These days, we usually know the title and release date for a superhero movie before we find out who is even going to make the thing, but the upcoming solo Batman film from Ben Affleck has been more the stuff of rumor than official announcements, and Affleck prefers it that way. Speaking with The New York Times (via Screen Rant), Affleck spoke about his decision to make sure the script (which he is co-writing with Geoff Johns) is just right before starting.
Chip McGrath, moderator: So you just mentioned that you’ve made a sequel, and there’s going to be yet another sequel, but in the meantime you’re down I believe to write, direct and star in a standalone Batman movie, is that right?
Affleck: That’s the idea, yeah, that’s the idea. We still have to get a screenplay and get it together-
McGrath: I thought you were going to write it?
Affleck: I am; that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be good. [laughs] I’m a real believer in not doing, not reverse engineering projects to meet a window or a date, but rather like when you get the right story or you get the right idea or you get the right thing, then you make the movie. And so that’s what we’re doing, and I’m hoping to get that done and spending a lot of time on that, but I’m also working on other stuff. And if I could, if I can find it right then there’s nothing I’d love more than to direct a standalone, you know, iconic great Batman movie.
Joe Manganiello will face off against Ben Affleck’s Batman in the film as Deathstroke, with additional appearances by Jeremy Irons as Alfred and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon expected to happen as well. Affleck will both star in the film and sit in the director’s chair. DC Entertainment President and CCO Geoff Johns will serve as co-writer (with Affleck) and producer.
An official release date for the Batman film hasn’t been set, but it was previously reported the film could take the June 14, 2019 release date that had been set aside for the Justice League sequel.
