The Batman, Possible Noir Detective Story

By Reggie's Take on January 30, 2019

The long rumored standalone Batman movie that Warner Brothers announced would be coming several years ago might actually be closer to production according to writer and director Matt Reeves.

First announced in October of 2014 after filming on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice had been completed fans were excited to see what Ben Affleck could bring to the role of Batman in his own standalone film. Warner Brothers wanted Affleck to direct the film, but after Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice disappointed at theaters and some personal issues Warner Brothers made the announcement that Affleck would not be directing The Batman movie.

“War for the Planet of the Apes” director Matt Reeves was then hired to write and direct The Batman in February of 2017. Since then rumors have suggested that Affleck might return, but additional rumors have also come out claiming The Batman would be a reboot and Affleck would not be returning.

In a new interview with THR, Matt Reeves talked about how his Batman movie will have a noir flare and show why he’s the greatest detective.

“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. 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. 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.”

If your a Batman fan, like myself, your ultimately aware that Batman has some of the best villains and Reeves says we will see many, not to mention casting could begin pretty soon.

“There will be a Rogues Gallery. 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.”

When asked if he was involved or apart of any of the other DC movies currently in production, Reeves had this to say.

“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.”

If your like me it seems we’ve been waiting for this movie for what seems an eternity, so when might we see The Batman in theaters? Reeves didn’t commit, but two more years’ minimum looks like a good bet.

“We haven’t been dated. 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.”

Reggie’s Take:
I’m a huge fan of Batman from comics to the movies. Batman is my all time number one superhero, hands down. I’ve loved the character from the first time I heard of him and read his comics, to the cartoons I watched as a kid.

I still love Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie and his 1992 Batman Returns and of course Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy is one of the greatest trilogies of all time, but when it comes to Matt Reeves “The Batman” I’m beginning to wonder if I will ever see it in theaters or forever be teased that it’s coming.

I even liked what Ben Affleck gave us in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and was looking forward to seeing an older, darker, jaded, brooding Batman on the big screen. It would have been a much different incarnation from what Nolan gave us and I was okay with that.

Do I care if Ben Affleck plays Batman in Matt Reeves “The Batman”? In all honesty it doesn’t matter to me, would it have been fun to see? Sure, but in the end I just want to see a good actor make me believe he is Bruce Wayne/Batman and if they can do that I can get behind whom ever dawns the suit. Assuming the story is good.

After reading the THR article I did get the sense that Warner Brothers and Matt Reeves are on the same page and not wanting to rush a Batman movie out to theaters and I applaud them for that. Would I like to see it sooner then 2021? Oh hell yes, but I will have to remind the fan in me that sometimes good things come to those who wait and I just hope all this waiting will be its own reward when it finally does hit theaters.