The Dark Knight Rises Nolan not coming back?

[Man of Tomorrow]

JGL's one of those actors that might cause me to boycott the Batman series if he shows up in it.

Agreed.

F^%k JGL.

 

[jmc]

The thing is, I thought that too. But in a recent interview promoting TS, Bale did say he was contracted for another Batman film and said that while he would be glad for Nolan to return for a third outing -- he's legally obligated to do three Batman movies without a specific director. Same goes for Caine and Oldman, so if Nolan doesn't return to direct and co-write the sequel the studio can use that clause to make a third movie with the same actors involved.

Warner Brothers can sue the actors for breach of contract, and the actors would have to pay enormous amounts of money to NOT appear in a third movie. That said, WB has Nolan doing his next project (although I'm pretty sure his Inception deal is a two-film deal that includes a third Batman film) with them. So if Inception makes even half the amount TDK did, I'm sure Warners will be glad to wait for a 2012/2013 release.

You don't see a studio like 20th Century Fox pushing James Cameron to rush out his next movie Avatar, especially after the worldwide smash of Titanic 12 years ago (which he had to fight tooth and nail to get produced and made his way). They want to reduce his chances of him going to another studio like Universal or Paramount, and I think the WB is thinking similar lines for Christopher Nolan.

Contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on these days, if Nolan doesn't return, I'll put money on Bale finding someway out.

 

[hegele]

The very first thing i thought when i heard that Bale was in a new Terminator film was, "crap, Nolan's not doing a third Batman, and Christian wants out. He won't screw up a contract so he made a deal to appear in another big WB film as a replacement for what should have been B3."

Seriously, that was the the first feeling i had, then it slowly faded, now i'm beginning to think it may have been real.

 

[ND Irish]

quick question...did anyone see heath ledger while watching the movie or did you see The Joker? I saw the Joker, not Ledger. Yes he was 100% brilliant in the role but I wasnt thinking about that during the movie. Thats why I dont think its a big deal that JGL looks like him, its important but not "do-or-die", I think its more important if he would be able to have the voice & mannerisms that Heath portrayed

 

[Cunning Stunts]

He's only what... two years younger to Ledger. If there is a recast... maybe a Batman 4 down the road. Or hell even a BB3 cameo... JGL has to play Joker that's all there is too it. Maybe four years will be enough of a grace period to win over the blessing from die hard Ledger friends/relatives/family. The first step was getting introduced to Nolan. He's already working with him and he may just be the next "Nolan guy". The wheels have been set in motion. It's all... part of the plan.

It was WW... so yeah, that's pretty much a flop.

For one, that's not all there is to it. Acting takes more than appearance, people.

And no, Watchmen did far from flop. It got okay reviews and made $50 million more than it spent. It's not great, but certainly not a flop.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

quick question...did anyone see heath ledger while watching the movie or did you see The Joker? I saw the Joker, not Ledger. Yes he was 100% brilliant in the role but I wasnt thinking about that during the movie. Thats why I dont think its a big deal that JGL looks like him, its important but not "do-or-die", I think its more important if he would be able to have the voice & mannerisms that Heath portrayed

It's not a big deal. People here just seem to be much too bent on, "[Actor] MUST look like [character]!"

Look at Katie Holmes and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The two look nothing alike. Now, let's stop all this talk about Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He's good, but he's overrated, and looking like Ledger doesn't make him the next Ledger.

 

[FaT_tONle]

For one, that's not all there is to it. Acting takes more than appearance, people.

And no, Watchmen did far from flop. It got okay reviews and made $50 million more than it spent. It's not great, but certainly not a flop.

Obviously Nolan must have seen something in his abilities to cast him in a pretty substantial role in Inception. He is not talentless or this Ledger wanna be like people make him out to be. He's a solid actor at least from what I have seen.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

We're not making him out to be a Ledger wannabe, half this board is making him out to be "Heath Ledger, Jr." because of his looks. We're also not saying he's talentless, we're saying you guys are going on and on about him and playing up his abilities for one reason only- his resemblance to Ledger.

And how do you know what kind of role he has in Inception? I have yet to see anything that declares what anyone's roles will be aside from DiCaprio, Watanabe, and Caine.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

*Edit*

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

For one, that's not all there is to it. Acting takes more than appearance, people.

And no, Watchmen did far from flop. It got okay reviews and made $50 million more than it spent. It's not great, but certainly not a flop.

I get tired of people saying Watchmen Flopped. It tanked, and was a moderate success.

It's not a big deal. People here just seem to be much too bent on, "[Actor] MUST look like [character]!"

Look at Katie Holmes and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The two look nothing alike. Now, let's stop all this talk about Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He's good, but he's overrated, and looking like Ledger doesn't make him the next Ledger.

I disagree. I think Joseph Gordon-Levitt's a very talented actor, though I'd rather not have him be Joker.

And no to Snyder. He's only into rated R films with blood, gore, and sex. He's like Frank Miller (Who ironically created 300).

 

[LightningFlash]

It was WW... so yeah, that's pretty much a flop.

To each his own.

 

[mclay18]

I really think people are panicking way too early. Like Goyer said, Nolan's doing Inception right now and maybe halfway or during post-production on it -- he'll finally crack the story for a third film that satisfies him.

Hopefully.

 

[FaT_tONle]

JGL said he was going to be working on Inception for a while. So I certainly don't believe it will be some throw away role.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

I get tired of people saying Watchmen Flopped. It tanked, and was a moderate success.

There must be something I'm missing by this... I didn't say it flopped, and how could it tank and still be a moderate sucess?

Correct me if I'm misreading...

I disagree. I think Joseph Gordon-Levitt's a very talented actor, though I'd rather not have him be Joker.

As I said, I think he's good, but he gets way too much credit around here- again, because of his resemblance to The Joker. A few posts back, regwec said it best (and hilariously): Bringing in Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play The Joker would be like electing a president because he has the same beard as Abe Lincoln. I don't think anyone doubts that he's good, but could he really stand up to what Heat did as The Joker in The Dark Knight? I think not. I'd be damned curious to see what goes on if he was indeed cast.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

JGL said he was going to be working on Inception for a while. So I certainly don't believe it will be some throw away role.

Nobody said anything about a throwaway role, but nobody's said what role who has other than the three actors listed before.

We have no clue what he's going to do, and to base his talent solely off of what role he has been given in a movie is ludicrous, even if it is Nolan we're talking about. Take Katie Holmes for example.

 

[FaT_tONle]

As I said, I think he's good, but he gets way too much credit around here- again, because of his resemblance to The Joker. A few posts back, regwec said it best (and hilariously): Bringing in Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play The Joker would be like electing a president because he has the same beard as Abe Lincoln. I don't think anyone doubts that he's good, but could he really stand up to what Heat did as The Joker in The Dark Knight? I think not. I'd be damned curious to see what goes on if he was indeed cast.

What Ledger role were you exactly raving about pre-TDK???

Nobody said anything about a throwaway role, but nobody's said what role who has other than the three actors listed before.

We have no clue what he's going to do, and to base his talent solely off of what role he has been given in a movie is ludicrous, even if it is Nolan we're talking about. Take Katie Holmes for example.

Katie Holmes is irrelevant. That was bascially a studio decision. Plus Nolan does not direct his female characters nearly as well as his male ones.

 

[Anita18]

It's not a big deal. People here just seem to be much too bent on, "[Actor] MUST look like [character]!"

Look at Katie Holmes and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The two look nothing alike. Now, let's stop all this talk about Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He's good, but he's overrated, and looking like Ledger doesn't make him the next Ledger.

Actually Katie and Maggie do look somewhat alike, especially in certain angles. They can both be very doe-eyed, although Maggie looks much more mature and credible as an ADA. It wasn't like he cast Sienna Miller for TDK.

But yeah, because of Joker's makeup, it's not necessary for a Joker recast to look exactly like Ledger. Even the actor for The Joker Blogs looks good enough, and we don't even know what he looks like without the makeup. He probably doesn't look like Ledger at all.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

What Ledger role were you exactly raving about pre-TDK???

I wasn't raving at all, but I was also one of the few who weren't jumping on the "gay cowboys can't play The Joker" bandwagon when Heath was announced as The Joker, as I did think he was a better actor than these "raving" Bat-fans were giving him credit for. Before The Dark Knight, however, Heath had one Oscar nomination, and numerous other great roles in films. He was always, at the very least, on the verge of good-to-great. Joseph Gordon Levitt is just a good actor who doesn't really do anything to make himself stand out as well as Heath did before The Dark Knight.

Katie Holmes is irrelevant. That was bascially a studio decision. Plus Nolan does not direct his female characters nearly as well as his male ones.

It's completely relevant, because you all talk so much about how important Joseph Gordon-Levitt's resemblance to Ledger is in the case of a recast (and to justify his acting credibility), yet we've already had two recasts (one minor role, one more major role) in the Batman series, neither successor looked at all like the predecessor. Again, I'm not doubting that he's a good actor, I'm doubting that he's as great as everyone around here is saying because the same exact argument pops up every time his name is mentioned: "He looks just like Heath Ledger!"

 

[Cunning Stunts]

Actually Katie and Maggie do look somewhat alike, especially in certain angles. They can both be very doe-eyed, although Maggie looks much more mature and credible as an ADA. It wasn't like he cast Sienna Miller for TDK.

But yeah, because of Joker's makeup, it's not necessary for a Joker recast to look exactly like Ledger. Even the actor for The Joker Blogs looks good enough, and we don't even know what he looks like without the makeup. He probably doesn't look like Ledger at all.

I never noticed any resemblance whatsoever. Katie Holmes looks like the vacant girl-next door to me, while Maggie Gyllenhaal looks like the grandmother trapped in the 30-year old's body.

 

[FaT_tONle]

I wasn't raving at all, but I was also one of the few who weren't jumping on the "gay cowboys can't play The Joker" bandwagon when Heath was announced as The Joker, as I did think he was a better actor than these "raving" Bat-fans were giving him credit for. Before The Dark Knight, however, Heath had one Oscar nomination, and numerous other great roles in films. He was always, at the very least, on the verge of good-to-great. Joseph Gordon Levitt is just a good actor who doesn't really do anything to make himself stand out as well as Heath did before The Dark Knight.

And Ledger stood out to you in these other films? Cassanova? Knights Tale? And we need an Oscar nominated actor to play Joker as well? I am not saying he wasn't a better actor than JGL. I am saying at this point in his career, JGL is that far off from where Ledger was.

It's completely relevant, because you all talk so much about how important Joseph Gordon-Levitt's resemblance to Ledger is in the case of a recast (and to justify his acting credibility), yet we've already had two recasts (one minor role, one more major role) in the Batman series, neither successor looked at all like the predecessor. Again, I'm not doubting that he's a good actor, I'm doubting that he's as great as everyone around here is saying because the same exact argument pops up every time his name is mentioned: "He looks just like Heath Ledger!"

I agree with Anita. I certainly thought look wise, Maggie was the best fit. Most fanboys were quick to point out her name when WB/Nolan decided to part ways with Holmes mostly based off her looks. You may not agree, but that was the perception. And the overriding factor here is that Levitt is currently working with Nolan, plus the fact that it is pretty much a given Joker will have no substantial role in BB3, we are talking about one scene tops. But if they ever decide to do BB4 with Goyer or Jonah at the helm, or whomever, as long as that guy has strong Nolan ties, I could see Levitt as a strong contender for the role. We are talking about BB4 though so it's obviously all speculation. People assume that because we bring up Levitt with the Joker that he will be the main villain again. For real...

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

Nolan will come back to continue telling his story. He just needs his time to come back fresh. These types of projects can mentally wear a person out very easily.

As far as the Joker, I personally always believed the story being told in TDK requires for the character to come back. He is the cause of the predicament Batman finds himself in going into the next movie. The theme of the two opposing but identical magnitude forces is not completed yet. I saw him being positioned as the Darth Vader of these series of movies. We just need a talented actor to play the role, and considering how well it was done with Ledger, I have no doubt Nolan can select someone that can get the job done. I really do trust his judgement.

We wont see Batman 3 for a while, but when we do, rest assured it will be a high quality product.

 

[Dark Knight]

I wouldn't worry people, this is VERY early take it with a grain of salt chatty type of stuff, with Nolan possibly not returning for the 3rd film. He doesn't have to top TDK in total gross revenue, he would just have to tell another great Batman story.....thats all. We heard all this before when Nolan was filming The Prestige.

Jonah and Goyer are working on the 3rd films treatment and Chris is working on a movie right now. Whether or not the Nolan bothers and Goyer come up with a good script and story will be deciding factor on whether or not Chris Nolan directs the next film. I tend to believe that solid creative storytellers like the Nolans and Goyer will be able to come up with a good if not great Batman story.

In another six months to a year we should know something more concrete.

Try not to panic.....

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

There must be something I'm missing by this... I didn't say it flopped, and how could it tank and still be a moderate sucess?

Correct me if I'm misreading...

When I meant moderate success I meant that it while it wasn't a huge box office success, it still grossed $50 million dollars over budget.

 

[Mikelus]

If Nolan doesn't want to do another Batman movie, is his right and should be respected, we're talking about movies, is not the end of the world. In the case of a third movie, then the Joker should not be the villain, they should go with another one to keep it fresh.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

And Ledger stood out to you in these other films? Cassanova? Knights Tale? And we need an Oscar nominated actor to play Joker as well? I am not saying he wasn't a better actor than JGL. I am saying at this point in his career, JGL is that far off from where Ledger was.

Yes, he usually stood out. Not to the extent in which he did in The Dark Knight, but he was usually a step ahead of the curve.

I agree with Anita. I certainly thought look wise, Maggie was the best fit. Most fanboys were quick to point out her name when WB/Nolan decided to part ways with Holmes mostly based off her looks. You may not agree, but that was the perception. And the overriding factor here is that Levitt is currently working with Nolan, plus the fact that it is pretty much a given Joker will have no substantial role in BB3, we are talking about one scene tops. But if they ever decide to do BB4 with Goyer or Jonah at the helm, or whomever, as long as that guy has strong Nolan ties, I could see Levitt as a strong contender for the role. We are talking about BB4 though so it's obviously all speculation. People assume that because we bring up Levitt with the Joker that he will be the main villain again. For real...

In all honesty, I didn't follow the casting too closely until I heard about Ledger's casting. From what I was hearing/reading, however, I not once saw Maggie's name pop up.

And again with the pre-determined roles that characters will have already... Who are you to decide? We have no clue what Nolan will do. This board seems to bent on Nolan's supposed constant "curveballing", and yet you all still know exactly what he's going to do with the next film? And as for The Joker "needing an Oscar-caliber actor", yeah, I think he does, no matter how big of a role. I think it's absolutely insane to craft The Joker into such a memorable villain, and then toss in just another name to take his place, no matter how big the role is (unless it's just his face popping in). I have no doubt in my mind that if The Joker is recast, the new actor will be under significant scrutiny, and thus will probably go the extra mile to make sure that he can match up to Heath's charisma in the role. Even if he only shows up for one scene, you can bet your ass that tossing in any old actor to do a job that doesn't live up to the part is going to catch a ton of criticism.