Matt Reeves Enters Talks to Direct THE BATMAN for Warner Bros.

Last week, it was announced that Ben Affleck will no longer direct The Batman for Warner Bros. and DC Films. However, he is still on board as star and producer. Since the announcement, several directors have been rumored for the job, with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes helmer Matt Reeves reportedly being the frontrunner.

Now, it looks like the job is going to Reeves. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Reeves has been offered The Batman, and he is now in early talks to take it. Meanwhile, Variety says that Reeves is definitely “committed” to directing it, but a deal hasn’t been finalized just yet. THR adds that other directors who have been considered include Ridley Scott (who actually doesn’t care for superhero movies) and Fede Alvarez. But, assuming negotiations go well, it’s now Reeve’s job to lose.

With The Batman about to lock down a new director, the next question is when production begins. Reeves’ next film, War for the Planet of the Apes, is now in post-production for a July release, so he shouldn’t have trouble moving straight into The Batman. Filming was originally scheduled to begin in May, but that date has been pushed back. The film could begin shooting by the end of the year. A 2018 release date feels unrealistic at this point, so I wouldn’t be shocked if it drops in 2019 instead.

The Batman will also star Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon. The script is co-written by Affleck and Geoff Johns, with Chris Terrio recently doing a rewrite. Rumor has it that the script will undergo a “significant” overhaul, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

Stay tuned for more news as we have it.