Matt Reeves To Direct The Upcoming Batman Solo - Part 2

[Gandhi]

The relevant parts:

So, Batman. Tell us about your take.

It's very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale. It's told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it's going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It's more Batman in his detective mode than we've seen in the films. The comics have a history of that. He's supposed to be the world's greatest detective, and that's not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been. I'd love this to be one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it's going to allow his character to have an arc so that he can go through a transformation.

Do you have a title yet?

(Laughs.) Right now it’s called The Batman. What it will be called ultimately, I don’t know.

Have you begun the casting process?

There will be a Rogues Gallery. The casting process will begin shortly. We're starting to put together our battle plan. I'm doing another pass on the script and we'll begin some long-lead stuff to start developing conceptual things.

What's your goal as far as a release date?

We haven't been dated. I wouldn't commit to this, but we're thinking the movie would probably be for 2021, late spring or summer. Warner Bros. has been incredibly supportive and given me a lot of time and shared the same passion that I do for this story.

How involved are you with the other films in the DC universe, be it Harley Quinn or Batgirl?

Right now, I'm involved in The Batman. What it will be called ultimately, I don't know. Aquaman is going to be very different from the Todd Phillips Jokermovie, and that's going to be different from Shazam and Harley Quinn. Warners believes they don't have to try to develop a giant slate that has to have all the plans for how it's going to connect. What they need to try and do is make good movies with these characters.

 

[Doctor Jones]

"It's very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale. It's told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it's going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It’s more Batman in his detective mode than we’ve seen in the films. The comics have a history of that. He’s supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and that’s not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been. I’d love this to be one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it’s going to allow his character to have an arc so that he can go through a transformation… There will be a Rogues Gallery."

This was my response as well.

Music to my ears. The sun is shining in the valley. This is what I've been wanting from a Batman film for YEARS. I'm glad someone finally understands the detective aspect and is doing it. Not taking away anything from the other movies, but Batman is a detective first. Crime fighting comes from the job of being a detective.

 

[Boom]

We know Affleck still has one film left on his contract (that's on public record), so if he was coming back I don't see why Reeves or WB couldn't just outright confirm it. Like "Yeah, Ben is still on-board." The fact that they keep side-stepping the Affleck question leads me to believe he is gone.

Or, to play the devil's advocate, since the popular consensus is that Affleck is out, perhaps they are keeping a lid on it as a surprise? Like after two years of people expecting him gone, BAM, there he is.

 

[Boom]

-Noirish detective movie. Hype.
-Rogues Gallery. Hyyyyype.
-Casting to begin shortly. HYYYYYYYYPE.
-Tentative release year straight from the director's mouth. HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPE.

 

[Travesty]

"It's very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale. It's told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it's going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It’s more Batman in his detective mode than we’ve seen in the films. The comics have a history of that. He’s supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and that’s not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been. I’d love this to be one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it’s going to allow his character to have an arc so that he can go through a transformation… There will be a Rogues Gallery."

A detective-centric, noir style Batman movie? Sounds terrible. I rather have a whiny Batman, crying about his girlfriend and retirement nonstop.

 

[Rorschach2012]

"There will be a Rogues Gallery"

 

[OutOfBoose]

Rogue gallery - don't overstuff it.

 

[terry78]

I feel like it's gonna be one of those stories where he kinda works his way through his villains to solve a larger crime they may or may not be part of.

 

[dhandler01]

We know Affleck still has one film left on his contract (that's on public record), so if he was coming back I don't see why Reeves or WB couldn't just outright confirm it. Like "Yeah, Ben is still on-board." The fact that they keep side-stepping the Affleck question leads me to believe he is gone.

Or, to play the devil's advocate, since the popular consensus is that Affleck is out, perhaps they are keeping a lid on it as a surprise? Like after two years of people expecting him gone, BAM, there he is.

I think they probably dont know for sure yet. My guess is he is gone but I would bet when the final script is ready they will see if Affleck fits the story and if he does they will go to him and see what he thinks and decide together.

The thing is the fans are the ones cooking up all this drama, the studio has pretty much stayed on the same tack since JL.

 

[dhandler01]

I feel like it's gonna be one of those stories where he kinda works his way through his villains to solve a larger crime they may or may not be part of.

Yep...they wont be a major part of the story but they will be there to set the stage for later films. Maybe he talks to Penguin about what he knows of the crime or stuff like that.

 

[thebatfan5194]

It's basically 99% confirmed that Affleck is out. They said they're looking for a younger Batman. I think the reason why they're not saying anything right now, is because of how successful Aquaman is doing, and they don't want any ill will being thrown at the DCEU. When the time is right, they'll announce a new actor for Batman.

No one involved with the project has said they’re looking for a younger Batman. The closest we’rave gotten is those casting sheets that have been floating around but that’s if you trust scoopers like DanielRPK

 

[Boom]

It's basically 99% confirmed that Affleck is out. They said they're looking for a younger Batman. I think the reason why they're not saying anything right now, is because of how successful Aquaman is doing, and they don't want any ill will being thrown at the DCEU. When the time is right, they'll announce a new actor for Batman.

I suppose there is still the possibility that The Batman will be told across two time periods - in which case Affleck could still be involved. Perhaps new evidence surfaces for a cold case from when he was younger and just starting out. I'm not sure if I'm particularly keen on that idea, but I'd keep any open mind.

My issues with that keep coming back to the hope that Reeves makes more than one film. I'd like their to be some cohesiveness between the films. The problem with involving Affleck is that it would frame his Batman as being the contemporary one (with the young actor being a flashback version). Such an approach would sort of necessitate Affleck being the one that needs to come back for sequels.

 

[samsnee]

I think this could be a very good Batman movie but it might disappoint the general public if it's thematically as dark as his Planet of the Apes movie. Parents still will want to take their kids to a Batman movie.

 

[OutOfBoose]

Damn, I still have hope that it will be just like Joker solo. Not connected to other DC films.

 

[Jekecy]

I think this could be a very good Batman movie but it might disappoint the general public if it's thematically as dark as his Planet of the Apes movie. Parents still will want to take their kids to a Batman movie.

Parents still took their kids to The Dark Knight. I doubt Reeves would go much darker than that did.

Anyway, there's a lot more superhero options now anyway. With WW and Aquaman firmly being in that escapist, for-all-ages adventure lane, I feel like Batman is the only DC IP left that has the prestige to not follow trends and be its own creative thing. Bring on the mature, adult-leaned drama.

 

[thebatfan5194]

I suppose there is still the possibility that The Batman will be told across two time periods - in which case Affleck could still be involved. Perhaps new evidence surfaces for a cold case from when he was younger and just starting out. I'm not sure if I'm particularly keen on that idea, but I'd keep any open mind.

My issues with that keep coming back to the hope that Reeves makes more than one film. I'd like their to be some cohesiveness between the films. The problem with involving Affleck is that it would frame his Batman as being the contemporary one (with the young actor being a flashback version). Such an approach would sort of necessitate Affleck being the one that needs to come back for sequels.

I agree. I don’t like the idea of using two actors to represent two different time periods. I mean how many times would that gimmick work? They’d have to stick to one eventually.

I’ve been vocal on here about wanting Ben to stick around, especially since DC movies finally seem to be hitting their stride in terms of being director driven and hiring the right people behind the camera... in my mind it would just be a waste of what could be a great Batman. They didn’t cut ties with Jason Momoa after JL, and he’s a far less we’ll known actor and could have easily been recast IMO.

I’m still really excited by what Matt has said and I think he’ll do a great job. I’m just not crazy about winding the clocks back to a young Batman who’s still learning the ropes. A veteran crime fighter/detective is way more intriguing to me.

 

[samsnee]

Parents still took their kids to The Dark Knight. I doubt Reeves would go much darker than that did.

Anyway, there's a lot more superhero options now anyway. With WW and Aquaman firmly being in that escapist, for-all-ages adventure lane, I feel like Batman is the only DC IP left that has the prestige to not follow trends and be its own creative thing. Bring on the mature, adult-leaned drama.

I think Nolan's movie struck the right tone. But Reeves movies tend to be much more dour and dark. I don't think we will get a murderous Batman like BvS but I don't want Batman to just be Caesar from his Apes movies either.

 

[Lencho01]

All I ask is for one detective scene like this...

 

[OutOfBoose]

Parents still took their kids to The Dark Knight. I doubt Reeves would go much darker than that did.

Anyway, there's a lot more superhero options now anyway. With WW and Aquaman firmly being in that escapist, for-all-ages adventure lane, I feel like Batman is the only DC IP left that has the prestige to not follow trends and be its own creative thing. Bring on the mature, adult-leaned drama.

Well, they will be aiming for PG-13, obviously. Nolan, Casino Royale prove they can do a lot with the rating and still keep it serious and mature.

 

[thebatfan5194]

I don’t think eating is a concern. They’ll 100% go for PG-13 and parents will take their kids to see it. Also rumored that Matt added more action to balance out the contemplative detective stuff.

 

[WhoMani]

Batman is arguably the most popular superhero of all time. There's no way that WB will make this upcoming Batman movie not PG 13.

 

[OutOfBoose]

And there's little need for Batman to go R. Batman Returns was really dark. The Dark Knight was dark. They were able to show a face burned almost to the skull. Batman '89, Batman Forever were rather unsetting at times. Acid burn, Jack discovering his reconstructed face.

 

[Gothamsknight]

-Noirish detective movie. Hype.
-Rogues Gallery. Hyyyyype.
-Casting to begin shortly. HYYYYYYYYPE.
-Tentative release year straight from the director's mouth. HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPE.

Agreed!! This is all shaping up to be fantastic. It's good to know it's finally happening, and I can't wait for the hype training to start rolling. So do you guys think we will see more than 2 villains?

 

[thebatfan5194]

Agreed!! This is all shaping up to be fantastic. It's good to know it's finally happening, and I can't wait for the hype training to start rolling. So do you guys think we will see more than 2 villains?

Re Villains, I’m not sure they’ll be A-list Batman villains but our favorite scooper DanielRPK posted casting breakdowns on his twitter for two “goons” for a villain under the code name “The Brain”, I think Brain is definitely Riddler and the goons could be any number of D-list Batman villains that will function more as Easter eggs than anything else.

 

[Boom]

Harvey Dent was rumored to be involved in some capacity, so that could put Two-Face on the table.