Rumor: Matt Reeves’ The Batman Delayed

If The Batman and DC’s Extended Universe weren’t beleaguered enough, there is a rumor now we won’t see the film in theaters until 2020 or even 2021, which is reportedly the more likely outcome.

According to Revenge of the Fans, director Matt Reeves expressed his hope that filming on The Batman could begin in the Spring or Summer of 2019. The feeling is that would mean a release date slated for a year or more after.

The report also indicates the film is being delayed in order to perfect the script and ensure that it is positioned for maximum success. If this is the case, this is a huge change in direction at Warner Bros., who reportedly refused to delay Justice League and were adamant about making sure the film was in theaters on its release date.

The Batman has been in the works since [easyazon_link identifier=”B01DEBC7Q6″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice[/easyazon_link] but keeps getting hit by setbacks. Between star Ben Affleck’s personal issues and Warner Bros.’s wavering commitment to DC’s cinematic universe, a thought gaining steam was Affleck would be replaced and Warner would reboot the whole thing with a Flashpoint scenario.

Michael C. Hall and Jake Gyllenhaal were names mentioned as possible replacements to don the cape and cowl if Affleck really exits the project. However, Gyllenhaal refuted those rumors and instead took on what appears to be the role of Mysterio in Marvel and Sony’s Spider-Man: Far From Home. At the moment, Affleck seems to be staying on, but that could change.

Matt Reeves remains focused on the script and has been working tirelessly to get the draft done for most of the Summer. As late as August, Reeves said he has been making an effort to complete it so he can make the 2019 production date he is shooting for.

Details are under wraps, but there are reports and theories that could shed light on what is in store for the plot. One rumor has it Andy Serkis will play The Penguin; another belief is The Batman will center around a young Bruce Wayne in an adaptation of Frank Miller’s [easyazon_link identifier=”1401207529″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Batman: Year One[/easyazon_link].

Either one is possible. A young Bruce/Batman could appear in the first act (one aspect Reeves is working hard on and talked about quite a bit), Affleck’s status as The Caped Crusader notwithstanding. The rest of the film could play out in the present day, or in Batman’s later years, with Affleck still playing the part.

Whatever ultimately happens, The Batman‘s fate is very much up in the air. The rumored delay for The Batman comes in the wake of Warner Bros. pushing Wonder Woman 1984’s release date back seven months.

What are your thoughts on this rumored delay? Are you glad they are allegedly taking their time with the film? Or would you rather see it sooner rather than later?

 

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