‘The Batman’ Is Officially Coming In 2018, Ben Affleck Explains Why It Has Taken So Long

Ben Affleck’s first solo Batman film is coming a lot sooner than we expected, as a departing Warner Bros executive has confirmed that it’s planned for release at some point in 2018.

Greg Silverman made this admission to Deadline during a farewell interview in which he revealed that he’s stepping down as Warner Bros’ president of creative development and worldwide production, a position that will now be filled by Tobby Emmerich.

Greg Silverman still wanted to make it clear that Warner Bros. were in a strong point over the next two years because of his work, though. At first he pointed out that in 2017 we’ll get the likes of Batman Lego, King Kong: Skull Island, Dunkirk, King Arthur, Wonder Woman, Justice League, and CHiPs, all of which he predicted will be hits for the studio.

But when he outlined what to expect from Warner Bros. in 2018, he snuck in the revelation that The Batman is now less than two years away. Greg Silverman remarked,

“Then in 2018, there is a second Fantastic Beasts film, and Ready Player One feels like an ambitious movie by the world’s best filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, that will set the world on fire. There is Aquaman with James Wan, and Scooby Doo will be a huge launch and then there is Lego Ninjago. And then there is Ben Affleck’s Batman. I believe the place I love is set to succeed in the long term here and I can be a bit selfish and think, how do I want to live my own life.”

This echoed the comments that Ben Affleck himself made to Variety regarding The Batman, which is a tentative title for the blockbuster that’s set to change in the future. When asked by the publication whether Batman was still on schedule to start production in the spring of 2017, Ben Affleck responded, “We’re on the right track with that and everything is coming together. We’re still finishing up a script. I’m very excited.”

The big question now is when The Batman might actually be released. There are actually two slots that have suddenly become available, each of which were recently freed up by Warner Bros. That’s because the studio revealed that Justice League 2 has been delayed, meaning its June 14, 2019, release date is free, while Aquaman has also been pushed back to October, leaving its July 27, 2018, date available, too.

Ben Affleck has opened up about why it has taken so long for his Batman film, which he has helped to write, will direct, and also star in, to come to fruition. During a recent interview for the New York Times‘ Time Talks series, via Batman News, Ben Affleck insisted that he didn’t want to rush such a prestigious project.

Affleck explained,

“We still have to get a screenplay and get it together. I’m a real believer in not reverse engineering projects to meet a window or a date, but rather when you get the right story, the right idea, the right thing, then you make the movie. That’s what we’re doing, and I’m hoping to get that done. I’m spending a lot of time working on that, but also working on other stuff.”

During the same discussion Affleck also admitted that he’s very much aware of the other Batman films that he has to live up to, which is why he’s been so meticulous in his own preparation. Affleck added,

“If I could, there’s nothing I’d love more than to direct a stand-alone iconic, great Batman movie. But it’s been done. Chris Nolan did three really great movies. I’m really mindful of that. I’m not in any hurry to jam the mediocre movie down the pipe. I really want to make sure, if we do it, we get the great version and one that’s worthy of tradition of guys like Tim Burton, Chris Nolan, and Christian Bale.”

However, when talking to Variety about The Batman, Ben Affleck also declared that there comes a time when you have to stop looking back and just proceed with what you’ve prepared to create. Ben Affleck explained,

“At a certain point you have to look forward and try to believe in your own vision for it and not be looking over your shoulder the whole time. I go into that movie with a tremendous amount of respect for the people who came before me.”

[Featured Image by Warner Bros.]