Christian Bale affirms he won’t be returning as Batman in “Justice League”

Anyone who got their hopes up for English actor Christian Bale to return as Batman for the potential Justice League movie better be ready for some disappointment.

 

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the star who donned the Cape and Cowl for the highly successful Dark Knight trilogy of films confirmed that he won’t be reprising his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Last July 2012, the actor finished his portrayal of the legendary DC Comics superhero and character with release of “The Dark Knight Rises,” signifying the end of a partnership with director Christopher Nolan, who began his epic Batman film run with 2005’s Batman Begins and it’s highly acclaimed 2008 sequel, The Dark Knight.

 

 

During the interview with EW, Bale had this to say:

 

“We were incredibly fortunate to get to make three [Batman films]. That’s enough. Let’s not get greedy. Chris [Nolan] always said he wanted to make it one film at a time. And we ended up sitting there looking at each other, saying ‘We’re about to make the third.’ We never really knew if we were going to get to be there, but if that was how it was going to be, this was where it should end as well.”

 

As it is, Bale confirms that he’s done suiting up, and he’s long stated that if Christopher Nolan isn’t back to direct another Batman film, he won’t be returning to the batsuit anytime soon.

 

When asked whether he was approached or asked to be Batman again on Justice League, the academy award winner had this to say:

 

“I have no information, no knowledge about anything. I’ve literally not had a conversation with a living soul. I understand that they may be making a Justice League movie, that’s it. It’s a torch that should be handed from one actor to another. So I enjoy looking forward to what somebody else will come up with.”

 

It’s a given that Christopher Nolan’s Batman universe is self-contained, and no other references to established DC Comics heroes were given other than what was present in Gotham City and The Dark Knight’s world. It’s a clear and good decision to keep the Dark Knight Trilogy world apart from what may come with Justice League, as the richness and mythology depicted in all three films stands apart from the “Brave New World” that a shared DC Movie Universe would explore. It would be a compromise in itself for Bale to suit up again as a new version of Batman that’s different Nolan’s take, but having somebody new taking the mantle of the Bat is a better option.

 

It’s pure speculation at this point as to who will be the next actor to don the Batsuit for the big screen. With Man Of Steel having opened in theaters last June and ushering in a potential DC Movie Universe, Warner Bros. is aiming to expand their hero line-up and pave the way for the inevitable Justice League film. After the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and 2012’s superhero blockbuster hit “The Avengers,” all the hopes and dreams of DC Comics fans looking to see the likes of Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Wonder Woman finally team up and work together as the World’s Greatest Superheroes are big. WB has even given the go signal to start work on a sequel to Man Of Steel, with Zack Snyder and David S. Goyer returning to direct and write the screenplay respectively.

 

No official word has been given as to when “Justice League” will happen, but rumors persist it may come in 2015, the same year that “The Avengers 2” and several other new popculture franchises get their big movies. It’s rumors and guesses for now, but perhaps the San Diego Comic Con will have answers on what the future will bring for The Dark Knight, The Man Of Steel, and the rest of the DC Superheroes. Let’s wait and see. — VC, GMA News