Warner Bros just can’t get enough of those men in tights. The studio has kicked off official negotiations to make sequels to not just Batman Begins – which we expected, given the critical adoration, decent box office and all-round quality of the film – but also Superman Returns. Which isn’t even in cinemas yet. And is already costing the studio a packet.
Still, so confident are Warner Bros execs in their two top tier franchises that they’re locking down deals. Begins director Christopher Nolan and Returns helmer Bryan Singer have yet to sign on the dotted, but Jonah Nolan has been hired to write the screenplay for the as-yet untitled Batman sequel, which already has a treatment written by Nolan and David Goyer. And they have an option on Christian Bale to return as Bruce Wayne.
And likewise the main cast for Superman have second-film options in their contracts. So expect the studio to try and schedule a Super-sequel for Bryan Singer to helm as soon as he’s finished his Logan’s Run update.
That sound you hear is the casting rumour mill cranking up: it’s going to be a looooong summer.
