Matt Reeves says Batman script is starting from scratch

July 13th 2017, 10:25am

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Matt Reeves was hired to take on THE BATMAN a few months ago, and already he has a clear vision for where he wants to take the character. His goal is to take audiences into the mind of the Dark Knight (Ben Affleck), and tell a gripping story through the character’s perspective. The key to achieving this is a great script, and though there’s already one in place for the movie Reeves has just confirmed the whole thing is going to be taken back to formula.

While speaking with the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Reeves was asked if he would be working on the first version of the script written by Affleck and Geoff Johns. Reeves answered bluntly, saying they would be going back to the drawing board with a fresh story:

“No. It’s a new story. It’s just starting again. I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to be really cool.”

The director has said before the films of Alfred Hitchcock have been inspiring his take on the character, wanting to make the movie a “noir driven” detective film. As for starting the film from scratch, many are wondering if Reeves will be keeping Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke as the primary villain, or if he’ll swap him out for another classic Batman baddie. And, no, Josh Gad's Penguin is not in the running for that crown.

Reeves would go on to say that WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES has been taking up all of his time, even after he got the gig for BATMAN, so they are “just starting” to get things moving on the project. However, WAR has been Reeves’ baby for the last three years, and he mentioned how he told Warner Bros. he will need a “short break” before really getting started on the film. That being said, anyone hoping they would get this thing rolled out ASAP will have to wait just a teensy bit longer. Don’t worry….it should be worth it.

I have no clue what was going on at Warner Bros. and DC that was causing so much guff over THE BATMAN, but I’m just glad they seem to have everything straightened out. Reeves is a terrific director and appears to have a firm grasp on the wheel. That Hitchcockian vibe he’s going for is certainly what's getting me excited for the flick, and hopefully, he takes the character down a road we’ve never seen before.

See Batman team with other mighty heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE on November 17.