Matt Reeves clarifies quote about The Batman being in the DCEU

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

So first we hear about an 80s-set gritty Joker origin story from producer Martin Scorsese that's outside the official DCEU canon, and now we hear that Matt Reeves' upcoming THE BATMAN film (starring Ben Affleck) will also not be in the DCEU continuity. Who'd've guessed that?

Well, that's because it isn't true. Turns out that Matt Reeves' quotes were taken wrong. Here's some tweets clarifying his statement:

Jeez, what'd I miss, guys…? 😀

Just to be clear: Of COURSE Batman will be part of the D.C. Universe. Batman will be BATMAN…

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) August 24, 2017

In my comments from a while back about not being part of the DCEU, I was talking about The Batman being a story specifically about Batman…

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) August 24, 2017

…not about the others in the Universe. That it wouldn't be filled with cameos servicing other stories — that it would be a BATMAN story.

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) August 24, 2017

🦇

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) August 24, 2017

Anyway, here's the original quote from Matt Reeves about the subject in an interview with Los Angeles radio station KCRW:

Well, I have a vision for a way to do something with that character that feels like it resonates with me personally, and a perspective that can grow out into other things. When they [Warner Bros.] approached me, what they said was ‘look, it’s a standalone, it’s not part of the extended universe.

While many sites (including our own) misinterpreted what Reeves meant with that above quote, it makes sense in hindsight. And, regardless, that's great news! Because if there's own thing that has become a bit tedious in the MCU (and egregious in the worst of the DCEU films) are the constant nods to other films – like teasers in the middle of the film that stop the story cold. Making sure everything is standalone actually sounds refreshing. I'm even more excited now!

Meanwhile, you can next see Batman on the big-screen in the upcoming JUSTICE LEAGUE film November 17th!