"Batman" will have a new stand-alone film with Ben Affleck as director. Following the mixed reviews of Zack Snyder's work in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," Warner Bros will now entrust a DC franchise installment in the hands of Ben Affleck.
New York Daily News reports that Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara made the formal announcement about the involvement that Ben Affleck will take on in the stand-alone "Batman" film. Warner Bros. chairman and CEO expressed that "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" did well in setting the tone for coming DC films, which will come to 10 instalments until 2020.
Ben Affleck will reprise his role as the masked crusader, as well as direct the stand-alone "Batman" film. Affleck is expected to collaborate with DC Comics' Chief Creative Officer, Geoff Johns for this new "Batman" film. The story will reportedly explore Batman as a character after the DC events in "Batman v. Superman" and "Justice League."
Although the news of Ben Affleck recurring in his DC character had been well-received, Gizmodo points out that the premise for the character in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" presents huge limitations for the future of the masked crusader. In "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," Ben Affleck portrayed the hero as an older version of the masked crusader.
Given a 10-film projection for the DC universe until 2020, the media outlet points out that an aging, cynical Batman can only go so far. Along with this are gaps in the Batman story that the stand-alone film by Ben Affleck and succeeding instalments will have to address.
Nonetheless, fans have much to anticipate over the DC Batman franchise as Ben Affleck has a good track as a director for the acclaimed Argo. The Guardian reports that Ben Affleck may debut his stand-alone "Batman" film either on October 5, 2018 or on November 1, 2019.