Nolan has only been directing high-profile films for a decade or so, but has already become one of the most formidable -- dare we say "visionary" -- talents in the studio system. "Memento," "Insomnia" and "The Prestige" found him dealing with strong, sympathetic characters in increasingly fantastic situations, while "Inception" brought his grand sci-fi/action style to near Kubrickian heights. With his Batman films, Nolan and his writers (notably his own brother, Jonathan Nolan) have endowed the familiar storyline with a dramatic grit and resonance previously unseen in the Tim Burton films (let's not even mention Joel Schumacher's). With a huge budget and a truly stellar cast, we can't wait to see what Nolan will dream up for the last chapter.

-Dave Lewis