Comic book writer, artist and movie director Frank Miller is known for iconic Batman titles like “Batman: Year One” and “The Dark Knight Returns”. Variety caught up with him and asked where he would take the Batman movie franchise if he were in charge.

Miller wants to strip away all the typical blockbuster movie BS and focus on a tighter story.

Your work is very influential all over the world; you re-invented Batman with the groundbreaking “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” book in 1986, which influenced every ‘Batman’ movie ever since. If you had your way, where would you take the “Batman” movie franchise today? My dream would be to make it much smaller. To lose the toys and to focus more on the mission, and to use the city a great deal more. Because he’s got a loving relationship with the city he’s protecting. And unlike Superman his connection to crime is intimate; it has been ever since his parents were murdered. And he defeats criminals with his hands. So it would be a different take. But it will never be in my hands, because it would not be a good place to make toys from. There wouldn’t be a line of toys.

It’s no secret that director Zack Snyder is a big Frank Miller fan, and that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was heavily influenced by “The Dark Knight Returns”. So what did Miller think of the movie?

Have you seen the movie “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”? Yes. And what did you think? I’ll just say: ‘Thanks.’ What can I say? — he laughs — no, actually I’ll withdraw that; I’ll say: ‘You’re welcome!’

What do you think of Miller’s approach to a Batman movie?

SOURCE: Variety