1269 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

That thematic journey being what?

The return to equilibrium, and the return of a more positive look on our hero. The idea that perseverance isn't for nothing.

I'm going off of Nolan's own comments for that arc; Nolan laid out during BATMAN BEGINS what he thought about Batman and his crusade and how it work in the long term. In short, he believed in the long term that Batman was going to be a real force for good in the city, even though initially Batman would initially meet with a terrible resistance from the criminal sector.

If he believes that, then he has to create a more hopeful third installment after the very dark THE DARK KNIGHT that once again validates Batman and his crusade as it originally sought to be, albeit in a more nuanced and balanced way. I don't think THE DARK KNIGHT necessarily takes an entirely negative view of Batman--the ending is certainly meant to be a heroic call--but it does seem like everything he fought for is in shambles when it reaches its close.

[Loomis]

That thematic journey being what?

The return to equilibrium, and the return of a more positive look on our hero. The idea that perseverance isn't for nothing.

Why is this necessary, though? I don't deny that another Batman might be a good and entertaining flick, but while the good people of Gotham may, thanks to the ending of THE DARK KNIGHT, be labouring under the delusion that Batman is a POS, the audience knows very different. Offscreen (as it were), we know that Batman will carry on, an outlaw vigilante operating out of the shadows (erm, as before, really), and will continue to bring down men like The Joker.

Why do we need a more "hopeful" Nolan Batman outing, when we know from the Burton and Schumacher films and from all the other films, TV shows and comics how the story of Batman will continue?

I'm not against a third Nolan Batman. I just question its necessity. For me, THE DARK KNIGHT rounds off the origin arc superbly.

[DamnCoffee]

Hmmm...

Christian Bale unsure about 'Batman 3'

other Batman film will ever be made.

The actor, who plays Bruce Wayne in the franchise, told MTV News that the future of the superhero on the big screen has not yet been decided.

"I truly don't know that we're ever going to see another Batman movie," he said.

The star, who is contractually obliged to return for a third instalment, went on to say that he could not imagine working on the blockbuster without director Christopher Nolan, who is rumoured to be reluctant to return.

"I don't even want to think about [it]," he explained. "Chris Nolan is the boss."

Bale's Public Enemies co-star Johnny Depp recently admitted that he would be open to playing the Riddler in a future Batman project.

and

Depp 'interested' in Batman's Riddler

Johnny Depp has admitted that he would be open to playing the Riddler in a future Batman movie.

The Public Enemies star, who was first linked to the iconic role last year, told MTV News that he would be interested in exploring the character.

"If the opportunity came, I'd definitely juggle it. I always liked the Riddler," he said.

"I always liked Frank Gorshin. Frank Gorshin was brilliant. I always thought he was a great actor."

His Public Enemies co-star Christian Bale, who starred in last year's The Dark Knight, added that while he is an admirer of Depp's work, the decision would ultimately rest with the movie's director.

"I think he's a wonderful actor, and I think he could achieve that greatly, but I'm not the man to ask," he said.

Public Enemies will arrive in cinemas next month.

[bond 16.05.72]

I have to agree about DK reaching it's natural conclusion, the end of that film did bring that part of the story to a close.

I think Nolan did this just in case he didn't want to return, yes there are possibilities for more to happen but this could easily be continued by another Director and if Nolan doesn't want to return taken in a different direction. A new Director will likely want to stamp their own identitiy on this and won't want to copy Nolan, of course as long as they don't get Brett Ratner to take over!

I don't see WB sitting on this for too long and won't be put off just cause CN doesn't want to return. Yes I want to see Nolan return and he might but I'm not banking on it. He might be holding out for a sweeter deal but I don't see him being motivated by that. It's more to do with him wondering whether he has anything more to contribute to that universe.

As for Depp playing the Riddler, yeah defintely that would be great!

[Harmsway]

Why is this necessary, though?

Because he's still not the Batman "we know and love yet," just because he's so extremely on the outs, and Batman himself hasn't fully come to understand himself and his place yet. We could fill in the dots of what comes next (Jonathan Nolan suggested that's how he and Christopher Nolan intended the ending of THE DARK KNIGHT to function), but there are questions specific to this incarnation of Batman that we can't answer.

To the best of my awareness, in all the source material Batman has never really been in the position he's in at the end of THE DARK KNIGHT. Which makes it hard to really fill in those dots. How, in the Nolanverse, does Batman come into his rightful position? Well, we don't know, and the comic books, previous flicks and the animated series don't really help us fill in the gaps there. Nevermind that if Nolan believes the story of Batman is ultimately an optimistic, heroic one, I think we do need that more optimistic, heroic third chapter.

I do see where you're coming from, though - BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT both stand on their own two feet. Frankly, neither of them really demands a sequel in the same way that THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK demanded RETURN OF THE JEDI. Nolan told a completed story in each. But I do think there's a rightful place for a third entry to wrap things up.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

As for Depp playing the Riddler, yeah defintely that would be great!

I'm kind of tired of Depp. I remember somebody suggesting Casey Affleck, who'd be perfect.
Hope they don't go with the Riddler at all, though. Not a very interesting villain.

Edited by The Ghost Who Walks, 23 June 2009 - 10:23 PM.

[DamnCoffee]

I've always seen David Tennant making a good Riddler.

[RedKelly]

Will Fox return?

Edited by RedKelly, 23 June 2009 - 11:53 PM.

[Harmsway]

I'm kind of tired of Depp.

Me too.

Hope they don't go with the Riddler at all, though. Not a very interesting villain.

Depends on the portrayal, and it depends on how Nolan spins the character. He could be fantastic if handled right.

[tdalton]

I'm kind of tired of Depp.

Me too.

Definitely agreed.

If we're going to see the Riddler in BATMAN III, then the only actor that would interest me in the slightest for the role would be Casey Affleck.

[Safari Suit]

The thing is, if they're going to continue down the "realistic as possible" route, who is there really left to have as a villain other than The Riddler? (BTW, I should state that I personally disagree that The Riddler is a dull villain, and I have an unhealthy love of question marks and the colour green) The Penguin? A possibility, but I've heard Nolan doesn't like him, and besides he's rather dull when he's not Burgess Meredith. Catwoman? About as believable as Batman I suppose, but she's already been on the big screen twice in the last twenty years, regardless of how poorly they might have been done and IMO she's rather dull too. The other villains are either too fantastic, or unlikely to draw audiences in the same way the handful of "A-list" Batman villains will. I really think they kind of shot their load by killing off Two-Face.

As for Johnny Depp, decent choice but he's kind of obvious, for this or any other "eccentric villain" role. Heath Ledger was kind of out of left-field, they could do with another choice like that. And I wonder what Nolan makes of the fact that Depp's first reaction to being suggested for The Riddler is to say that he loved Frank Gorshin

[The Ghost Who Walks]

I'm kind of tired of Depp.

Me too.

Definitely agreed.

If we're going to see the Riddler in BATMAN III, then the only actor that would interest me in the slightest for the role would be Casey Affleck.

Affleck could bring a different style of creepiness than Ledger's Joker, much more subtle.

The thing is, if they're going to continue down the "realistic as possible" route, who is there really left to have as a villain other than The Riddler? (BTW, I should state that I personally disagree that The Riddler is a dull villain, and I have an unhealthy love of question marks and the colour green) The Penguin? A possibility, but I've heard Nolan doesn't like him, and besides he's rather dull when he's not Burgess Meredith. Catwoman? About as believable as Batman I suppose, but she's already been on the big screen twice in the last twenty years, regardless of how poorly they might have been done and IMO she's rather dull too. The other villains are either too fantastic, or unlikely to draw audiences in the same way the handful of "A-list" Batman villains will. I really think they kind of shot their load by killing off Two-Face.

I'd love to see them use Catwoman, actually. Everybody has forgotten the Halle Berry movie by now anyway. I loved Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal. In my eyes, it might be the most sexy screen performance of all time, but that's another discussion...

I'm not sure if Ra's Al Ghul or the Scarecrow could be considered "A-list", but people still went to see Batman Begins...

I would personally love it if the rumours about Philip Seymour Hoffman playing the Penguin were miraculously true (they're obviously BS, like everything we hear about this film at the moment, I suppose).

Didn't Aaron Eckhart say that Two-Face might not dead after all? I'd be delighted to see him return. I normally dislike when they kill off these types of villains so soon, though it made sense in TDK.

I really enjoy Nolan's "heightened realism" style, but I think the movies might have painted themselves into a corner when it comes to using villains because of it. Potentially great villains like Mr. Freeze (way more interesting than the Schwarzenegger version suggests!) could not be used properly because of it, and I suspect some slight tweaking will have to take place when Nolan decides to leave the franchise to be able to include such figures.

When suggesting more realistic villains, what about Ian McShane as Hugo Strange?

[Safari Suit]

I'm not sure if Ra's Al Ghul or the Scarecrow could be considered "A-list", but people still went to see Batman Begins...

I would say Scarecrow was higher B-list

Seriously, I would say that Scarecrow was the best known Batman villain that hadn't appeared in the Burton/Schumacher films aside from maybe Egghead and King Tut who were exclusively from the TV-series (actually, turns out King Tut made his comics debut this year!). And besides that, a lot of the appeal of Batman Begins was that it was the first film to really focus on Batman more than the villain(s), I think to keep drawing in audiences the sequels need/have needed more compelling villains, especially now following The Dark Knight. Of course they could find a way to make some of the lesser villains really interesting, and find an intriguing way to market them, but I think they're more likely to stick to one of the more familiar villains.

I
I really enjoy Nolan's "heightened realism" style, but I think the movies might have painted themselves into a corner when it comes to using villains because of it. Potentially great villains like Mr. Freeze (way more interesting than the Schwarzenegger version suggests!) could not be used properly because of it, and I suspect some slight tweaking will have to take place when Nolan decides to leave the franchise to be able to include such figures.

I agree, Mr. Freeze has great cinematic potential even if he wont fit in Nolan's world.

[DamnCoffee]

I never really liked the character of Mr Freeze. If the character was rebooted I think it could work, I suppose.

[DamnCoffee]

Oldman confirms 'Dark Knight' sequel
Monday, July 27 2009, 10:15 BST
By Mayer Nissim, Entertainment Reporter

Gary Oldman has said that the follow-up to The Dark Knight should begin shooting next year.

The actor made the off-the-cuff remark during a press conference at last week's Comic-Con convention in San Diego.

Following a question by a fan, Oldman said: "I think the next Batman is next year. We start shooting next year. You didn't hear that from me."

Oldman played James Gordon in the Christopher Nolan-directed Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

It has been suggested that Nolan could return to helm the third movie in the series since its reboot, despite earlier reports to the contrary.

Michael Caine, who played butler Alfred Pennyworth in the films, had claimed that the next movie would not begin shooting for some time, while adding that its villain would be The Riddler.

[Mr. Blofeld]

"You only post twice, Mr. Harkin."

Anyway, they're shooting next year? Cool! Finally!

[zencat]

I was in the room when he said this. It wasn't a press conference, it was a panel for Book of Eli. Afterwards he backed away from the statement. Now this:
http://www.latinorev...new-batman-7518

[Harmsway]

Yeah. Oldman might know something, he might not. But for now, all the official word is that Nolan's BATMAN 3 is on hold.

[Tybre]

I seriously doubt if Nolan will return, the way things have been going. Question is, who takes over?

[Harmsway]

I seriously doubt if Nolan will return, the way things have been going.

I wouldn't say there's anything really indicating either way. Nolan's certainly playing coy here, but it seems less that Nolan doesn't want to do it and more that he hasn't devoted much time to thinking about it, and is wary of attempting to deliver on everyone's massive expectations. We probably won't know whether or not Nolan will be involved until after INCEPTION wraps up, but it's my guess Nolan will probably come on board.

[Tybre]

I seriously doubt if Nolan will return, the way things have been going.

I wouldn't say there's anything really indicating either way. Nolan's certainly playing coy here, but it seems less that Nolan doesn't want to do it and more that he hasn't devoted much time to thinking about it, and is just wary of trying to deliver on everyone's massive expectations. We probably won't know whether or not Nolan will be involved until after INCEPTION wraps up, but it's my guess Nolan will probably come on board.

I guess. I dunno, my gut says Nolan ain't returning, and events both back up and refute my gut. Time will tell I suppose.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Yeah. Oldman might know something, he might not. But for now, all the official word is that Nolan's BATMAN 3 is on hold.

Do you think Warner bros wants a sequel to a $500M film on hold? But...summer 2011 is looking pretty jammed with superhero flicks(and Bourne).

[jrcjohnny99]

I seriously doubt if Nolan will return, the way things have been going.

I wouldn't say there's anything really indicating either way. Nolan's certainly playing coy here, but it seems less that Nolan doesn't want to do it and more that he hasn't devoted much time to thinking about it, and is just wary of trying to deliver on everyone's massive expectations. We probably won't know whether or not Nolan will be involved until after INCEPTION wraps up, but it's my guess Nolan will probably come on board.

I guess. I dunno, my gut says Nolan ain't returning, and events both back up and refute my gut. Time will tell I suppose.

I discussed this with my source (who would know) right after the Oldman comment; here's what I got; "Inception" is due to wrap principal in the fall, post should be completed early 2010 at which point, Nolan is set to begin working with WB on a script; note, nothing is happening script wise until after post is completed on "Inception"; that to me suggests there's little or no chance shooting would begin until late fall 2010 earliest, but probably more likely early 11 for a summer 12 release date..

[danslittlefinger]

edit

[The Ghost Who Walks]

I seriously doubt if Nolan will return, the way things have been going. Question is, who takes over?

Hopefully Zack Snyder or David Fincher.

[JackWade]

Hopefully Zack Snyder or David Fincher.

I can't say I want Zack Snyder doing a Batman flick. Over-the-top cinematography, cheesy editing tricks, and pointless action aren't what I want in a Batman film.

[tdalton]

Hopefully Zack Snyder or David Fincher.

I can't say I want Zack Snyder doing a Batman flick. Over-the-top cinematography, cheesy editing tricks, and pointless action aren't what I want in a Batman film.

Definitely agreed on Snyder. A Snyder-directed Batman film would be, IMO, a massive disappointment, and his visual style is completely wrong for the project. I'd rather Nolan return for the third film, and I haven't been all that impressed by what he's done so far with his two films (although, I do think that BATMAN BEGINS is a great film).

[Harmsway]

I can't say I want Zack Snyder doing a Batman flick. Over-the-top cinematography, cheesy editing tricks, and pointless action aren't what I want in a Batman film.

After WATCHMEN, I'd be interested in seeing Snyder tackle Batman. But it couldn't be part of this franchise. Maybe if he were to do a version of Miller's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, which is more suited to his own operatic sensibilities. Admittedly, I'm not too fond of that graphic novel, but I could see a pretty entertaining film resulting from it if Snyder takes the reins.

[Tybre]

Having experienced only Watchmen from the Snyder repertoire (300's been sitting unopened on a shelf for quite some time now), I'd be for Snyder doing a Batman film, pending content. Snyder's style seems to be more suited to arcs like The Long Halloween or The Dark Knight Returns, and he's already tackled one project by the author of the latter; though I suppose I shouldn't really go by that. Haven't even seen 300 yet...

[Vauxhall]

Horrendous rumour of the day courtesy of those wonderful scribes at The Sun:

"Fox is Catwoman"

Next.