You Gotta Have Faith...And Loads Of Cash

Variety is a buzz with the latest sequel news for a trio of high profile studio franchises...and its all about having faith in your "employees"

Warner's men in tights by Pamela McClintock gives readers a progress report on the business side of things for the next Batman and Superman flicks

She writes:

Warner Bros. Pictures is already planning the next installments to "Batman Begins" and "Superman Returns," with respective helmers Christopher Nolan and Bryan Singer in line to return.

Neither director's deal is closed; the studio has hired Jonah Nolan -- Christopher's brother -- to pen the screenplay for the untitled "Batman" project. Studio has options on "Batman Begins" star Christian Bale and "Superman Returns" star Brandon Routh.

Next installment in the Caped Crusader franchise is further along in the process since "Batman Begins" was released last summer; Singer's "Superman Returns," now in post, doesn't bow until June 30.

Legendary Pictures, which put up half the financing for both "Batman Begins" and "Superman Returns," is expected to board the sequels and split the budgets 50/50 with Warner Bros. In return, Legendary would split all profits, also 50/50.

The Warners-based Legendary, led by Thomas Tull, is a financing and development company backed by more than $500 million in private equity.

Projects come as no surprise considering Warner's proclivity for big-budget tentpoles. "Batman" and "Superman" sequels could make their debut in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

While I agree that a sequel to Batman Begins is no surprise, given its success last summer, Warners' must be flying high over Bryan Singer's rough cut of Superman Returns to make a sequel commitment this soon. Sure, a sequel is always on the table for projects like this, but deals are usually not made public this fast. Stars are optioned for more films and all that but first weekend ticket sales have a lot to do with what we see next. Think Elektra folks. If that stinker of a film had done better...we would be seeing a lot more of her for sure. It did poorly. Thus, whatever sequel options the film had, were quickly and quietly rendered null and void.

Meanwhile, as I told you on 2-15-06, plans are underway for another Friday the 13th film--a prequel no less. Now comes word that the producers have tapped Jonathan Liebesman to direct the film. While I have yet to see his 2003 fright fest Darkness Falls, the producers must like his work, given that he also made the soon to be released Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning for the same team.

Read Dave McNary's Helmer makes plans for 'Friday' for more on the particulars of the project.