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

[Legendver2]

But why? The slate is what got them in trouble in the first place. You release a slate, so fans feel comfortable. Then what happens when it needs to change? Fans freak out. This seems to only be a thing with CBMs and I don't see the reasoning. The DCEU has attracted some high profile talent and when you do that, you shouldn't expect everything to go smoothly because creative control is gonna be a factor. Schedules are gonna be a factor. I'll take that though because, whether I love or hate it, I know I'll get something interesting. And we're adults. We can wait for a movie.

But if I were running WB I'd just keep y'all asses in the dark and make the movies when I'm ready.

Word. Schedules get changed up all the time, but somehow DC doing it = the end of the DCEU.

 

[misslane38]

Well now that explains your posts about Batman from the last month.

Huh? You mean the ones about his kill code? You don't have to care about Batman as a hard-core follower of his to know he has had a no-kill code and to appreciate that telling a story about him losing his way and finding his way back can actually define how his not killing is the right way while also telling a strong story about redemption. I can care about Batman as a protagonist in a story and approach analyzing him from that perspective, just as people who are more fans of Batman first and foremost can have their opinions about Wonder Woman and Superman without having them being questioned.

 

[Tra-El]

But why? The slate is what got them in trouble in the first place. You release a slate, so fans feel comfortable. Then what happens when it needs to change? Fans freak out. This seems to only be a thing with CBMs and I don't see the reasoning. The DCEU has attracted some high profile talent and when you do that, you shouldn't expect everything to go smoothly because creative control is gonna be a factor. Schedules are gonna be a factor. I'll take that though because, whether I love or hate it, I know I'll get something interesting. And we're adults. We can wait for a movie.

But if I were running WB I'd just keep y'all asses in the dark and make the movies when I'm ready.

Oh, I agree man, trust me...especially with the keeping us in the dark thing, lol. I've actually said that a few times long ago but unfortunately, as you said, the damage has been done the first time. You can't play with match's and not expect a fire and then start announcing movies far in advance with no back-bone to back any of it up. That tactic has already bit us numerous times and the nature of the beast already got to Affleck. Marketing and PR reps got to do a better job now because this is the very position they've put themselves in.

Although, Snyder did say no matter how bad they want to address these things, people talking about these movies, good or bad, is a good thing because atleast they're talking about it so with all that said, the studio will keep on keepin' on.

 

[misslane38]

I really don't see why we're owed any explanation. Films get delayed, lose directors, get announced, get cancelled, etc. This isn't new.

Iron Man franchise lost Terrence Howard, Favreau stepped down as director, Blunt backed out of Black Widow. Marvel dumped Ed Norton and nearly lost Rourke and Sam Jackson due to low-balling. Edgar Wright backed outta Ant-Man and took a few cast members with him. Then they lost Patty Jenkins and had Portman talking trash about the whole thing. Ava DuVernay publicly turning down BP. Pushing BP back for yet ANOTHER Spider-Man film. Dumping Inhuman from the MCU schedule.

Ultimately, who cares? We got some good and bad movies out of it all and the world kept on spinning. I truly don't care about what happens behind the scenes. We'll get the movies when we get them.

This.

I think the problem is the slate. We have absolutely no idea what anything is anymore. That's all that needs to be done if things are in fact, in order. All of behind the stuff happens so I'm not surprised, we just need SOME sort of direction, that's all. The "wait and see" approach is probably the most patient thing we can oppose to right now.

No offense to those that care, but I just don't see the point. What does knowing the slate do to affect how we as an audience or fandom approach things? Unless one needs to schedule in one's theater appointment by putting it on one's calendar in order to plan ahead how to fit movies into one's own life, then knowing when a movie is coming out with that much detail doesn't seem that important. When a new movie is going to be made, they announce it way ahead of time. To me, just because something like a plan isn't officially announced, doesn't mean there isn't one, and an announced plan means nothing for me as a fan, because I have no control over any of it. I don't have to make these films to fit into the proposed schedule. I don't know anything about Marvel's slate coming up, for example. All I know is that Black Panther is in the works, and I'm excited about that. I don't even know when it's coming out, though, and that's okay, because I'm sure the trailers and press nearing its release will inform me of that and I just want them to release it when it's good and ready. The schedule is the studios' concern, not mine. I've never understood the value of it, and I think it just puts undue pressure on things.

 

[moviefreak]

Exactly. Johns and Berg really need to handle the PR better. We need to hear from them about their vision of the DCU, what they are planning, to get a better idea of whats going on. Sure they may choose not to do it, maybe they are still figuring stuff out. But its bad PR to stay shut. I saw Clay Enos tweeting yesterday that they are just focused on impressing us in the theatre, not with words, and while thats an admirable sentiment, but its just bad PR to stay silent now. Just my opinion.

Been saying something similar to that months ago after Geoff John got promoted --that he's inexperience in the area of film business. He may be a good writer but I don't buy him as a credible leader much less a Feig-like character. I also have been saying that because of the nature of WB as an old style studio system they will not be able to catch up and respond to the ever changing social media. I mean, you have the current POTUS where people believe every conceivable bullsh(!)ts.

WB needs to develop DC as a separate entity --but it'll not happened.

 

[Tra-El]

This.



No offense to those that care, but I just don't see the point. What does knowing the slate do to affect how we as an audience or fandom approach things? Unless one needs to schedule in one's theater appointment by putting it on one's calendar in order to plan ahead how to fit movies into one's own life, then knowing when a movie is coming out with that much detail doesn't seem that important. When a new movie is going to be made, they announce it way ahead of time. To me, just because something like a plan isn't officially announced, doesn't mean there isn't one, and an announced plan means nothing for me as a fan, because I have no control over any of it. I don't have to make these films to fit into the proposed schedule. I don't know anything about Marvel's slate coming up, for example. All I know is that Black Panther is in the works, and I'm excited about that. I don't even know when it's coming out, though, and that's okay, because I'm sure the trailers and press nearing its release will inform me of that and I just want them to release it when it's good and ready. The schedule is the studios' concern, not mine. I've never understood the value of it, and I think it just puts undue pressure on things.

That's what I'm initially saying. The slate was the problem to begin with so now they have made their bed and have to sleep in it too, especially with announcing movies ontop of everything. It's one of the main reasons why things appear to be so messy to begin with.

 

[brandeezy89]

Make a string of good films and all this goes away, pretty simple. It's a wait and see game now, no amount of WB and co saying "We're sorry, we're fixing things" is going to help if the movies that come out this year suck. Also isn't LBN, Ben's only film that he wrote by himself, seems to me that he works better with a partner

 

[Tra-El]

Make a string of good films and all this goes away, pretty simple. It's a wait and see game now, no amount of WB and co saying "We're sorry, we're fixing things" is going to help if the movies that come out this year suck.

Yep. WB got to pull back some, breath and basically just try to make every single movie on their horizon good films and everything will fall into place. They've made the road getting there a tough path, but at the same time, it's what studio's struggle with everyday. I just think some of that stuff is by their own doing and the stuff floating around out there are little distractions that they will eventually need to address. It could be toxic in some capacity so lets hope behind the scenes has things much more in order than most think.

 

[MbJ]

Make a string of good films and all this goes away, pretty simple. It's a wait and see game now, no amount of WB and co saying "We're sorry, we're fixing things" is going to help if the movies that come out this year suck. Also isn't LBN, Ben's only film that he wrote by himself, seems to me that he works better with a partner

Bingo. To quote a great poet:

Either Wonder Woman and Justice League win over people or they don't. Promising to us that everything is under control or that they won't repeat the same mistakes as Batman v. Superman and Suicide Squad are meaningless until we see the results.

 

[FunkMiller]

Huh? You mean the ones about his kill code? You don't have to care about Batman as a hard-core follower of his to know he has had a no-kill code and to appreciate that telling a story about him losing his way and finding his way back can actually define how his not killing is the right way while also telling a strong story about redemption. I can care about Batman as a protagonist in a story and approach analyzing him from that perspective, just as people who are more fans of Batman first and foremost can have their opinions about Wonder Woman and Superman without having them being questioned.

I think the question is why did you spend so much time arguing about a character you're not that invested in? Why not just say 'I don't care if he kills because I don't like him that much'.

Saves everyone (including you) a lot of time! I'd much prefer to chat to people about the characters they love!

 

[Da-Scribe]

That's what I'm initially saying. The slate was the problem to begin with so now they have made their bed and have to sleep in it too, especially with announcing movies ontop of everything. It's one of the main reasons why things appear to be so messy to begin with.

I mean, let it appear messy. It's not going to stop appearing that way just because they release a new slate. Things will inevitably change and we'll be right back here. Best to handle it like any other studio that isn't Marvel. Announce your films. Announce the talent. And then they come out when they come out.

Make a string of good films and all this goes away, pretty simple. It's a wait and see game now, no amount of WB and co saying "We're sorry, we're fixing things" is going to help if the movies that come out this year suck. Also isn't LBN, Ben's only film that he wrote by himself, seems to me that he works better with a partner

It really isn't.

 

[Chesterfield]

I really don't see why we're owed any explanation. Films get delayed, lose directors, get announced, get cancelled, etc. This isn't new.

Iron Man franchise lost Terrence Howard, Favreau stepped down as director, Blunt backed out of Black Widow. Marvel dumped Ed Norton and nearly lost Rourke and Sam Jackson due to low-balling. Edgar Wright backed outta Ant-Man and took a few cast members with him. Then they lost Patty Jenkins and had Portman talking trash about the whole thing. Ava DuVernay publicly turning down BP. Pushing BP back for yet ANOTHER Spider-Man film. Dumping Inhuman from the MCU schedule.

You cant seriously compare a handful of issues, half of which you mentioned didn't even fully manifest that the MCU had over a 9 year period with the perpetual boatload of failures and setbacks the DCEU has incurred in just these last 3 and a half years alone. Ridiculous.

 

[Da-Scribe]

I think the question is why did you spend so much time arguing about a character you're not that invested in? Why not just say 'I don't care if he kills because I don't like him that much'.

Saves everyone (including you) a lot of time! I'd much prefer to chat to people about the characters they love!

That's not at all what she said.

 

[Erzengel]

But why? The slate is what got them in trouble in the first place. You release a slate, so fans feel comfortable. Then what happens when it needs to change? Fans freak out. This seems to only be a thing with CBMs and I don't see the reasoning. The DCEU has attracted some high profile talent and when you do that, you shouldn't expect everything to go smoothly because creative control is gonna be a factor. Schedules are gonna be a factor. I'll take that though because, whether I love or hate it, I know I'll get something interesting. And we're adults. We can wait for a movie.

But if I were running WB I'd just keep y'all asses in the dark and make the movies when I'm ready.

One of the issues with DCEU is the slate We're going to do BvS, SS, Wonder Woman, JL and Aquaman.

And we're also going to do Flash, JL2, Cyborg, Shazam and Green Lantern Corps after that.

Wait, we're also doing the Batman, Lobo, Booster Gold, Justice League Dark, Suicide Squad 2, Gothan City Sirens, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Man of Steel 2 and 2 Black Adam movies too.

Then it's well, we're pushing back JL2.
We're on our 3rd director for Flash and that's being pushed back.
Oh, just had the director step down for the Batman.

They need to stop announcing everything and just focus on a few movies at a time. Right now, it only seems like after JL that Aquaman is the only movie on track.

 

[Da-Scribe]

You cant seriously compare a handful of issues, half of which you mentioned didn't even fully manifest that the MCU had over a 9 year period with the perpetual boatload of failures and setbacks the DCEU has incurred in just these last 3 and a half years alone. Ridiculous.

Handful of issues. Lol okay.

 

[misslane38]

That's what I'm initially saying. The slate was the problem to begin with so now they have made their bed and have to sleep in it too, especially with announcing movies ontop of everything. It's one of the main reasons why things appear to be so messy to begin with.

I see where you're coming from, and I appreciate it, but I don't see the value in doubling down on a past mistake just for the sake of keeping up appearances. I ask myself, does announcing a slate help more than it hurts in the long run? Because even an announcement that might make things appear less messy today, may help to make things look more messy tomorrow if things don't go exactly to plan. It seems a messy appearance can happen either way. Having everything so public didn't seem to help Affleck's mindset when it came to The Batman , and it didn't help the released movies do any better. So beyond some temporary PR help, I'm not sure it's worth it. I really could take it or leave it.

 

[FunkMiller]

Handful of issues. Lol okay.

If you think the MCU had anywhere near the level of issues that the DCEU has had, you're delusional.

 

[Erzengel]

I agree, replacing actors, losing directors, pushing back dates, regardless of what you may feel of the MCU, their movies still get made. Even Inhumans is getting made albeit a tv version with theaterical release.

 

[Chesterfield]

Handful of issues. Lol okay.

When you take into account MS is still in its infancy when compared to other studios and in the space of 9 years has created hit after hit and has the biggest and most lucrative cinematic franchise of all time, yeah, those are definitely a mere handful of problems and like I said half of them didn't even manifest. While you're laughing the MCU is still moving forward like it always does.

 

[misslane38]

I think the question is why did you spend so much time arguing about a character you're not that invested in? Why not just say 'I don't care if he kills because I don't like him that much'.

Saves everyone (including you) a lot of time! I'd much prefer to chat to people about the characters they love!

Look, this is not the place to put me on trial. If you want to talk to me about this further, send me a private message. Otherwise, I'll leave it at this. Caring isn't the same as liking. I never said I dislike Batman. I also don't have to care about Batman as a media property (i.e. be impatient to see his movies) in order to care about him as a character in a film I watch. When I watch movies, I like to root for the good guys, which to me means rooting for lost people to find their way and for people to do the right thing. To me, that includes preserving life. Even if Affleck had played a random character, I would have felt the same way about him and defended him as I did.

If loving a character intimately is a qualifier for worthwhile discussion, then everyone here should put their faves in their signatures, so we can judge whether their opinion is worth listening to. I think that's silly and this conversation is silly. If you must continue it, though, send me a private message, as I said, and let's not annoy people and waste their time here. Since you seem to care so much about people's time, then I would hope and expect for this to be the last post in this thread about this particular subject.

 

[MbJ]

It's a bad comparison anyway. The MCU issues do get scrutiny. Edgar Wright dropping out and implying he had massive behind the scenes issues with Disney was everywhere in the entertainment/geek news. The difference is even with all those problems, Ant-Man delivered at the box office and got good-to-decent reviews.

DC is getting more scrutiny because (not to belabor a point), last time we got wind of issues behind the scenes, we ended up with Suicide Squad.

 

[THE WOLF]

Aquaman solo
Flash solo
Cyborg solo
Justice League 2
Green Lantern Corps
Gotham City Sirens
Suicide Squad 2
Lobo
Booster Gold
The Batman
Shazam
Black Adam

All these damn movie in development

 

[Da-Scribe]

I don't care about the movies' receptions. That's not my point. All I'm saying is that Marvel is a studio and their only function is to make these movies. And even then, they still had issues. Because every studio ever has issues. It doesn't really matter. That's all I'm saying.

 

[Tra-El]

I mean, let it appear messy.

We're already way past that stage, so in the grand scheme of things, PR has to be living a nightmare right now because the studio already stuck out their neck by having the critics come to the set Justice League AND allowed them to report on it and still, this negative cloud is going to formulate around leaked information so they're laying in their own bed. I've come full circle, though and have been in the "wait and see" area over the past few days.

It really isn't.

Technically, it's the hardest thing to do, so I hate when people act like it's such a simple thing to accomplish when many hands are apart of the pie that make movies go 'round. I feel for certain director's and head creative for sure because things change probably on a whim daily so fans look petty and ignorant when saying "just make a good movie". But in theory, that's what DC has to do when it comes to the already scrutinized eye of the critics.

This one guy a page back said "FORGET ABOUT THESE FILMS EVER BEING AT THE LEVEL OF NOLAN111!!11" so if the bar is set THAT high, then come on, these movies are bound to disappoint. Doesn't mean they shouldn't try, though!

 

[shauner111]

You mean developmental hell, Johnny Frost.