It’s been a tumultuous few weeks behind the scenes of the upcoming Batman film, but now it’s official. Warner Bros. announced that Matt Reeves, the director of Cloverfield, Let Me In, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and this summer’s War for the Planet of the Apes, is directing a standalone Batman film.
“I have loved the Batman story since I was a child,” Reeves said in a press release. “He is such an iconic and compelling character, and one that resonates with me deeply. I am incredibly honored and excited to be working with Warner Bros. to bring an epic and emotional new take on the Caped Crusader to the big screen.”
Reeves will also produce the film. No word on who will be credited as the screenwriters or a release date.
“We are thrilled to have Matt Reeves taking the helm of Batman, the crown jewel of our DC slate,” added Toby Emmerich, President of Warner Bros. Pictures Group. “Matt’s deep roots in genre films and his evolution into an emotional world-building director make him the perfect filmmaker to guide the Dark Knight through this next journey.”
Reeves was the among the top choices from the moment Ben Affleck stepped down as director. However, the previous news was that negotiations between he and the studio had broken down. Obviously, whatever problems arose between the parties have now been settled.
One very curious thing about the press release? There is no mention of Affleck. Affleck who is expected to play Batman and even wrote a version of the script with DC Films’ Geoff Johns. However, it seems like that’s just an oversight. He’s attached to star.
We’ll next see Batman, played by Affleck, in Zack Snyder’s Justice League when it hits theatres November 17.