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Chis Nolan Once Again Says No Fourth BATMAN Movie & Defends Film Over Digital

Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas were at the Producers Guild of America's "Produced By" conference and when the director was asked if he'll make another Batman film he replied, "No."

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By nailbiter111 - 6/9/2012


Saturday's conference was held at Sony Studios. At the event PGA executive director Vance Van Petten asked Nolan is he is planning a fourth Batman film.

"No" was the answer that Nolan gave. When he began working on the script with his brother, he told Jonathan, “I don’t want to save anything.”

He acknowledged Richard Donner's Superman as having an influence upon his pitch for Batman Begins. As Donner's version of the Man of Steel strayed from the comic book stories and was still quite successful.
    "I explained the potential of what was exciting to me. There really had not been an origin story about this extraordinary figure in an ordinary world."

Instead of worrying about pleasing fans of the comic books Nolan focuses most of his effort on telling the best story.
    “The source material is irrelevant. The challenge with Batman is to find what is a believable character. You put your stamp on it.”

Nolan is not oblivious to the fans of the comics either, as he calls Batman a "classic brand."
    "You're really working with something that belongs to the audience."
FILM vs. DIGITAL
“There’s a huge danger in all of this. If you are looking strictly at production cost, then you would use digital. But for the best image, it is still film.”

“The problem with the push to digital is it has been given a consumer aspect. It’s not what is best for the film. I don’t want to be the R and D department. I don’t have any interest in the research into electronics. What interests me is to use the best technology and that is film.”

“When it is as good as film and it makes sense I’ll be open to it. But (at present) it’s not good enough.”


For people that aren't aware of the economics involved with film and digital it all comes down to a precious metal, silver. It is used in the film process therefore when the price of silver started to climb ten years ago from five dollars an ounce to today being over twenty-five dollars an ounce that caused quite a problem. With silver being five times as expensive as it was ten years ago you can understand why producers and studios have been trying to sell the switch to digital.

In a new Deadline article they report that studios distribution of 35 mm film to theaters will cease domestically by the end of 2013, and the global markets by the end of 2015. Looks like Nolan and other filmmakers will have to embrace digital no matter what.

Quotes from this article are provided by Variety & The Hollywood Reporter.



The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters July 20th 2012 and stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon, Tom Hardy as Bane, Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake and Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate.

Source: variety.com
DISCLAIMER: This article was submitted by a volunteer contributor who has agreed to our code of conduct. ComicBookMovie.com is protected from liability under "safe harbor" provisions and will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. For expeditious removal, contact us HERE.
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RorMachine - 6/9/2012, 12:05 PM
I other news, Sam Raimi won't be directing the next Spider-Man.
PantherX - 6/9/2012, 12:09 PM
You have got to be kidding me?! Next we'll be hearing the sky is actually blue, haha.
Asterisk - 6/9/2012, 12:25 PM
I agree with him on the film vs. digital argument. Tarantino says the same thing.
manymade1 - 6/9/2012, 12:28 PM
Quick!!!!! somebody write an article that Nick Fury was black in the Avengers!!!!
ClaireLannister2016 - 6/9/2012, 12:31 PM
Gasp!
SeaborneLegend - 6/9/2012, 12:41 PM
Still holding out for that spider-man cameo though :)
driver - 6/9/2012, 1:09 PM
I have exclusive info about TDKR!!! Tom Hardy plays Bane!Wow that's exiting( in the world where Godzilla exist).
ElChavo - 6/9/2012, 1:19 PM
film IS better than digital, but nolan is still is hack
kevberg - 6/9/2012, 1:19 PM
@tea
its not so confusing...

men=pecs=muscle

women=tits=yummy

see...simple.
rockerdude22 - 6/9/2012, 1:23 PM
Nolan's a good director, and I have a lot of respect for him, but him saying the source material is "irrelevant" is really stupid. Without the source material, you wouldn't even have this movie in the first place. So saying it's "irrelevant" is pretty stupid. Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but that just comes off as dumb to me.
kevberg - 6/9/2012, 1:24 PM
Sorry to hear NOLAN is a assclown about the source material.

Good thing he had Goyer write for him who actually knows the material.

I think the guy wants to get past Batman. and Im now glad he will.

Disappointing comments from him.
Jollem - 6/9/2012, 1:30 PM
i'd be interested in hearing an audio file or seeing a video on the part about the irrelevance. wonder how he meant that?
DragonofDarknessXIII - 6/9/2012, 1:38 PM
"The source material is irrelevant....." Oh come on Nolan, don't be like that. Without the source, there is nothing to base on. Oh well, this is his last film.

Inb4 Nolan ruined comicbook movies.
VicSage - 6/9/2012, 1:39 PM
This is just wrong. I like Nolan's work a lot. I love his directing style and his writing is pretty decent. His ideas are astounding as well. But that comment really did tick me off. I always believed that while Nolan was the "genius" behind the Dark Knight Trilogy, it was Jonathan Nolan and David Goyer that kept Chris' ideas in check by bringing him back down to the source material to ensure he didn't stray from it. While Goyer is responsible for some of the corny lines in Batman Begins, he made sure it was still Batman and "comic booky." For The Dark Knight, Jonathan made sure we got as much comic book material as possible, otherwise TDK would've been more HEAT than Batman. For TDKR, it's thanks to Goyer and Jonathan that we get Catwoman and possibly THE BAT, otherwise there's no telling what Nolan had originally planned. He's a smart guy, and I still respect him, but that was a stupid comment and I hope he understands that.
sianirudh94 - 6/9/2012, 1:42 PM
Source material...is irrelevant? Bullshit.
DragonofDarknessXIII - 6/9/2012, 1:43 PM
I'll give him credit for making awesome storylines without the source material.
Tajin88 - 6/9/2012, 1:45 PM
LOL he said that the source material is irrelevant and the challenge with Batman is to find what a believable character is and that you must put your stamp on it, but he didnt say, that he doesnt use the source material, because we know that he did.

Retarded people are tryin desperately to find a reason to hate a director and his movies.
Who has doubt about it, then take a look at those:

http://gothamalleys.blogspot.de/2011/08/comic-book-references-in-movies-part-v.html

http://gothamalleys.blogspot.de/2011/08/comic-book-references-in-movies-part-vi.html

And I can tell, that Nolan used source material again, just by looking at the trailers.
Someone says again, that Avengers will be better than TDKR, but its the other way around, you must not watch a Nolan Batman movie to know its better than Avengers. Thats a fact. Forever.
thewonderer - 6/9/2012, 1:49 PM
Wow now people are completely going to misinterpret the whole source material is irrelevant line.

No CBM Adaption has translated the comic stories as they are. They are irrelevant in the sense that you can't make a movie like a comic is designed.

Also I'm about 90% sure this sentence was written out of context.

This was my point about First Class. Your first objective is making a good movie, and a CLOSE second is making it accurate. First Class failed in the second part but its so good a first, I personally excuse it.


And people, Nolans Batman movies are more accurate to the comics than anything Marvels done I can tell you that.
DragonofDarknessXIII - 6/9/2012, 1:49 PM
@Tajin, you have a point, he may think its irrelevant but he didn't say he use it.
SUPERBATSPIDERMAN - 6/9/2012, 1:50 PM
Everyone is getting mad at him saying the source material is irrelevant when obviously he thought that the whole time because of all the character changes he has made. These Batman movies are still the most quality CBMs out there. I would rather have quality films that stray away from the source than crappy movies that stick close to the source.
shadyginzo - 6/9/2012, 1:51 PM
source material is not irrelevant, but I do think there's scope with every classic character, be it Superman, Batman, or those from other genres like James Bond, to re-iamgine them to an extent. so long as the spirit remains then who cares if a setting or time period is changed? Casino Royale was one of the most faithful adaptations of Bond despite butchering almost every aspect of the character.
IronSpider101 - 6/9/2012, 1:52 PM
Oh how I lamented thought of actually posting on this site. The articles are informative, but the people are just... god damn it...


Anyway. I think you're all taking Nolan's comment out of context. When you're making a film, you SHOULD NOT be a slave to the source material. You should draw inspiriation from it, but ultimately it should be your own version of the character with comic-book elements that are compatible with it.


He's saying the source material is irrelevant when you're trying to create your own version of the character and his story. It should be your own thing, like you're making your own individual story based on the comic book character. You should not be a slave to what's been done in the past, you should just focus on making the adaptation your own and taking inspiration from the material when it fits.


He's not saying "[frick] the comic books". He's just saying that in order to focus on the quality of the production, the filmmaker must free themselves of all constraints and try to re-adjust the character to fit into their own world.

That's why he brings up Superman. Superman was every-bit the Superman from the comic-books, however the film itself was vastly different. The film was Superman in what the real world was at the time. Richard Donner took the Superman people knew and loved and changed him in whichever ways would make it possible to make the character fit into his own universe.

There's ultimately NO point in making a film adaptation of something if there is no artistic freedom. That's where Watchmen failed, that's where The Avengers, Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, Superman 1 and 2, Nolan's past 2 Batman films, and really all of the MCU triumphed.

Filmmakers have to go into these things with the true intent of making a good work of art, not for the sake of pleasing either comic-book fans or general audiences.


Now quit yer bitchin' people, god damn it.
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 6/9/2012, 1:52 PM
"The source material is irrelevant".I love Nolan's Bat-Films,but after reading this,he has lost a lot of cool points with me.This is why I love Marvel and Marvel Studios.They are not afraid of bringing their characters and their universe to life.
thewonderer - 6/9/2012, 1:53 PM
Did anyone even see or record him saying this?

Who the [frick] is Vance Van Petten?
Georgep66 - 6/9/2012, 1:54 PM
Wow Nolan just wow.
VicSage - 6/9/2012, 1:57 PM
Batman Begins used Batman: Year One as its foundation and brought in elements from The Man Who Falls into the story along with some original ideas. Aesthetically, it drew from Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.

The Dark Knight used Long Halloween, the first appearances of the Joker in comics, Batman #1 (1940), The Killing Joke, and Heat as his inspiration for the film. He even used HEAT for the aesthetics of the film. There are MANY shots from TDK that looks EXACTLY like Heat.

The Dark Knight Rises clearly draws from Knightfall with the coming of Bane and The Dark Knight Returns, with the absence of Batman for nearly 10 years. No Man's Land may also be an influence in the story. And from the looks of it, TDKR is drawing inspiration from Full Metal Jacket.

With each of his films, he brings in an actor from the film he is drawing from.

Rutger Hauer = Blade Runner = Batman Begins

William Fitchner = Heat = The Dark Knight

Matthew Modine = Full Metal Jacket = The Dark Knight Rises

So what is this bullshit about source material is irrelevant????
HorrorBiz - 6/9/2012, 1:58 PM
I love that Nolan said the source material is irrelevant, so now I can laugh at all the comic book nerds who will be upset by that. Some of you people need to get a life and stop roaming around this website all day.
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 6/9/2012, 1:59 PM
If source material is so irrelevant,why did he use The Long Halloween,The Killing Joke,and now Knightfall and No Man's Land storylines for his Batman movies.
Minotauro - 6/9/2012, 2:00 PM
@Wonderer - You're speaking of deaf ears on CBM. This place is full of Marvelite trolls. They will find some way to twist his viewpoint to their disliking. No Marvel movie pre-2007 followed the source material, except Spiderman, Ironman, Cap, Thor.
IronSpider101 - 6/9/2012, 2:01 PM
@Goomba I didn't state my personal opinion as fact, I expressed them in the very same way you just expressed your opinions regarding some of my examples.

Hell, it's not even entirely my personal opinion. I didn't like MCU's Thor at ALL. I thought it was a terrible film (the actors were brilliant in The Avengers, however). But I included it amongst my examples because I realize that I am a minority and that general audiences and fans alike both appreciated the film.

I think that it should be common sense that people are stating their opinions on the internet. Regardless of whether or not it is said initially or the sentence begins with "I think" or "I feel".

I was always taught in school that loading an opinionated or critical perpective with "I think" and such denoted a hesitant voice. I am not hesitant in the least when it comes to providing my own opinions and criticism, and netither should anybody else be.
Georgep66 - 6/9/2012, 2:01 PM
I know what this website needs.....
MORE ARSE-KISSING
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 6/9/2012, 2:02 PM
Damn this.I'm ready for the reboot.In Christan Bale's rant voice:"Me and you we're [frick]ing done professionally".
shadyginzo - 6/9/2012, 2:02 PM
Ninjajesus, how far do you wanna take that though? sure he changed the NAME of the batwing but we've still got batman flying around Gotham? surely the bigger travesty is the fact that the images are all moving around and you don't get to turn the pages yourself?
Netman0007 - 6/9/2012, 2:07 PM
"Source material is irrelevant"....hmm....sounds like another Batman director who "never has and never will read a comic book"....Mr. Tim Burton!

These guys would get along great!
zware - 6/9/2012, 2:08 PM
You go Nolan show these comic book clown how to actually make a story compelling. Some of these comic geeks just can't handle good and interesting stories.
FightAs0ne - 6/9/2012, 2:08 PM
If it wasnt for the source material nolan, you wouldnt have this trilogy or these very delusional fans...prick
Tajin88 - 6/9/2012, 2:08 PM
@NinjaJesus- LOL thats not Bane. If you want to know who or what Bane is, then go and look at Knightfall & the other old Bane comics, not at the crap shit from AA & AC.

Also, when people are getting upset by a comment, then they have some serious issues. I will watch this movie, no matter what.

I only care about a good movie with a great storytelling and not about the shit color of the pants from a superhero.
95 - 6/9/2012, 2:13 PM
As for the "source material is irrelevant" -- let me just say that this trilogy has given an overall feel of the mythos better than most CBM franchises. Goyer probably fought to preserve the integrity of Batman -- while Nolan was strictly interested in making a good movie. The mix is perfect.

@nailbiter111

Thanks, I never knew the problem was silver. Learned something new. And 35mm distributions cease in 2013? Wow. Lucas, Cameron, and Rodriguez are getting their wish.
nowtheresaBATman - 6/9/2012, 2:14 PM
@DragonofDarkness
"Nolan ruined comic book movies" haha yeah right. If anything he raised the bar. Not only is Batman Begins one of the best cbm's ever made, just speculate what Iron Man might've been like w/o Batman Begins's influence.

"awesome storylines w/o source material" are you delusional? Nolan's Batman trilgy is chalk full of source material ffs
shadyginzo - 6/9/2012, 2:15 PM
@Marvelite, Whedon is more reverental to comic book lore no doubt, he's a nerd at heart which Nolan is not. I'm happy with Nolan's films but his popularity draws more from the mainstream than Whedon who has the ability to capitalise on the fanboys while avoiding alienation of the general audience.
95 - 6/9/2012, 2:16 PM
I understand that some are mad -- but his work has helped other CBMs too -- so win-win (you'll get your reboot soon). Nolan is an artist. He doesn't want to be commissioned by WB to make their film. He wants to make his film. And a good film at that. But like I said, the reboot is coming... So let the legend end.
DragonofDarknessXIII - 6/9/2012, 2:18 PM
@nowtheresaBATman I did not say Nolan ruined Comic book movies. I said INb4 Nolan ruin comicbook movies. I meant "here comes the nolan ruin comicbook movies" comments from the trolls here.
LoudNoises - 6/9/2012, 2:19 PM
It's always funny when reading one of these articles, especially if it's about Nolan. As your reading through you always see one statement where you stop and think, can't wait to get down to the comment section and watch the fanboys jump all over that one. "How dare Nolan, blah blah blah." If a director was making good movies and in an interview he said "F the fans" I would probably be more likely to laugh than be offended. Some fans need to pull the stick out of their ass and stop picking apart statements which are more often than not taken out of context.
DragonofDarknessXIII - 6/9/2012, 2:20 PM
@NinjaJesus Just call Bane BINO "Bane in Name Only." Same with Catwoman. If it bugs you.
Ranger14 - 6/9/2012, 2:20 PM
Well, that makes things pretty black and white as to things that have been argued about over the last how many months? Years? No....he is not doing another Batman film. The source material is irrelevant. That is pretty black and white, though some are wanting to twist it around. Nolan makes solid films, but not the best comic book adaptations where it feels like you are seeing the actual comic on screen. The same thing happened with First Class. Good film, not the best comic book adaptation. Guess what? Vaugh said the same thing about the source material and keeping it within the X-Men universe, except he was a little more graphic about it.

There's nothing wrong with what they did because a lot of people liked the films. As a comic book fan, I was disappointed. Different strokes people....different strokes.
IronSpider101 - 6/9/2012, 2:21 PM
@LoudNoises

Couldn't agree more.
Ethic - 6/9/2012, 2:21 PM
Knew people would flip reading that quote about the source material. You haven't heard the actual conversation so don't rely so heavily on a quote.
He loves the character of Batman, this isn't him shitting on the comics.

In terms of creating a unique story about Batman, the source material (as in the story's that other writers through the years have created) is irrelevant, because he's working from the ground up and it's his take.
No one would say "Hmm lets go see what this writer did" they write from a personal place.
It's about being innovative and unique.
Obviously the character and bones of the tale are there but it's a unique take.
soforizo - 6/9/2012, 2:23 PM
“The source material is irrelevant. The challenge with Batman is to find what is a believable character. You put your stamp on it.”
----
Believable?

Yeah, cuz nothing speaks "believable" as having Batman's kevlar-plated armor and impact-resistant cowl allow him to land on his back from a skyscraper and crash a van with his legs from 4-floors without even a scratch, but now too weak against Bane's naked hand punches.
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 6/9/2012, 2:24 PM
@TheMarvelite That's what I love about Joss Whedon,he loves the comics and respects the comics,just like we do.
soforizo - 6/9/2012, 2:25 PM
Anyways, I'm glad he's saying no to a 4th film; lets hope he has the balls to stay away.
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