After a spell of radio silence, we’ve now got a major update on Matt Reeves’ upcoming Batman movie.
Initially reported by Deadline, The Batman has now been set for a June 25th, 2021 release date. What’s most interesting is the word that, yes, the film will indeed not feature Ben Affleck as the Caped Crusader. Instead, Reeves’ picture will centre on a younger Batman; meaning Affleck won’t be required to don the cape ‘n’ cowl once more.
If you remember back, Affleck was actually to star in, co-write, and direct The Batman for a 2020 release. First we saw him step back from the director’s chair – Reeves coming in to replace him on directing duties – and now it seems that, after years of rumours, Affleck won’t be returning to star in the film.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about his plans for The Batman, Reeves enthused, “It’s very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale. 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.”
To date, Ben Affleck has made three appearances as the Dark Knight; debuting in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice before a brief appearance in Suicide Squad and then being front-and-centre in 2017’s Justice League.
If these latest reports of a younger Bruce Wayne being the focus of The Batman are true – which they increasingly seem to be – then that throws up the question of who could next tackle the iconic role of the World’s Greatest Detective. A couple of names doing the rounds several months ago were Jake Gyllenhaal and Jack O’Connell, but, again, they’re simply rumours at this point in time. One other option is that Affleck will be involved in a small capacity; being used to bookend the movie.
Where the nefarious element of the picture is concerned, Reeves has teased that we’ll see a rogues’ gallery of villains going up against Bats.
Either way, The Batman is now set for a summer 2021 release. As ever, of course, expect more on the film as we get it.
