Right now, director Matt Reeves is hard at work on The Batman – the latest cinematic incarnation of the Caped Crusader, starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne, donning a brand new version of the Batsuit. But it wasn’t always going to be that way – when Ben Affleck was still playing an older, more grizzled version of Batman in the DCEU’s Batman v Superman and Justice League, the star was also writing a Bat-focused solo movie titled ‘The Batman’ that he would go on to direct and star in. But in early 2017, Affleck stepped away from the writing and directing, and later left the role behind entirely – paving the way for Reeves to enter as director and co-writer, and for Pattinson to don the cowl.
In an extensive interview with the New York Times, Affleck has spoken about his decision to step away from the project, and how it was tied up in issues surrounding alcoholism. “I showed somebody The Batman script,” he said. “They said, ‘I think the script is good. I also think you’ll drink yourself to death if you go through what you just went through again.’” In the interview, Affleck talks openly about his struggles with alcohol, and his upcoming movie The Way Back in which he plays an alcoholic former basketball star who works towards redemption by coaching a high school team.
As for The Batman, Reeves’ film is shooting now, with a cast also including Zoë Kravitz, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, Andy Serkis, John Turturro, Jeffrey Wright and more. It’s said to focus on a younger version of Bruce Wayne (hence the Pattinson casting), with a noir-ish feel – but it’s all largely under wraps at the moment. Stay tuned for more sneak peeks at the film as it continues its journey to the big screen, where it will arrive on 25 June 2021. The Affleck-starring The Way Back is due to arrive in the UK on 24 April 2020.