A new DC film is headed to theaters in 2018, and Ben Affleck plans to direct. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice star Ben Affleck is returning to the Batman franchise as director for the upcoming film The Batman, IGN reports.
The news comes after some confusion about Ben Affleck’s role in the film earlier this month. Originally, Affleck said The Batman was not “a set thing,” according to an interview with The Guardian. He was interested in directing a solo Batman film, but he warned that if the film didn’t “come together in a way I think is really great” then he would not direct the movie. But after speculation over Affleck’s role, the Batman actor affirmed that he will be directing The Batman on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and the studio is currently “working on it.”
Yet, The Batman isn’t a net win for the star. Affleck is disappointed that his other projects are being eclipsed by The Batman: especially his latest release, crime film Live by Night “It’s one of those things that’s really frustrating because, like, Live by Night took me a year-and-a-half to write it and get it ready, and I worked really hard.” Affleck said. “But with Batman I keep on getting, ‘Where’s The f–king Batman?!’ And I’m like, ‘Whoa, I’m working, give me a second!'”
IGN reports that The Batman will begin shooting over spring 2017, with release arriving later in 2018. No word has been given yet as to the movie’s premise or its release window, but the film’s 2018 arrival comes hot off Affleck’s critically acclaimed Batman role in Superman v Batman. It’s safe to say that DC wants to capitalize on Batman’s popularity while ignoring the parts of Superman v Batman that led to negative feedback from fans and critics alike. Check back as more news develops on The Batman.
