Ben Affleck To Team With DC’s Geoff Johns On Standalone ‘Batman’ Film - Part 3

[idiot09]

I remember many here was skeptical that WB would be able to bring in a big name to direct it. I remember many saying this is a doomed project, and they will not get a good director etc etc. Tbh, even I was a bit skeptical when Batfleck dropped out.

But credit where credits due, WB has been extremely efficient, smart and competent here by swiftly swooping in and grabbing such a good filmmaker. Reeves is arguably as good a filmmaker as Affleck, and undoubtedly much better at working with a big budgeted blockbuster.

Great news for the Batman film. Even if the script needs some rewrites, I am sure Reeves can do that, and still have this film begin shooting in late 2017.

I just hope he isnt harassed in the press junket for his promotion of the Apes movie.

 

[jmc]

Hope my faith isn't misplaced, but I'm going to trust this one. Especially since he purposefully held back on the Affleck scoop to try and vet it first.

Now, WB...PLEASE let this be the end of the directorial musical chairs. I don't know if we can take it if Reeves drops out in 6 months.

The question ultimately is going to be who's going to have control over this thing.

 

[Boom]

It'd be foolish not to let Reeves have complete control here. Let him do his thing.

 

[mat-chow]

Great news!

 

[BRGomes]

Come on guys, it's official! No reason to think otherwise. Fantastic choice in my opinion.

 

[brandeezy89]

I doubt he would sign on if the execs were going be all over the film. It's probably a Ben and Matt movie with input from Geoff

 

[thebatfan5194]

The question ultimately is going to be who's going to have control over this thing.

Sounds like it's going to be a collaboration more than anything. Ben is still a producer on the film, so it's still very much his baby it seems. Matt will toss in his flavor and we'll hopefully get a great final product.

 

[jmc]

It'd be foolish not to let Reeves have complete control here. Let him do his thing.

Indeed, but just because a great director is on board doesn't mean we can ignore what's happened to date with WB. I think it's as foolish right now to expect this is suddenly going to make everything better.

 

[NotNickFury]

Now so long as WB isn't sticking its nose in, doesn't futz with any editing or post-production, and allows him to do his job while in the framework of this universe...then good. The last thing Batman fans need is for this film to cycle through directors like The Flash.

It's good, potentially promising news, but this is WB we're talking about. And we know their ability to meddle.

 

[jmc]

Sounds like it's going to be a collaboration more than anything. Ben is still a producer on the film, so it's still very much his baby it seems. Matt will toss in his flavor and we'll hopefully get a great final product.

That's the potential problem though, Affleck has to relinquish any control over this IMO. If you're bringing Matt on board he needs to let him do it.

 

[Gee]

Nice.

 

[thebatfan5194]

That's the potential problem though, Affleck has to relinquish any control over this IMO. If you're bringing Matt on board he needs to let him do it.

Since Ben is a professional Director I would think he would respect Matt Reeve's as a fellow director and not push Matt to do what "Ben Affleck" would do. He probably had a large hand in picking his replacement, and I doubt Matt Reeves would have signed on to it thinking that he would have Ben breathing down his neck telling him what to do. Again this is all my speculation, but I think it rings true.

 

[shauner111]

Reeves isn't at the level where he could have full control over this film.

 

[Boom]

Indeed, but just because a great director is on board doesn't mean we can ignore what's happened to date with WB. I think it's as foolish right now to expect this is suddenly going to make everything better.

I don't know what to tell you, man. I for one am excited. I don't see WB pushing Reeves around, but I suppose we'll find out.

 

[Benal]

Reeves isn't at the level where he could have full control over this film.

Umm.. yes, he does.

 

[BlueLanternKal]

Ben is THE Producer on this. Best believe that Matt Reeves was his choice.

 

[jmc]

Since Ben is a professional Director I would think he would respect Matt Reeve's as a fellow director and not push Matt to do what "Ben Affleck" would do. He probably had a large hand in picking his replacement, and I doubt Matt Reeves would have signed on to it thinking that he would have Ben breathing down his neck telling him what to do. Again this is all my speculation, but I think it rings true.

I agree also, I don't believe Affleck would do that nor do I believe Reeves would sign on with that stipulation. This movie can't be a Ben Affleck movie directed by Matt Reeves.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Reeves isn't at the level where he could have full control over this film.

if thats the case, hopefully affleck backs him up. Its a promising collaboration, all things considered.

 

[thebatfan5194]

Umm.. yes, he does.

This... I mean he's definitely in a better bargaining position than say, Christopher Nolan when he took over the franchise. The guy has two big budget blockbusters under his belt one of which was both financially successful and well received critically and by audiences (assuming that War will do the same).

 

[STARMAN]

This is a positive step forward.

 

[Boom]

Reeves isn't at the level where he could have full control over this film.

WB allowed Nolan almost full control of Batman Begins (with a few mandates), and look at the films he had under his belt at that time.

Reeves has Cloverfield, Let Me In, a very successful Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and an impressive-looking War for the Planet of the Apes. I don't see a doormat director here. His stock is only continuing to rise.

Can't allow yourself even a little bit of excitement, huh?

 

[jmc]

I don't know what to tell you, man. I for one am excited. I don't see WB pushing Reeves around, but I suppose we'll find out.

I'd be more excited if the DCEU history wasn't littered with errors. Not gonna lie, I do want this to happen, I just feel burned by what WB has done so far so I can't get too excited over it.

 

[Benal]

WB allowed Nolan almost full control of Batman Begins (with a few mandates), and look at the films he had under his belt at that time.

Reeves has Cloverfield, Let Me In, a very successful Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and an impressive-looking War for the Planet of the Apes. I don't see a doormat director here.

Can't allow yourself even a bit of excitement, huh?

Right?! I mean, look at this **** right here.. They're lucky to have him. Not the other way around.

[YT]UEP1Mk6Un98[/YT]

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I respect anyone with a wait and see attitude, because frankly I'm in that camp atm.

We've been burned before, but if one of these movies is bound to deliver, its gonna be this.

 

[Boom]

I'd be more excited if the DCEU history wasn't littered with errors. Not gonna lie, I do want this to happen, I just feel burned by what WB has done so far so I can't get too excited over it.

Its an unfortunate trend, but each film is its own project, and should be given a fair shake. I didn't outright condemn BvS after MoS. I didn't outright condemn SS after BvS. I won't outright condemn WW and JL after SS. And if those films suck, I won't outright condemn Aquaman either.

The fact that the first three films in the DCEU were polarizing doesn't automatically mean anything for The Batman, or any other DCEU film in general. It's all a matter of the right pieces coming together, even if by accident. Having a talented, visionary director at the top is a good first step.

My hope is that the script isn't bogged down by unnecessary nods ands winks to other DCEU films, and that The Batman can function as its own stand-alone film. In that sense, all they need to do is focus on telling a strong Batman story, and not stress about the shared universe connections (which are simply not needed). Do that, and the film should be fine.

Having said all that, I certainly understand your skepticism. I have some doubts myself, but if I couldn't find some excitement towards these films, I wouldn't bother spending my time here.

Matt Reeves directing a Batman film. If they're serious about righting the ship, that's an exciting start.