Matt Reeves Directing The Batman

[writer0327]

David Ayer isn't a doormat either and the studio walked all over the poor guy and we all know Ayer is a very fine filmmaker. You simply can't fight the studio at the end of the day. Guys like Chris Nolan who could tell an exec to shut the f*** up and said exec would back down are an extreme rarity.

With that said, assuming the studio "shuts the F*** up" and leaves Reeves alone I am ALL for this choice. Loved Dawn of Apes and War looks INCREDIBLE. The guy knows how to make a motion picture.

Agreed. IF the studio leaves Reeves alone and just trusts the damn director for once in their lives, we could be in for something special. The only thing that bums me out about this decision is I had hoped Reeves would do the MoS sequel. Nothing saying he can't, but I sort of doubt it now. We've had a great Batman film in recent memory, I want a great Superman film. But nevertheless, glad Reeves is onboard and hope he knocks The Batman out of the park.

 

[Mad Love]

If Wonder Woman turns out good, then the whole studio intervention complaint falls flat.

WB had reason to mess with BVS and Suicide Squad given Snyder's track record and SS's rushed production and test screenings. Reeves has a better track record than Snyder and Ayer so that'll afford him more trust.

 

[2kt09]

If Wonder Woman turns out good, then the whole studio intervention complaint falls flat.

To the contrary. It gives greater credence to the management shake-up of the DCEU which occurred last spring.

 

[Greenlite]

Based on what I saw with Dawn of Apes, Reeves might get blasted for having a heavy and dark tone for MOS2, hopefully they can get someone great for that.

 

[Greenlite]

To the contrary. It gives greater credence to the management shake-up of the DCEU which occurred last spring.

Haven't heard any editing crap with WW, yet. So that's good so far, though I am a bit worried that Johns and the other comic book writer did the script, might help if Patty or someone polishes it to the film medium standard. Unless someone can enlighten me on the situation.

 

[writer0327]

Haven't heard any editing crap with WW, yet. So that's good so far, though I am a bit worried that Johns and the other comic book writer did the script, might help if Patty or someone polishes it to the film medium standard. Unless someone can enlighten me on the situation.

I've been wondering about that. Maybe they've finally wised up and kept that information under their hat. Any information that leaks on the DCEU is usually bad.

 

[Mad Love]

To the contrary. It gives greater credence to the management shake-up of the DCEU which occurred last spring.

Then there's nothing to worry about.

 

[Boom]

The editing for WW doesn't concern me so much as the script. This is the first time Geoff Johns wrote a script that was actually used, yes? Talk about an unknown factor.

 

[2kt09]

Then there's nothing to worry about.

If it turns out good...

 

[Consona]

Meh, Rise was forgettable in comparison.

Totally disagree. And I think the "pool scene" is great example. Rise was very intelligently put together, it was subtle and nuanced. Substance over style, really. Dawn was like the pool scene over the original, louder and bigger but not as smart and refined. The execution of ideas in Rise was much more better. Like those scenes at the end where apes escaped and started to attack the people on the streets were absolutely fantastic even in comparison to much larger attack of the apes with machine guns in Dawn. The differences in those two films really showed me how important directors are. You can have all the budget and technology but what makes the difference is the filmmaker's grasp. I'm really really disappointed Rupert Wyatt left the franchise. I'm not saying Dawn was bad, it was very good film but Rise was just fantastic.

It actually reminds me the original franchise where the first one was too, really cerebral and nuanced and excellent film and the sequels were just another fims from the same universe not even touching the qualities of the original. IMO.
The same for me goes with Star Trek, interestingly enough, where The Motion Picture was a true philosophical science fiction substance over style complex piece of art film while others paled in comparison. Rise vs Dawn is like TMP vs Khan, a lot of people likes Khan much better, it's bigger, with more action, but less cerebral, interesting and sophisticated.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

He is good enough for the film to go either way. Its a coin toss at the moment.
I've set my expectations at 40/100

It's not confirmed either. He's offered the role and has a meeting. Doesn't mean it's a done deal.

If he does take it and confirm, I'm setting my expectations about as high as Enrique does.

 

[FunkMiller]

My worry about Reeves being 'in talks' to take the director's role is what the suits at WB have to offer him.

If they're going to allow the man to actually shape the film creatively the way he wants to (which is the right thing to do) then everything should go well. If, however, this is more of a case of 'this is the film we want... go and make it' then I can't see him doing the movie. Let's face it, the DCEU has had creative failings thus far... would Reeves just want to continue on the same path?

 

[BH/HHH]

My worry about Reeves being 'in talks' to take the director's role is what the suits at WB have to offer him.

If they're going to allow the man to actually shape the film creatively the way he wants to (which is the right thing to do) then everything should go well. If, however, this is more of a case of 'this is the film we want... go and make it' then I can't see him doing the movie. Let's face it, the DCEU has had creative failings thus far... would Reeves just want to continue on the same path?

WBs definitely have creative control issues and that's as evident with the cuts that were released of BvS and Suicide Squad. Heck you can go back to Batman & Robin, Green Lantern and even a bit with Batman Begins (they forced Holmes on Nolan) you'd think WBs would learn there lesson in that regard.

I will say this though it might be possible that Reeves likes what is already done so far and only tweaks elements. I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[Eggyman]

WBs definitely have creative control issues and that's as evident with the cuts that were released of BvS and Suicide Squad. Heck you can go back to Batman & Robin, Green Lantern and even a bit with Batman Begins (they forced Holmes on Nolan) you'd think WBs would learn there lesson in that regard.

I will say this though it might be possible that Reeves likes what is already done so far and only tweaks elements. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Going by what Ben said, it'll be a collaboration. The script might be a few good bits buried in a mess. A fresh set of eyes will spot it, cut the sh** and be inspired by what's left. Hopefully. If you think about everything a director has to do, create, organise and approve there's no wonder he wants some help.

 

[Joeyjojo72]

Then there's nothing to worry about.

Well we know that can't be true.

 

[FunkMiller]

Going by what Ben said, it'll be a collaboration. The script might be a few good bits buried in a mess. A fresh set of eyes will spot it, cut the sh** and be inspired by what's left. Hopefully. If you think about everything a director has to do, create, organise and approve there's no wonder he wants some help.

Hopefully, you're right. They will Reeves cut the **** from what they have now. The DCEU needs fresh blood. I want the guy to make the movie, but I equally want him to walk away from it if they try to make him follow their existing ideology.

 

[STARMAN]

The first thing Reeves needs to do is learn what Affleck's long term commitment to the character is. That will affect the story's approach.

 

[mclay18]

David Ayer isn't a doormat either and the studio walked all over the poor guy and we all know Ayer is a very fine filmmaker. You simply can't fight the studio at the end of the day. Guys like Chris Nolan who could tell an exec to shut the f*** up and said exec would back down are an extreme rarity.

Ayer just didn't have the clout. Suicide Squad is his first $100M+ budgeted film and to top it off, the studio was rattled by BvS' reception. If Ayer had more clout (i.e. big successful blockbusters), they would've let him deliver his own cut.

When you're a director with a big $1 billion blockbuster under your belt (or two smaller blockbusters), like Nolan or James Wan, the studios are more willing to let the director take the reins.

 

[Consona]

I don't think Reeves is as distinctive filmmaker as Snyder or Ayer, I think WB should make more creative room for them and let Affleck have a strong influence on The Batman. Hope WotPotA will turn out great so I have more confidence in Reeves.

 

[David H.]

Reeves isn't as flashy but he is a better filmmaker than both Snyder and Ayer.

I think that's what's important here and it's not like his movies are flat or anything that might deterred from the visual upper hand DC has had on Marvel.

 

[FunkMiller]

Reeves isn't as flashy but he is a better filmmaker than both Snyder and Ayer.

I think that's what's important here and it's not like his movies are flat or anything that might deterred from the visual upper hand DC has had on Marvel.

He's ****ing leagues above Snyder, certainly, especially in terms of characters and story.

Good points made above that Ayer should have had a bit more clout that it's evident he did.

Makes me very nervous for Reeves's contribution.

 

[David H.]

Should he have? The reason Nolan was able to say no back in the day was because of different management and he got enough hits then to do what he wants with the new one.

Ayer got sour deal, for sure, but even if he hadn't, I can't imagine an altogether good movie coming out of it.

 

[FunkMiller]

Should he have? The reason Nolan was able to say no back in the day was because of different management and he got enough hits then to do what he wants with the new one.

Ayer got sour deal, for sure, but even if he hadn't, I can't imagine an altogether good movie coming out of it.

The different management thing is important. Can you imagine if the brain trust at WB were around back then? We'd never have had the best superhero movie in history.

Again... worried Reeves will back away if the idiots currently at WB don't allow him creative freedom. If they'd presided over a successful start to the DCEU, they'd have reason to be able to tell the guy what to do, but as it stands, it would probably be wise of them to allow new blood to have some control.

This, of course, won't happen.

 

[2kt09]

That 6 week script shows.
Rephrasing what someone else said, it's like Ayer wasn't even there considering how few lines of dialogue or scenes made me think of Ayer.

If they'd presided over a successful start to the DCEU, they'd have reason to be able to tell the guy what to do...

No they'd have less of a reason to be able to tell the guy what to do.

 

[FunkMiller]

No they'd have less of a reason to be able to tell the guy what to do.

Eh? If things had been going well, they'd be in the same position of creative strength that Fiege et al. are in over at Marvel. Effectively 'we know what we're doing, so you do this'. As it stands it's more like 'we have no idea what we're doing, so we don't know if you should do what we say or not.'