I'm Reading Your Stuff: General News and Discussion Thread

[Venom 1988]

The thing about Reeves’ personal life or Superman being “a mess behind the scenes”?

The Reeves stuff

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

If it is personal issues, we'll just have to be patient. Despite what Gunn says, I certainly don't think this is ''normal'' for this type of franchise, but nothing can be done about it now.

I would guess they are dropping the PART II title as WB knows asking the audience to wait 5 and a half years for a generic follow-up is a bit much. Might help the marketing if its just another BATMAN movie starring Pattinson.

 

[BobJM]

What I'm going to say is likely going to be unpopular here (since I'm quite frustrated), but here goes.

They should not have pinned a release date so soon after Part I; having to delay it so many times is just a bad look. It also makes people frustrated at Reeves, the good guy that he is.

But I'm fatigued of reading people saying "Well, Matt Reeves is a perfectionist" - as if The Batman was perfect. I like it a lot - but 'perfect' it wasn't. It's good! But, not perfect.

I love Batman, and the film did good reception-wise, but it also came and went quickly, which bummed me out. It didn't have the impact that The Dark Knight or '89 did - so saying that people see it as the greatest Batman film next to The Dark Knight - when the film also has a healthy amount of audiences that just felt it was meh, feels wrong. And a 5 year gap will bring apathy from the general audience who did love it. I mean, I'm getting there and I'm a die-hard fan.

People also going on about "I'd rather them do it right, better that he takes his time..." - he clearly is, but there is a thing about taking so long that momentum is lost and you start having issues of continuity with your characters' age.

The Batman Part II is meant to take place 2 weeks after the first film; Pattinson and the rest of the cast will have aged 5 years in 2 weeks, now. The guy is going to be 41 playing 'young, Year 2 Batman' when Affleck was 43 in Batman V. Superman and Bale was 38 in Rises.

There's nothing wrong with taking time to ensure quality - but creating a hunger for a universe and taking too long to feed that hunger is bad business.

The way this has handled has made people think some shenanigans are going on behind the scenes, and fans shouldn't really blame other fans if they feel that way. It's kinda not their fault.

Christopher Nolan took 4 between the 2nd and 3rd Batman films, but he directed a whole film during that time (Inception). Sorry to compare the two, but.

Matt Reeves may have been the wrong man to head the whole shebang.

This is frustrating, honestly. You can call me impatient - but I wasn't the one that set the release date for 2024. Or 2025. Then 2026. And now 2027.

DC, Gunn and Reeves need to get it together. Their miscommunication and quiet plus delays isn't making things look good.

I'm starting not to care.

 

[The Lazarus Pit]

One thing I will say is that Reeves is an extremely privileged position as a writer/director to be given this much time when handling the company's most valuable IP. In the vast majority of real creative jobs, at least in my experience...the number 1 thing that gets you hired/fired is your speed. Much of the time, companies will see that as more important than the quality of your work. And not all employers are sympathetic to what's going on in your personal life.

For all the people thinking there's some wedge between Gunn and Reeves, I actually think it's the opposite and you have a filmmaker executive in Gunn who is watching Reeves' back and making sure he is given the needed time/space.

whatever the personal issue is, I hope everyone is ok… that being said he is a lucky dude. Most of us don’t have the privilege of being paid millions and being able to take 5.5 years to do our one job. He has a very sympathetic system in place, most of us would’ve been fired without a second thought long ago no matter how serious the personal issues are.

 

[The Lazarus Pit]

And people don’t think Candyman was a mess? Wow… Candyman reboot is one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen in my life. And the original is a 10 for me- one of the greatest horror films of all time with an epic score from Phillip Glass.

 

[BatLobster]

whatever the personal issue is, I hope everyone is ok… that being said he is a lucky dude. Most of us don’t have the privilege of being paid millions and being able to take 5.5 years to do our one job. He has a very sympathetic system in place, most of us would’ve been fired without a second thought long ago no matter how serious the personal issues are.

Oh yeah, that's real for sure. I'm very familiar with being past burnout with workload, while dealing with personal life stuff...and then still be told that I'm not working fast enough or losing an opportunity. So it's easy to envy the position Reeves is in, let alone the fact that he's getting carte blanche with the most prized superhero franchise in the world across film, streaming and animation. Like that alone is kind of unprecedented and nuts. Granted, I think the workload he put on himself with overseeing so much at once hasn't necessarily helped this situation.

I also think the "shut up and let him cook" crowd should consider that everyone is going to have some sort of limit where they will lose their patience/excitement for this movie. Are you willing to wait 7 years? 9 years? I think it's great that fans are willing to hang in there and champion a creative vision they believe in, but for a lot of people I think 5.5 years was kind of over that line, regardless of what's driving the delay. That's a meaningful chunk of life, especially in these crazy times.

 

[The Lazarus Pit]

Agreed with everything you’re saying Batlobster. Assuming the rumors are true…We can be sensitive and have empathy to what’s going on but again most of us wouldn’t be afforded the same freedom if we didn’t complete our job for 5 years. No matter what was going on, my work would not give a damn and fire me without a second thought. I think a lot of us would be in the same boat. He also has millions of dollars that he’s been paid to develop this sequel, so at a certain point enough is enough. If for some reason it gets delayed again, there will be no defending this and it might be time to scrap this universe. Or put The Penguin creators in charge of the mainline series.

I feel for the guy if it’s something big, but it’s time to start more aggressively developing the DCU Batman.

Think about what happened to Snyder… he experienced the worst personal tragedy a parent can face, and he got fired and replaced. If these rumors are true, I like that WB has changed their ways to be more sensitive to people’s personal lives.

It’s all speculation and it feels weird to just imagine reasons why it’s taking so long. I wish we had more info beyond rumors.

 

[Adrian Chase]

This section of the THR article about The Batman delay was deleted

 

[BatsAndNights]

Oh yeah, that's real for sure. I'm very familiar with being past burnout with workload, while dealing with personal life stuff...and then still be told that I'm not working fast enough or losing an opportunity. So it's easy to envy the position Reeves is in, let alone the fact that he's getting carte blanche with the most prized superhero franchise in the world across film, streaming and animation. Like that alone is kind of unprecedented and nuts. Granted, I think the workload he put on himself with overseeing so much at once hasn't necessarily helped this situation.

I also think the "shut up and let him cook" crowd should consider that everyone is going to have some sort of limit where they will lose their patience/excitement for this movie. Are you willing to wait 7 years? 9 years? I think it's great that fans are willing to hang in there and champion a creative vision they believe in, but for a lot of people I think 5.5 years was kind of over that line, regardless of what's driving the delay. That's a meaningful chunk of life, especially in these crazy times.

Me personally, I have a life outside of Batman I can focus on while waiting for this and I'm someone who legitimately would be completely satisfied if the Reevesverse ended here. Even The Penguin's ending can honestly work as a standalone with no followups. I will happily take whatever more this universe gives us and I am going to treat it as a blessing everytime we get anything, regardless of how long it takes. The only concern I honestly have is that the development woes of this movie could decide if a third movie gets made. If it doesn't get made, it'd be a serious shame. But as I said, I was completely satisfied with just The Batman. If it ends at Part II, so be it, I will celebrate the Reevesverse as my adaptation of Batman regardless.

 

[BatLobster]

Me personally, I have a life outside of Batman I can focus on while waiting for this and I'm someone who legitimately would be completely satisfied if the Reevesverse ended here. Even The Penguin's ending can honestly work as a standalone with no followups. I will happily take whatever more this universe gives us and I am going to treat it as a blessing everytime we get anything, regardless of how long it takes. The only concern I honestly have is that the development woes of this movie could decide if a third movie gets made. If it doesn't get made, it'd be a serious shame. But as I said, I was completely satisfied with just The Batman. If it ends at Part II, so be it, I will celebrate the Reevesverse as my adaptation of Batman regardless.

This is the healthy approach to take for sure. Ultimately it's not the end of the world, and we all have lives to live in the meantime. I want to be clear, not coming at this from any sort of fan entitlement personally speaking. I just can understand why some are frustrated or might lose interest, at least until things pick up again.

I do have some strong doubts about a third movie at this point though. I'm hoping the next film works as a satisfying conclusion to this saga.

 

[Adrian Chase]

View attachment 117140
This section of the THR article about The Batman delay was deleted

They brought it back. A writer said it was an error.

 

[Crashorama]

Sooooo….when this finally comes out, our year 3 Batman actor is going to be 41 years old? Lame.

 

[Black Narcissus]

I’m 1000% certain title change is due to this being the last one for Reeves. I’ve said it before, we will have another 3hr epic. At the same time, if we don’t hear casting by March, it ain’t happening at all that point.

5 plus years between flicks is ridiculous in this modern film era.

Sometimes I hate to be right. I won’t quote the swords mod on here and be petty, cause I’m bummed af at this news, but:

 

[OnLeatherWings]

Sooooo….when this finally comes out, our year 3 Batman actor is going to be 41 years old? Lame.

He'll still be in Year 2 when the film picks up after the show, but yes. That is the plan.

All the characters will have aged 5 years in 2 weeks.

I mean, I guess it was a stressful few weeks, to be fair...lol

 

[Black Narcissus]

The Batman is my favorite live action Batman film.

Still, if you bald bastahs would’ve told me we get

Two New Nolan flicks
Two Avatar films
Dune trilogy

Before a sequel to this, I would’ve been bitten by a snake. Lawd.

Having said that!

In Matt Reeves I Trust.

We getting an epic Batman film.

 

[BatsAndNights]

He'll still be in Year 2 when the film picks up after the show, but yes. That is the plan.

All the characters will have aged 5 years in 2 weeks.

I mean, I guess it was a stressful few weeks, to be fair...lol

As I said, Pattinson looks like he's been bathing in the fountain of youth everyday since he was what, 21?

If we get a third movie, I reckon he'll have another wrinkle by then. Maybe two

 

[antsman41]

It’s funny how the lot of you who are mad about the delay also probably hate how Sony/Disney/Marvel constantly put out drivel that has weak scripts and terrible plots.

Again, let Matt cook.

 

[antsman41]

Sooooo….when this finally comes out, our year 3 Batman actor is going to be 41 years old? Lame.

Pattinson will look 32 until he’s 55.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

It’s funny how the lot of you who are mad about the delay also probably hate how Sony/Disney/Marvel constantly put out drivel that has weak scripts and terrible plots.

Again, let Matt cook.

I don't think this assuming our positions on other things is necessary.

And let's be real - there's a medium between churning things out like an assembly line and the slow-as-molasses pace the Reeves-verse is heading.

Matt is allowed to cook - but don't be surprised many diners have moved on by the time the dish hits the pass, if it takes too long.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Pattinson will look 32 until he’s 55.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

We don't know what's going on with Reeves - and I hope he's doing great. He is quite fortunate that he is allowed to take the time that he needs to resolve any possible personal issues and write at his own. I wouldn't be afforded that, and more should be. And I'd honestly rather him walk away from Batman than stress and suffer trying to balance it all. Affleck walked away and not a bitter bone is felt in my body for that, as much as I was looking forward to his Batman film.

All that aside, let me address the 'Let Matt cook!' crowd.

You are 100% valid in your eagerness to wait and acceptance of the film taking 5.5 years to come out. I get it! I waited 15 years for a 5th Indiana Jones, after all.

But what I need the 'Let Matt cook!' crowd to give some ground on, is that people saying 5.5 years is too long for them to keep interest is 100% valid, as well.

5.5 years is not normal for a planned trilogy turnaround, especially in the 21st century when franchises know how to turn in great sequels in 2-3 years at most. Painting it as normal just because Terminator 1 and 2 had that gap (the latter not even being planned for many years and the director doing other films in between) is disingenuous and making a rule out of an exception. Franchises like Terminator, Alien, Incredibles and others weren't planned as trilogies or franchises from the jump and weren't worked on continually from their inception like Reeves has done with Batman. They didn't have to delay films 3 or 4 times.

Again, you can totally be okay with a 5.5 year gap! I get why - we love Batman and we want a good film.

But we're equally fair to be turned off and losing interest, too. Especially when we feel like we've been duped with the release date moving so many times, now.

Plus, let's not forget; more time =/= a better product. It could be a great film with 5.5 years of development. But more time isn't guaranteeing a superior product.

Artists need deadlines and people to hold them to those deadlines, IMO. Or else you get perfectionists who never finish anything. I'm that way, too - that's how I know!

If Matt does a 3rd film, it could be another 5.5 years or maybe longer. 14-15 years for 3 films from announcement to release is nuts, for many people.

People have legitimate concerns about the film's development; not just because of the gap but in response to the shifting goalposts of release which suggests disarray in some form, coupled with the DCU in a weird state alongside rumors of conjoining this with DCU, etc.

And the aging of the film's stars. If that effects immersion in the story, it harms the art. It just does.

Film sequels and TV seasons are starting to resemble AAA game development more and more to a degree many aren't happy with, and as we've seen in gaming...just because it takes longer, don't mean it's done!

I love what Matt's done so far - but part of me kinda wishes we got someone just as passionate and visionary, but also more productive/prolific.

Anyway, all this to say you can speak for yourself and say that 5.5 years isn't too long of a wait for you, personally. But we also can say it's too long for us, as well.

As I said above, a great meal can make it to a table - but if it took too long to get to the pass, don't blame the patron for not wanting to starve waiting for it.

Stop insinuating we're wrong or unreasonable for being disappointed/losing interest in a series we're frequently seeing be delayed year after year. At a certain point, we feel jerked around. We didn't set the release dates: WB/Reeves/Gunn did.

Peace!

 

[antsman41]

You’re a Batman fan on site that was started as a Spider-Man message board over 20 years ago… any of this “5 years is too long talk” is utter nonsense.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

You’re a Batman fan on site that was started as a Spider-Man message board over 20 years ago… any of this “5 years is too long talk” is utter nonsense.

So because this forum has been around awhile...that means people can't be annoyed at a 5 and a half year wait for a sequel initially promised earlier..?

Just because time moves forward doesn't mean that all wait-times are acceptable to all.

People are just as valid saying it's too long and they're losing interest as you are in saying it's fine.

What's 'utter nonsense' is your inability to see that different people have different levels of acceptable patience.

 

[antsman41]

I’m saying you’re a fan of Batman and you’ll see a new every new Batman movie opening weekend until the day you die…

 

[OnLeatherWings]

I’m saying you’re a fan of Batman and you’ll see a new every new Batman movie opening weekend until the day you die…

You don't speak for me or anyone else here, thanks.