THE BATMAN: Matt Reeves Aims for 2021 Release
The Batman writer/director Matt Reeves has offered new information about the new Batman movie, plus his take on how the film will differ from previous cinematic renditions of the character and how it will fit in the bigger DC Universe.
“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,” Reeves told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview. “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,” Reeves continued. “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.”
As for the movie itself, its title – and how it fits with the other planned DC movies – that still has to be worked out.
“Right now, I’m involved in The Batman. What it will be called ultimately, I don’t know,” Reeves explained. “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,” he added. “What they need to try and do is make good movies with these characters.”
It looks like the door is open to further crossovers between Batman and other DC characters, although it also indicates Warner Bros. is not ready to plan for a “shared universe” right now. It’s unclear how the Harley Quinn film Reeves references which is the currently-in-production Birds of Prey (and the Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) fits into the Batman Movie lore.
The big question now in Reeves’ The Batman – what actor will be under the cowl. THR reports that Reeves wouldn’t address whether Ben Affleck, who portrayed Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, and Justice League would continue in the role. Last time Reeves addressed the question in August 2018, Affleck was “still involved.”
As far as the rest of the cast, Reeves says that casting will begin soon for a possible 2021 release. He shared that Batman will face a “Rogues Gallery” in the film.
“There will be a Rogues Gallery,” Reeves confessed. “The casting process will begin shortly. We’re starting to put together our battle plan. I’m doing another pass on the script and we’ll begin some long-lead stuff to start developing conceptual things.”
“We haven’t been dated,” Reeves clarified of The Batman’s release window. “I wouldn’t commit to this, but we’re thinking the movie would probably be for 2021, late spring or summer. Warner Bros. has been incredibly supportive and given me a lot of time and shared the same passion that I do for this story.” Walt - Original Post
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