Report: ‘The Batman’ Getting “Fresh Start” When New Director Is Chosen
Oh, The Batman. At one point you were the shining beacon of the DC cinematic universe. Now, now you’re just another project mired in turd-soaked controversy. The movie has gone from being written, directed, and starring Ben Affleck to starring the actor, but being being written and directed by one huge shrug.
The DC Extended Universe has seen its fair share of hiccups in recent moths. Following the departure of the second director brought on board for “The Flash,” Batman himself, Ben Affleck, announced he would no longer direct the character’s forthcoming solo film, “The Batman.” That news came after months of the star addressing his various concerns regarding the upcoming feature, and how he didn’t feel they’d gotten the script to a good place just yet.
Since Affleck’s departure from the director’s chair, many names have popped up as possible replacements, including Matt Reeves (“Let the Right One In”, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”) Matt Ross (“Captain Fantastic”), Denis Villeneuve (“Sicario,” “Blade Runner 2049”) and George Miller (“Mad Max: Fury Road”). As previously reported, an official announcement regarding a replacement director should be coming soon, but that isn’t the only change the feature will undergo before it hits the big screen.
According to Forbes, “The Batman” is set to receive a fresh start with the hire of a new director. This includes both a new script and a new release date. The original script for the film was written by Ben Affleck alongside DC’s Geoff Johns and was later rewritten by Chris Terrio, who fans will recall also worked on “Batman v Superman.” However, it appears as though the film will be starting over from page one – much like “The Flash” – with the hire of a new creative team.
The report notes, “Warner Bros. is already speaking to several filmmakers about taking over in the director’s chair — including one of my personal longtime favorites to direct a Batman movie, Matt Reeves, who seems to be the frontrunner — and word is the project will essentially get a fresh start once a new creative team has been put together…the script would need more rewrites, particularly with a new director joining the picture…I’m hearing anything from “major rewrites” to “a completely new script,” including starting from scratch on the story if that’s what it takes — is unclear, not just to us but probably to those involved as well, since the new filmmaker might look at the story and script and decide there’s plenty to salvage that appeals to them.”
Forbes also notes the film is also looking at a potential 2019 release date. This, of course, is because the film will is highly unlikely to begin production this year as originally scheduled.
Affleck will next portray the caped crusader in WB’s “Justice League” which will hit theaters on November 17, 2017.