Time Warner Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Jeff Bewkes confirmed that a standalone Batman movie is in the works, with Ben Affleck as multi-billionaire Bruce Wayne and his Caped Crusader alter-ego. The actor, who played the same role in this year's "Batman VS Superman: Dawn of Justice" will also write and direct the upcoming movie.
During the 25th Annual Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference, The List quoted when Bewkes revealed that "Ben announced a Batman movie. He's going to direct, star, write for." He also added that the soon to be 8th title is "a year and a half out."
Given Bewkes comments, sources like the fan-based Batman-News are also not sure about his timeline. A year and a half is essentially 18 months. If Bewkes is to be correct, the next Batman film will begin its pre-production "around March 2018." Count 18 months after will pit the new DC movie to premiere on October 2019.
This, however, came in contrast when Affleck posted a video of Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, in his Twitter account in late August. The villain, which too was under the microscope on whether he'll debut as the main antagonist in the next Batman flick or in Justice League, will be portrayed by Joe Manganiello. The soon-to-be 41 year old actor also played the role of Flash Thompson in Spiderman 3, Richie in Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, as well as Alcide Herveaux in the hit TV series, True Blood.
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) August 29, 2016
But as far as Bewkes and Affleck are concerned, both are on the same page. The former even acknowledged "Batfleck" for his "reboot" of the Dark Knight and Batman VS Superman, saying that it was a "big success." Also, Bewkes exposed that Affleck will be an executive producer in another superhero movie, Justice League, which will bring together iconic heroes Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher).
