The Batman To Start With “Clean Slate”
Though fans were hesitant of Ben Affleck as Batman in the DCEU, they quickly warmed up to him once Batman V Superman hit theaters, and were eager to see him direct the solo film The Batman. However, after many months of struggles, he’s left the directing role, and now it appears he won’t be writing the script either. He’ll merely star and help produce the film.
Not surprisingly, the search for a new director is WB/DC’s top priority right now, with many famous names being put as frontrunnners here. However, according to a report from Forbes, that could just be the beginning of the changes:
“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.”
It’s also rumored that the film could get a new release date too depending on how long it takes to both finalize a director, as well as finalize a script. It was set for Spring of next year, but the longer it takes, the less likely that’ll be.