The Batman Delayed to March 2022

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[h=1]Joe Manganiello Says The Batman Starts Filming Spring 2017[/h]

Ben Affleck’s DC Extended Universe Batman solo film is tentatively titled The Batman, although that could change. It’s directed by and starring Affleck, based on a script that Affleck is cowriting with DC Films head Geoff Johns. The standalone movie will definitely arrive after next year’s Wonder Woman and Justice League films, but where it will fit in the chronology of future DCEU projects is still unclear.
One more thing that’s known about the film is that the main villain is Deathstroke, and he will be played by actor Joe Manganiello. Now, however, we have more information, thanks to an interview with the Deathstroke actor Manganiello himself, about the timetable of the production.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet at an anniversary celebration for the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, Manganiello stated that he “getting ready to go shoot Batman in the spring.” The interview indicates the prediction of The Batman being 18 months out (recently made by Warner Bros. Pictures CEO) might be more accurate than some previously thought.
Manganiello, who also said in the interview that he has recovered from a recent health scare, also stated that he is getting ready for the theatrical release of next year’s Smurfs movie, as well as his anniversary with wife Sofia Vergara.



What does the spring 2017 start date mean for the Batman film and when we might see it in theaters? DCEU films thus far have been taking roughly two years to get from the start of production to the screen. Man of Steel began filming in August of 2011 and was released in June of 2013, while Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice started filming in May 2014 and came out in March of 2016. Suicide Squad took a shorter time, starting filming in April 2015 and arriving on screen in August of this year.
Would a spring 2017 start get The Batman ready for release for the October 5, 2018 release slot that’s currently slated for an “untitled DC film”? That would cut it close, although it’s possible that a standalone Batman film with a smaller cast would be less intensive and not take as long. It’s also worth noting that Man of Steel and Batman V Superman, were delayed significantly from their original release dates. Were that to happen again, The Batman could conceivably move into the other untitled DC film slot, on November 1, 2019. That might not be necessary, though; Affleck’s last two films as director, The Town and Argo, were produced comparatively quickly.


Suicide Squad is now playing in theaters. Wonder Woman opens in theaterson June 2, 2017, followed by Justice Leagueon November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; an untitled DC Film on October 5, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; an untitled DC film on November 1, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash, The Batman, Dark Universe and Man of Steel 2 are currently without a release dates.
Source: Entertainment Tonight

 

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[h=1]The Batman: Ben Affleck Says The Movie ‘Can’t Fail Quietly’[/h]

In recent years, Ben Affleck has earned high marks for his acting performances in films such as Gone Girl, The Accountant, and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, but the true catalyst to his career resurgence was his emergence as an elite director. Starting with the 2007 drama Gone Baby Gone, Affleck has established himself as a force behind the camera, winning much praise for The Town and Best Picture winner Argo. His next directorial effort, Prohibition crime piece Live by Night, is set up for an Oscar run this awards season and generated much excitement following the release of its trailer.
The next project for Affleck the Director is The Batman, the first standalone vehicle for Affleck’s version of the Caped Crusader in the DC Extended Universe. Affleck is also co-writing the script with DC’s own Geoff Johns, and it’s a process he’s taking very seriously. Over the summer, Affleck stated that he wouldn’t move forward on the film until he was completely happy with the screenplay, which is still in development. As someone who’s been through plenty of ups and downs, Affleck understands the magnitude of The Batman and won’t approach his responsibilities lightly.
In an interview with IGN (hat tip Batman News), Affleck discussed how the Batman script is coming along, detailing his mindset while writing it:


“Last night I spent (time) working on the script. I’m in full-on ‘trying to get it right mode’. It’s not the kind of movie that you can fail quietly at. You have to really be sure that I have something that I feel really confident about before we go forward.”




This is great to hear and very encouraging for DC fans. While certain elements of the three DCEU features released to date have been well-received (including Batfleck), the films as a whole have proven to be extremely divisive. In particular, their stories have been met with criticism, as some viewers believe the narratives are too disjointed. The franchise is in desperate need of a critical hit to re-establish forward momentum, and Affleck is smart to take his time to make sure The Batman is of the best quality possible. As his co-star J.K. Simmons (who plays Commissioner Gordon in the DCEU) said, Affleck is a great moviemaker who has tremendous knowledge of directing, writing, and acting. His sizable involvement with The Batman should inspire confidence, as he’s certainly proven himself time and time again.
Affleck’s patience is a virtue that should be commended, but he does have a deadline so The Batman can remain on track. Joe Manganiello, who’s on board to play the villain Deathstroke, stated that production will start in spring 2017. Additionally, Warner Bros. has said the film is about 18 months out, though the studio still has not given it an official release date. In all likelihood, Affleck and Johns will have their screenplay finished in a matter of months, hopefully delivering another compelling Batman story for the big screen. Especially after the Dark Knight stole the show in Dawn of Justice, there’s much anticipation for his solo outing.
As of this writing, The Batman does not have a release date. We’ll keep you posted on the updates.



Source: IGN (via Batman News)

 

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[h=1]Teresa Palmer Wants to Play Talia Al Ghul in Ben Affleck’s Batman[/h]

Ben Affleck’s excellent portrayal of the Dark Knight in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice was one of the film’s major redeeming factors. As a result, fans of the DC Extended Universe are stoked for his return in The Batman – which he’s currently hard at work on, tweaking the script to “get it right.” Slated to begin shooting in spring of 2017, at least according to Deathstroke actor Joe Manganiello, there are still plenty of roles to fill before production begins. Although it’s unknown exactly which characters will come into play, there have been some rumors that Talia Al Ghul will show up in The Batman.
A potentially juicy part in the long run, thanks to her involvement with Bruce Wayne and family, many actresses would clamor for a shot at to play Talia. Today, one actress tossed her hat into the ring.
In an exclusive interview, Screen Rant spoke with Teresa Palmer about her interest in the Affleck-helmed Batman. The actress, who recently played alongside Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) in the forthcoming thriller Message from the King, was enthusiastic about the possibility of portraying the daughter of crime boss Ra’s Al Ghul, saying she’s “100 percent” behind the idea. Palmer told Screen Rant:


“I was going to be her. I think Marion Cotillard played, I don’t know how to pronounce her last name by the way, um she played Talia Al Ghul in one of the Batman’s, I remember thinking, okay well, obviously she’s going to play Talia Al Ghul, but if there’s ever an opportunity I would absolutely love it. Put it out there. Can you put it out there for me?”




In fact, this isn’t the first time Palmer has been associated with the DC franchise or the Talia Al Ghul role, for that matter. At one point, she was up for the role in George Miller’s sadly unrealized Justice League project. She’s definitely interested in having another shot at the potentially meaty role. When asked about whether she’d officially campaign for the role, Palmer said:

“Can you make it a thing? I’m doing it.”
​

Palmer isn’t the only actress who’s expressed interest in joining the cast of The Batman. Earlier this month, Anna Kendrick prodded her Accountant costar Affleck about playing a female Robin in the upcoming Batman epic (something Joe Manganiello was all about). Other actors, like Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead) also expressed interest in signing up for parts in the DCEU, a show of good faith for the fledgling franchise.
Adding an actress of Palmer’s caliber would be a great move for Affleck as he builds his better Batman. Unlike Justice League and Batman V Superman, the solo Bat-flick will be more centrally focused on Batman and whichever cast of characters join him, including Deathstroke and Commissioner Gordon thus far. Bringing in top flight talent, much like Marvel does for their films, is one way to stack the deck in The Batman‘s favor. In the long run, the script is the final determiner; even a great thespian can’t do much with a mediocre screenplay.
Whether or not Talia Al Ghul even has role in the film will also depend upon the source material Affleck draws on. Recent rumors pointed to a possible inclusion of Talia and her father, although how much of a role wasn’t touched upon. If she winds up in the film, it could mean Batman’s male heir, Damien Wayne, will play a role in the DCEU. But with any unfinished screenplay, major casting news is a long way off. If Ms. Al Ghul does show up, though, we’re pulling for Teresa Palmer to finally get her shot at the anti-heroine.

 

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[h=1]Talia al Ghul Reportedly Won’t Appear in the DCEU ‘Anytime Soon’[/h]

Superhero franchises have taken over the modern cinematic landscape and brought what used to be a niche fan interest, comics, into the broader cultural conversation. Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe is now in “Phase 3″ and the DC Extended Universe is up and running too, following the release of Man of Steel, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad. The DCEU has both Justice League movies and solo DCEU superhero films on the way too; among them, the Batman movie (known as simply The Batman) that Ben Affleck is co-writing, directing and starring in.
With new Batman films come new characters, and fans have been content to speculate about who will appear in Affleck’s film, along with the assassin Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello). One contender is (was?) Talia al Ghul, mother of Bruce Wayne’s son, Damian, and daughter to antagonist Ra’s al Ghul. Though Talia appeared in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, it would certainly make sense to see her again on the big screen in The Batman, especially since Deathstroke is in the film. We discussed this possibility with Teresa Palmer (Lights Out), who said, “If there’s ever an opportunity I would absolutely love [to play Talia]. Put it out there.”


Sadly, for Palmer and fans, a report from The Wrap claims that Talia will not return to the DCEU at any point in the near future. Umberto Gonzalez writes, “Our insider says that neither Talia al Ghul nor her dad will be in The Batman — or any DC film on the horizon.”
Marion Cotillard as Talia al Ghul in The Dark Knight Rises



This news comes as both a blessing and a curse. Batman’s cinematic history notably lacks compelling female characters (aside from Catwoman – though, in some cases, even that’s debatable), but it might be best to leave the al Ghuls off-screen until Hollywood has its whitewashing problem under control. After all, the comics specify Talia as someone of Arabic and Chinese descent, and she was portrayed by white French actress Marion Cotillard in Dark Knight Rises. It’s possible, if not likely, that the DCEU could make this same mistake if they were to bring back the duplicitous role.
That said, it would be nice to see an on-screen portrayal of al Ghul that is as compelling as her comics counterpart, and her cinematic revival would give the DCEU a chance to show it will feature more complex, interesting roles for female actors of color. It’s certainly disheartening to learn that an interesting female character is off the DCEU table for now, but there are other fan-favorite female DC Comics characters to look forward to. Fan excitement for a solo Harley Quinn movie skyrocketed after Suicide Squad, and the hype for Wonder Woman just keeps on building, so this news doesn’t necessarily represent a step backward for female representation in the DCEU. It doesn’t represent a step forward, either – not yet, anyway.


Source: The Wrap

 

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[h=1]Jeremy Irons on Alfred’s Role in The Batman & Justice League[/h]

Fans of Batman know how crucial certain elements of the Caped Crusader’s life are to the character, such as Wayne Manner, his bat-weapons, and the Batmobile. Another necessary force of order in Bruce’s life is his longtime friend and surrogate father Alfred Pennyworth. Any Batman project without Alfred simply feels empty and misdirected, much like Bruce Wayne would be in lieu of his associate. However, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice introduced a slightly different version of Alfred than many fans were used to. Jeremy Irons’ Alfred still had a ring of fatherly advice to him but also trained Bruce and acted as a military tactician in his crime fighting efforts.
However, Alfred only had a few scenes in Batman V Superman. Will Mr. Pennyworth have a larger role as the Dark Knight spirals out in Justice League and into his solo film?
In a recent interview, Irons spoke to Variety about his latest project, The Man Who Knew Infinity, where he portrays a Cambridge professor who takes an autodidactic math whiz under his wing. Naturally, the Tony, Emmy, and Oscar Award-winning actor also discussed his future and past roles in the DC Extended Universe, including an anticipated juicier role in The Batman. The lauded thespian also talked about how he approached the markedly different Wayne aide-de-camp in last spring’s DC smash-up. Irons said:


“I remember an evening with Paul Getty, who was a neighbor of mine, now sadly dead. We drove up to his lovely house. A very nice gentleman opened up the car door. Then another very nice gentleman took the car and parked it somewhere. Another nice gentleman took my coat. And then another nice gentleman gave me a glass of champagne. And all those nice gentleman were SAS. I thought, that’s Alfred. He’s a man who will take care of his boss, whether he’s making coffee or pouring champagne or flying his airplane.”




It makes sense that Irons would channel his experience with a friendly yet highly effective soldier-attendant from the British Special Air Service. The latest Alfred is a charming member of the Wayne family, but also a master strategist, helping the Caped Crusader prepare to take down Superman. As a notable part of Bruce’s life, Irons ought to have more to do in the upcoming Bat-related films as well. He told Variety that Justice League means scant action for him, but not The Batman:

“Of course, Ben’s going to make a Batman film next summer. He promises me there’s going to be a bit more of Alfred in that. In the Justice League we have seven major lead characters and I’m the butler to one of them. It’s clear I will not be dominating that film.”
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With such a character-stuffed film, it’s certainly understandable, if unfortunate, that Alfred won’t get much screen time in the joint superhero project. Hopefully, Irons’ role in The Batman will more than make up for it, though. While the actor generally prefers more low-key films over the hype and publicity of major pictures, he did say he’s enjoyed his time with Affleck and director Zack Snyder thus far. Irons is also surprisingly nonchalant about the critical treatment Batman V Superman received, saying he’s more concerned with overall fan enjoyment. He told Variety:

“I was very pleased by the numbers. Zack seems to get a hard time from the press, which is strange. I don’t know if it has to do with the sort of secrecy that surrounds the making of it all. But the audience liked it, which in the end is all that matters.”
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In the long run, the true test of BVS will be how well it holds up over time, as well as how its follow-ups build upon the shared universe it began. Warner Bros. seems to have sloughed their early troubles and is forging ahead with their burgeoning DCEU. Even though Irons only had a few moments in Batman V Superman, his talent and conviction added immeasurably to the film. Alfred was, in essence, the voice of reason after Bruce Wayne’s nightmarish vision narrowed his perspective, Batman’s conscience in essence, a role he’s typically embodied throughout the decades.
It’s great to know that an actor of Irons’ caliber will stay on to advise Affleck’s Batman in future. Warner and DC will need high-powered actors like Irons, Affleck, and Gal Gadot, along with top-notch directors and writers, to ensure that their cinematic universe remains an exciting and richly resonant realm.


Source: Variety

 

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[h=1]Bret Easton Ellis Regrets Batman Script Comments[/h]

American Psycho author and screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis caused a tempest in the internet teapot earlier this week when he claimed to have spoken with executives from Warner Bros. who described the top-secret screenplay for Ben Affleck’s The Batman movie as “a mess” – and what’s more, that the studio wasn’t interested in fixing it because a bad script wouldn’t hurt the film at the box office. Not the news that hopeful DCEU fans wanted to hear.
Now, however, Ellis is walking his comments back on his Facebook feed. In a Friday piece on The Ringer focusing on the changing dynamics of film production versus television, Ellis was one of several industry figures cited in anecdotes highlighting broader development trends. Describing an encounter with Warner Bros. executives, Ellis was quoted as saying:


“The executives I was having dinner with were complaining about people who work on the Batman movie. And they just said they went to the studio and they said, ‘Look, the script is … Here’s 30 things that are wrong with it that we can fix.’ And [the executives] said, ‘We don’t care. We don’t really care. The amount of money we’re going to make globally, I mean 70 percent of our audience is not going to be seeing this in English. And it doesn’t really matter, these things that you’re bringing up about the flaws of the script.’ So I do think global concerns play a big part in how movies, and what movies, are being made, obviously.”




The quote went viral, along with the rest of the piece, and became one of the most talked-about film stories of the moment on social media. However, Ellis has now offered a clarification of his remarks on his own Facebook feed – emphasizing that he was describing second-hand information and had not seen the script himself:

“During a long interview with The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey, we talked about reasons why studio movies are so bad now and touched on the global needs of the marketplace. I told him something I had heard about the new Batman movie as an example of what might be the problem: I was talking with two executives who have NOTHING to do with the Batman movie and who KNEW people who were involved with the production. The two executives I was having dinner with were relating the problems they had heard about the script from people working on the Batman project–that’s all. I know no one involved with the Batman movie and I didn’t realize that my comments would make it into The Ringer piece or else I wouldn’t have cited that particular movie–I have no idea what the Batman script is like and I regret that it came off as if I was disparaging the project. Another reason to be careful giving interviews.”
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The controversy broke at the tail end of a week of wildly varied news for Warner Bros.’ troubled superhero franchise, most notably the launch of the Wonder Woman trailer and the surprise departure of The Flash director Rick Famuyiwa. The Batman (which has still not officially entered pre-production) is planned as a project for Ben Affleck to co-write, direct and star in, some time after the release of Warner Bros.’ Justice League.
Source: Bret Easton Ellis (via CBR)

 

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[h=1]Joe Manganiello Says The Batman Will Be ‘Action-Packed & Cerebral’[/h]

In 2013, Zack Snyder launched the DC Extended Universe with the release of the Henry Cavill-starring Man of Steel. Since then, the DCEU has delivered two more films in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad. While the three films have had their share of detractors, DC has accomplished its goal of launching a shared cinematic universe with some of the biggest DC Comics characters ever. Praise has also been pretty consistent for the performances of both Ben Affleck (as Bruce Wayne/Batman) and Gal Gadot (Diana Prince/Wonder Woman) in the DCEU.
Gal Gadot will return as Diana Prince in 2017’s Wonder Woman, before co-starring in Snyder’s highly anticipated team-up film, Justice League. As for Affleck, he will return as Bruce Wayne in Justice League and is co-writing/directing the Dark Knight’s next solo film – tentatively titled The Batman. Not much is known regarding the solo film other than Affleck will be starring, and he is waiting to make sure the script is right. However, we do know that one of the main antagonists in the film will be Slade Wilson/Deathstroke, as portrayed by Joe Manganiello.
Manganiello recently sat down with former professional wrestling commentator, Mark Madden, and the two spoke about Ben Affleck’s The Batman. This is what Manganiello had to say:


“When I met Ben we sat down and we talked about, you know, the role. We talked about the movie. His take is a fresh take but I think the audience is going to be surprised. Because it’s a road that no one’s really gone down that’s completely integral to, you know, who Batman is. And I think it’s gonna be refreshing but at the same time completely familiar. But it’s going to take this franchise in a direction that I think A LOT of people are going to be really happy about. It’s going to be gritty and action packed and cerebral and all of those elements that people love about Batman.
Ben’s a great director, man. I mean the last movie that man directed won best picture. He’s got an Oscar for writing. Like, this is all the components to go down as a… everything is lined up for a really really really great movie. Not only a superhero movie but just a great great movie.”

​

While not giving anything away, and not really mentioning anything too surprising, the actor does give a reassuring description of what fans can expect when The Batman eventually hits theaters. The Dark Knight is one of the most popular comic book characters of all time and a successful solo outing is integral to the future success of the DCEU. Since the 1960s, Batman has appeared in eight solo films (not including Batman V Superman) – meaning a lot of ground has already been covered. It is thus good to hear that Affleck will be attempting a fresh take on the character – one that may explore Batman’s detective skills in a way that no live-action film has before it.Affleck will be joining accomplished directors like Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan who have also helmed Batman films. Unlike Burton and Nolan, though, Affleck has won two Academy Awards, bringing a different kind of credibility to the production. Affleck’s directorial work includes films like Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and the upcoming Live by Night (of course his film, Argo, won an Oscar for Best Picture). Those films are all crime and/or detective movie, which in arguably what a good Batman film should be (and, by the sound of The Batman, will be).

Source: Mark Madden [h/t CBM]​

 

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[h=1]John Cleese’s Twitter Activity Hints At DCEU Role[/h]

As the fledgling DCEU looks forward to 2017’s solo Wonder Woman outing and the first Justice League team-up, behind the scenes news and rumors continue to build around the franchise. One of the latest rumors flying around the internet has been the possibility of seeing legendary comic actor John Cleese joining the Justice League line-up. Known for his work on Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, and A Fish Called Wanda (among many, many others), the British icon first came to comic fans’ attention when someone noticed that the Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice Twitter account had started following Cleese.
Now, new Twitter activity also suggests that the actor will be joining one (or more) of the DCEU films, as Cleese follows some very relevant accounts himself.
Twitter user Dennis Lamb was the one to spot the actor’s recent activity, and tweeted a screenshot showing that the actor has now followed the accounts for both Ben Affleck (who plays Batman, and is the director of the upcoming solo film, The Batman) and Zack Snyder (director of Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and the upcoming Justice League movies). It appears that these are Cleese’s only two recent DCEU-related follows, and the actor hasn’t been tweeting about the DCEU.

Update: pic.twitter.com/ECBQ3yXOoG


This kind of social media activity is very suggestive of a role for Cleese within the DCEU — most of the cast and crew are active on Twitter and Instagram, with plenty of sneak peeks and first looks appearing on the social media platforms. This is also similar activity to that which happened before Joe Manganiello was cast as Deathstroke in the franchise.
Speculation is, unsurprisingly, all over the place with regards to which character Cleese could potentially be playing, and which film he would be likely to appear in. Both Wonder Woman and Justice League have wrapped filming, so it is unlikely that the Brit will be appearing in either of DC’s 2017 offerings. However, following Ben Affleck suggests that Cleese might be making his DC debut in The Batman. Wherever (and however) he shows up, this is a good sign for DC fans who have been disappointed at the lack of humor in the DC Extended Universe. Cleese is well-known for his hilarious cameo roles, and it’s likely that he will be injecting some laughter into a previously quite serious and gritty franchise. He may even land a recurring role, similar to his stint as Nearly Headless Nick in the Harry Potter films.
Of course, for those who thoroughly enjoy the current tone of the DCEU, Cleese’s addition may be cause for concern. Many fans feel that making the DCEU overly bright or humorous would come across as an attempt to copy the Marvel Cinematic Universe formula, and that DC does dark extremely well. Certainly for a character like Batman, who has historically done very well in much darker big-screen incarnations, there’s little doubt that fans are looking for another Dark Knight, not Batman and Robin. Of course, there is no official word from DC to confirm a role for Cleese in any upcoming film. This is all speculation based on social media, which shouldn’t be taken as confirmation just yet.
Source: Twitter, ComicBook
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[h=1]The Batman: Joe Manganiello Reaffirms 2017 Filming Start[/h]

Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman will serve as the next piece in the puzzle that is the DC Extended Universe when it arrives in June of 2017, followed later in that year by Zack Snyder’s team-up adventure, Justice League. The future of the DCEU after that is a bit more fluid though, what with The Flash being currently without a release date or a director – yet, apparently, still on course to begin production in the first half of 2017 – and James Wan’s Aquaman having only just seen its release date shifted back, from July to October in 2018.
Something of a wild card in the DCEU’s movie release schedule, post-2017, is The Batman: the solo feature for the Caped Crusader that Ben Affleck will headline and direct, based on a script that he’s co-writing with DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns. Joe Manganiello, who is playing the villainous Deathstroke in Affleck’s DCEU movie, previously said that production on The Batman will begin in spring of next year – and based on Manganiello’s latest comments about the film, the game plan hasn’t changed since then.


Manganiello appeared on The Rich Elsen Show to discuss his favorite football team (the Pittsburgh Steelers) and the conversation eventually turned to his upcoming role as Deathstroke: a character who is poised to make a cameo in Justice League, before he steps up to serve as the main antagonist in The Batman. While Manganiello avoided talking about the film’s storyline (simply joking that “It’s about Gotham, and this guy dresses up like a bat”), he did offer a more useful update on the movie’s production timeline:

“I play the world’s deadliest assassin, who also has one eye. We will start at some point this year, it looks like.”
​

It seems safe to assume that by “this year,” Manganiello meant The Batman starts filming in 2017 – as in, within the year ahead. Affleck is going be spending much of this month promoting his latest directorial effort, the Dennis Lehane gangster novel adaptation Live By Night (which Affleck also stars in), ahead of its Oscar-qualifying limited theatrical debut on December 25th. Manganiello could mean that he will be doing costume fittings or script rehearsals this month (as Batman-News noted), but there’s been no indication that Affleck is prepared to start rolling camera on the film within the next three weeks or so.
Between The Flash not having a release date at the moment – with its previous March 2018 date now being reserved by Warner Bros. Pictures for Tomb Raider instead – and Aquaman shifting back to Fall 2018, it appears as though WB has cleared out space for The Batman to hit theaters in the summer of 2018; based on the assumption that it will begin filming by spring of next year, like Manganiello previously said. Ocean’s Eight is the only summer 2018 tentpole release currently on WB’s docket, so a Batman movie would fill that opening nicely.
Where, exactly, The Batman will be released in that season is the question, given that Aquaman‘s old July release date is now being occupied by Mission: Impossible 6. Seeing as the summer 2018 release slate is pretty packed full as it is (with the competition including two Marvel Studios films, as well as Jurassic World and Transformers sequels), expect WB to make an announcement about The Batman‘s release date within the first quarter of 2017 – before Affleck starts principal photography.


Source: The Rich Elsen Show [via Batman-News]

 

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[h=1]Justice League 2 Pushed Back for Ben Affleck’s The Batman[/h]

It has been an up and down year for the DC Extended Universe. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice received mixed reviews, but outside of being a financial hit, the biggest takeaway for audiences was how good Ben Affleck was as Batman. Despite his casting being heavily scrutinized at the time, it turned out to be one of the best decisions Warner Bros. has made so far and has driven a high-level of interest in his solo film. So far Affleck, who is writing, directing, and starring in The Batman, has remained coy as to when it could hit theaters, despite multiple cast members teasing a rapidly approaching start date.
While the wait may seem unbearable for some, they will be able to get their Batman fix in next year’s Justice League. Affleck’s next time in costume figured to be Batman, but with an unconfirmed release date, that remained impossible to confirm. If not, Justice League 2 seemed to be a good bet for the Caped Crusader’s return – though the film has now taken a backseat for his solo movie.


THR is reporting that Justice League 2 has been pushed back to enable Warner Bros. a spot to release Batman. Zack Snyder is reportedly still planning on directing the sequel, but will now be given more time in between projects as Batman has taken the priority. With Justice League 2 said to be “pushed back” because of the solo film, this could point to Batman claiming its previous release date – giving fans a chance to see what Affleck has planned on June 14, 2019.

Even though Justice League has yet to come out, pushing back the sequel in favor of Batman, a film that already has built up a lot of buzz, should work in WB’s favor. This will continue to keep Batman front and center as the DCEU moves forward, but also give audiences a chance to see Batman in a world after the events of Batman V Superman and Justice League. Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke should be a threat that brings Batman back to his roots as a crime fighter, instead of battling intergalactic threats, and doing this in between Justice League films should be better than doing it after.
As of right now there appears to be more interest in what Affleck will do with a solo Batman film than what Snyder will do with a Justice League sequel, which could be another factor in this decision. The reactions to the trailer for the first Justice League have been fairly positive and if the film delivers, there will be a desire to see what else is in store. Yet, this extended time between films will give them a chance to reflect on reactions to the movie and course correct where necessary.
There is a lot of pressure riding on the shoulders of Snyder to make Justice League a movie that will be positively received, and in doing so, even more financially successful than BvS. If Justice League is as great as people hope it will be, Snyder will certainly be back for a fourth time in the DCEU; but if post-production issues arise and the film doesn’t hit, the sequel could be handed over to a different director. Either way, fans of the DCEU should be happy to know The Batman is being prioritized and they should get to see it in the next few years.
Source: THR



Key Release Dates

• Wonder Woman release date: Jun 2, 2017
• Justice League release date: Nov 17, 2017
• The Flash Movie release date: Mar 16, 2018
• Aquaman release date: Oct 5, 2018
• Shazam! release date: Apr 5, 2019
• Cyborg release date: Apr 3, 2020
• Green Lantern Corps. release date: Jul 24, 2020

 

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Wtf. 2019? I thought it was gonna be out in 2018. :/

 

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[h=1]Ben Affleck Offers Status Update On The Batman Script[/h]

While both were successful at the box office, neither Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice or Suicide Squad won the sort of critical and fan acclaim that Warner Bros. was likely hoping for. The two films did serve to give us a good introduction to Ben Affleck’s version of Bruce Wayne and the Batman, however. Many considered his portrayal of the character to be the best thing in Batman V Superman, and are looking forward to seeing more of him in Justice League and the upcoming solo Batman film.
Not much is known so far about The Batman, aside from the fact that Affleck is co-writing, directing and starring in it. The screenplay of the film is still being worked on, and Affleck has given fans another update on how it is coming along.
Speaking to New York Times journalist Chip McGrath during a Facebook Live event, Affleck discussed his various films and what led him to the role of Batman in the DCEU. He revealed that he was attracted to the role by the version of Batman that they were using, though he was hesitant to take on the role due to his experiences with Daredevil. The discussion turned to The Batman, and how its screenplay was coming along.

McGrath: So you just mentioned that you’ve made a sequel, and there’s going to be yet another sequel, but in the meantime you’re down I believe to write, direct and star in a standalone Batman movie, is that right?
Affleck: That’s the idea, yeah, that’s the idea. We still have to get a screenplay and get it together-
McGrath: I thought you were going to write it?
Affleck: I am; that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be good. [laughs] I’m a real believer in not doing, not reverse engineering projects to meet a window or a date, but rather like when you get the right story or you get the right idea or you get the right thing, then you make the movie. And so that’s what we’re doing, and I’m hoping to get that done and spending a lot of time on that, but I’m also working on other stuff. And if I could, if I can find it right then there’s nothing I’d love more than to direct a standalone, you know, iconic great Batman movie.”

They went on to discuss the Nolan Batman trilogy and other films that have been done with the character, acknowledging that the bar has been set pretty high. Affleck admitted that he wasn’t in any hurry to “jam the mediocre movie down the pipe”, instead wanting to take the time necessary to write and develop a great film based around the character. He explained that he wants his standalone Batman film to be worthy of Tim Burton and Nolan’s films, and his performance worthy to stand alongside that of Christian Bale.
For those who were hoping that the new Batman film would be underway soon, it seems that it’s still firmly in the scripting stages. While this may be disheartening for fans who are eager to see Affleck’s take on the Dark Knight standing on his own, there is at least some comfort to be found in the fact that he doesn’t want to rush the production just to meet a specific deadline. With any luck, the eventual film that comes from the delay will be well worth the wait.


Source: The New York Times

 

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[h=1]The Batman: Ben Affleck Says Film Is ‘On The Right Track’[/h]

2016 has been a mixed bag for Warner Bros, DC Films, and the DC Extended Universe. Both Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad were met with less than favorable reviews, but proceeded to perform great financially. The stories of both films have been divisive, but in each audiences have come out almost universally praising a few aspects. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn was one of them, and just got her spinoff movie Gotham City Sirens announced – but it was Ben Affleck as Batman that really captured the attention of viewers.
It was Affleck’s performance in Batman V Superman on top of the fact that he will write and direct his solo film, The Batman, that has gotten people excited to see more of Affleck’s Caped Crusader in the DCEU. Despite all this interest, various reports have pointed to different filming dates, release dates, and plot points. This shouldn’t be a reason to worry right now, as Affleck insists that the movie is on the right track.
Variety had the chance to talk to Affleck to promote his next directorial outing in Live By Night, but eventually they also asked him about his solo film. Affleck echoed his villainous counterpart Joe Manganiello’s (Deathstroke) comments about spring of 2017 being the targeted start of filming for The Batman, saying that the script is also in the finishing stages.


We’re on the right track with that and everything is coming together. We’re still finishing up a script. I’m very excited.

Affleck’s involvement is a big reason why there is so much interest in another standalone Batman franchise, but he has his work cut out for him to carve out his own take. Instead of looking at the previous iterations as competition, he is doing his best to focus on his ideas alone and not worry about mirroring the previous Batman movies that he respects. As he told Variety:

I respect all of those [Batman] movies. Christopher Nolan did an incredible job, Christian Bale did an incredible job, Tim Burton did an incredible job. At a certain point you have to look forward and try to believe in your own vision for it and not be looking over your shoulder the whole time. I go into that movie with a tremendous amount of respect for the people who came before me.
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If filming does in fact begin at the beginning of next year, The Batman should be on track to meet an early to mid 2018 release date. Throughout all the developments of the movie however, there has yet to be any clear indications as to when the movie will hit theaters. Recently it was reported that The Batman‘s importance has pushed back Justice League 2. This pointed to the solo film taking a June 2019 release date instead, but there should not be any good reason as to why the movie could take two years to film and edit.

Speculating about the potential release date appears to be useless at this point with Affleck saying that he is not worried about meeting a predetermined date. Instead, he seems more than okay with taking his time to get the movie right. This could mean a long production and post-production, but what it will hopefully mean when everything is said and done is a Batman movie hitting theaters sometime in 2018.
Depending on when The Flash begins filming, The Batman could be the next DCEU film to enter production. WB had previously hoped to release three DC films in 2018, so it will be interesting to see how both films fit into the 2018 calendar – as only Aquaman has a confirmed 2018 release right now. Regardless of when it comes out, Affleck does not seem worried about the process so far, so neither should fans. If he can make a 2018 release work, that’d be welcomed by all; but if not, it’ll be better to wait a little while longer for a great solo Batman film instead of rushing to make a mediocre-to-poor version.


Source: Variety

 

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[h=1]Former Warner Bros President Confirms Ben Affleck’s Batman For 2018[/h]

As 2016 comes to a close, Warner Bros. has continued to shake up the future of the DC Extended Universe. As they look ahead to releasing Wonder Woman and Justice League next year, 2018 has had more than its fair share of question marks. The Flash was supposed to be the first film out the gate that year, but currently sits without a director or official release date, while Aquaman has been confirmed to get a late 2018 date. That leaves one potential spot available, with most speculating that The Batman could be a possibility.
Affleck confirmed today that the movie is on track to film in the spring, but with Justice League 2 being pushed in favor of the solo Batman film, a 2019 date seemed most likely. However, that is not the case anymore.
Deadline had the chance to interview Greg Silverman in light of him stepping down as President of Creative Development for Warner Bros. During the interview, Silverman addressed their upcoming slate and when it came to 2018, he confirmed The Batman will be coming out then:

Then in 2018, there is a second Fantastic Beasts film, and Ready Player One feels like an ambitious movie by the world’s best filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, that will set the world on fire. There is Aquaman with James Wan, and Scooby Doo will be a huge launch and then there is Lego Ninjago. And then there is Ben Affleck’s Batman.
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With The Batman now confirmed to hit theaters in 2018, it appears the studio could be positioning it as their big summer hit. If everything stays on track and they begin filming in spring of 2017, then it should have no problem making a summer release date. WB had previously staked out July 27th, 2018 as a date for an upcoming DCEU film, so that could be where they are targeting to put Batman. That said, Paramount also recently dated Mission: Impossible 6 for the same day, so WB could easily look at debuting Batman a few weeks before or after.
What this ultimately gives fans is some concrete details as to when they can expect to see Affleck’s version of Batman where he gets to not only play the character, but also write and direct the entire movie. As he was the best part of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice for many, it is no surprise that his solo film continues to move forward. He is currently focused on finishing the script, which will eventually lead to fleshing out the cast. So far only Alfred (Jeremy Irons), Gordon (J.K. Simmons), and Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello) have been slated to appear, but there should be many other roles that have yet to be cast, in addition to the possibility of other DCEU cameos.
Source: Deadline

 

[Gintoki]

Hope its out in 2018 , and not 2019, thats TOO long.

 

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Hope its out in 2018 , and not 2019, thats TOO long.

its confirmed so far for 2018

 

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[h=1]Ben Affleck Refuses to Direct a “Mediocre” Batman Film[/h]

While the DC Extended Universe has had its fair share of critics thus far, the general consensus has been that Warner Brothers hit a home run with their casting of Ben Affleck as an aged Batman. Affleck’s performance in the polarizing Batman v Superman has been consistently highlighted as one of the bright spots in an otherwise flawed film. Batman will next appear in 2017’s Justice League, but subsequently, will return in a solo film written and directed by Ben Affleck.
Affleck’s solo film, tentatively titled The Batman, is surrounded by considerable buzz. Not only will the film be helmed by Affleck, whose first three directorial efforts — Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and Argo — were all universally praised, but the project will be co-written by comic legend, Geoff Johns. Throw in an antagonist — Deathstroke (played by Joe Manganiello) — who has not yet appeared in a Batman film, and the excitement is understandably palpable. While recent reports have suggested The Batman will be released sometime in 2018, Affleck has continuously noted that he will not be rushed.
In a recent interview with EW (via Comic Book), as part of the magazine’s Entertainer of the Year coverage, Affleck affirmed his desire to a make a great Batman film, stating:


“I’m not going to write and direct anything that I don’t think is good enough to be made. I’m definitely going to make sure I have something that is special—there’s not enough money in the world to make a mediocre version of Batman worth it.”

Ben Affleck is not the only one that loves his superhero status. The actor also discussed with EW how his kids feel that their father is the Dark Knight. “They love it,” Affleck explained. “My son especially. He’s going to be 5, and he’s in full superhero geek mode. He still sort of thinks I might really be Batman. I know he’ll realize eventually I have feet of clay, but I’m enjoying it while it lasts.”
Affleck’s comments regarding not making a “mediocre” Batman film are not all that surprising. The actor has consistently made similar statements when discussing the script’s status. Batman is arguably the most popular comic book hero ever, and while any film starring the character is likely to be a smash hit, a terrible film could derail the future of that incarnation. Just look at Batman & Robin, which was never intended to be the last film in the Schumacher series of Batman films.
Generally considered one of the worst comic book adaptations in cinematic history, Batman & Robin‘s laughable performance led to the eventual reboot of the character in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. While there are likely few fans who believe Ben Affleck would ever create a Batman film as universally despised, it is still nice to know the director/writer is taking his time in an effort to do the world’s greatest detective justice.
Source: EW (via Comic Book)

 

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[h=1]Ben Affleck Says The Batman is ‘Not a Set Thing’[/h]


With a new year upon us, Warner Brothers surely hopes this will be the year the DC Extended Universe finds its groove. Their immediate fortunes rest in the hands of Wonder Woman and Justice League, but the distant promise of Ben Affleck’s tentatively titled The Batman has many the most excited. Affleck’s depiction of the Dark Knight was one of the most universally supported elements of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, leading to audiences wonder how great a Batman solo film could be from the Academy Award winning filmmaker.
Despite the film’s loose confirmation for a 2018 release, Affleck says he is not going to direct a “mediocre” film no matter what the studio has planned. He has previously stated that the film is on the right track, though a recent quote suggests he may not be 100 percent confident.
Affleck was interviewed by The Guardian to discuss his career and newest film Live By Night. Talk eventually turned to the progress of The Batman, but Affleck does not appear to be sold on the exact role he will play. While he is currently set to star and direct, he says that’s far from inevitable:

“It’s not a set thing and there’s no script. If it doesn’t come together in a way I think is really great I’m not going to do it.”
​

While it’s uncertain how recently this interview took place, this is certainly not the news that fans want to hear, especially after all signs pointed towards the film beginning production this spring. Affleck being uncommitted to directing the film and meeting a specified date is alarming. Should things not proceed to his standards, WB would be a difficult position figuring out where to take the property moving forward.
It’s possible that things just haven’t clicked quite yet (or have since the Guardian interview). Some of the general beats are clearly lined out with Deathstroke set as the main villain, but that is one of the only details that has come out so far. The inclusion of supporting characters both new and returning have not been confirmed (outside of J.K. Simmons as Jim Gordon), which again raises concerns over how well Affleck and the new creative team involved with the DCEU are working together.
Hopefully, this is Affleck just expressing minor concerns he has and everything will turn out to be fine, but this statement is concerning. For now, Affleck will have to focus on trying to finish the script, bring on more cast members, and decide if he’ll sit in the director’s chair for The Batman over the next few months. If he opts not too? Well, then The Batman could be in trouble.
Source: The Guardian [via Comicbook]



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kinda worrying, he just might not direct batman

 

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[h=1]The Batman Solo Film Reportedly to Film in Los Angeles[/h]

There has been plenty of talk as of late surrounding Ben Affleck’s upcoming solo DC Extended Universe film The Batman. Along with reportedly co-writing the feature with DC Entertainment’s Geoff Johns, Affleck was scheduled to add the latest outing of the Caped Crusader to his list directorial accomplishments, officially turning himself into the ultimate triple-threat: writer, director, and Batman. But recently, the actor-director has taken a less committed tone when discussing the project, saying it is “not a set thing.”
With a script apparently having yet to come together – either at all or to Affleck’s liking – his comments raise questions as to whether or not there may be an empty director’s chair on the future set of The Batman. While that’s far from being confirmed at this point, the film’s eventual director – whomever he or she may be – might find themselves filming the movie in a familiar place: Los Angeles, California.


According to a new report from Batman on Film (via ComicBook), an unnamed source has said the project plans to shoot the majority of the film in L.A. Though a specific location was not mentioned, the post goes on to speculate that decision to shoot The Batman in the U.S. and specifically in California, would likely mean a good chunk of the filming will be done on the Warner Bros. studio lot. What that means for the look of the film is unknown at this time, but it may suggest a more stylized look than, say, the refined cityscapes of Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy.

However, the unnamed source was unaware the extent to which the production planned to use locations in or around the U.S., which could have a considerable impact on the way the film looks. Presumably, the director will want to throw in a rooftop chat or two between Affleck’s Dark Knight and J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Gordon, and unless the plan is to use a backdrop or throw a CGI Gotham City skyline in, there may be a greater call for location shooting than this source is currently aware of.
Then again, as with all reports of this nature, it’s best to take the news with a grain of salt. While there are few details about the film itself available to the movie-going public, Affleck’s recent comments suggest there isn’t even a script in place yet. That could have a dramatic impact on the how and where of filming The Batman, and it says even less to answer the question of when the film will shoot. While co-star Joe Manganiello maintained that production was set to commence this year, more recent news suggests it may not be as soon as he thought.
Still, if the production is reportedly settling on a Los Angeles-based shoot, then the behind-the-scenes goings-on of The Batman may be further along than Affleck is letting on. Whatever the case, this news seemingly answers one question about the film, while raising several more.

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Source: Batman on Film (via ComicBook)

 

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[h=1]Ben Affleck Says The Batman ‘Good & Going’; Filming Delay Rumored[/h]

The next step for the DC Extended Universe will be a trip back in time to the early 20th Century, for an exploration of the origin story for Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. Following that will be the big team-up event Justice League this fall, followed by the release of the Aquaman solo movie (directed by James Wan and starring Jason Momoa) in the fall of 2018. There’s also a strong possibility that the Ben Affleck-directed (and headlined) The Batman DCEU solo film will hit theaters in 2018 too, though exactly when remains up in the air right now.
Affleck has said several times over already that he won’t start production on The Batman until he’s satisfied with the script for the film (which he is writing with DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns). While his recent comments about The Batman being “not a set thing” were interpreted by some as a warning sign that Affleck’s commitment to the project is wavering, the actor/filmmaker has since offered a brief assurance that all is, in fact, well in paradise.


At the end of an interview with FOX to promote his period crime drama, Live by Night (which goes into a wide theatrical release in the U.S. this month), Affleck provided a quick update on the progress of The Batman and his involvement as director, saying the project is “good and going.” The interview was wrapping up at that point, so there simply wasn’t time for Affleck to expound upon that simple, but encouraging sentiment.
Elsewhere on the Internet, Batman on Film reports that according to its source, The Batman is now likely to begin filming this summer, possibly in July. Although Warner Bros. had not previously announced anything official regarding when The Batman would enter principal photography, a spring 2018 production start date has been mentioned by Joe Manganiello (who is playing the villainous Deathstroke in Affleck’s DCEU movie) in a couple of interviews to date. In other words, Affleck may start rolling camera later than previously projected, on The Batman.

Affleck’s recent comment about The Batman being “not a set thing” prompted a fair amount of speculation that he might be stepping down as director on the project. The situation brings to mind a similar one that emerged last year, when Wan was rumored to be on the verge of quitting Aquaman – something that (obviously) did not happen. While Rick Famuyiwa did unexpectedly step down as the director on the DCEU The Flash solo movie last year, there has not yet been any solid indication that Affleck is planning to follow suit anytime soon, with his own “not a set thing” comment arguably having been blown out of proportion at this stage.
Based on Affleck’s comments in general and the rumor from Batman on Film, it sounds as though the Oscar-winning actor/filmmaker may simply be leaning towards a later filming start date now than he was a few months ago, in order to further ensure that The Batman turns out as well as he has promised it will, rather than rush it to its doom. The DCEU certainly doesn’t stand to gain anything from having a rushed Batman solo film added to its ranks, so hopefully Affleck will in fact be given the time he wants/needs to make his own Caped Crusader flick a special one.


Source: FOX, Batman on Film [via Comic Book]