The Dark Knight: Is It Too Soon To Talk About The Next Film?

Everyone is awaiting the release of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. It’s almost time folks, but what are we going to do after the film is released ?

Well don’t worry – it’s now junket time for the movie and the question on most journalists’ lips is “What about the next film?”

As you can imagine everyone is rather vague about a third film for many reasons: this one could tank (unlikely I know, but you never know), if they seem too eager then they shoot themselves in the foot contract wise, they might not be invited back (Katie… is that you?) or they probably don’t know anything.

That doesn’t stop people asking questions and guys like me speculating.

However, when Christian Bale was asked about he chances of Robin showing up during his time in the Batcave he simply said:

“If Robin crops up in one of the new Batman films, I’ll be chaining myself up somewhere and refusing to go to work.”

Meanwhile Christopher Nolan himself and Gary Oldman gave their thoughts and opinions on the next film.

Firstly, when Nolan was asked by Movieweb about whether or not he would helm a third film he said:

“I don’t know. I take my projects one at a time, and I am not thinking about that right now. I don’t know if I want to come back.”

Sounds like he’s acting very coy, considering that when he did Batman Begins he stated that he’d planned the story over three movies. I hear the words “contract negotiation” in his future.

Nolan was also asked if he would recast the role of the Joker he replied:

“I don’t know. I honestly have not taken a moment away from what is going on with the film now to even think about that. I don’t know. I simply don’t know.”

Gary Oldman was a little bit more open when talking about the third film in the current Bat franchise.

Oldman was also asked about the chances of another actor taking the place of Heath Ledger and he stated:

“I don’t see why not. I mean, they did it with Katie Holmes’ character. I understand that this is a different circumstance, but I think another actor could do the job. I think Heath would want another actor to do the job. Maybe we don’t need the Joker. Because we’ll have The Riddler.”

Very interesting. The Riddler? Hmmmmm…

The interviewer went on to see if Oldman would be returnng for a third film and he replied:

“We don’t really know if Nolan is coming back. I guess I have to come back.

Oldman then went on to say:

“Nolan will come back for a third one. I think we all have to.”

Very interesting news. However in what context did Gary Oldman say “we’ll have The Riddler” ?

Was he being hypothetical or was he implying that The Riddler is goung to be in the next film?

Who knows, and I think that it will be about another year or 18 months before we find out the truth.

In the meantime prepare yourself for The Dark Knight which opens on July, 18.

Sources: Contact Music and Movieweb