Last month, Warner Bros. officially announced that Matt Reeves had signed on to helm The Batman, a project that Ben Affleck was originally going to direct. Despite having found a replacement director, it appears that production won’t begin anytime soon.
According to Variety's Justin Kroll, it may be 2018 before cameras start rolling for The Batman. The correspondent revealed via his Twitter account that he heard that Reeves had been contracted to work on War for the Planet of the Apes through the end of June, so meetings with actors and actresses won’t even begin until July at the earliest.
If this is true, there's no way The Batman will hit the theaters in 2018. Warner Bros. might be aiming at a release date sometime during the first half of 2019. Check out Kroll's tweets below!
Hearing Matt Reeves contracted to work on APES till at least end of June, so production on BATMAN likely not starting till 2018
"” Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) March 14, 2017
Also means any casting rumors you hear are likely BS seeing that he wouldn’t have time to meet with any talent till at least July
"” Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) March 14, 2017
Meanwhile, Ben Affleck announced via his Facebook account that he recently completed a stint in rehab for alcohol abuse:
I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something I’ve dealt with in the past and will continue to confront. I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be. I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help, but is afraid to take the first step. I’m lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I’ve done the work I set out to do. This was the first of many steps being taken toward a positive recovery.
Before anyone tries to connect the two-time Academy Award winner's treatment for alcohol addiction with production delays for The Batman, it must be noted that a source told Entertainment Weekly that the two events have nothing to do with each other. According to the outlet, and as announced earlier, Affleck is still working with Geoff Johns to pen the script.
