So much has happened in the comic book genre since Christopher Nolan redefined the landscape with 2005’s Batman Begins. Cinematic universes have exploded onto almost every available multiplex screen, completely changing cinema as we know it. So why did such a game-changing series of films manage to resist the temptation to continue the further adventure’s of Christian Bale’s Batman? Well, he of the cowl, cape and grizzled voice has revealed that there was no fourth outing for The Dark Knight because they had to “stick to Chris’ dream”.
Speaking to The Toronto Sun while doing the press-rounds for Le Mans ’66 (read our ★★★★ review here) Christian Bale detailed the process that emerged throughout the making of Nolan’s groundbreaking blockbusters, revealing:
“When they came and said, ‘You want to go make another?’ It was fantastic, but we still said, ‘This is it. We will not get another opportunity…’ Then they came and they said, ‘OK, let’s do the third one.’ Chris had always said to me that if we were fortunate to be able to make three we would stop. ‘Let’s walk away after that,’ he said. Then when they inevitably came to us and said, ‘How about a No. 4?’ I said, ‘No. We have to stick to Chris’ dream, which was always to, hopefully, do a trilogy. Let’s not stretch too far and become overindulgent and go for a fourth.’ That’s why we, well Chris, stepped away. After that I was informed my services were no longer required (laughs).”
With all of the buzzy casting news for Matt Reeves’ upcoming take on The Batman, the Caped Crusader is back in the headlines once again, and while reception to recent iterations of the character have been mixed, to say the least, the bar will forever remain set by Nolan’s gloomy masterpieces. It has always felt right that the Inception director capped it off at three, but if you don’t agree with that, please let us know using the comments section, or head over to our Twitter page to continue the discussion…
