Total Film is linking to a “trusted source at Batman-on-Film” today, with troubling whispers that there might be no Nolan for Batman 3.
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. The Joker was going to return in BATMAN 3.
“You are correct in reporting that he 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.”
Basically, the BATMAN film franchise is back to square one. As far as a story or a BATMAN 3, “Right now, there is none,” says our guy.
A 5-year wait between sequel installments isn’t unheard of — The Last Crusade came 5 years after The Temple of Doom — but such a gap usually follows a creative falter. The loss of momentum between now and 2013 or even 2012 seems unthinkable in the acclaimed wake of Warner Brothers’ billion dollar baby.
What are the options? (A) recast the Joker? (B) recast the director? With names like Zack Snyder being bandied about, that kind of speculation feels too ridiculous to consider. But that’s not stopping people from coming up with all sorts of absurd alternative universe scenarios. CHUD.com outlines the best set of possibilities I’ve seen:
1) Nolan is smart, and knows he can never top himself, and will just serve as a producer on the next film.
2) Nolan is notoriously hard to get to commit on a project like this; with a big huge movie in his sights the last thing he wants to do is start thinking about another big huge movie.
3) Nolan knows it’s fait accompli that he’ll be back so he’s doing some contract negotiations in the press. Enough of us on the internet cover this story it gets picked up in the mainstream media, and Warner Bros suits start sweating and trying to figure out how much money they can throw at this director. God knows this wouldn’t be the first time such a tactic has been used.
yeah, I’m thinking that third thing.
Lt. James Gordon: They’ll hunt you.
Batman: You’ll hunt me. You’ll condemn me. Set the dogs on me. Because that’s what needs to happen.
72 Responses for "No Batman 3 until 2013? They gotta be joking."
WB will have its hands full with Deathly Hallows (2010 and 2011) and The Hobbit (2011 and 2012). Those 4 movies are expected to be mega earners. So I guess they can allow a wait for batman until 2012 or 2013. or, they can pay Nolan obscene amount of money to re-start his creative juices. It all boils down to upfront pay and % of profit, that is the nature of the business.
And suddenly the huge ass budget for Inception makes more and more sense…
I’ll direct it.
well played.
And I’ll write it!
Already got my premise.
Too topical.
Yes, Heath Ledger’s death was a tragedy. Yes it was shocking. But he has 70 years worth of material to work with, 70. I am disappointed to hear that the plan for Batman 3 was the Joker, again. I don’t see how he could’ve made it much different than The Dark Knight. The joker was going to cause more chaos?
sorry, but this is not a big deal. Heath Ledger and/or the inclusion of the Joker in these films is not that important, is it? The franchise has done very well in TV and the earlier films to feature him and move on with other criminals. Or just cast someone else. Move. On. Or, just wait 5 years. I can.
I can wait. I’d rather have Nolan back and the screenwriters think long and hard about what direction they want the franchise to go in than replacing Nolan and trying to quickly piece together another summer blockbuster. It’s gonna be hard to top The Dark Knight, and I’d rather that everyone took their time with it.
Is Frank Gorshin still alive???
I’d rather wait 5 years than let Warner Bros. recast the Joker or recruit a different filmmaker, especially an overrated fanboy like Zack Snyder. This is Nolan’s vision. I may not think The Dark Knight is the masterpiece everyone else sees but he knows what he’s doing with the series. Remember what Joel Schumacher did with Tim Burton’s vision? Do you really want that to happen again?
So what???? There was a three year gap between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight….they obviously had something right to get it into theatres that quickly…..if the joker was to continue on into the third installment – I’m sure the death of Ledger changed everything….there is no way Nolan should recast the joker unless he wants a total outcry….and I don’t think he would out of respect to Heath….
they need a great idea, not just a good one to move forward….I think that if it were to follow where TDK left off, we could maybe have some Harley Quinn action….something that could be pulled off as dark and twisted and based in reality….
oh and happy birthday Roger Ebert – Long may you rave.
Sadly, I’m not too surprised. Nolan was always extremely vague about his future with the franchise. And a sequel seemed far off anyway, despite the towering box office receipts.
And as much as I love Batman on film and want to see more, I don’t know if Nolan could ever top The Dark Knight. And while that isn’t necessarily the point (or is it?), if Nolan’s last take on Batman is that brilliant movie, then at least he left us with a masterpiece that has forever changed the landscape of superhero cinema.
Give me another crack at it. I’ll bring the sexy back to the film, and make it 80 times more colorful than Batman and Robin.
Will there be nipples, Joel?
Oh come on. 4 years waiting? Good: create a good story, deliver a great script and shoot it without the pressure of an imminent release. Recast the Joker? What for? Wheres Catwoman, the Pinguin, Poison Ivy, Bane, Hush, etc? Its not like there isn’t a surplus of vilains the writers can choose from.
T.
This post is going to get a lot of comments. I was a little bit off on my estimate. I was estimating 2011/2012. It’s clear that Nolan had big plans for the Joker in the 3rd installment with the way the 2nd one ended. If he chooses not to recast (which is obvious) he’s going to have to find a way to satisfyingly tidy up that storyline and create a new one where the stakes are higher than the one in The Dark Knight…not easy. He probably had a pretty good outline for the 3rd movie but Ledger’s death changed all of that. I think Warner Bros. are willing to wait more than you think since they have those two other franchises to tide them over until them and other smaller ones (like Sex and The City) to tide them over until then.
As long as he doesn’t do another non-Batman movie after Inception I don’t think we have anything to worry about.
Or as long as Warner doesn’t replace him with another director for Batman 3.
It’s cliche, but I feel it needs to be said because nobody else is saying it: you cannot rush art.
Wow that really does suck, you gotta ask yourself a question though if they were to replace the Joker, who the hell would it be? Or if Nolan decides to stay “screw it, I am off this project” who will be the director? I don’t really see Zack Snyder directing, even though Watchmen was a pretty good movie, however, if he didn’t want to do third film, then they would need to get someone that has a similar idea that he had for the first two films…someone like…..I don’t know….his brother….Jonathan Nolan?
For the record, David Fincher is the only director whom I would accept as a replacement of Christopher Nolan. But even then, his style is so different that his follow-up to The Dark Knight would be so jarring. Let’s wait, people. And even though TDK ends on a cliff-hanger, it can still be completed. Just say the Joker is in Arkham and have the third film explore the results of his chaos. The new villains that arise as a result of his influence. I read somewhere the idea of Harley Quinn emerging as a copycat killer who is desperately in love with the Joker but who never meets him. That could work.
1st photos of Inception.
http://i43.tinypic.com/ibz1pv.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/2yv31jd.jpg
Ryan why is my comment awaiting moderation??? Inception is related to this post so I thouht i’d post the photos to it. I’m not spamming
Kate –
Of course there will be nipples! We need to bring sexy back to the Batman series. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine ain’t sexy. Note: remember to replace those old dudes with Tyrese and Justin Timberlake.
I agree that it’s obvious that The Dark Knight was just setting up the Joker for a bigger film. The Dark Knight was really centered on Harvey Dent/Two Face and turning Batman into a darker figure. I had guessed that an upcoming movie would include a team of villains unofficially led by the Joker. Like the old show would have had.
So if they were to try to continue with even bits of the same story they’d have to explain the Joker away. I dunno, have him escape Arkham and have an even meaner villain kill him. Something because you can’t believe Arkham would hold him.
And then you’d have to get a new major villain. The only one with the stature of the Joker is Catwoman. The Riddler is a little less important, right?
But I can’t see a way they could continue without recasting the Joker at some point even if it was just a cameo to get rid of the character. If it were me I’d get Joseph Gordon Levitt in the make-up, have him do an impression of Heath’s performance and get the Joker out of there. Recasting the Joker for whatever they were intending just won’t work imo. Give the Joker’s storyline to Catwoman or the Riddler. And the more I think about it, I really can see DiCaprio as the Riddler.
But there is no way anyone but Nolan should direct. It doesn’t have to be as good as The Dark Knight. No one in their right mind would expect that. That was magic.
Black Mask is a great unused character, the son of a rival businessman who gets bought out by Wayne Enterprises and ends up finding he’s better at running the underworld than he is a corporate titan. His target would of course be Bruce Wayne.
If you were to put him in a 1 or 2 movie arch, you could then incorporate a villain like Mr. Freeze, one the more underrated poetic characters of the series. Maybe make him part of a division of Wayne Enterprises that cut to fund Wayne’s Batman technology. He could then turn to Black Mask to get the funding to save his wife.
I’ll stop with the fanboy crap, but there are a million ways you can go with the series without reverting back to the Joker or relying on Catwoman, Penguin or Riddler.
I could wait as well. I too would rather have Nolan back than the studio getting some other director who most likely will have a different vision. It has to be Nolan, nobody else.
I got to say, the whole idea of them recasting The Joker is a little frustrating. Ledger owned his and maybe they should not have killed off Two Face after all. The Joker is by far the best Batman villian if not the greatest villian out there. I say they already used up the best. Now I’m starting to doubt whether a sequel is necessary.
If we have a thrid movie, I think they should be around Catwoman or The Riddler. I know that La Pfeiffer created an excellent film but I can accept another topic. Remember the promotion to Marion Cotillard or Emily Blunt for the role… Well thousand times better than Beyonce.
I have an idea for a replacement for Ledger: Johnny Depp. He has the gravitas to pull it off.
Yes, the Joker is quite instrumental to the Batman mythology. I can see him as the shit disturber in subsequent stories.
Xavi,
easy, buddy – Afrika is on holidays – that’s why our boards have been so enjoyable to read lately…..who knew?
I can wait four more years. Remember, as noted, we had to wait 5 years for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade but it turned out 27.6 times as good as Temple of Doom. Imagine a Batman film 27.6 times as good as The Dark Knight! Of course Temple of Doom was a giant pile of crap, the greatest sequel disapointment of all time, only 0.005% the movie that The Dark Knight is. Now I’m confused and must revert to traditional logic that Christopher Nolan is one of the best film makers of our time and is yet to make a dud, he has already produced two great Batman films and if it’s going to take four more years to get another great one. then I’m really looking forward to Inception.
I can totally see Caine and Freeman kicking the bucket. Do this before Inception!
Since they’re starting the Batman series from scratch, why not use some of the villains that were used before? I thought they were talking about Catwoman and The Riddler. I don’t see how they can have another actor play The Joker. Are they gonna have that actor do it the Heath Ledger way? That would totally not go over well with the fans. I’m not a die hard TDK fan, but I feel like that performance should be the only portrayal of The Joker in this series, because of his death, the Oscar, and how much people love him in it. Move on to some other villains. I’d way rather see a really cool, dark and ominous version of Catwoman by some great, beautiful actress than some other actor doing his best Ledger/Joker. How about Charlize Theron as Catwoman? That would be cool.
Or how about this: Kate Winslet as Catwoman. That would be the ultimate (for me). Especially if she found some crazy new way to do the character. Michelle Pfeiffer is kind of irreplaceable, though, but I would’ve said that about Jack Nicholson.
It’s been said but I will jump on board the gravy train and agree that I can wait and I hope the studios can too.
Now about the Joker: This character is essential to the whole Batman mythology. Eventually ladies and gentlemen we’re going to have to recast him. I know Heath Ledger’s portrayal will be hard to live up to (much less surpass) but if we can get over the fact that Ledger replaced Nicholson we’re going to have to live with another Joker.
Of course I’m all for the creators going in another direction. I would LOVE for Catwoman to make an appearance (in the form of Emily Blunt) ORRR they could have Phillip Seymour Hoffman play The Penguin but not as a gross freak the way Burton did but as a suave sophisticated crime boss. I would like it to continue to be grounded in reality.
“ORRR they could have Phillip Seymour Hoffman play The Penguin but not as a gross freak the way Burton did but as a suave sophisticated crime boss.”
Can easily imagine Philip Seymour Hoffman giving us a brilliant Penguin, with nothing more than the cigarette holder as the through line linking back to previous portrayals.
I’m not thrilled about the idea of them recasting the Joker, but I can tolerate it when the time comes. If The Joker was indeed set to go on, then hell recast the part. It would be 2013. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ll sure I’ll be over it.
I see alot of Catwoman talk. It would be nice to have her be part of the next film and I too can see Emily Blunt doing it (let’s hope it’s not Scarlett Johansson), but we’re gonna have to have another villian, it can’t just be Catwoman running around with a whip.
So I think the question is, who’s good enough to replace Ledger???
OK, my thoughts. I sure want to see Nolan back since he did amazing job. But I also think that there must be directors who can do a great job too if Nolan feels burned out. Like Alien and Aliens. Both Scott and Cameron did amazing job and the movies are classics.
Re:Catwoman. Needs a writer who can write a memorable female character (like Cameron did with Ripley, Sarah and Rose). I really wasn`t impressed with any of Rachels in Nolan`s Batmans, so if he has no interest in writing women, he better stay clear of Catwoman (if he`s back), or hire a great writer who can do the job or they hire a director who would be interested in developing her in case Nolan is not back.
re: recast Joker. I think that people accept recasts better than we think. I mean, they recast Clarice Starling in Hannibal and the movie was a hit. Ledger took over from Nicholson (whose performance was highly regarded) and turned him into an icon. Star Trek…need I say more? It`s die-hard fandom that cares more than casual fandom and casuals are what drives the boxoffice. If they recast Joker, I hope they don`t go for Depp who we all know can do wacky and is a huge star. I hope they cast a young actor (Heath`s age) who one wouldn`t expect to do crazy (pretty much like Heath pulled a surprise).
If they recast Joker, i’m fine with it.
But they did do quite a bit with Joker in TDK… what else is there for him to do?
a new villain would be nice.
You know what? I’m glad. You know what happens when they rush into a sequel? X-Men: The Last Stand happens. Let the writers iron out the kinks. Circumstances changed when Heath Ledger passed, so the Nolan’s are forced to adapt.
They either have to find an actor who can at least do Heath Ledger justice, or they have to find an acceptable way to close his storyline. Not to mention they have to come up with an intricate story that does not simply serve as an excuse to throw in two or three bad guys from the comic books. The franchise has become so much more than that, so that’s what it has to be.
These things take time, and I’m glad they’re waiting on this. And please, no Zack Snyder. His style is just not right for the franchise.
Don’t be a bitch. Ryan. Temple of Doom is a wonderful film. As much as I love Last Crusade, to me Temple of Doom is the single greatest Adventure film ever made. I love it to pieces and I will always defend it (virtually and otherwise).
That was totally uncalled for. If you want to pick on a movie, pick on one that is actually bad.
They can leave Joker out of Batman 3 and bring him back in later movies so that recasting doesn`t happen so fast. Give people time to adjust. or something. He`s alive and locked up so he can wait for the right moment to get back in action if they find a good story and actor for that.
As for director who could continue Nolan`s work if Nolan doesn`t come back…Alfonso Cuaron? Why isn`t he getting more work? he did terrific job with PoA, best movie of 2004.
“totally uncalled for” Proman?
I’m being a bitch by suggesting a movie was a “creative falter”?
If you think that’s how I pick on a movie then you must have missed every word I ever wrote about Frost/Nixon.
I’m entitled to an opinion without being reprimanded, ok?
Another thing: After Heath’s iconic performance and untimely death, I can’t see too many actors having the chutzpah to replace him. At least Jack Nicholson was playing the part for a different auteur. Recasting Heath simply will not work. It will be distracting as everyone will keep comparing the two performances. Let him go. There are many other Batman villains, and as has already been said, what else is there for the Joker to do?
if the world ends in 2012 and they have Batman 3 for 2013, what then? We`ll never find out if Batman restored his reputation.
One more reason to give Nolan his Best Director Oscar next year, bambi.
@Dion
Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman look healthier than most men their age and they’ll be just fine. If Peter O’Toole can still make films so can they.
I’m not sure I’d like to see Heath recast, but for some reason I feel like Steve Buscemi would play a wicked Joker.
“What are the options? (A) recast the Joker? (B) recast the director? With names like Zack Snyder being bandied about, ”
Ryan – NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
Yes, hire Zack Snyder, that fucking idiot who has no creative or clever idea on his own behalf. Also, did WB ever break even on that WATCHMEN?
I mean why give him the keys to the throne? That asshole hasn’t earned it, and no I don’t think 300 that great gay-denying classic this side of an 80s action movie (without the quality)
Of course, INCEPTION will probably beat the shit out of Nolan, and he’s concentrating on that for now.
I wouldnt be shocked if Joker gets recasted. Pity that poor bastard who tries after Ledger.
yikes, don’t yell at me. It’s understandable that you went temporarily blind after you read ‘Zack Snyder’ but it was that name that made me end my sentence with “speculation too ridiculous to consider” and end the paragraph with “absurd alternative universe scenario.”
It’s not me bandying his name about. Don’t flame the messenger.
new public enemies clip, you should post it ryan.
Ryan – I didnt think I was yelling at you, but sorry that I did none the less. Just me more pissed at Snyder than anything.
I’m reminded of ENTOURAGE, where after that protagonist movie star does James Cameron’s AQUAMAN, he quits the sequel when CAmeron quits and Michael Bay takes over.
Shit I cant blame that fictional character.
“Don’t flame the messenger.”
Good thing that you don’t need help there, Ryan.
You know who should direct *IF* indeed Nolan backs out…well none other than Michael Mann! I mean Heat was a huge inspiration to The Dark Knight so why not have the man who inspired the bank robbery scene and have him direct it.
Personally I would like to see what Martin Scorsese would do with it!
Halle Berry would be a perfect Catwoman. Oh, wait . . .
“You know who should direct *IF* indeed Nolan backs out…well none other than Michael Mann! ”
Sure why not?
mike mann is a gifted director. I prefer him to nolan.
He’s got to direct. Period. He’s the quality guarantee.
They could add a female writer. It could bring a fresh perspective.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Penguin is inspired. They should explore it. It could work nicely. But I agree that He obviously shouldn’t be deformed or any of that weird freak shit. He should be a greasy crime lord or arms dealer-type. PSH could make this character truly terrifying for the first time.
Marion Cotillard as Catwoman isn’t totally ridiculous. I’d like it if Catwoman was kind of a side show to the Penguin’s main event.
Harley Quinn as an obsessed follower of the joker sounds compelling, but I don’t know how it would work in a Jokerless film. On the other hand, she could be used to explain his disappearance and pay tribute. Quinn could be kind of like a swan song for the storyline. Gothom would surely be reeling from the Joker’s rampage. The sequel should at least acknowledge the Joker’s activities and the aftermath.
The Riddler would work if they made him more psychotic. If “Heat” inspired The Dark Knight, maybe a movie like “Seven” could inspire the next film… if Riddler was the villian. More sinister than before though. Twisted. Diabolical. Evil.
In general, I like the idea of the Joker’s mayhem giving rise to other criminals. That sounds like Nolan’s Batman.
They should title it simply: “GOTHAM”
A final thought-
I feel like one more film is kind of necessary. Make it a trilogy in a way. 3 Nolan films. Seems right.
If they do replace Nolan, I can think of only one guy they should hire to replace him …. Brad Bird … why recreate what Nolan did, but Bird already made a great superhero film (The Incredibles), and also with the Iron Giant – I think he could make a really fun and interesting Batman film.
Now THAT is an interesting idea, Matt Brown. I loved The Incredibles – my favorite Pixar (even Wall*E hasn’t dethroned it). The Iron Giant is also an amazing movie.
“One more reason to give Nolan his Best Director Oscar next year, bambi.”
If Inception rocked and Nolan got his Best Director gold, I would be Batshit happy. Good thinking, Ryan!
Nolan was snubbed this year for BD.
Epic snub.
No way in hell should The Joker be recast in this incarnation of the series. Recast the female lead a third time for all I care but let’s just say The Joker is locked away for good and have us a new villain. Depp as The Riddler for all I care. You don’t follow-up an award-winning, inconic performance by recasting it in a third film. Third films are notorious for sucking — recasting The Joker (and/or replacing Nolan) would be just the thing to keep that theme going.
[...] AwardsDaily has the story that there may not be a new Batman movie until 2013, and even then there are whispers that director Christopher Nolan might not be along for the third Batman installment. The delay has largely been attributed to the death of Heath Ledger, which rocked Nolan and took the wind out of his sails for an alleged Joker-centric third film. Of course, there are plenty of other villains out there that could be used to piss off Batman (i.e. the long rumored Riddler casting). But if Warner Brothers wants to take a little bit of time, I’m okay with that. I’d rather get a movie as good as The Dark Knight in five years, than a mediocre movie in two. Although my standards aren’t exactly high, as long as Batman doesn’t get an emo hairdo and strut down the street to “Stayin’ Alive”, I will consider it a smashing success. [...]
I could imagine that the only reason The Joker would be in the third film is to lead in like Cillian Murphy did with the Scarecrow in the first film through to the second. The villain in the third could/should be Batman himself VS Gotham. The Dark Knight was hardly a film about Batman, so tie up the series with a film solely about the man himself as the villain.
Easy. Michael Shannon for the Joker.
A. I’m not surprised at all to hear this.
B. I know everyone’s very much against casting a new Joker. I sure was as soon as rumors of a Batman 3 without Heath hit the Internet. But if the Joker is to have a major part in the next film, I wouldn’t oppose putting a sub in, assuming they could do the trick.
BATMAN 3 = YEAR=2011—DIRECTOR= NOLAN—COMING
No Batman 3 until 2013? NO—NO—-NO—
NO BATMAN 3 UNTIL 2011? YES—YES—YES—
BATMAN 3 COMING 2011 & NOLAN 100%
If there is a batman 3 and they just cut the joker out then its a total waste since what happens to the joker in the dark night at the end? we dont know, he has to come back! the joker is the best character and the riddler is total rubbish! the riddler is like the joker except he is weak and likes suduko and wears a green hat and the joker is just plain awsome!
Joker is a legend and R.I.P to heath ledgers we will miss you
@david fincher:thank you!!!
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