The LA Times got a hold of Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan, where he opened up a little on the next (and likely his final) Batman movie, as well as the Superman reboot he’s working on. Both projects are being done in collaboration with his brother Jonathan and David S. Goyer, with whom Batman Begins and The Dark Knight were co-written with.
In regards to Superman, Nolan is going to take the same approach to that character as he did with Batman.
“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,” Nolan said, emphasizing the idea that Batman exists in a world where he is the only superhero and a similar approach to the Man of Steel would assure the integrity needed for the film. “Each serves to the internal logic of the story. They have nothing to do with each other.”
No word on who will be the main villain, if Bradon Routh will return as Superman, or if Nolan will direct it or have a protégé helm it like Peter Jackson is doing with The Hobbit.
But the big question is what will happen with the next Batman movie. Nolan confesses this will be his team’s last Batman film (although depending on its box office and Warner Brothers, probably won’t be the last Batman movie ever).
“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,” he said. “And in viewing it as the finishing of a story rather than infinitely blowing up the balloon and expanding the story.”
Nolan said the key surviving characters from the two first films and the actors who play them will be back. “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.”
Of course he doesn’t reveal who the next villain will be, but he rules out Mr. Freeze in the interview.
I’m happy Nolan will return to the Batman franchise and even happier he’s overseeing Superman. His approach to making these films is what’s key to their greatness. I can’t even guess as to who the next Batman villain could be. Honestly, hearing him nix Freeze as a villain kind of took me by surprise.
