It may be good, it may be bad, but either way,Ben Affleckis no longer directingThe Batman. After months of bizarrely conflicting reports and uncertainty about what the status of the first standaloneBatmanmovie in the DC Extended Universe was, it is now clear thatBen Affleck’s plate was a little too full trying to write, direct, produce and star in the movie. Now, Warner Bros. needs to find a new director and there is already a rumored frontrunner.
According toVariety, the studio already has a shortlist andDawn of the Planet of the ApesdirectorMatt Reevesis reportedly on the top of that list. None of the other director’s names were revealed, but Warner Bros. appears to be trying to courtMatt Reeves, who most recently directedWar for the Planet of the Apes, which is set for release this summer.Matt Reevesalso directed the 2008 monster flickCloverfieldand the 2010 horror movieLet Me In, which was a remake of the Spanish vampire movieLet the Right One In. He certainly seems like a logical choice and probably a popular one, given his track record as a director.
Ben Affleckrevived his career via directing, with his first three directorial efforts,Gone Baby Gone,The TownandArgoall doing very well critically and financially, withArgogoing on to win the Oscar for Best Picture. However, his latest movie,Live By Night, will go down as the first major box office bomb of 2017 and didn’t fare well with critics. Variety’s sources say that the decision had nothing to do with the results ofLive By Night, but that the decision was motivated by what is best for the movie. According to a separate report by The Hollywood Reporter, an insider claims thatLive By NightcausedBen Affleckto “rethink his approach to his projects.” Their report also claims that he and the execs at Warner Bros. have been unhappy with the script forThe Batman solo moviefor weeks. Here is whatBen Affleckhad to say about his decision.
“There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions. Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world.”
Ben Affleckis still going to star in and produceThe Batman, but he is going to need to find a “partner in a director,” as he put it, to helm the project. AssumingMatt Reevesdoesn’t want to do anotherPlanet of the Apesmovie for Fox, his schedule is free and clear in terms of directing. So, if Warner Bros. can talk him into it, he could likely be the guy. It is most definitely an outside shot, butThe LEGO Batmanmovie directorChris McKayrecently expressed interest in directing aDCEU movieand even said that he was going to meet with Warner Bros. about it. It isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he could maybe get a crack at a live-actionBatmanmovie, with early indication being that he did a fine job with the Lego version.
We are going to seeBen Affleckas Batman once again inJustice Leaguethis November before theBatmansolo movie, which is expected to shoot sometime this year.Joe Manganiellohas been cast to play the villain Deathstroke, withJ.K. Simmonsplaying Commissioner Gordon andJeremy Ironsreturning to play Alfred. There is no word yet on a release date forThe Batman, but all signs point to Warner Bros. still being very committed to doing the movie, they just need to fill thedirector’s chair. We will be sure to keep you up to date as more information onThe Batmanbecomes available.
