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Chris Nolan's Brief Advice to the Next Filmmaker Taking on Batman

by Alex Billington
July 27, 2012
Source: Empire

This isn't so much a big piece of news, as it just a cool filmmaker's "tip" to tie in with everything Batman and Christopher Nolan. The director hasn't done too many interviews, and doesn't speak with any press from online, but Empire (being a magazine) was lucky enough to catch up with him for an interview, which they ran in this podcast. Batman-News.com points out a great quote during the interview with "advice" to anyone who will be taking on the Batman character in future years. Yea, you know what we mean. He's done, but I think even Nolan knows Warner Bros/DC Comics will likely bring back Batman back, one day.

While everyone seems to be anxiously discussing spin-offs or potential continuations of The Dark Knight Rises, I have a feeling Nolan is definitely finished with this world. We likely won't see another Batman until Warner Bros decides to reboot again, or do something else unique like a solo or follow-up movie, or get him into Justice League somehow. But Chris Nolan has some good advice for whoever does take over Batman, that he learned when he first started on his series with Batman Begins years ago. Nolan states at one point:

"The only advice I would have is… when I first met with Paul Levitz of DC prior to Batman Begins, he explained to me very clearly that Batman, of all superheroes, has thrived on reinterpretation and almost being strengthened by it. And I’m talking obviously about over the years in the comic books but then also through the movies. So when the time is right, when somebody does whatever the next iteration of the character is, they simply need to be true to what they really want to see, do something they believe in, not worry too much about what everyone else is telling them it should be."

There you have it. That's actually a rather interesting thing to think about. Essentially he's saying, screw all the fanboys, screw all the people (in Hollywood) who say you need to make it with this or that, find a vision and idea you believe in, and stick with it, make it exactly what it should be. Which is, actually, fantastic advice for a filmmaker—once they've actually come up with the great idea. With so many possibilities for directors to take over, Nolan is at least dead on in hinting that they should find someone with a clear, strong vision, someone who knows what they want to do with Batman this next time around. How many years it will take until we'll see them find that, we don't know. There will definitely be a lot of fun rumors until then.

In the meantime, as much as I'd love to mention a blatant spoiler from TDKR about a spin-off/continuation I'd love to see, I won't. But if you've seen it, you know exactly how it ends. Until we hear some actual news on Batman, the discussion will continue as to where they can go next, what other stories they can tell, and if we'll ever see the Dark Knight in the Justice League. Only time will tell, and let's hope they take his advice.

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Reader Feedback - 45 Comments

Well, when the do reboot it - and you know they will because it's a billion dollar franchise now - they should have Kevin Smith take a crack at writing and let Edgar Wright take a crack at directing...just an opinion so don't bite my head off...

John O on Jul 27, 2012

I'm not biting your head off, but Kevin Smith is simply terrible lately (and I say that having loved his early work) and Edgar Wright is terrific but certainly not suited for the Batman universe.

johnholmes72 on Jul 27, 2012

But how do you know Edgar Wright is not suited for Batman? Is it because he has never made anything like Batman before? Just because a director usually makes films of a certain light tone does not mean that he is incapable of making a film with a darker tone. Prior to Batman Begins, I'd suspect that many had their doubts about whether Nolan was "suited" to a big superhero movie.

John on Jul 27, 2012

As much as I love Wright, even I dont think he's too well suited for Batman. For some reason I imagine seeing another Schumaker type of Batman film. *shivers* >.<

LosZombies on Jul 27, 2012

I'd like to see and true interpretation of the comics right now. One that's dark and gritty and gothic with nightwing and the true boy wonder( a 10 year old boy) with all the villains already existing in Gotham and competing for space. We know batmans story and most the villains please no more origins

John effin stamos on Jul 27, 2012

What do people think about villains having their own films (i.e. Riddler, Penguin, etc), particularly those we didn't see make it into the Nolan world? With the right writer, director and, of course, cast, it could be interesting to see their stories from their POVs, not Batman's.

mandawg on Jul 27, 2012

Thats basically what every batman movie except begins and rises are.

Linkfx on Jul 29, 2012

Well, you know, I mean it's completely their own story, without any sign of Batman (except maybe for the end) making his way into the narrative. I guess it could be described as a sort origins story.

mandawg on Jul 29, 2012

why not just do the whole original canon of batman *yes even the Robin crap* but with Blake continuing from Nolans Batman... after all he has all the original capabilities before other writers took over with there own back story to Bruce so he would be a terrific jumping point to have the more comic mythos capabilities....specifically with that new Earth 1 comic i just read *my first comic i have ever read.*

Jericho on Jul 27, 2012

Hmmm....good ideas. But we'll just have to wait and see. Either way, Nolan's advice is solid. And you read Earth 1, huh? What did you think of it? And you should check out SUPERMAN: EARTH 1 as well.

Scopedog on Jul 29, 2012

Batman Beyond

Matt Peloquin on Jul 27, 2012

I'd like to see that!

rennmaxbeta on Jul 29, 2012

...This is the only way in my eyes. If a great filmmaker took a crack at this plot line, made it dark and EPIC. A batman in a ultra futuristic world would be fascinating, and a mind blowing playground for action scenes...and even in a SMALL way acknowledged Nolans batman universe...I would be excited for that. THAT would be well wicked.

mmmmmmm on Jul 29, 2012

I have been saying this for YEARS. This material and concept are just sitting around waiting for someone to capitalize on their full potential.

Ali Miller on Jul 29, 2012

Getting a bit tired of comic book heroes doing another origin story after a year or two's break.

Chris on Jul 27, 2012

Give the Batman series to Brad Bird. Please.

SV7 on Jul 27, 2012

lol, no!

David Banner on Jul 28, 2012

The next director to do Batman I hope also has a hand in writing the script. One of the reasons that so many superhero (or simply tent pole blockbusters) come out bland is because they have five or six writers, who aren't working together, write it, then rewrite it, then ship it off to someone to polish.

germss on Jul 27, 2012

Yep. Or make sure you get a co-writer who has full knowledge of the comics (like David S. Goyer--Nolan was right to choose him to develop the story). Still, some superhero movies with multiple screenwriters do work (but they are the exception). IRON MAN has four credited writers, and yet it was still an awesome film.

Scopedog on Jul 29, 2012

I think they should give the series a rest. Probably a good 7-10 years before cracking at it again. That way it gives the recent trilogy its due credit, and not have the bar set high for the next iteration. Plus a whole new generation would be able to enjoy the newer series as much as we have the current one.

Ron on Jul 27, 2012

make it '' darker'' like the crow with brandon lee and make it r rated!

Avi Smulders on Jul 27, 2012

conradthegreat on Jul 28, 2012

Turn the brightness down on your screen if you want it to get darker. I always find it hard to see what's going on when that happens though

Carpola on Jul 29, 2012

What about Rian Johnson as the next to take this franchise on?

Carlo on Jul 27, 2012

TDKR was not a great film. More hype than substance. A film that pales in comparison to the previous films.

Chris Batty on Jul 28, 2012

Thats simply a matter of opinion. I thought it was fantastic, i loved how it was more or just as Bruce-centric as Batman Begins. Every other Batman movie the Villain overwhelms the film and unbalances it.

Linkfx on Jul 29, 2012

True, it is a matter of opinion, but it reflects a mood of "the film didn't live up to MY expectations" instead of just taking the film on its own terms. I also liked the film a lot. I may have to catch it again in the theaters, but even though it had flaws, they were not enough to spoil my enjoyment of the film (and I LOVED the Bat). The cast was excellent. It ended the trilogy, but it also left an opening for new adventures. I didn't like it as much as BATMAN BEGINS, but TDKR is one of the best films I've seen this year. I'm certainly picking it up on DVD.

Scopedog on Jul 29, 2012

You're right...it was an incredible film.

Geoffrey Shauger on Jul 30, 2012

Danny Boyle with Michael Fassbender as Batman

Nick on Jul 28, 2012

Let Nicholas Winding Refn and Gosling try their hand at a new Batman. I loved Drive and Only God forgives is turning out to look badass as well. These Two have their own Nolan/Bale Connection and I think that's what another Batman movie needs.

Rain Spider on Jul 28, 2012

I could agree with that if the pace would be considerably faster than in Drive. Don't get me wrong, I love that movie! But, I don't think I could deal with an excessive amount of 20 second long shots lingering on a brooding and motionless Batman sitting his car, standing in his cave or staring out a window at Wayne Tower, let alone gazing into Rachel's eyes.

SuicidalOptimist on Jul 29, 2012

True that.

Isildur_of_Numenor on Jul 30, 2012

NO! I'm still wishing Gosling will become The Flash.

The Douche on Aug 1, 2012

Some of the good old ultra-violence.

happy camper on Jul 28, 2012

Donald Glover for Batman!

mooreworthy on Jul 28, 2012

everyone knows Danny Pudi is the Batman. Christian Bale said so himself.

Dan Hibiki on Jul 30, 2012

True. Then Robin perhaps.

mooreworthy on Jul 30, 2012

I don't think there's a need to reboot for the purpose of Justice League. Bruce Wayne is Bruce Wayne. Batman is Batman. His story is known. I think it would be a fun surprise to see what the costume/armor would look like in JL without doing a Batman reboot first. Also, I think it would be fun to see a Batman spinoff from JL. No?

Quanah on Jul 28, 2012

yes..just continue the batman (even with different cast), i don't want to see, bruce's parents get killed again

tom on Jul 29, 2012

Adam West Reboot!

Izzy on Jul 28, 2012

Year 100 by Paul Pope. But really his advice should be, do something else, something original. Something not Batman.

Carpola on Jul 29, 2012

I want to see a Batman film with good script with more Action and Thrill that shows more of his martial arts and detective skills that will make him the most dangerous man alive!!!

WTF on Jul 29, 2012

Fincher?

J on Jul 30, 2012

After the mess that was "The Dark Knight Rises" I don't give a damn about Batman anymore. And yeah, screw the bloody fanboys. Should have stopped at the phenomenal "The Dark Knight." Tired of Hollywood milking these cows way past their shelf-life. And yeah, once again, screw the bloody fanboys!!! LOL!

Frei on Jul 30, 2012

"If you've seen it, you know exactly how it ends." Wow. Thanks for clearing that up. I was afraid people seeing it wouldn't know how it ended.

Zach on Aug 4, 2012

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