have also heard that The Joker was supposed to return for the third film, but directors have had to deal with last minute changes since the beginning of film-making. This definitely doesn’t sound 100% legit to me.
Sources are “correct in reporting that (Nolan) is developing story ideas with [Jonathan Nolan] and David Goyer, but it will be until AT LEAST 2012 before we see the Caped Crusader back [in theaters]. And that is only an EARLY ESTIMATE at best right now. They are even saying it might not be until 2013.”
They went on to say that as of now there is no story developed for a third film. Hopefully this is all speculation and can be taken with a grain of salt. I actually trust Nolan with Batman and I don’t have any fear that he would butcher him to an unrecognizable disgrace like so many other directors have in the past. The prospect of not seeing another Batman film until 2013 is a hard pill to swallow. Christian Bale will be knocking on 40 by that point, I’m assuming he would no longer be the “young” Bruce we’ve come to know and love. What do you think of all this?
What do you think about the rumors surrounding Christipher Nolan’s attachment to Batman 3? Could anyone take his place as director?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 1:29AM
It's very hard to imagine anyone but Christopher Nolan as director of a third Batman film. I'd be interested in knowing who is on Warner Brother's "plan B" list. Bale has said on numerous occasions that he sees Batman now as Nolan's, so – while he's contractually obligated to do a third film – it's not inconceivable that he'd break his contract rather than go with someone he didn't trust. And, as for Bale pushing 40 by the time they get around to making another Batman film, I really don't think that's a bad thing. (If Daniel Craig can be James Bond at 41, than I'm sure Bale could still cut it as an action hero/billionaire playboy at the same age.) I could see a really good writer (like Goyer and the Nolans!) getting some great material out of Batman facing his mortality, possibly losing Alfred, and generally wondering what the hell it's all about with him now being seen as Gotham's villain. I really hope the third film happens, but I won't be nearly as excited about it if Nolan isn't involved.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 7:35AM
Sure, there are lots of great directors out there. Nolan was very good too. Ledger is the one that cannot be replaced, do not bring back the Joker! Do something els, anything else! For gods sake get rid of Bale! I could not stand his voive as batman! very hard to understand. He is dull in all that I have seen him in! As the Joker would say "Soooooo Boring!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 6:21PM
The Dark Knight was the best comic book movie ever made. It the nail on the head and was not CHEEZE in any shape and form. Bale is the best Batman as well as M caine as Alfred. All the characters and actors who portrayed them, were right on the money.