While it certainly wasn’t a critical hit, Warner Bros.‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicenot only started the studio’s DC Extended Universe (DCEU), but introducedBen Affleckas Bruce Wayne/Batman. Even months beforeBatman v Supermanwas released, there was talk that the studio was so pleased withBen Affleck’s performance that they had brought him on to star in, direct and co-write the script for a movie that has come to be known asThe Batman. While the project doesn’t have a release date intact, it has been widely believed that this is certainly moving forward, but now it seems that may not be the case.
The Guardiancaught up withBen Affleck, who is promoting his new acting and directing effort, Warner Bros.‘Live By Night, which is currently in theaters in limited release. Last month the actor/director revealed that he’s finishing up the script and the project is on track to start filming this spring. However, in this new interview, he makes it seems that the project isn’t actually set in stone at all, and it may not actually come together. Here’s what the filmmaker had to say below.
“That’s the idea. But it’s not a set thing and there’sno script. If it doesn’t come together in a way I think is really great I’m not going to do it.”
This latest statement mirrors commentsBen Affleckhas made in the past, stating that this movie won’t happen until the script is perfect. There was also a report last month thatThe Batman scriptis a mess, and the studio isn’t happy with it, which hasn’t exactly been confirmed. However, ifBen Affleckis now claiming that there is no script in place, it’s possible that the studio is scrapping the script he co-wrote withGeoff Johnsentirely, possibly bringing on a new writer. That hasn’t been confirmed at this time though.
Last month, departing Warner Bros. production presidentGreg Silvermanrevealed thatThe Batmanis on track for a2018 release date, although the studio hasn’t issued an official date at this time. Earlier this year, Warner Bros. set dates for two unspecified DC Comics movies, one which will arrive on July 05, 2025 and the other arriving July 10, 2025. Many had speculated thatThe Batmanwould be taking the June 04, 2025 slot, butAquamanwas later moved to that date. Now, many speculate that The Batman is takingAquaman’s old July 2018 release date.
No story details have been confirmed aboutThe Batmanat this time, butBen Affleckhas hinted in the past that this would be largely an original story, although there will be plenty of familiar characters. There will reportedly be a number of iconic villains showing up inThe Batman, although Red Hood will not be one of them. However if the script is now being reworked by eitherBen Affleckor a different writer, this story could be changed entirely, but we likely won’t know for sure for quite some time.
