Nolan Speaks on "Batman 3"

Bat-fans, film-geeks and Jedi Knights have been wondering what director Christopher Nolan has in store for a third Batman ever since the "The Dark Knight" exploded multiplexes in July. Frankly, I've been too caught up in the majestic sequel to really care too much. But the man behind the masterpiece has finally broken the silence.

When asked about the possibility of a sequel, Nolan chose his words carefully:

Well ... let me think how to put this. There are two things to be said. One is the emphasis on story. What’s the story? Is there a story that’s going to keep me emotionally invested for the couple of years that it will take to make another one? That’s the overriding question. On a more superficial level, I have to ask the question: How many good third movies in a franchise can people name? [Laughs.] At the same time, in taking on the second one, we had the challenge of trying to make a great second movie, and there haven't been too many of those either. It’s all about the story really. If the story is there, everything is possible. I hope that was a suitably slippery answer.

Can't you just hear his terrific English accent while reading that? I thought his reply was a very responsible answer.

Nolan has also expressed desire to make something on a "smaller scale." Aaron Eckhart said in an interview, not too long ago, that Nolan is an "independent filmmaker at heart," and that he "has a lot of wonderful ideas." I believe that. I can understand if Nolan wants to do other things-- Who would want to direct sequels for the rest of their career?

I myself have even questioned: Should there be a third Batman? The second film was so majestic and beyond any film of that particular genre I've ever seen that it almost feels like the only way to go is down. I'm not saying a third Batman would be a bad movie, but would it hit the bar "The Dark Knight" topped? Tough call.

And as I type this, Warner Brothers is sacrificing more and more virgins in Nolan's name.