Update: Warner Bros. has since confirmed that _The Batma_n will release on June 25, 2021. Ben Affleck will not return as Bruce Wayne, as the studio is looking to cast a younger actor in the role. The original article follows:
New details have emerged on Matt Reeves’ upcoming The Batman project. As we all know, the film has had multiple delays, and currently sits without a release date. Reeves came on board to direct the film after current Batman actor Ben Affleck left the reins almost 2 years ago. Since then though, there’s been very scare information surrounding the movie.
Not anymore. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Matt Reeves had quite a lot to say about the upcoming project regarding the Dark Knight:
“It’s very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale. It’s told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it’s going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It’s more Batman in his detective mode than we’ve seen in the films. The comics have a history of that. He’s supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and that’s not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been. I’d love this to be one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it’s going to allow his character to have an arc so that he can go through a transformation.”
As of right now, the film is being referred to as just The Batman. Reeves mentioned that while it is the case, the title might undergo appropriate changes as development proceeds.
Regarding casting, the director said the following:
“There will be a Rogues Gallery. The casting process will begin shortly. We’re starting to put together our battle plan. I’m doing another pass on the script and we’ll begin some long-lead stuff to start developing conceptual things.”
An interesting thing to note here is he did not confirm nor deny Ben Affleck’s involvement with the project. After the commercial failure of Justice League, rumors began circulating that Affleck may leave playing the Caped Crusader. When asked about a prospective release date, Reeves said that the current plan is to have it release sometime in 2021. Between that and the recently released Aquaman, we’ll have Shazam, Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman 1984 to look forward to. Speaking of which, the sequel to Wonder Woman was also delayed to release next year.
When asked about his involvement with DC’s aforementioned projects, Reeves had the following to say:
“Right now, I’m involved in The Batman. What it will be called ultimately, I don’t know. Aquaman is going to be very different from the Todd Phillips Joker movie, and that’s going to be different from Shazam and Harley Quinn. Warners believes they don’t have to try to develop a giant slate that has to have all the plans for how it’s going to connect. What they need to try and do is make good movies with these characters.”
The Batman is currently scheduled to release sometime in 2021, with a screenplay being worked upon by Matt Reeves.
