Back in August, I pulled together a bunch of the latest details on the next Batman movie coming from director/writer Matt Reeves. As a huge Batman fan, I am very interested to see what kind of “Dark Knight” Matt will bring to the big screen so I’m following its developments very closely. And today we got a little bit more information as pre-production for the movie continues.
First: In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Matt discusses his take on Batman which is currently still tentatively titled “The Batman”:
“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.”
Matt Reeves via The Hollywood Reporter
I cannot begin to describe how excited I am about seeing a version of Batman on the big screen that’s in “detective mode”. In the comics, Batman is known in the DC Universe as the “world’s greatest detective”. Batman is a crime fighter but also a crime solver. He comes in and investigates a crime that has all kinds of clues that are like puzzle pieces that need to be put together. He’s super smart and has a lot of technology that helps him in his investigation. I think there is a common misconception with Batman that he just goes around punching criminals but that’s not the case. He investigates then punches or punches as he investigates. But he always makes sure the evidence proves a person did the crime.
Matt provides some other tidbits in the same interview:
- He says that that his Batman movie will feature a Rogues Gallery. But he did not reveal which villians would be part of that gallery. Back in August, it was rumored that
Star Wars star Oscar Issac was in talks for the lead villian role but it is unknown if he actually signed on. - Speaking of casting, Matt says the casting process would begin shortly. So that Oscar Issac rumor seems a bit odd as back in August the script wasn’t even close to being finished and probably not ready for casting. But who knows.
- He also says doing another pass on the script and beginning “some long-lead stuff to start developing conceptual things”.
- And finally, he says the film is targeting a Summer 2021 release.
Second: It was revealed today via Deadline that Ben Affleck will officially NOT be returning as Batman/Bruce Wayne for Matt Reeves’ Batman movie which he also confirmed himself on Twitter.
Looks like we no longer need to debate on that. This gives Matt the complete freedom to create his vision of Batman and I can’t wait to see who he finds to put on the cape and cowl. However, Ben Affleck did put alot of work into the story so he may carry some sort of credit on the film regardless.
So there you have it! That’s the latest on the new Batman movie. I’d expect to see some casting news in the coming months and maybe even some sort of presentation at San Diego Comic-Con this summer from Warner Bros.
Again, I suggest following Matt Reeves on Twitter to stay updated on the latest going on with “The Batman”.