Want to know what Christopher Nolan has to say about Batman AND Superman?

Well, look no further than this article from Coming Soon:

Empire magazine talked to Christopher Nolan, whose new film Inception opens July 16, and got some great quotes from the helmer on the next Batman movie, coming July 20, 2012, and next Superman movie, targeted for a holiday 2012 release.

It was recently revealed that he would take on a mentor (or "godfather") role for the Superman movie, but he's not that comfortable with that title. "It's much more specific than that," he explained, "What it is, while David Goyer and myself were putting together the story for another Batman film a few years ago - you know, thrashing out where we might move on from 'The Dark Knight' - we got stuck. We were just sitting there idly chatting and he said, ' By the way, I think I know how you approach Superman,' and he told me his take on it. I thought it was really tremendous. It was the first time I had been able to conceive of how you would address Superman in a modern context. I thought it was a very exciting idea."

Nolan said he took that idea and pitched it to Warner Bros., and the studio got excited, too. "But it's not something for me to direct," he added. "It's something we were just trying to put together a vision for, and then find the right person to take it forward."

What's important to Nolan is finding the core of what makes the character so indelible; he favors the back-to-basics approach. "What you have to remember with both Batman and Superman," he told the magazine, "is that what makes those the best superhero characters there are, the most beloved after all this time, is the essence of who those characters were when they were created and when they were first developed. And you can't ever move too far from that."

He still hasn't officially signed on to direct new Batman movie. "No I haven't. There is a point where you're just being precious about it and people get annoyed, but the God's honest truth is I work on one movie at a time. I'm only capable of doing that, so my head will continue to be firmly in ['Inception'] for another few months."
There are some things, though, that Nolan can confirm. "My brother is working on the screenplay. We came up with a story that we are very excited about. We particularly like where we are taking the characters and what the ending is... There are things for me to be very excited about in addressing the characters again. But ultimately it always comes down to the script, and can we make a great film from this? That's something I will firmly be turning my attention to figuring out fairly soon." It will be, he said, "the finishing of a story rather than infinitely blowing up the balloon and expanding the story."

Empire asked whether the villain could be a returning (and recast) Joker. "No," said Nolan resisting to elaborate, "I just don't feel comfortable about it."

Nolan reiterated that you won't be seeing a Batman/Superman crossover in his movies. "Marvel are doing what they do and people will respond to that really well, or they won't," said Nolan. "It's not something I ever really applied a blanket rule to, but Marvel characters are very different to DC characters, and the key DC characters are very different to the minor DC characters. You've got to go back to that element of, 'What do I see when I close my eyes and think of Batman? What do I see when I close my eyes and think of Superman?' And for me a big part of that is their individuality. They are extraordinary beings in an ordinary world. And the reason I think the two are fascinating is because Superman is very specifically superpowered and obviously otherworldly; Batman is very human and flawed. They're two very different characters, but there's an elemental feeling of power in the iconography of those characters. To me that's originally because they stood alone. I need to hang on to that in my imagining of them."

-Very interesting quotes there...thoughts?

American Idol Interview: Kristen McNamara

In Season 8 of American Idol we saw outstanding talent fall by the wayside with the likeness of Felicia Barton, Ju'Not Joyner, Brent Keith and Ricky Braddy. Among that list is the beautiful and talented Kristen McNamara, the big voice bombshell, who unfortunately is best known for her drama-full antics with her group members during the Hollywood rounds.

One of the best things about Kristen is how unrestrained she is. She doesn't sugercoat anything for you. In this interview about her time on Idol and her future plans with her fellow contestants Tatiana del Toro and Nick "Normund Gentile" Mitchell and their upcoming reality show pilot, Kristen lays it all out. She speaks about her being pushed to be something she wasn't by the judges, one of which is a country singer, which she is not anymore.

She also spills a little secret that may explain some of the sour taste Season 8 put in many viewers' mouths. Give a listen...

Christopher Nolan talks Batman AND Superman!

And while he doesn't give up much info in his interview (you can find the full interview on any number of sites, including the following snippets on The Hollywood Reporter), there are some nice tidbits, which I'll show now:

Nolan confirms he is acting as "godfather" for the Superman movie -- I can tell you that at the end of the day, he is acting as a producer and will likely be credited that way -- and talks about not only Superman but the third Batman movie.

Some choice tidbits:

- The Superman movie and Batman movie will not be linked in any way. "They have nothing to do with each other," Nolan says. (But where does that leave the Justice League movie?)

- The idea for the movie occurred when David Goyer and Nolan were at an impasse on the third Batman and Goyer ran his Superman idea by Nolan.

- The third Batman is the final chapter in the story that Nolan is telling. "The key thing that makes the third film a great possibility for us is that we want to finish our story,” he says. “And in viewing it as the finishing of a story rather than infinitely blowing up the balloon and expanding the story.”

- Nolan stays mum on villains, but says, "It won't be Mr. Freeze."

- The best line in the piece, by the way, came when when the intrepid reporter tried to find out who the Superman villains would be, to which Nolan responds, "That’s a very sly way of asking a question I’m not going to answer."

-Thoughts?

American Idol Interview: Felicia Barton

We continue our Past American Idols Interviews with Season 8 Top 36 contestant, Felicia Barton.

You can download it from our Awards Circuit Podcasts (Search The Awards Circuit Blog on iTunes) or you can go directly to the page HERE

The Oscar Circuit breaks down the Best Director race, and more performances Oscar missed!

There's a bunch of stuff today on the Main Page, highlighted by the Oscar Circuit detailing the Best Director category. Check it out here and keep your eyes open for the last few pieces in the coming days.
We also have part 2 of the great performances that Oscar missed. That can be found here, so take a gander and leave some feedback!
-Thoughts on the updates?

ACCA 2009 closes today, along with a whole host of updates today on the Main Page of The Awards Circuit!

Indeed, there's lots to see today on the site. First off, if you haven't voted in the Awards Circuit Community Awards, today is your last day to do so. Go here and support your favorites of the year!
We start the updates for today with the latest Oscar Circuit article, this one dealing with the hotly contested Best Actress category. Go here to read it and let us know how you're liking the series so far.
We've all also updated our Chart Predictions, so if you're curious how we all see the entire Oscar show playing out, go here and see what we think.
Fans of our interviews will rejoice, since we've got another one to share. This new interview is with The Young Victoria's Oscar nominated Costume Designer Sandy Powell. The interview can be found here, so be sure to check it out!
Finally, the American Idol page continues to be updated, so go here and keep track of all the goings on with the hit show of the same name.
-Thoughts on the potential ACCA results, Oscar Circuit article, Chart predix, interview, and possibilities with Idol?

Check out our interview with Louie Psihoyos, the director of The Cove!

Listen to the interview here, and let us know what you think!

Tarantino gives a rather interesting interview...

I saw this while watching MSNBC, and now that I've found the embed, here you go:

-Thoughts?

Check out our interview with Geoffrey Fletcher, along with a new Oscar Circuit article and more!

Indeed, the writer of Precious was gracious enough to take some time and let us interview him. To listen to Geoffrey Fletcher, go here and let us know what you think!
We've got a new Oscar Circuit article for everyone, this one addressing the Cinematography category. It can be found here, so check it out and be prepared for more to come.
Of note is also an update to the Best Animated Feature predictions. That's here, so take a gander and leave us some feedback.
Last, but not least, we have the last days of ACCA 2009 voting. Go here to make sure your voice is heard!
-Thoughts on the interview, article, prediction, and ACCA voting?

New predictions for Best Director and Actor hightlight the Main Page of The Awards Circuit, along with an interview with Anthony Mackie, and more!

Yes, the Main Page of The Awards Circuit has something for everyone today. The main Predictions are continuing to get updated, with Best Director and Best Actor getting a face-lift. The predix can be found here and here, so check them out and let us know what you think!
We also have another new interview for your reading pleasure, this one with The Hurt Locker's Anthony Mackie. It can be found here, so read and enjoy!
Those interested in Clayton's reactions to the Golden Globes, along with how he did in predictions, would do well to go here and check that out.
Also on the front of our fearless leader, he's put out his annual Davis Awards, which are always interesting. Those are found here, so see how your top honors of the year match up with his.
Finally, remember to keep voting in the Awards Circuit Community Awards. Go here and support your favorites from 2009!
-Thoughts on the new predictions, interview, and articles?

Updated Best Picture predictions and a new interview on the Main Page of The Awards Circuit!

Indeed, the season is winding down and we have a new set of predictions for Best Picture for you to check out. They can be found here, so look them over and let us know what you think!
We also have a new interview in our continuing series of them, this one with producer. screenwriter, and WGA member Larry Gross. The interview can be found here, so definitely read that and give us some feedback.
-Thoughts on the new predictions and interview?

Voting for ACCA 2009 has begun, along with an interview with Fred Melamed on the Main Page of The Awards Circuit!

Yes, take the role of voter and vote in the 2009 Awards Circuit Community Awards. Go here and let your voice be heard. Make use of the write in vote if we didn't cover your favorite film or performance!
We also have the first of many interviews for your listening pleasure. This is with A Serious Man's Fred Melamed, and is a must listen. The interview is found here, so listen and let us know what you think!
-Thoughts on what/whom you're supporting in the ACCA's and on the interview?