‘The Batman’ Still Happening, Matt Reeves Updates on his Superhero Noir

Filmmaker Matt Reeves wants you to know- he’s still working on bringing his vision for a detective noir Batman to the big screen. It’s taking him some time, but it’s because he wants to get it right.

The War for the Planet of the Apes writer and director has been talking about creating a very different capped crusader in his The Batman for sometime, which apparently WON’T be Ben Affleck.

In a recent chat with The Hollywood Reporter, Reeves answered some Batman-related questions, which confirm that yes, he’s still working on the Warner Bros. Pictures film, and that yes, it’ll be a “noir tale”.

THR asked Reeves if there would possibly be another Planet of the Apes film, and his response made perfect sense:

The Hollywood Reporter: Will there be another Planet of the Apes movie? 

Reeves: I would love to but I’m so deeply embedded in getting Batman on its feet. If the opportunity ever came back around for us to be involved in that world, I would. There are definitely stories I could see doing.

THR: So, Batman. Tell us about your take.

Reeves: 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.

As to the working title, looks like it’s sticking, for now:

THR: Do you have a title yet?

Reeves: [laughs] Right now it’s called “The Batman”. What it will be called ultimately, I don’t know.

One of the things we’re most excited to read- mentions of the ubiquitous Rogues Gallery that makes the Dark Knight one of the more interesting heroes:

Reeves: 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.

And, of course everyones’ big question- WHEN might we see The Batman?

Reeves: 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.

We’re pretty curious to see what Reeves ends up with.

**UPDATE**

According to Deadline, The Batman will be released on June 25th, 2021.