Ben Affleck To Team With DC’s Geoff Johns On Standalone ‘Batman’ Film - Part 4

[jmc]

If this whole thing was just a negotiation tactic, I expect it would be resolved relatively quickly. At least, I hope it gets resolved quickly...

There's one potential reason for the breakdown that I don't think has been discussed, and that's scheduling. Reeves is going to be busy with Apes up until its release, plus a few extras weeks after with promotional trips. Even if he was to go from Apes to a new film immediately the earliest he'd be able to start pre production would be July, assuming he doesn't want a break. WB might not be that patient, especially if they're holding out hope for a 2018 release.

 

[Dusty_Lane]

There's one potential reason for the breakdown that I don't think has been discussed, and that's scheduling. Reeves is going to be busy with Apes up until its release, plus a few extras weeks after with promotional trips. Even if he was to go from Apes to a new film immediately the earliest he'd be able to start pre production would be July, assuming he doesn't want a break. WB might not be that patient, especially if they're holding out hope for a 2018 release.

A late 2018 isn't out of the cards if they get started before summer. Every Daniel Craig Bond film has been released before even a full year passed since principal photography had started. We still don't know what the hell is going on over there, but it sounds like they were actually pretty close to getting started with production this spring prior to Affleck pulling out as director. So there could be some merit to what you're saying, and Mark Hughes and Sean Gerber also theorized that on yesterday's Batman-News podcast.

 

[Boom]

There's one potential reason for the breakdown that I don't think has been discussed, and that's scheduling. Reeves is going to be busy with Apes up until its release, plus a few extras weeks after with promotional trips. Even if he was to go from Apes to a new film immediately the earliest he'd be able to start pre production would be July, assuming he doesn't want a break. WB might not be that patient, especially if they're holding out hope for a 2018 release.

WB needs to let 2018 go. Most of us have resigned ourselves to a 2019 release anyway, and I think we'd all rather they take their time on it.

 

[Wheels]

I'm not against someone other than Reeves doing this. He's just the one of directors that have been talked about that I feel the most comfortable with. I mean Scott has directed some absolute garbage over the years, and Fede Alvarez isn't a bad choice by any means, I'm just not as excited by him at least initially. I guess Denis Villeneuve, or a guy who hasn't been mentioned in Jeff Nichols would catch my interest.

 

[Infinity9999x]

WB needs to let 2018 go. Most of us have resigned ourselves to a 2019 release anyway, and I think we'd all rather they take their time on it.

This. Since they announced BvS, I've been very perplexed as to why WB apparently feels the need to rush their Superhero films.

 

[ManWithNoName18]

It happened with BVS that WB had to have it come out in 2015, only for their to be script issues, and then it had to be pushed back.

Then in 2014 they wanted a six week script from Ayer because it was the only way for Suicide Squad to come out in 2016.

 

[Greenlite]

BatmanNews podcast summary:

A) Reasons why Reeves exited the talk, in order of priority

1) Reeves wants guarantee for multiple films, no blame policy.
2) WB wants the 2018 release
3) Affleck to stay or leave, Reeves possibly doesn't want to recast midway.

B) Johns/Berg are ?fighting with execs at the top - the ones that treat business > creativity and wants to rush.

C) Hughes confesses to not listening to sources that were adamant that Ben was leaving the director's chair, decision made in November last year, now he thinks chances of Affleck staying in DCEU is decreasing, most he'll do is The Baman+some cameos here and there.

D) Hughes leans towards 51/49 chance in regards to Reeves leaving, but things may change, says Reeves wants to do it, but don't have to do it now. Gerber (dislike BvS, likes SS, LOVES Marvel) brain says leave, gut says WB will do the right thing.

E) Fox and Disney might be making offers to Reeves (e.g. X-men new franchise, Marvel franchise)

F) Offered solution - bring a truck of money and accepted terms to get Reeves on board. Prequel Batman.

Point B) could be what El Maybe referred to as the "enemy"

 

[Dusty_Lane]

BatmanNews podcast summary:

A) Reasons why Reeves exited the talk, in order of priority

1) Reeves wants guarantee for multiple films, no blame policy.
2) WB wants the 2018 release
3) Affleck to stay or leave, Reeves possibly doesn't want to recast midway.

B) Johns/Berg are ?fighting with execs at the top - the ones that treat business > creativity and wants to rush.

C) Hughes confesses to not listening to sources that were adamant that Ben was leaving the director's chair, decision made in November last year, now he thinks chances of Affleck staying in DCEU is decreasing, most he'll do is The Baman+some cameos here and there.

D) Hughes leans towards 51/49 chance in regards to Reeves leaving, but things may change, says Reeves wants to do it, but don't have to do it now. Gerber (dislike BvS, likes SS, LOVES Marvel) brain says leave, gut says WB will do the right thing.

E) Fox and Disney might be making offers to Reeves (e.g. X-men new franchise, Marvel franchise)

F) Offered solution - bring a truck of money and accepted terms to get Reeves on board. Prequel Batman.

Point B) could be what El Maybe referred to as the "enemy"

Does anyone know what exactly happened with Sean Gerber and Jett? Gerber was always like his co-host until around late 2015. I find it really strange he's now doing work for Batman-News.com which had become the alternative new source to BOF.

 

[shauner111]

I'm not against someone other than Reeves doing this. He's just the one of directors that have been talked about that I feel the most comfortable with. I mean Scott has directed some absolute garbage over the years, and Fede Alvarez isn't a bad choice by any means, I'm just not as excited by him at least initially. I guess Denis Villeneuve, or a guy who hasn't been mentioned in Jeff Nichols would catch my interest.

Nichols' style would be absolutely wrong for Batman IMO. And Villeneuve is way too busy with Dune and The Son, so that will never happen. And he's stubborn and won't do a film unless he has 100 percent control.

Fede and Matt are good choices. Too bad Rian Johnson is busy.

How about Gareth Edwards? It wouldn't excite me but i wouldn't mind.

 

[NotNickFury]

BatmanNews podcast summary:

B) Johns/Berg are ?fighting with execs at the top - the ones that treat business > creativity and wants to rush.

Point B) could be what El Maybe referred to as the "enemy"

This point right here is why I feel DC needs own actual studio where Johns and Berg call the shot since, correct me if I'm wrong, but even though Alan Horn is top banana over at Disney, all the shots for Marvel Studios are still called by Kevin Feige and not Horn.

DC needs a similar structure. Or even take a page from Berlanti since he's got I would guess he's the overseer of all the DCCW shows.

 

[Wheels]

I think it should also be said that Gerber loves Batman in general as well as Batman '89 and Nolan's Batman films. So hopefully no one sees him as the bad guy because he doesn't like BvS and is critical of the DCEU.

 

[shauner111]

Does anyone know what exactly happened with Sean Gerber and Jett? Gerber was always like his co-host until around late 2015. I find it really strange he's now doing work for Batman-News.com which had become the alternative new source to BOF.

Couldn't be happier. Sean Gerber is the worst host there is. CONSTANTLY repeats his point, over and over again. It's like the dude who talks for 10 minutes but is barely saying anything. I enjoyed the recent Jett podcasts a lot more lately. I stopped listening back in the day because of Gerber.

 

[Dusty_Lane]

Couldn't be happier. Sean Gerber is the worst host there is. CONSTANTLY repeats his point, over and over again. It's like the dude who talks for 10 minutes but is barely saying anything. I enjoyed the recent Jett podcasts a lot more lately. I stopped listening back in the day because of Gerber.

My god isn't that truth. He's long winded, and it seems like he's obsessed with trying to sound like the smartest guy on the show constantly talking over everyone else. He barely left room for Mark Hughes to speak on that latest Batman News podcast. Jett's show has really come a long way. He and Rick have a lot more humorous banter. I do question how much Rick really knows about Batman. lol! The other two guys (Justin and Ryan) seems like certified comic book experts though.

 

[terry78]

The movie basically needs to have a theme done by the Chainsmokers. That seems to be what everybody is doing nowadays.

 

[Wheels]

Couldn't be happier. Sean Gerber is the worst host there is. CONSTANTLY repeats his point, over and over again. It's like the dude who talks for 10 minutes but is barely saying anything. I enjoyed the recent Jett podcasts a lot more lately. I stopped listening back in the day because of Gerber.

Maybe it's because I listen to a lot of podcasts, but that guy is far from the worst in my opinion. He's about average or maybe even above average.

 

[Flint Marko]

I listened to Modern Myth Media podcast a while back and remember liking Gerber. I stopped listening because of his co-host Paul. Didn't know Gerber did stuff with Batman news.

 

[jmc]

I prefer the new Batman on Film podcast too, it's far more relaxed and loose compared to most other superhero podcasts, and there's good camaraderie and banter between the hosts. Modern Myth Media use to be good but seems to have vanished now. Batman News podcast I listen to occasionally, but it's become far too cheerleading IMO. Interesting to hear Mark Hughes say he didn't listen to his sources saying Affleck didn't want to direct anymore. Makes me wonder what else has been said that's also been dismissed.

 

[Jekecy]

Interesting to hear Mark Hughes say he didn't listen to his sources saying Affleck didn't want to direct anymore. Makes me wonder what else has been said that's also been dismissed.

It's enough to shoot his cred down a bit.

Either he's backpedaling to save his reputation because this completely blindsided him, or he's now admitting to intentionally filtering news to fit the narrative he preferred.

 

[Boom]

Gave the Batman-News podcast a listen. A lot of good points made. Frankly, I don't see Matt Reeves coming back to the table. There are so much different factors that could be at play here.

Maybe WB is hellbent on getting this film in production by the end of the summer, but Reeves wants more time to work on it once he finishes with Apes. Or even worse, perhaps he isn't on-board with the script/story, but the studio is deadset on it.

Maybe Reeves wants a definitive answer on the Affleck situation. If he wants to work with Affleck, does Reeves walking away suggest that Affleck is walking as well? Or if Reeves is wanting to work with another actor, does this suggest that WB is hellbent on holding Affleck to his contractual obligations, and Reeves doesn't want to deal with the headache of recasting the role should sequels come to fruition?

I personally don't think the paycheck is the issue here. For a proven property like Batman, and with a rising talent like Reeves, I have to think WB was wise enough not to go cheap. Especially considering they were the ones who sought Reeves out.

The wording in the Hollywood Reporter article about heads "cooling off" suggests there's more at play here than just money. If I had to guess, I would say scheduling plus the uncertainty surrounding Affleck's status are the points of contention. You don't hear "cooling off" unless things got heated. That can't just be over money.

This whole situation is so complicated. It'd be interesting if it wasn't so heartbreaking.

 

[Greenlite]

delete

 

[Greenlite]

It's enough to shoot his cred down a bit.

Either he's backpedaling to save his reputation because this completely blindsided him, or he's now admitting to intentionally filtering news to fit the narrative he preferred.

at least he's man enough to own it up, and his tone since the Affleck departure has changed and now he's even leaning more towards Reeves leaning, where Gerber thinks he might stay, bit of a change there.

If you listen to holy bat-podcast, he actually name dropped Matt Reeves' name 2 weeks before Affleck made the announcement, so he has sources, but tries to filter the news, but not really at the same time?

Btw I like Andy from Holy Bat-podcast, very friendly and easy going.

 

[Boom]

Here's another question I have.

Sources say the door is open for talks to resume between Reeves and the studio. So are they putting the director search on hold until Reeves gives them a definitive answer, or are they moving forward with different candidates? And if you are a different candidate, how does it feel knowing that not only are you second choice, but that the door is still open for the first candidate?

 

[jmc]

It's enough to shoot his cred down a bit.

Either he's backpedaling to save his reputation because this completely blindsided him, or he's now admitting to intentionally filtering news to fit the narrative he preferred.

This brings up a bigger question about geek journalism in general. So many of these writers and reporters are fans just like us who want these things to work. The question then becomes how many ignore negative news from their sources because they don't want to hear it? Already there's positive spin about the WW test screening being received well, despite the fact BvS also had a test screening that supposably went well. This is a problem with fandom in general, all people want is positive news out of these type of properties. We have to be willing to accept the good news with the bad news.

 

[Greenlite]

This brings up a bigger question about geek journalism in general. So many of these writers and reporters are fans just like us who want these things to work. The question then becomes how many ignore negative news from their sources because they don't want to hear it? Already there's positive spin about the WW test screening being received well, despite the fact BvS also had a test screening that supposably went well. This is a problem with fandom in general, all people want is positive news out of these type of properties. We have to be willing to accept the good news with the bad news.

I would say you could say exactly the same thing for the other side...

that's why I was hoping for some genius to make up a scooper chart, so we get a win/loss comparison chart to have an idea on "journalists" credibilities...

P.S. WW's always going to get a positive narrative from the media being her first ever live action film..."the world's ready for you," UN promotion, female critics hyping up(from the ones I follow anyway...)...all WB execs should get fired if they mess this one up.

 

[Greenlite]

Here's another question I have.

Sources say the door is open for talks to resume between Reeves and the studio. So are they putting the director search on hold until Reeves gives them a definitive answer, or are they moving forward with different candidates? And if you are a different candidate, how does it feel knowing that not only are you second choice, but that the door is still open for the first candidate?

Depends on who you are, if you're a no-name then you just want to snatch it anyway you can, if you're Ridley Scott or Mel Gibson...