Although Warner Bros. seems intent on pressing ahead with its plans for The Batman early in the new year, even going so far as to push Justice League 2 back in order to accommodate it, writer, director and star Ben Affleck has said on several occasions that he’s not quite ready with the screenplay for the Dark Knight’s solo outing, and he’s echoed those sentiments once again during an interview with the New York Times (via Batman-News).
“We still have to get a screenplay and get it together,” said Affleck. “I’m a real believer in not reverse engineering projects to meet a window or a date, but rather when you get the right story, the right idea, the right thing, then you make the movie. That’s what we’re doing, and I’m hoping to get that done. I’m spending a lot of time working on that, but also working on other stuff.”
“If I could, there’s nothing I’d love more than to direct a stand-alone iconic, great Batman movie,” he continued. “But it’s been done. Chris Nolan did three really great movies. I’m really mindful of that. I’m not in any hurry to jam the mediocre movie down the pipe. I really want to make sure, if we do it, we get the great version and one that’s worthy of tradition of guys like Tim Burton, Chris Nolan, and Christian Bale.”
According to Joe Manganiello – who is playing Slade Wilson/Deathstroke in the movie – production on The Batman is slated to get underway in the Spring, so let’s hope that Affleck is afforded the time to perfect his script and deliver another great Batman movie.
Originally published December 13, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
