Ben Affleck’s role in the first solo Batman film of the new DCEU era just got even smaller. While it makes sense for Matt Reeves to come in and want a new story that fits in with his vision for the film, it seems like any work that Affleck put into the movie while he was director is in the garbage. That’s not a bad thing necessarily, and it might even have the Affleck seal of approval on it, but it still feels that whatever film we were going to get featuring the new Batman on a solo adventure is a thing of the past.
Unlike the situation with Lucasfilm and the Han Solo film where the directors were reportedly replaced for not following the script close enough, Reeves shared on MTV’s Happy Sad Confused podcast that he was ditching Affleck’s script to begin again with a fresh tale according to The Hollywood Reporter:
“No, it’s a new story. It’s just starting again. I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to be really cool.”
Reeves is planning a noir take on the Dark Knight and still has Affleck wearing the cowl for the future film, but the status of Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke is up in the air apparently. If a new story is in the works, that could mean Slade has been put back on the shelf for the time being and might only make his rumored appearance in Justice League.
This news shouldn’t be alarming for fans, especially if they trust in Reeve’s talents as a director. He’s certainly delivered with the films he has directed up to this point, including the remake of Let The Right One In and his take on Planet Of The Apes. If anything, it shows a desire to get the film right. With the success of Wonder Woman and the impending release of Justice League, DC and Warner finally have a foothold to find successes on all fronts.
It’s either that or they just really want to stick it to Ben Affleck, right?
(Via The Hollywood Reporter)