In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Matt Reeves has finally given us an update on The Batman. The Planet of the Apes filmmaker has been working hard on the upcoming solo movie behind close doors for the past couple of years and it sounds like it might finally be nearing production sometime soon.
While speaking with THR, Reeves revealed that we can expect more of a detective story from his take on the Dark Knight, emphasizing Bruce Wayne’s famed crime-solving skills from the comics. We also now know for sure that it’ll feature a full rogues gallery of villains pulled from Batman lore.
It sounds like Reeves has full creative control on the project, then, which begs the question of whether he has any influence on any other DC movies in the works – even just the ones also set in Gotham City like Birds of Prey and Batgirl. The director was asked this question by THR and made clear that he’s only focusing on The Batman, as WB’s current policy is that each DC film will be as good a standalone piece as possible.
“Right now, I’m involved in The Batman. What it will be called ultimately, I don’t know. Aquaman is going to be very different from the Todd Phillips Joker movie, and that’s going to be different from Shazam and Harley Quinn. Warners believes they don’t have to try to develop a giant slate that has to have all the plans for how it’s going to connect. What they need to try and do is make good movies with these characters.”
Reeves’ response also touches on the recent news that The Batman might not end up being the film’s official title. The name’s stuck to the project since it was going to star and be directed by Ben Affleck. Even though the movie underwent a complete creative overhaul, the title was apparently catchy enough to remain. But it sounds like Reeves’ isn’t 100% sure if he’ll keep it at the moment.
The latest word has it that The Batman – or whatever it’s called – could swoop into cinemas in spring 2021. If that’s true, Warner Bros. will likely get moving on it pretty soon. For starters, they might even finally reveal who’ll replace Affleck under the cowl. As always, watch this space for more.