Not only does "The Dark Knight Rises" cap off Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise, it marks the end of an era of sorts for both the director and cinematographer Wally Pfister. They've both done some incredible work on the series (and all of Nolan's films), but it now looks they are changing up the working relationship.
Alcon Entertainment has announced today Nolan and his wife/producer Emma Thomas will executive produce Pfister's directorial debut. First announced this spring, there is no title, and in true Nolan fashion, the script by newcomer Jack Paglen is being kept under lock and key. Annie Marter developed the project and pitched it to Straight Up Films with whom she'll co-produced alongside Marisa Polvino, Kate Cohen and Regency Boies. Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove will produce for Alcon. Pre-production is underway.
But will Nolan have to find a new cinematographer? In the latest issue of Empire, they say, "Wally Pfister…is retiring as a DP and moving on to his directing debut." It will remain to be seen if Nolan will have to find a new man behind the camera, but it's exciting to see Pfister move ahead to take on his own films with the support of his longtime collaborator.
We're eager to see what the results of the this endeavor will be. Shooting will begin this fall or winter.
