The Warner boss has just announced that after the third film in the Batman trilogy, they plan to reboot the saga.
“We have the third Batman, but then we’ll have to reinvent Batman,” he explained. When asked if that meant a reboot, Robinov confirmed: “I do. Chris Nolan and [producing partner and wife] Emma Thomas will be producing it, so it will be a conversation with them about what the next phase is.”
It was predictable, but oddly, I’m not bothered by it. They gave Nolan the opportunity to do what he wanted, without pushing him into a broader DC universe like Marvel has done, and now they prefer to reboot the franchise rather than continue it with someone else (given what Schumacher did to *Batman*, it’s probably for the best). The fact that Nolan will be involved as a producer is reassuring, and I don’t think he’ll overstep too much. Hiring Zack Snyder, who’s radically different from Nolan, to handle *Superman* under his production proves that he’ll pick someone interesting for the reboot (and not, say, a Marc Webb-type situation like with *Spider-Man*).
This reboot would also allow for the creation of a DC universe, especially with the growing rumors of a *Justice League* movie (slated for 2013, though it’s hard to say how credible that is). With *Green Lantern* coming out this summer and a *Superman* reboot in the works, it wouldn’t be surprising at all.
Of course, it’s mostly about business, but I do like the idea that we live in a world where directors like Ang Lee, Nolan, and Singer can offer their versions of Hulk, Batman, and Superman, and then we get alternative takes from Leterrier, Snyder, and others. It’s actually pretty close to the original nature of the comic book medium.
