Christopher Nolan Talks THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, INCEPTION Videogame; Confirms This Is “the Last Chapter of Our Batman Saga”

With Inception hitting Blu-ray and DVD next week, director Christopher Nolan has been doing the press rounds recently and, of course, all anyone wants to talk about is The Dark Knight Rises.  While talking to EW, Nolan confirmed what we’ve all known for quite a while, calling The Dark Knight Rises “the last chapter of our Batman saga.”  More interestingly, though, was Nolan’s response when asked if any part of him wished he were taking on another original script instead of diving back into the Batman franchise:

“No, it’s exactly the opposite. I feel very glad that I’m doing another Batman film. I think it would have been daunting to sit down and write an original script after Inception. I love working within the realm and rules of our Batman world. It’s kind of nice to have someplace to go that I’m super-excited about.”

Another choice quote from Nolan, which makes me very happy, was in addressing the freedom he’s been granted on this final installment of the Batman franchise given Inception’s massive success, “I must say that I’m glad — I’m very, very glad — to be embarking on the last chapter of our Batman saga without any sense of obligation or duty to the studio. They did very well with Inception. So I’m able to go into finishing our story in a very enthusiastic way.”  For more from Nolan, including info on that Inception videogame and his response to sequel rumors, hit the jump.

Regarding the videogame, Nolan is apparently “developing the game with a team of collaborators and [it’s] a long-term proposition.” So, we don’t know exactly when we’ll get to check it out, but it’s pretty much guaranteed to be kick-ass.  He was also asked about the possibility of a sequel to Inception, to which he responded, “it’s not something I want to say no to, but it’s not something I’ve given a lot of thought about.”

I find this promising, as I’d much rather see Nolan move onto another original project or new adaptation post-Batman than return to Inception. It just seems like the type of film that would be soiled by the mere existence of a sequel—it’s a damn fine work of art and deserves to stand alone.

When asked whether the top at the end of the film was, in fact, still spinning, Nolan laughed the question off. “I’ve been asked the question more times than I’ve ever been asked any other question about any other film I’ve made…What’s funny to me is that people really do expect me to answer it.” Though he doesn’t answer that question directly, Nolan did recently sit down and explain a good deal of the film (or at least much more than was expected from a man so secretive about his projects). The Dark Knight Rises is set to start filming early next year, with a release date positioned for July 20, 2012.

Expect a lot more news on The Dark Knight Rises as casting should be in full swing soon.