Rumor: Christian Bale returning as Batman for Justice League?
Studio wants Christopher Nolan to oversee DC movies
By DonKaye_ParallelUniverse Mar 4, 2013 2:20PM
A new report suggests that Warner Bros. Pictures has asked Christopher Nolan to take over the reins of the troubled "Justice League" movie, with Christian Bale to return as Batman in the film.
Despite being the home of hugely successful franchises like "Harry Potter," "The Lord of the Rings" and even Nolan's own "Dark Knight" trilogy, Warner Bros. has been unable to successfully launch the rest of the DC Comics universe -- which is a subsidiary of the company -- to compete with Marvel onscreen.
An expensive "Green Lantern" movie flopped two years ago, 2006's "Superman Returns" did not deliver the numbers the studio wanted, and efforts to make movies about Wonder Woman and the Flash have stalled.
Meanwhile, looking enviously at Marvel's stratospheric success with "The Avengers," Warner Bros. has been attempting to get its own superhero team-up, "Justice League," off the ground. But the latest script by Will Beall ("Gangster Squad") was reportedly deemed unusable.
So now, according to Latino Review, the studio has turned to Nolan -- who revived Batman with the multi-billion-dollar "Dark Knight" films -- and asked him to oversee not just the "Justice League" project, but all DC movies going forward. None of this is official, but posts at Ain't It Cool News and Batman on Film back up the report.
Although Nolan has indicated before that he had no interest in either "Justice League" or doing anything further with Batman, he is the producer on this summer's "Man of Steel," the latest attempt to reboot Superman. There have been reports that the first screening of the film, directed by Zack Snyder ("Watchmen"), sent studio execs through the roof with excitement and that it could be the summer movie to beat.
The studio now wants Nolan to keep going -- as well as Snyder, who might end up directing "Justice League" under Nolan's supervision, with Christian Bale returning as Batman and "Man of Steel" star Henry Cavill keeping the red cape on. "Man of Steel" screenwriter David Goyer might also be tapped to start fresh with the script.
Even though Nolan has said before that he's not interested, a vast amount of money and the freedom to make any other films he wants (something which he would assuredly ask the studio for) might be enough to convince him to become godfather to the DC films in the way that "Avengers" director Joss Whedon is doing so over at Marvel.
Bale has said in the past that he's open to playing Batman again as long as Nolan was involved, so this could seal the deal for him as well -- along with a truckload of cash, of course.
The risks? Nolan's trademark "realistic" take on Batman -- something which is reportedly part of "Man of Steel" as well, though to a lesser extent -- might not work as well when a galactic policeman (Green Lantern), an Amazonian warrior (Wonder Woman) and a man who can run faster than anything else alive (the Flash) are introduced into the mix (let's not forget Aquaman or Martian Manhunter either).
But with Marvel's movies cleaning up at the box office, Warner Bros. might have no choice but to turn to the brain trust that delivered three outstanding Batman films and has, by all accounts, done the same with the new Superman movie.
What do you think? Is this the only way forward for Warner Bros. and the DC universe on film? Should Nolan take the deal? Would you like to see Bale back as Batman?
"Man of Steel" is out in theaters June 14.
17Comments
Mar 4, 2013 5:18PM
If anyone can do it, it will be Christopher Nolan. His Batman: Dark Knight trilogy has set the bar on comic-based movies in the industry, I'd imagine it would be a huge payday for Christian Bale. Would Alfred and Commissioner Gordon make appearances too? I could easily see a "World's Finest" movie with both Batman and Superman first, then a Justice League movie after that.
In Nolan We Trust.
Mar 4, 2013 7:38PM
Mar 4, 2013 8:56PM
Mar 4, 2013 9:31PM
Mar 4, 2013 8:21PM
Mar 5, 2013 1:42AM
May 4, 2013 9:58AM
maybe there could be a way to keep the whole "realistic" look on it? maybe if Nolan takes it, he could make the characters different than they are. like maybe instead of flash being super fast, have technology make him fast. also you don't need all of the characters in justice league. Or even better, no justice league movie and have it be only batman and superman....those are the two dc heroes that everyone likes the most. Maybe have a movie where superman need help, and delves into the death of Wayne (batman TDKR) and he discovers Wayne isn't dead and tries to get him to join him as batman again. Or they could be villains to each other. .... anyways, Nolan should come back and christian bale is the best batman and he should put the cowl and the mask back on.
May 3, 2013 10:18PM
Mar 4, 2013 9:27PM
As much as I would love to see another Batman movie, I think that this would put a damper on how awesome the trilogy was. We finally get to see Batman go off into the Nuclear sunset, and still not die. His body is tore up, he is out of money, and he served his purpose. Let his realistic (superhero wise) story end there.
I would like to see what Nolan can do with some of the superheros but I really am not interested in seeing the Batman we have come to know come back after seeing the last bit of greatness.
Mar 6, 2013 3:31PM
Mar 4, 2013 9:38PM
Mar 7, 2013 9:13PM
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