"Memento" Director To Revive "Batman" Franchise

lobeck · 01-28-2003, 10:15 AM

Quote:

NEW YORK (Variety) -- "Memento" director Chris Nolan has made a deal to revive the "Batman" franchise.

It was unclear whether he would write the script for the Warner Bros. project.

"All I can say is that I grew up with Batman, I've been fascinated by him and I'm excited to contribute to the lore surrounding the character," said Nolan, who last directed the studio's "Insomnia."

"He is the most credible and realistic of the superheroes, and has the most complex human psychology. His superhero qualities come from within. He's not a magical character. I had a fantastic experience with the studio on 'Insomnia,' and I'm keen to repeat that experience."

Nolan's emergence is an unexpected plot twist for the Caped Crusader, since it appeared that the superhero had flagged after four movies that grossed more than $1 billion. Warner Bros. has been trying to exploit the franchise through reinventions and spinoffs. They include "Batman Vs. Superman," "Batman: Year One" and "Catwoman."

"Batman Vs. Superman" nearly went into production with director Wolfgang Petersen and a script by Andrew Kevin Walker ("Seven") until Petersen instead moved to the Greek epic "Troy," set to star Brad Pitt and Eric Bana.

"Batman: Year One," a Gen-X version of the crimefighter, is being developed by Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream") and creator Frank Stack. "Catwoman," with Ashley Judd expected to play the title role, is a spinoff of the character introduced in the Tim Burton-directed "Batman Returns."

The WB superhero project closest to the starting line is "Superman," with Brett Ratner directing from a script by J.J. Abrams ("Alias") for producer Jon Peters. The film will reintroduce a franchise that sputtered after four Christopher Reeve films, and WB is currently testing actors for its Man of Steel, with Josh Hartnett, Jude Law, Ashton Kutcher and Brendan Fraser among those rumored as aspirants to be fitted in cape and spandex.

Nolan would not divulge the contents of his Batproject, but he'll undoubtedly bring the wildly inventive style that so quickly brought him to the directing A-list after "Insomnia" and "Memento," whose star Guy Pearce is among the actors who might make an interesting Bruce Wayne.

Nolan recently turned in his script for a Howard Hughes film that he hopes to direct for Castle Rock, with Jim Carrey in the starring role. Timing of that film is unclear, since the Martin Scorsese-Leonardo DiCaprio Hughes rival pic "The Aviator" could be in production first. Nolan wouldn't say what his next feature would be.

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Wayner · 01-28-2003, 12:19 PM

Yeah, I can totally see Ashton Kutcher as Superman.

They'd call the film "Dude, Where's My Cape?"

**fluff** · 01-28-2003, 12:27 PM

Ashton Kutcher would have to do some major beefing up.

I woudl really be that interested in seeing this movie.
If Brendan Fraser got the part that would seal it for me as I can't stand him so then I would really have no desire to go.

lobeck · 01-28-2003, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Nolan would not divulge the contents of his Batproject, but he'll undoubtedly bring the wildly inventive style that so quickly brought him to the directing A-list after "Insomnia" and "Memento," whose star Guy Pearce is among the actors who might make an interesting Bruce Wayne.

Actually, I could kinda see GP as Bruce Wayne...

**fluff** · 01-28-2003, 05:14 PM

I could too, but that dude is wasting away.

I can remember him being on the show "Neighbours" many years ago.
He looked very athletic. Now he looks painfully thin to me.

lobeck · 01-28-2003, 05:15 PM

Well, I haven't seen him lately, but he did looked pretty good in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert"...

**fluff** · 01-28-2003, 05:16 PM

lobeck · 01-28-2003, 05:24 PM

He did!

**fluff** · 01-28-2003, 05:27 PM

I aren't arguing.
I just think of him in that as compared to Time Machine and it's hard to believe it's the same guy.

Wasn't Hugo Weaving from LOTR in Priscilla too or am I getting confused?

lobeck · 01-28-2003, 05:32 PM

No, you're right, Fluff. Hugo Weaving, who was in LOTR as well as The Matrix, was also in Priscilla...

And I know what you mean about comparing GP roles. Every time I watch "L.A. Confidential", I laugh thinking it's the same guy...

01-28-2003, 12:27 PM	#3
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 41,941	Ashton Kutcher would have to do some major beefing up. I woudl really be that interested in seeing this movie. If Brendan Fraser got the part that would seal it for me as I can't stand him so then I would really have no desire to go. __________________ "That's Numberwang!"

01-28-2003, 05:14 PM	#5
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 41,941	I could too, but that dude is wasting away. I can remember him being on the show "Neighbours" many years ago. He looked very athletic. Now he looks painfully thin to me. __________________ "That's Numberwang!"

01-28-2003, 05:16 PM	#7
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 41,941	__________________ "That's Numberwang!"

01-28-2003, 05:27 PM	#9
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 41,941	I aren't arguing. I just think of him in that as compared to Time Machine and it's hard to believe it's the same guy. Wasn't Hugo Weaving from LOTR in Priscilla too or am I getting confused? __________________ "That's Numberwang!"

01-28-2003, 12:19 PM	#2
Wayner It ain't easy being green Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: But being blue is more work. Age: 46 Posts: 4,952	Yeah, I can totally see Ashton Kutcher as Superman. They'd call the film "Dude, Where's My Cape?"

01-28-2003, 05:15 PM	#6
lobeck For Your Entertainment Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Right here, right now Age: 45 Posts: 14,773	Well, I haven't seen him lately, but he did looked pretty good in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert"...

01-28-2003, 05:24 PM	#8
lobeck For Your Entertainment Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Right here, right now Age: 45 Posts: 14,773	He did!

01-28-2003, 05:32 PM	#10
lobeck For Your Entertainment Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Right here, right now Age: 45 Posts: 14,773	No, you're right, Fluff. Hugo Weaving, who was in LOTR as well as The Matrix, was also in Priscilla... And I know what you mean about comparing GP roles. Every time I watch "L.A. Confidential", I laugh thinking it's the same guy...