Ben Affleck officially has full reign on the Batmobile. In addition to starring as the Caped Crusader in next year's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, as well as the forthcoming Justice League movies, the Boston native books another trip to Gotham as he directs, co-writes and stars in Batman's next solo feature.
Although the news likely was going to hit during Warner Bros. and DC's Comic-Con panel this Saturday, Deadline received the scoop ahead of time. Rumors of Affleck both directing and starring in his own Batman movie began a little over one year ago, so this news isn't as much shocking as it is confirming earlier reports.
At the time, speculation suggested the movie, then titled The Batman, would come in 2019, but that's not official. Although this project isn't on DC's upcoming schedule, the studio will move their plans around accordingly. Affleck writes the screenplay with Geoff Johns, DC's chief creative officer behind several Batman and Justice League Unlimited comics, as well as ones for Superman, Green Lantern, Aquaman and The Flash. Speaking of the latter, Johns also writes for The Flash TV series, in addition to helping pen teleplays for Smallville, Arrow and the upcoming Supergirl. He also writes the upcoming Shazam! movie.
Not only are the two writers reportedly "well in synch" and have "more than found their rhythm," but they'll apparently turn in the first draft of their screenplay before the summer's end. After that, Affleck works on his Argo directorial follow-up Live By Night, which begins production in November. The film initially was to be shot and ready for release for last Christmas, but was postponed due to Affleck's Batman v Superman commitments. Once he puts away the director's chair for his latest Dennis Lehane adaptation, Affleck puts his black super on again for Justice League, then goes to work on this newly announced movie.
If that wasn't enough to keep the star busy, he's also attached to produce the Syfy pilot Incorporated with Matt Damon, among other projects. He also has to do promotional rounds for The Accountant and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice early next year.
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