The LA Times posted an article today claiming tension is growing between Warner Bros. and their financing partner Legendary Pictures over The Dark Knight Rises. The two companies started their co-financing and production partnership back in 2005 on Batman Begins, and have since had a rather successful relationship. The deal between the two companies is up in 2013, and according to the article, negotiations over The Dark Knight Rises is causing tension over the renewal.
While Legendary was a 50/50 partner on 2008’s The Dark Knight, which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide and sold 16 million DVDs, the film financing and production company has for months been trying to secure a similar ownership stake in the sequel. The film, which like the last two Batman pictures will be directed by Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, is expected to cost at least $250 million to produce.
That’s right, industry insiders are ball-parking the budget for The Dark Knight Rises in the $250 million area. I suppose this shouldn’t be terribly surprising — we all expected a jump up from The Dark Knight‘s budget of $185 million. And Wally Pfister is on record as stating that they’re planning on shooting as much IMAX as possible for Rises, which alone can nearly double the budget of a scene. Who’s ready to see that budget be put to use?
