Flip the switch on the Bat-Signal, my friends, because Matt Reeves, director and writer of DC's long-gestating THE BATMAN, has recently left the Batcave to bring some new details about his standalone Bat-film to light. Here's the deal, folks. While we've all been growing old waiting for news about this mysterious project, Reeves has been plotting. And now, thanks to an in-depth interview courtesy of THR, we finally know a bit more about what THE WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES helmer has planned for DC's Caped Crusader.
As the story goes, Warner Bros. hired Reeves in February of 2017 to write and direct THE BATMAN, and since that time Reeves has been hard at work crafting a screenplay that will potentially reboot the Dark Knight for the DCEU. The idea for the project was born back in October of 2014, prior to the filming of BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. At the time, Warner Bros. and DC really wanted to get Batman actor Ben Affleck involved to write and possibly direct the standalone Bat-flick. However, Affleck was reluctant to sign on for both aspects of the gig. Things got real quiet after that, until in 2015 Affleck that he was working on the screenplay with Geoff Johns. Sadly, the fan response to Zack Snyder's hotly-anticipated BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE was so divisive that it shook DC and its actors to their core with regard to the future of the DCEU. In time, it was announced that Affleck no longer wished to direct the film, but would remain as its central character.
Fast-forward to today, to when we find Reeves talking openly about THE BATMAN to THR, and yes, we finally have some new details to share about the film.
Reeves began his Bat-talk with THR by re-affirming his vision for the movie, saying that it would have a noir flavor in addition to serving as a definitive example as to why Batman is known throughout the DC Universe as the World's Greatest Detective:
“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,” said Reeves.
As the interview goes on, Reeves confirms that the movie is currently titled THE BATMAN, though he notes that the title is subject to change as the project truly begins to take shape. He also let it slip that THE BATMAN will feature multiple villains, though in what capacity in anyone's guess at this time.
“There will be a Rogues Gallery," Reeves noted. "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.”
Holy Bat-shit. Imagine if the film opens with a mass breakout at Arkham Asylum. I can see it all now: A few significant villain cameos as the criminals and psychos make their escape, with each of the major players darting in different directions to secure a safe place to hide … and scheme. Perhaps the film then focuses down on one or two villains, while the rest remain in the shadows, plotting and waiting for a sequel to be announced. The Bat then has to take them out one by one, movie by movie. Like Kite Man would say, "Hell yeah."
Before wrapping their discussion about THE BATMAN, Reeves explained to THR that while the release date for his Bat-film is not set in stone, he's thinking that a 2021 release is likely.
“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," said Reeves.
There you have it, Bat-fans. Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN is still very much a thing, and it sounds as if all the pieces are steadily falling into place. Hopefully, we'll be hearing about some of those casting calls real soon, including who will don the cape and cowl for a new standalone adventure staring DC's Masked Manhunter.