When it comes to the DC Extended Universe and Ben Affleck’s involvement with The Batman, rumour would have us believe it’s a revolving door at present, with reports one day suggesting that Affleck may no longer be directing, and the next saying he is firmly on board.
With all the constant chatter, it’s proven hard to know which bit of news is actually the latest development on the solo movie. Recent talk has said that Affleck is still working on the script, with a rumour yesterday that the film may actually be pushed back a couple months to a summer start date in order for the script to be polished.
As Affleck prepares for the release Live by Night, his latest feature as director, the question of The Batman keeps coming up and last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live! he playfully set the record straight on his involvement.
“I’m gonna direct the next Batman, we’re working on it,” Affleck told Kimmel. “It’s one of those things that’s really frustrating because with Live by Night it took me a year-and-a-half to write it and get it ready and I worked really hard. It’s just no one gave a shit. No one was like, ‘Where’s Live by Night?’ But with Batman I keep getting the, ‘Where’s the fucking Batman?’ I’m like, “Whoa, I’m working! Give me a second!”
Getting asked for the millionth time whether or not he’s directing The Batman must be frustrating, but hopefully we can at least put any doubts over his position as director to bed amid the rumours of script problems and whether or not Zack Snyder’s Justice League is indeed “a mess”.
Meanwhile, Live by Night will be released on January 13 in the UK and North America, and stars Ben Affleck alongside Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, and Chris Cooper. The Batman is currently without a release date, but is expected to arrive in 2018.
Originally published January 10, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
