The director reveals that he has a fantastic new story for both Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne in the works
Nolan, who is currently focusing most of his energy on getting his latest film Inception into theaters, revealed that The Man of Steel would have no ties to the previous Superman films. Acting as a producer, he revealed that it will stand alone in the cannon, "A lot of people have approached Superman in a lot of different ways. I only know the way that has worked for us. That's what I know how to do." It was while David S. Goyer and Nolan were struggling to come up with a new story for Batman 3 that Goyer revealed his daydream version for Kent and his alter ego, "He basically told me, 'I have this thought about how you would approach Superman.' I immediately got it, loved it and thought: That is a way of approaching the story I've never seen before that makes it incredibly exciting. I wanted to get Emma (Thomas, Nolan's wife and producing partner) and I involved in shepherding the project right away and getting it to the studio and getting it going in an exciting way." Goyer is currently writing the screenplay, while a director hasn't been confirmed at this point.
Nolan also refuses to confirm himself as director of Batman 3 at this point, but he did say of the project, "We're approaching it in a not dissimilar way in terms of trying to find an incredible story in a way that audiences can engage with it the way they engage with contemporary action films. I think David's approach is a very good way of doing just that. My brother is writing a script for me and we'll wait to see how it turns out...he's struggling to put it together into the epic story that you want it to be. Without getting into specifics, the key thing that makes the third film a great possibility for us is that we want to finish our story. And in viewing it as the finishing of a story rather than infinitely blowing up the balloon and expanding the story."
The director also confirmed that most of his cast would be returning for this final film, "We have a great ensemble, that's one of the attractions of doing another film, since we've been having a great time for years. I'm very excited about the end of the film, the conclusion, and what we've done with the characters. My brother has come up with some pretty exciting stuff. Unlike the comics, these things don't go on forever in film and viewing it as a story with an end is useful. Viewing it as an ending, that sets you very much on the right track about the appropriate conclusion and the essence of what tale we're telling. And it hearkens back to that priority of trying to find the reality in these fantastic stories. That's what we do."
The Dark Knight Rises comes to theaters July 20th, 2012 and stars Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film is directed by Christopher Nolan.
Superman: Man of Steel comes to theaters June 14th, 2013 and stars Henry Cavill, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, Julia Ormond. The film is directed by Zack Snyder.
Comments (59)
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The Narrator: The Better Man
@Illuminati, yea. It would be very interesting and un-natural if the hero died for once. But I wouldn't push for it unless the story required it, and it'd have to be done in such a way that would serve the character justice at the same time being plausible.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Remy72883
i say have him direct all the comic book action movies, he is 2 for 2 how many other directors can say that especially when it come to a iconic character such as batman Burton did it yes but lately no one has except for nolan
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
internetwin
Christopher Nolan is possibly the greatest director around these days,
2 years agoby @internetwinFlag
Illuminati
@slysnide - very eloquently put :)
@fallen - i would actually LOVE that. A story where a serial comic lead character dies at the end! i can imagine the writting. That's something that they can ONLY do in cinema medium that will never happen in the comics(people, please don't give me a list of dead characters)! I would LOVE if nolan does this to end the trilogy!!!
2 years agoby @illuminatiFlag
Chad Vital
Wouldn't it be nuts if Bane was in it at the very end and breaks Batman's spine lol. It'd be like "wtf!?" (Robin takes over- the end- credits lol).
2 years agoby @chad-vitalFlag
Null and Void.
Oh, awesome.
2 years agoby @soylentgreenFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
@Slysnide. I couldn't have said it better. Applause friend. Few people actually catch that aout Begins and The Dark Knight. In fact I didn't even really catch the fact that there really WAS no guarantee Batman would catch him. I thought he just planned it that way. But its an interesting thought. So as you said, they have to continue the theme. The reason TDK was so successful and even Nolan stated it, was because it wasn't just focused on the hero. it was the entire city on several levels. It was relatable, chilling, and at times when you really think of how this could maybe be plausible, its at times haunting. The third has to end this madness. Although we will miss it...
@Illuminati, If anyone can pull of killing a character like Batman I am sure it's Nolan.
@Mrman.... keep that sh*t to yourself.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Mutant
Never say never, I'm glad he wants to do another Bat Flick and his entrance in Superman. Once he's done with Batman for a while another director will want to tell his own story. I just hope it stays true to the mystery side of Batman, come to think of it no one has done that yet.
2 years agoby @zenderFlag
Narzion
i don't want to see johnny deep as riddler, he would play him like Mad Hatter, Jack Sparrow,....
there are million unknown actors who can be much better for that character
i don't want to see riddler up on the screen and say:''look, johnny deep''
2 years agoby @narzionFlag
Illuminati
as i've been harping for AGES about all superhero films and sequels. they SHOULDN'T be set up for an infinite arc.
A nice trilogy is how they should plan and end it. Bale being my favourite actor in his age group and Nolan being one of my fav director, and Batman being my ultimate comic character; this has been a dream project for me. BUT this is how it should be. Im so glad he's focusing on a grand end. Hell let's see if he even kills off BATMAN!!! (ok thats a bit much).
A few years later a different director can retell his vision of batman.
In NOLAN WE TRUST!!!
2 years agoby @illuminatiFlag
Chad Vital
Mrman that wasn't funny. I have a pretty good sense of humor, but that was kinda f*cked up. People like you worry me. Like you have no f*cking heart. I'm not freaking out, I'm just sayin', don't be a piece of crap is all.
2 years agoby @chad-vitalFlag
PUNISHER
Christopher Nolan is a master of film, I will see anything this man is involved with.
2 years agoby @cerealkillerFlag
ZanyZap
Good thought Insert on a potential tie-in to a JLA film. While Batman per se would be finished, the studio could still use the character to make more money. That would let die any idiotic ideas about rebooting excellence. Shame on Hollywood...
2 years agoby @zanyzapFlag
Cripple
In Christopher Nolan I trust.
2 years agoby @crippleFlag
WARRock
just what I wanted to hear!!! cant wait:D
2 years agoby @jcFlag
TheMime
I see Slysnide's point on this. I totally agree wit it 100% it should be way to go. They already have a flow here and they should really stick to it, instead of looking for loose ground to dig another ditch in hopes the river s it flow (metaphorically speaking). Stick to the same villainous purpose and that would really keep the challenge and the excitement of it alive.
2 years agoby @themimeFlag
Diaigma
Finishing the story, huh? Does that mean just one more Nolan Batman?
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Emmytt
sweet cant wait
2 years agoby @emmyttFlag
Shadow Of The Day
Great News.
2 years agoby @asifFlag
07cabrala
Epic news...
Cant wait to see another masterpiece from him...
2 years agoby @07cabralaFlag
Raoul Duke
F*cking awesome. Such a legend.
2 years agoby @raoulduke33Flag
Tha Phoenix
Can't even wait for these two movies. After the Dark Knight - one of the best movies of the last decade? These brothers can do no wrong in my book...
Heard the next villain is the Riddler - in which case I would love to see Johnny Depp play him. The man can act his arse off...
2 years agoby @thaphoenixFlag
Remy72883
if this is gonna be the last one Nolan does and we wont see another batman film for a while then i say give the joker role to Johnny Depp why not. let Nolan go out with the bang of the character yet again. and like i said earlier if it is in fact years before another batman film seeing how they wont be able to top Nolan's version for current time then go to the future with it with batman beyond, let face it Nolan's take on the Batman universe cannot be duplicated and possible never beat. If they reboot the franchise not only is it going to be compared to Nolan's work but in my opinion never add up to it. So i say jump forward to a new version that could possible work. I don't think people wouldn't mind seeing Keaton or Bale playing a older Bruce Wayne with a new protege
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
slysnide
Well, with Rachel & Harvey dead, and Alfred having not given Rachel's letter to Bruce, then there's not much left but Bruce, Alfred, Lucius, and Gordon to deal with. And the only character relationship that would change would be Gordon's since he now must be the "enemy" of Batman, thus making it harder to find time with him. Then again, it was easy when Batman was being sought out in the previous films as they'd meet atop police HQ of all places. So that relationship won't be dented too badly, since unlike Spiderman's reputation among Yorkers, Batman has no relationship with the people, and he doesn't neccessarily have to be stealthier than before since the heat was still on him in the last film. So in short, I don't see how villainizing Batman is gonna work against him in #3, with the exception of not taking credit for his good deeds. For if he doesn't take credit, then there's no one to tie him to his activities, ergo no one can villainize every good thing he does like JJJ did in the Spiderman trilogy.
Joker on the other hand seems like a lost cause. He was equally philosophical as Ducard, in that Ducard wanted to destroy corrupt nations at their peak, while Joker exploited the corruption and studpidity of the people for his own amusement, like a psychologist's experiment. That naturally following Ducard's prediction that if Gotham wasn't destroyed, it'd be meddled to death through corruption and exploitation which the Joker did. Point being that they took Joker to his ultimatum in TDK, as he proved his point with Dent: anybody no matter how good is corruptible beyond recognition, while also proving about the people on the boat that they're just as willing to be villains, as the stories of what happened on the boat would most certianly come out, and Joker would here of it. Point being that the very fact that they actually considered clicking the detonator immediately WITHOUT contemplating the possibility of police interference meant that they too were villains, and hypocrites for letting Batman do his thing, but then sell him out in a second at their earliest convienience. And with Batman taking the fall for Dent, it even works better for Joker, as he doesn't care if people are aware of what he's done or not. Hence why he didn't tell the people on the boat about Harvey's actions: He didn't need to since they'd play out in the media, and it wouldn't matter if they knew Joker had anything to with it or not since his own personal satisfaction of taking down Dent & Batman is still there. After all, Batman coulda thrown Joker off him immediately. Nothing changed between being pinned and throwing him over, ergo Batman was waiting to see if they'd click the detonator. And like Joker said: "Tonight you're gonna break your one rule." He did that the same night when Batman threw him off the building. There was absolutely no guarantee that Batman would save him. Hence why he laughed all the way down: his prediction came true. So Joker's self satisfaction with both Dent & Batman simply proves that he's fullfilled his character duties, and is no longer useable in a threequel.
As for Scarecrow, he too is a lost cause as he was pretty much thrown out in #2. But a new villain would have to be carefully chosen if they're gonna tackle a third film. It can't just be some villainous plot that Batman must stop, for both Ducard & Joker had great philosophies. And they both proved their points, as Ducard was able to infiltrate the highest levels of Gotham effortlessly whilst predicting chaos if it weren't destroyed: IE-Joker in #2. And he proved his philosophical point. So no matter who they choose, they gotta follow that formula for #3 to make the finale work. Cuz they easily coulda screwed it up by having Joker just be a crazed killer with no vendetta or ultimatum, but they didn't, they gave him purpose. For a threequel, they most certainly must do the same without trying to cram too much together like in "Spider-Man 3" (2007) which suffered for it.
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
TheMime
I, also, agree with Twister on The Riddler; Michael would nail it. But I would like to see Sub Zero and Pain. Now that ought to bring on some challenge in both the story and the makers of this. Won't you people say? Although , The Riddler can make a good entry. Imagine this;
"a box arrives at the Gotham police station, a letter and a broken watch was in it, written in the letter is a riddle on where to find and how to stop a bomb that was somewhere in the city and the broken watch holds the time in which the bomb will go off, they couldn't make out the riddle on time and the next thing you know a huge explosion and the Gotham Bank. Feeling out of options, they stop chasing the Batman and acquired his assistance." Something like that. And that would go along properly with the ending of the DARK KNIGHT where they chased Batman. Well yeah, something like that.
2 years agoby @themimeFlag
CBF
Finish the story, hmmm....? Two-Face, anyone? I'm just sayin'...
2 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag
T.Clark
Maybe the reason it's taken so long for any confirmed Bat-news is that the studios have been trying to get Nolan to tie Batman 3 in with a JLA film...hmmm...
2 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
Vanboy
Yes, The Riddler (totally avoiding camp) and Brainiac for sure!
2 years agoby @vanboyFlag
Vanboy
It would be great if the third polishes this off as a great trilogy. A rare thing in Hollywood. Lord of the Rings was one of the notable ones. Sounds like he's venturing carefully, so he can deliver. All we have to do now is wait.
2 years agoby @vanboyFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Best news of the month. Nolan is really a man to be admired. Humble (without being a martyr), and he really does have passion for all of his films. He doesn't go, "This sounds cool. Lets do it. Wait. That films director seat is open too. And what? By who? No way. That script was terrific. Chalk that on there. What's that studios? You want more of these. Absolutely."
I admire him for his real talent, as well as Jonathan Nolan, and i can't wait for Inception.
I am really curious as to this "Superman we've never seen before"... thats the most intriguing idea for me. Goyer told Nolan he saw how he (Nolan) would make it. And how would that be? Very cool idea indeed. Also can't wait for Batman 3 obviously. It seems DC is getting their act almost together with BB, TDK, now B3, MoS, and GL and possible Flash.
But the best news is, if the rumors are now confirmed about everything save maybe John directing the Man of Steel, well then one last rumor could be true... remember? All of this leading to Nolan DIRECTING THE JUTICE LEAGUE MOVIE? That would blow pretty much everyones expectations is one way or another.
P.S. Great casting Twisted. He resembled The Riddler quite a little bit in Gamer.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag