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Ben Affleck’s ‘Batman’ Solo Movie Will Set Foundation For DC Slate

By Val Powell
Published on: 20:49 PST, Apr 13, 2016

Warner Bros. has finally confirmed they are working on a Batman solo movie with Ben Affleck. Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara made the big announcement at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, on Tuesday evening.

After announcing the studio will be releasing “at least 10” DC Comics movies in the next five years, Tsujihara said a Batman standalone picture is underway.

“It set up a great foundation for our DC slate, which includes at least ten movies through 2020,” the Warner Bros. big boss announced. “I’m also excited to know that we will be working with Ben Affleck on a stand-alone Batman movie.”

Affleck is reportedly set to star and direct the upcoming project.

The announcement on Tuesday evening was the first time the CEO has spoken about the rumored Affleck-produced project. However, this was not the first time reports about a possible standalone Batman film, with the actor working behind the scenes, had surfaced.

At the San Diego Comic-Con last year, The Hollywood Reporter indicated that the award-winning actor-director was developing a spinoff Batman project alongside DC Entertainment CCO Geoff Johns.

The actor himself hinted that he and Johns are teaming up for a new project he is passionate about, although he did not directly state if it was the rumored solo Batman or another separate project.

“Geoff Johns is a brilliant guy. He and I are working together on something, and I really am excited about it, and I love him, he’s the best,” he said of the writer.

William Morris Endeavor co-CEO Patrick Whitesell said the rumors are true and revealed that the actor has written a script for the project. At the time, it was not clear whether the studio is moving ahead with it. Whitesell also told reporters the number of movies Ben Affleck is set to do as Bruce Wayne.

“He’s contracted to do at least Justice League One and Two, so at least three times wearing the cape,” Whitesell said in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, adding, “There’s a script that he’s written that is a really cool (Batman) idea, so that’s out there as an option.”

Critics and fans alike were disappointed with Batman v. Superman, as it failed to deliver a powerful story despite the fact that two iconic superheroes were featured in the movie. Nevertheless, it has grossed $800 million to date. It is exciting to see what Affleck will bring to the film, considering the fact that he has already proven himself when it comes to writing and directing. His 2012 film Argo won him an Oscar best picture award.

Ben Affleck Directed and Starred in ‘Argo’

Warner Bros. has yet to announce an official production schedule and release date for the upcoming standalone Batman movie, but there is speculation that the Caped Crusader will return to the big screen on either October 5, 2018, or November 1, 2019. Fans will also get to see Ben Affleck wearing his cape again in a cameo role in Suicide Squad this August 5th. Suicide Squad will feature DC’s villains as lead characters.

Ben Affleck’s Batman Appears in ‘Suicide Squad’ Trailer

Other DC films to watch out for, according to The Hollywood Reporter, include Justice League Part One, scheduled to hit theaters on November 17, 2017; The Flash, which is set to premiere on March 16, 2018; and Wonder Woman on June 2, 2017. Meanwhile, Aquaman is scheduled for a July 27, 2018 release; Shazam! on April 5, 2019; Justice League Part Two will take the June 14, 2019 schedule; Cyborg is expected to open on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps is expected to premiere on June 19, 2020.

[Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images]

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