Chris Nolan is one of my favorite directors, Schumacher told IFC while discussing his upcoming film Trespass, starring Nicolas Cage. Years ago I was doing press in Paris, and I was with Eli Richbourg. We were looking for a movie that wasnt in French . . . and we saw this British film called Following. Its in black and white and its Chris Nolans first film, and . . . I just thought it was the work of a brilliant young director. So I always had him in the back of my mind, thinking, Were going to hear from this guy, big time. Then I saw Memento and the promise was fulfilled very fast.
I think Chris Nolan is brilliant and I think Heath [Ledger] was extraordinary [in 'The Dark Knight.'], he added. Chris is a master and hes so young, and god knows whats coming from him now.
And from the sound of things, Schumacher is just as interested as the rest of us in seeing what Nolan has planned for The Dark Knight Rises.
I always look forward to what hes going to do next, he said. Unlike some of my peers in the business, I am inspired by films I love, not jealous of them. When I see a film that disappoints and Im sure Ive made some of them that kind of depresses me. I dont go to the theater to dislike a movie, and I dont think the audience does either.
Actually, its critics that go to a movie to dislike it, he laughed. They dont go as fans.
And while hes had to take some flak over the years for Batman & Robin, his first Batman film still holds a place in his heart.
As he sees it, every director whos had a chance to get behind the camera for a Batman movie has created a version of the character that is quintessentially their own whether its Nolans Batman, his Batman, or the version presented by their predecessor, Tim Burton.
I think that Tim Burtons Batman movies are so Tim Burton, he explained. And I think Batman Forever is really my movie.
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