3. The Exec
Written by Doug Miers, The Exec is a satirical action comic where corporations have the strength of nations. A send-up of big business, the story focuses on how executives are the new power in the world, being above the law, brokering deals and shooting up rival companies. They are expected to come home from a hard days work with a hefty paycheck and some bloodstains on their shirt. Thats just the cut and thrust of capitalism gone rampant. Back in 2003, Nolan's brother Jonathan Nolan was tasked with writing the screenplay for the comic adaptation that Chris was looking to direct after the release of
Batman Begins, however he chose to helm
The Prestige and then blockbuster film-making took precedence with two further, bigger Batman movies and his magnus opus
Inception. Though according to
Harry Potter producer David Heyman who was behind the movie at Warner Bros at the time,
The Exec was designed to be a big movie in its own right;
"It has the elements of the tension Chris created in 'Memento' and 'Insomnia,' but it is also a major-sized film, and it will be useful for Chris and Emma to apply the lessons they are learning in mounting the Batman film,"
So what happened to the film? Well nobody knows for sure but obviously the
Batman franchise becoming a trilogy took Chris's time away from his own personal projects and perhaps Jonathan Nolan brought
The Prestige to his brother's attention and he moved on to work on that and never returned to
The Exec.
Who Would Star?: Christian Bale who memorably played Patrick Bateman in
American Psycho, another parody of life in big business (and obviously Bruce Wayne) and has now made four films with Nolan. Although no actor was ever officially attached, we can't think of anyone better to lead the movie.
Likelihood as Nolan's Next Movie?: Doubtful as Nolan has twice decided to helm something different when he had the opportunity to make it. Plus, it sounds like another huge movie and perhaps Chris is interested in something quieter for his next project? However if he does want to make a universe with this property he has the blank cheque to make it as big as he wants it to be.