Just imagine if the Justice League film is so bad that it ultimately squashes the potential for a third Batman film with Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale. Oh man, the fanboy riot would be epic. However, I don't think there is any doubt that Warner Bros. will get Nolan and Bale back together for a third film, especially if The Dark Knight ends up being even half as good as most people expect.

Anyway, Entertainment Weekly held an interview with both Bale and Nolan at ShoWest and asked both of them about the prospect of a third film, and when it was referred to as possibly being a "part 7" Bale was quick to correct.

EW: So do you think there will be a part 3 of Batman?

Bale: Um, look, let's wait and see...

EW: Or, I guess it'd be part 7.

Bale: No, no, no, no, no. [Smiling] Part 3 is what I'd consider it, yeah, I don't say part 7. Batman begins — that was the beginning there, with all due respect to the others. We are re-creating this. You know, obviously the decision is out of my hands. I would, knowing the Dark Knight story, I would like very much to complete a trilogy. And I think that knowing the story of The Dark Knight, it leaves you anticipating something that really can get very, very interesting for a third. Now, the question would be: Is Chris going to be doing it? Because to me I find it tricky to imagine working on it without it being a collaboration with Chris.

Nolan didn't come out and say he would like a trilogy, but you get the impression he is certainly up for it.

EW: Will there be another Batman movie?

Nolan: I have no clue, I mean, I just...

EW: Well, but you leave it open at the end of this one for there to be another one.

Nolan: [Conspiratorially] Do we? How do you know?

EW: One of your actors might have mentioned it.

Nolan: [Laughs] Oh really? [Laughs]

EW: Or hinted at it.

Nolan: Well, he hasn't seen the film. [Laughs] The ending of the film is, we're trying for a similar sense of excitement that we had with the first film. But for me it's always about this movie. It's always about: I want people, when the credits come on this movie, I want their heads just spinning with excitement about what this thing we've seen was and what it might be. But it's very specific to this movie. Without sounding pretentious about it, I really do try and put everything I've got into the film I'm making at any one time, and, you know, see what's left in the end. [Chuckles]

In other Batman news, Blu-ray.com is reporting that Batman Begins is finally going to come to Blu-ray on July 8th along with a re-release of the original DVD. Word is that there will be a single disc and gift set edition, both of which will include an exclusive comic book prologue to The Dark Knight. The box set will also include a Batman Begins motion art lenticular, script pages, exclusive photos, storyboards, five collectible Batman Begins postcards, and $7.50 in movie cash toward a Dark Knight ticket.

I own the HD DVD and haven't watched it since, hopefully the Blu-ray offers something new outside of crummy gift box shit no one wants.