Matt Reeves Directing The Batman

[shauner111]

To each their own but I thought he was perfect for the job. Was expecting him to deliver something great.

I don't think his style fits this more futuristic universe to be honest. Especially now, in a post-Justice League world. And he's not that great in his own movies, or at least, the last two.

 

[wnjcwjkk]

Now that we've had a week to let it all sink in, I'm actually relieved he stepped down. The guy was clearly overworked and overwhelmed, and it's ultimately for the best that he realized this now instead of midway through production. Especially for those of us that would actually like him to stick around in the role for a while.

Affleck's a strong director, but he is hardly the only one out there that can deliver a solid Batman film. At the end of the day, we need a director who genuinely wants to make this film. If Affleck decided he's not that guy, then go out there and find the person who is.

I think I agree with this. I was pretty bummed about it at first, but now that I've heard about the lukewarm reception to Live By Night (still haven't seen it, but the fact that Affleck was working on what looked like a quality noir 30's gangster movie homage had me really hyped for what he could bring from that to Batman), and it really is a lot, to be involved in the writing, directing, and starring in such a huge movie, budget-wise and expectation-wise. So if you're not 100% obsessively passionate like "This movie is mine, I HAVE to be the one to do this", best to step back, still offer it everything you've got, but let somebody else take on some of that burden.


If the director is chosen correctly, I believe Affleck will still be able to have input and bring everything to the table that he would have if he were director, but also the new guy will be able to bring his sensibilities to the project. It could be for the best, elevate the film, and that's all I care about is the final product.


I really hope they choose the new director carefully and bring in somebody who can work with Affleck, but also somebody with a lot of talent, experience, and passion for the character.



David Fincher would be great. Se7en, Zodiac, Dragon Tattoo, Fight Club, all have that dark, crime noir vibe that Batman should have.

 

[weezerspider]

You guys are kidding yourselves if you think Fincher will come even close to this. There's no reason for his name to keep being thrown around other than he's the only director fanboys know outside of fandom(Abrams, Spielberg,Nolan,Cameron).

 

[MadderMaximus]

Affleck seemed pretty excited about directing the movie until a couple of weeks ago. Smells fishy to me.

I'm feeling like WB might've pushed him out due to the underperformance of Live By Night, plus the Razzie attention (for BvS, not LbN), like Universal dropping John Carpenter from directing Firestarter because The Thing bombed and then got Razzie attention.

But that's my paranoia :P

 

[Alex Murphy]

I don't see any reputable director wanting to go anywhere near this, and if they just get some hack, it'll just end up another s*** movie in a by now long line of s*** movies.

 

[The Shape]

I don't see any reputable director wanting to go anywhere near this, and if they just get some hack, it'll just end up another s*** movie in a by now long line of s*** movies.

Yeah, you're totally right. No reputable director in their right mind would ever want to take a crack at making a Batman movie.

 

[Alex Murphy]

Yeah, you're totally right. No reputable director in their right mind would ever want to take a crack at making a Batman movie.

Who'd wanna make a Batman movie in this f***ed up, s***ty universe?

 

[shauner111]

Yeah, you're totally right. No reputable director in their right mind would ever want to take a crack at making a Batman movie.

On the surface yes, it's a batman movie and that always sounds awesome. But they don't have much control, which is something that any reputable director will be looking for. They have to work with the current DCEU vision which is a mess. They have to work around a crappy script or decide to build a new one from scratch along with these people who are the same people with the vision. Like 10 characters have already been cast beforehand (Deathstroke, Joker, Harley, Croc, Deadshot, Batman himself, Alfred, Gordon, soon to be Catwoman and Poison Ivy). They have to have the balls to take this risk.

 

[Alex Murphy]

On the surface yes, it's a batman movie and that always sounds awesome. But they don't have much control, which is something that any reputable director will be looking for. They have to work with the current DCEU vision which is a mess. They have to work around a crappy script or decide to build a new one from scratch along with these people who are the same people with the vision. Like 10 characters have already been cast beforehand (Deathstroke, Joker, Harley, Croc, Deadshot, Batman himself, Alfred, Gordon, soon to be Catwoman and Poison Ivy). They have to have the balls to take this risk.

Exactly!

 

[batfreakforever]

Affleck seemed pretty excited about directing the movie until a couple of weeks ago. Smells fishy to me.

Maybe he thought why the !@#$ try harder to please ungrateful people in an ungrateful world.
You try one little thing and get crapped on hard. I dont know why anybody would want to please todays audiences.
So now Affleck can say that if you got a problem with something then go to the director. The director has final say.
He stepped down because he was wearing too many hats. Its not fishy. It's actually very smart of him to do step down.
The new director can do his thing and Affleck can be a producer, writer and act The Batman on film. 3 hats is enough.
We can hopefully get a dozen films from Affleck. Maybe he will direct later in the DCEU. Just not yet.

 

[Greenlite]

So my man Mr Reeves is doing post for War of the Apes correct?

He might play around with the story for the next few months ala Nolan pitching MOS while filming TDKR, then in the second half of the year he might write a beautiful script and start filming next year, and ready for release Summer 2019?

Does anyone know if Terrio turned in the re-write before or after Affleck decided to quit? If before that means all 3 of them couldn't work it out, if after then Affleck might have a better chance of staying in the role.

 

[AverageMan]

Collider invited suggestions for the next director on Twitter.
Reeves was the popular choice, with O'Conner getting some mentions too - seem's to be the general consensus.

 

[FunkMiller]

Timescale wise...

If Reeves was chosen, he wouldn't really start work until after War Apes comes out in July. Filming would therefore be highly unlikely to start in 2017 (especially considering Affleck might well be waiting to see how JL performs).

So we'd be looking at 2018 production, with 2019 release date in the spring or summer.

That'd be one DC movie in 2018, and one in 2019.

 

[thebatfan5194]

So my man Mr Reeves is doing post for War of the Apes correct?

He might play around with the story for the next few months ala Nolan pitching MOS while filming TDKR, then in the second half of the year he might write a beautiful script and start filming next year, and ready for release Summer 2019?

Does anyone know if Terrio turned in the re-write before or after Affleck decided to quit? If before that means all 3 of them couldn't work it out, if after then Affleck might have a better chance of staying in the role.

Matt Reeves isn't a screenwriter.

 

[Boom]

That'd be one DC movie in 2018, and one in 2019.

One film in 2018 looks like a sure-thing, but 2019 is still up in the air. They could have The Flash out by then as well.

 

[thebatfan5194]

One film in 2018 looks like a sure-thing, but 2019 is still up in the air. They could have The Flash out by then as well.

And Gotham City Sirens as well, though I think it's possible they may fast track that into 2018.

 

[FunkMiller]

And Gotham City Sirens as well, though I think it's possible they may fast track that into 2018.

True. I didn't include that in my assessment as a release hasn't been confirmed yet. Mind you, neither has The Batman's

 

[thebatfan5194]

On the surface yes, it's a batman movie and that always sounds awesome. But they don't have much control, which is something that any reputable director will be looking for. They have to work with the current DCEU vision which is a mess. They have to work around a crappy script or decide to build a new one from scratch along with these people who are the same people with the vision. Like 10 characters have already been cast beforehand (Deathstroke, Joker, Harley, Croc, Deadshot, Batman himself, Alfred, Gordon, soon to be Catwoman and Poison Ivy). They have to have the balls to take this risk.

I honestly think a Batman movie has the most potential to allow for relative creative freedom. Batman as a character has always been more isolated from the rest of the DC Universe in scope, so if they really wanted to, they could get a great director and say here's your Batman universe, do what you want with it, and let them do their thing. I would almost prefer that to a Batman movie that has to constantly reference the greater universe at large. The best Batman stories, in my opinion, are ones that are strictly Batman stories.

 

[shauner111]

Absolutely but I doubt that's the case right now.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

If Reeves takes over, hopefully he kills it so much that he gets to direct JL2.

The movies are happening, might as well salvage as much as they can.

 

[Micromind]

I'm feeling like WB might've pushed him out due to the underperformance of Live By Night, plus the Razzie attention (for BvS, not LbN), like Universal dropping John Carpenter from directing Firestarter because The Thing bombed and then got Razzie attention.

But that's my paranoia :P

I don't think Razzies nominations influence Studios that much especially with flawed voting system that they have in-place.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I don't think anyone pushed Ben out of the directors chair. This was definitely his decision. WB is probably relieved though, this is a lot of pressure for one man. If they pushed him out, they run the risk of him getting pissed and leaving altogether.

Live by Night was a big bump in the road but they have a lot invested in him with DCEU Batman, one could argue that he's the glue that is barely holding it all together.

 

[thebatfan5194]

I don't think anyone pushed Ben out of the directors chair. This was definitely his decision. WB is probably relieved though, this is a lot of pressure for one man. If they pushed him out, they run the risk of him getting pissed and leaving altogether.

Live by Night was a big bump in the road but they have a lot invested in him with DCEU Batman, one could argue that he's the glue that is barely holding it all together.

I also doubt that he was forcibly removed from the director's chair. Even earlier last year, he was angry with Kevin Tsujihara for preemptively announcing that he was going to direct Batman. So it seems like Ben was wishy washy on the whole thing and the Live By Night debacle was just the last domino to fall for him.

 

[shauner111]

When Ben Affleck of all people is your glue to your universe, you should probably start rethinking your strategy.

 

[Chesterfield]

Ouch.