Nolan Not "Sure Thing" to Direct Batman 3?

Ever since The Dark Knight broke damn-near every box-office record imaginable last year, many folks have (rather foolishly) just assumed that Christopher Nolan was going to return to the director's chair for the inevitable Batman 3.

Well first he decided to shift-gears and make Inception as his next film with a July 2010 release date set. By default, the originally planned 2011 release for the third Batman installment was pushed back to 2012.

All the awhile, we heard plenty of mutterings from cast-members like Michael Caine guessimating that they'll return in "a few years" or 100% Grade-A Internet bullshit rumors such as Eddie Murphy playing the Riddler or Cher as Catwoman to name a few.

Now comes word from our pal Bill Ramey (aka Jett) the "big-cheese" over at Batman On Film that the participation from Mr. Nolan is far from a sure thing. As per his sources or as he affectionately calls it "Industry Scuttlebutt:"

• The death of Heath Ledger in January of 2008 rocked Mr. Nolan hard. So hard that Chris was convinced that TDK was going to be it for him and Batman on film.
• The Joker was going to return in BATMAN 3.
• You are correct in reporting that he is developing story ideas with [Jonathan Nolan] and David Goyer, but it will be until AT LEAST 2012 before we see the Caped Crusader back [in theaters]. And that is only an EARLY ESTIMATE at best right now. They are even saying it might not be until 2013.
• Basically, the Batman film franchise is back to square one. As far as a story or a BATMAN 3, "Right now, there is none," says our guy.

A few things one has to keep in mind before fanboys start spazzing out. For one, Inception is apparently a much bigger endeavor than most of us originally assumed with the recent reports of its $200+ million. It's very well possible that Nolan is going to want to recharge his batteries again before back into "Planet Batman" mode.

There's also the chance that Nolan knows there is no.way.in.Hell! he's going to able to "top" The Dark Knight for most people. The general public, press, fanboys, etc. have a funny way of viciously turning against someone (whether they be an actor, filmmaker, politican, sports-figure, etc.) after raising them up to such a high standard after so long. It's altogether possible that Nolan realizes this and wants to get the fuck off the Batman franchise while he's so highly valued.

Then again, this could be all bullshit and Nolan does wind up helming Batman 3. But if Jett heard it, then it's something to take into consideration, folks...