Batman is one of the most popular characters in the DC universe. Last month director Matt Reeves was asked on twitter how the new Batman movie was progressing. His answer:
“Really, really well, thanks! I could not be more excited!”
He obviously offers up nothing concerning concrete plot details or a general direction as to where he wants to take this film, but this at least tells us that progress is being made. The response was essential to reassure fans because of the problems with the production of a stand-alone Batman movie has experienced in the past years.
We remember that Ben Affleck stepped down as the director of the project, this resulted in Matt Reeves agreeing to direct the movie and he is taking his time to make sure that he gets it right. The movie has been rumored to start filming in 2019, that would make the movie release sometime in 2020 or 2021. Reeves recently signed a development deal with Netflix that will likely see him split his time between the streaming service and his current commitments in the DC Extended Universe. Matt Reeves is making progress, but there’s still plenty of work that needs to be done before Bruce Wayne will take center stage for another solo movie.
The last time we saw Batman in the DC Cinematic universe was in the disappointing Justice League movie which was rushed to production last year involving two different directors. It was not critically acclaimed and very disappointing at the Box Office. The next movie for DC Films to come to the big screen is James Wan’s Aquaman, which will premiere on December 21. In April of 2019 is coming from Director David F. Sandberg’s Shazam staring Zachary Levi. It will be followed on November 1, 2019, by the second Wonder Woman movie directed by Patty Jenkins starring Gal Gadot, and Kristen Wiig.
The 2017 Wonder Woman movie was the first DC Films Cinematic release that pleased most of the critics and made a decent domestic Box Office. These are the only movie productions with dates at this time. The new brain trust at Warner Bros. DC Films headed by Walter Hamada has a lot slower approach in projecting the movie schedule for the years to come. While that may be a good thing where does that leave Batman and why is that not a priority to build a new series of movies?
Well my guess is that they want a good Batman film but all the pieces have to come together for DC Films to feel comfortable with the direction they are going. We don’t even know who will play Batman. We know that Jake Gyllenhaal was considered for the role by Reeves but he has not ruled out Ben Affleck yet to play Bruce Wayne in the solo movie. Ben Affleck stated he never was happy with the script they came up with, and he said he would only return to the role if it was good enough.
Affleck’s reluctance to jump into a bad script has not made him say no yet to playing Batman. He is well loved in the role, and I think if he likes what he sees in the script that he would work with Matt Reeves to star in the Batman solo movie. While that is not certain by any means, Ben Affleck could have said at any time he was done playing the Dark Knight, but he has not. The rumor on twitter that Affleck has signed on for Two flicks + option adds fuel to the anticipation of him coming back to the role.
All that said, it is very important for the DC Films future that we get the Batman involved in a good movie production highlighting a good Batman story and supporting cast. If DC Film’s Batman can match what Christopher Nolan did in his trilogy of Batman films they are well on their way to success. See you at the movies. 🙂 Walt
There are many reasons to have a good Batman movie but the most important is people want one on par with the Nolan movies and what happened to the Superman solo sequel?