Pattinson/Reeves Batman Movie (Formerly Affleck Stand-Alone Film)

[The Deadman]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-chief-confirms-ben-883358

Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirmed Tuesday his studio is moving ahead with Ben Affleck's stand-alone Batman movie, which the actor will star in and direct.

The studio mogul touched upon the movie when appearing at CinemaCon, the annual gathering of cinema operators in Las Vegas. He touted the record opening of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which teams Batman (Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) on the big screen for the first time and launches the DC cinematic universe.

"It set up a great foundation for our DC slate, which includes at least 10 movies through 2020," said Tsuijhara. "I'm also excited to know that we will be working with Ben Affleck on a stand-alone Batman movie."

This isn't the first time the prospect of an Affleck-originated Batman movie has been raised. During San Diego Comic-Con last year, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the actor-director was developing a stand-alone Batman project with DC Entertainment chief creative officer Geoff Johns.

And in a recent THR interview with WME-IMG co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, Whtesell revealed how many movies Affleck has currently signed up for when it comes to DC's Caped Crusader.

"He's contracted to do at least Justice League One and Two, so at least three times wearing the cape," Whitesell said, adding, "There's a script that he's written that is a really cool [Batman] idea, so that's out there as an option."

Batman v. Superman, directed by Zack Snyder, has grossed nearly $800 million to date, despite a steep decline following its record opening.

After Tsujihara's turn on the stage at CinemaCon, Affleck and Batman v. Superman co-star Amy Adams introduced a reel touting the DC cinematic universe.

The stand-alone Batman movie has yet to be officially dated, although there's rampant speculation that it will take one of the two slots Warner Bros. recently reserved for two untitled DC films: Oct. 5, 2018, and Nov. 1, 2019. The other could go to Suicide Squad 2.

"You get your first real taste of this expanding universe," Warners film chief Greg Silverman said in the clip.

The DC films already dated include Suicide Squad (Aug. 5, 2016), The Justice League Part One (Nov. 17, 2017), The Flash (March 16, 2018), Wonder Woman (June 2, 2017), Aquaman (July 27, 2018), Shazam! (April 5, 2019), Justice League Part Two (June 14, 2019), Cyborg (April 3, 2020) and Green Lantern Corps (June 19, 2020).

[Candy Kappa]

I need to buy the collector edition of the movie, just to see the BTS footage of Affleck spelunking around in the Bat-suit while doing re-writes and director stuff.

[The Deadman]

RUMOR: Ben Affleck's THE BATMAN May Take Place In Arkham Asylum (http://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/rumor-ben-afflecks-the-batman-may-take-place-in-arkham-asylum-a143574)

Batman-News has come across a very interesting rumour which started doing the rounds this weekend, and while it comes from a source which is very hit and miss (BOF), it's one which is sure to leave you with a lot to think about. Apparently, Ben Affleck's Batman movie - which he's been writing alongside Geoff Johns - will feature the Caped Crusader locked inside Arkham Asylum battling his greatest foes.

However, as Affleck has previously made it clear that his movie will be an original story that borrows elements from past tales, don't expect this to be a direct adaptation of Batman: Arkham Asylum!

While an entire movie set with this iconic location might be a little hard to pull off, it would be pretty interesting to see a big chunk of The Batman set there, especially as previous rumours have pointed to us seeing several of the hero's most iconic villains. Time will tell whether or not this rumour is accurate, but with Comic-Con just days away, we could very well end up learning more about it soon enough.

[Powder]

Done well, that'd be dope.

[MikeandRaph87]

I like this concept much better than having Jason Todd involved. Perhaps SDCC will provide us with answers.

[The Deadman]

Deathstroke Will Menace Ben Affleck in Solo Batman Movie
(http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/761741-deathstroke-will-menace-ben-affleck-in-solo-batman-movie)

[MikeandRaph87]

He is not a Batman villain. I mean I like Deathstroke alright and I am glad it does not focus on Jason Todd, its just I want to see The Riddler again or a villain yet to be adapted like Clayface,Hush, Man-Bat, Hugo Strange, or Black Mask. So I neutral on this.

[drgon78]

I never thought I would actually be excited about a movie with Ben Affleck as the star but I think he do a good Batman and a great Bruce Wayne.

I would love to see Clayface, Mad Hatter, Man-Bat, or even the Riddler or Poison Ivy again.

[CyberCubed]

I'm surprised they don't use the Penguin as just a generic mob boss at least. He doesn't have to be a major villain, but instead of using no-name two-bit gangsters in the film, why not show Penguin leading a mob gang or something? Even if it was just one scene out of the film it would be nice.

[plastroncafe]

I maybe could get behind this movie.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

Personally, I'm sick of Batman movies. Unless it's a Batman Beyond film, count me out.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Personally, I'm sick of Batman movies. Unless it's a Batman Beyond film, count me out.

Unfortunately, it's the one thing WB/DC can rely on to make big bucks.

[CyberCubed]

Personally, I'm sick of Batman movies. Unless it's a Batman Beyond film, count me out.

I want as many Batman movies as possible. If it were up to me we'd get one every 2 years. With a spinoff movie for Nightwing/Robin/Batgirl or whomever in the other years.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I want as many GOOD Batman movies as possible. If it were up to me we'd get one every 2 years. With a spinoff movie for Nightwing/Robin/Batgirl or whomever in the other years.

Edited your post so that I could absolutely agree with it. :tcool:

[CyberCubed]

With a different set of directors/writers on each one, there's no reason we can't have more frequent Batman movies. Makes no sense really.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

With a different set of directors/writers on each one, there's no reason we can't have more frequent Batman movies. Makes no sense really.

Because not everybody loves Batman as much as you and I. Oversaturation is a very real thing.

[CyberCubed]

Because not everybody loves Batman as much as you and I. Oversaturation is a very real thing.

Batman is one of those franchises that can't be oversaturated because its already been around in so many forms for over 70 years. Its way too ingrained in our culture.

[snake]

Can't wait for this. I hope they go the comic route and have tons of villains show up

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Batman is one of those franchises that can't be oversaturated because its already been around in so many forms for over 70 years. Its way too ingrained in our culture.

Cubed. This is a fickle world already teetering on superhero/CBM fatigue.

Batman V Superman, X-Men Apocalypse, TMNT 2, and Suicide Squad have all had severe issues and public criticism. Deadpool was well received, and so was Civil War.

A few months later, nobody's talking about Civil War.

You pump too many Bats into the theaters and that bubble's gonna pop that much sooner.

[snake]

Cubed. This is a fickle world already teetering on superhero/CBM fatigue.

Batman V Superman, X-Men Apocalypse, TMNT 2, and Suicide Squad have all had severe issues and public criticism. Deadpool was well received, and so was Civil War.

A few months later, nobody's talking about Civil War.

You pump too many Bats into the theaters and that bubble's gonna pop that much sooner.
I think he's talking more about the various cartoons, toys, and video games. There's always something Batman on the market

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I think he's talking more about the various cartoons, toys, and video games. There's always something Batman on the market

Fair enough.

But look at how many movies hit the big screen over and over and over again; yet another Marvel movie, or another Harry Potter movie, or another Fast and Furious movie. At a certain point, one of two things would happen:

#1. Everybody would love the Batman movies and we'd never again get a single Superman or Wonder Woman or Aquaman or Guardians of the Galaxy or Inhumans movie because everybody's too busy digging into their one big franchise.

It'd be Batman, Spiderman, and Wolverine all the time forever.

Or #2. People would get sick of them, we'd run out of Batman movies (because how many people give a crap about Mad Hatter or White Rabbit?), and then executives would say "They're not even watching Batman anymore, HELL NO you can't have money to produce a Teen Titans / Green Arrow / Constantine movie."

[TheSkeletonMan939]

Because not everybody loves Batman as much as you and I. Oversaturation is a very real thing.

This is exactly why Disney Star Wars is going to fail sooner or later. A new SW movie every year just will not work.

[plastroncafe]

Everything fails sooner or later though.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

This is exactly why Disney Star Wars is going to fail sooner or later. A new SW movie every year just will not work.

Yeah, but not for awhile. That particular hype train is going to roll for at least a decade, barring any huge clustereffs. I mean, come on. They remixed "A New Hope" and everybody lapped it up. A decade at least.

[CyberCubed]

This is exactly why Disney Star Wars is going to fail sooner or later. A new SW movie every year just will not work.

Well after the new trilogy ends I imagine the fatigue will set in especially if they keep making new spinoff movies afterward.

Rogue One will probably do OK. Not as much as Episode 7 obviously but still pretty good.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Well after the new trilogy ends I imagine the fatigue will set in especially if they keep making new spinoff movies afterward.

Rogue One will probably do OK. Not as much as Episode 7 obviously but still pretty good.

I think it'll last slightly longer.

One hugely acclaimed trilogy, four or five stand-alones, and a second trilogy that kinda limps to the finish. Not as bad as the "Prequel" trilogy, of course.

So I'd say... about as long as Marvel's MegaPhase One (Phases 1/2/3).

[CyberCubed]

Eh, I have trouble seeing that. Episode 9 won't come out till what...2019?

Of all these spinoff movies people already hate the idea of a young Han Solo spinoff, and other than that it doesn't seem like people are interested in much else. I doubt Disney will ever make movies set in the old republic thousands of years before Episode 1, or go into the future hundreds of years either for that matter.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

http://whatculture.com/film/10-villains-better-for-ben-affleck-s-solo-batman-movie?rf=homepage

I agree. Each of those characters would be a better antagonist for a Batman solo film.

[Andrew NDB]

I'm just waiting for them to "officially announce" this movie for a sixth time. It's getting ridiculous.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I'm just waiting for them to "officially announce" this movie for a sixth time. It's getting ridiculous.

:tlol:

Fortunately, in this day and age, it should be pretty hard to screw up a Batman movie.

[plastroncafe]

:tlol:

Fortunately, in this day and age, it should be pretty hard to screw up a Batman movie.

*COUGH*KillingJoke*COUGH*

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

*COUGH*KillingJoke*COUGH*

Gah. I'd already managed to forget about that one.

Thanks, PC. :trazz:

[plastroncafe]

Gah. I'd already managed to forget about that one.

Thanks, PC. :trazz:

http://media3.giphy.com/media/O4g6rcjHluBUs/giphy.gif

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

http://media3.giphy.com/media/O4g6rcjHluBUs/giphy.gif

Red panties?

Superman crossover confirmed?

[Spike Spiegel]

Red panties?

Superman crossover confirmed?

I'll bet someone is already writing (more) bad DCEU Bats/Supes fanfiction.

[plastroncafe]

I bet someone is already filming a bad DCEU Bats/Supes porn.

[Spike Spiegel]

I bet someone is already filming a bad DCEU Bats/Supes porn.

http://media.salon.com/2016/03/quotbatman-v-superman-dawn-of-justicequot-portrait-session.jpeg3-1280x960.jpg

[plastroncafe]

That works for me...

[Shark_Blade]

Batman v Superman ... in bed. There's your box office WB.

[Spike Spiegel]

Batman v Superman ... in bed. There's your box office WB.

http://i2.wp.com/gaycomicgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bat-Sup.jpg

[Luigiperps]

http://i2.wp.com/gaycomicgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bat-Sup.jpg

That would have been a way better movie.

[TurtleTitan97]

Joe Manganiello confirmed for Deathstroke: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/09/08/joe-manganiello-will-play-deathstroke-in-ben-afflecks-batman-movie/

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Also, plans for a 2-part Justice League were axed...

http://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-s-new-strategy-on-dc-lighten-up-superheroes-1473350000?tesla=y

[LeotheLateBloomer]

http://whatculture.com/film/10-villains-better-for-ben-affleck-s-solo-batman-movie?rf=homepage

I agree. Each of those characters would be a better antagonist for a Batman solo film.

Those are some very good choices but after watching Suicide Squad, while I really enjoyed Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Joker left a sour taste in my mouth. Not saying I want Leto gone, since there wasn't much to go off of with the atrocious editing that occurred within the film. If they fire the guy for his comments against WB however, he will not be missed by me (even though it is their fault to begin with). Deathstroke may not be a Batman villain but he is an interesting choice, indeed. I would hope there will be mentioning of when he faced Dick Grayson before. Joe Manganiello is not only a fitting choice but he actually looks fairly like Slade Wilson. My hope for the DCEU is that we get a Teen Titans movie with an appearance from him.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Those are some very good choices but after watching Suicide Squad, while I really enjoyed Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Joker left a sour taste in my mouth. Not saying I want Leto gone, since there wasn't much to go off of with the atrocious editing that occurred within the film. If they fire the guy for his comments against WB however, he will not be missed by me (even though it is their fault to begin with). Deathstroke may not be a Batman villain but he is an interesting choice, indeed. I would hope there will be mentioning of when he faced Dick Grayson before. Joe Manganiello is not only a fitting choice but he actually looks fairly like Slade Wilson. My hope for the DCEU is that we get a Teen Titans movie with an appearance from him.

I'm personally hoping Slade Wilson isn't the single antagonist of the film. Maybe work in some Jason Todd or Court of Owls...

[Bry]

Also, plans for a 2-part Justice League were axed...

http://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-s-new-strategy-on-dc-lighten-up-superheroes-1473350000?tesla=y

Can't/won't read past the pay wall, but... are they showing Snyder the door sooner than later? Pleeeeaaase?

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Can't/won't read past the pay wall, but... are they showing Snyder the door sooner than later? Pleeeeaaase?

I found a way around it; different link.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-s-new-strategy-on-dc-lighten-up-superheroes-1473350000

But not that I can tell.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

I'm personally hoping Slade Wilson isn't the single antagonist of the film. Maybe work in some Jason Todd or Court of Owls...

I hear ya. I'm curious to know who would play him. I would love to see Robin in the movie whether Dick or Tim. Though depending on the timeline, the former would be Nightwing by now. With how DC jumped too early into the Batman's later years, that will likely never happen. :tcry:

[Bry]

I found a way around it; different link.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-s-new-strategy-on-dc-lighten-up-superheroes-1473350000

But not that I can tell.

Hmm. I mean, not to do the easy, played out thing and just dump on Snyder. He's got his talents. He was just a very wrongheaded choice for this universe in the first place and had the entire wrong sensibilities and instincts, as far as I'm concerned.

Most of the blame lies with the higher-ups. They handled this all wrong. If they're finally figuring that out, then good. I just feel that Snyder would be better off doing something that actually suits his style. Somewhere else. Far, far away from Superman.

[Bry]

I'm personally hoping Slade Wilson isn't the single antagonist of the film. Maybe work in some Jason Todd or Court of Owls...

The Court of Owls would make for a fine Batman movie plot, and would help define the city and Bruce better than they were in BvS.

Jason Todd, sure... but I feel that introducing Tim Drake is the best way to help get the DCEU on track. If the DC Films bosses really do want to lighten things up, do a little tonal de-Snydering and are address Batman's excessively violent actions in BvS, that's where I'd start. We know that Jason Todd is dead already, and since then Batman has become increasingly isolated, violent, and cynical. That's where Tim arrived in the comics, having figured out Batman's secret identity and realizing that he needs a Robin to ground him and keep him from growing too dark. It's the perfect way to fix that divisive/controversial tone issue and make it seem like it was the plan all along. (And Tim's "my" Robin, so y'know, I'm invested there...)

Introduce Nightwing while you're at it. Batman gets a new Robin and tries to repair his fractured family. Work some Jason Todd flashbacks in there... And next time, go full comic book with Ra's and Talia Al Ghul and the Lazarus Pit. Red Hood would make a hell of a sequel.

[Commenter 42]

I found a way around it; different link.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-s-new-strategy-on-dc-lighten-up-superheroes-1473350000

But not that I can tell.

Grrr not working for me. Copy/paste svp?

[TheSkeletonMan939]

I just feel that Snyder would be better off doing something that actually suits his style. Somewhere else. Far, far away from Superman.

He should direct video game cutscenes.
I'm serious. Any time I watch Man of Steel clips, it's like I'm watching a video game cinematic.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Grrr not working for me. Copy/paste svp?

http://batman-news.com/2016/09/08/geoff-johns-dc-films-co-head-interview/

Try following the link at the bottom of Batman-News' brief blurb. There's a lot of interesting material in the WSJ link.

If the link STILL doesn't work, I'll dump the article here under spoiler tags.

[Commenter 42]

http://batman-news.com/2016/09/08/geoff-johns-dc-films-co-head-interview/

Try following the link at the bottom of Batman-News' brief blurb. There's a lot of interesting material in the WSJ link.

If the link STILL doesn't work, I'll dump the article here under spoiler tags.

Wow. They still don't get it. None of that is the corse correction they need.

They're still trying to take detours to an arbitrary destination while traveling in the wrong direction.

The result?

http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2008/12/dark-knight-burning.jpg

Fan favorite Geoff Johns? Maybe on Earth 2.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

The Court of Owls would make for a fine Batman movie plot, and would help define the city and Bruce better than they were in BvS.

Jason Todd, sure... but I feel that introducing Tim Drake is the best way to help get the DCEU on track. If the DC Films bosses really do want to lighten things up, do a little tonal de-Snydering and are address Batman's excessively violent actions in BvS, that's where I'd start. We know that Jason Todd is dead already, and since then Batman has become increasingly isolated, violent, and cynical. That's where Tim arrived in the comics, having figured out Batman's secret identity and realizing that he needs a Robin to ground him and keep him from growing too dark. It's the perfect way to fix that divisive/controversial tone issue and make it seem like it was the plan all along. (And Tim's "my" Robin, so y'know, I'm invested there...)

Introduce Nightwing while you're at it. Batman gets a new Robin and tries to repair his fractured family. Work some Jason Todd flashbacks in there... And next time, go full comic book with Ra's and Talia Al Ghul and the Lazarus Pit. Red Hood would make a hell of a sequel.

Court of Owls is a great concept that really deserves a good story. Snyder didn't quite give them much reason to actually exist in their debut story, and nobody's done right by them since.

I'll take ANY Robin that's not Carrie. Stephanie, Damian, Dick, Jason, Tim... I just don't trust anyone to believe that Robin actually COULD be done well on the big screen; I think the studio is still terrified of the character ever since the Schumacher films.

Bringing in Tim Drake first would fit really well; show Nightwing, give us a Nightwing spinoff film... then Under the Red Hood for a sequel, like you said.

There are PLENTY of good movies that could be made utilizing the Bat family. But I doubt we'll ever get them...

[Bry]

He should direct video game cutscenes.
I'm serious. Any time I watch Man of Steel clips, it's like I'm watching a video game cinematic.

You're not wrong. Again, he's got his talents... but I think they're better suited to dumb, fun schlock than selling himself as a "visionary" attempting to make "the serious superhero movie". The results have been pretty laughable so far. His obsession with going "dark" just comes across like a teenage boy trying way too hard to take things seriously, mistaking "dark" for mature.

I'll take ANY Robin that's not Carrie. Stephanie, Damian, Dick, Jason, Tim... I just don't trust anyone to believe that Robin actually COULD be done well on the big screen; I think the studio is still terrified of the character ever since the Schumacher films.

Bringing in Tim Drake first would fit really well; show Nightwing, give us a Nightwing spinoff film... then Under the Red Hood for a sequel, like you said.

There are PLENTY of good movies that could be made utilizing the Bat family. But I doubt we'll ever get them...

Part of me thinks you're right, but I at least hope they're considering it. So long as they get it right, I mean. Trying to chase The Dark Knight, mistaking its success for being "dark" or "serious" or "realistic", will keep these movies in that movie's shadow, and that hasn't been a good look so far. They haven't gotten that right. Even The Dark Knight had humour and hope.

The ultra-broody, angry loner Batman needs a rest, and if that's the point they're gonna be getting at, the Bat-Family is the next natural step. As long as they hit the right middle-ground without going into Schumacher neon-camp territory, there's no reason it can't work. And it's the best possible way to differentiate this Batman from the movie Batmen that came before.

"The first truth of Batman... It had to be one I didn't like to admit. The gunshots left me alone. For years I was alone in the echoing dark of that well. But something else defined the exact moment Batman was born. The First Truth of Batman... The saving grace. I was never alone. I had help."

The Bat-Family brings out the best in Batman. I want them to do the same for his movies.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

The ultra-broody, angry loner Batman needs a rest, and if that's the point they're gonna be getting at, the Bat-Family is the next natural step. As long as they hit the right middle-ground without going into Schumacher neon-camp territory, there's no reason it can't work. And it's the best possible way to differentiate this Batman from the movie Batmen that came before.

"The first truth of Batman... It had to be one I didn't like to admit. The gunshots left me alone. For years I was alone in the echoing dark of that well. But something else defined the exact moment Batman was born. The First Truth of Batman... The saving grace. I was never alone. I had help."

The Bat-Family brings out the best in Batman. I want them to do the same for his movies.

I want that, too. I've said to anyone who will listen to me that a unique and marketable new take on the Batman franchise would be defined not by the villains but by the sidekicks.

Movie 1: Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon
Nightwing spinoff
Movie 2: The Killing Joke / A Death in the Family, Jason Todd
Movie 3: Tim Drake, A Lonely Place of Dying, Under the Red Hood
Movie 4: Damian Wayne, Talia al Ghul, R'as al Ghul, Batman and Son

You can fit in Nightwing sequels, a Robin solo, Birds of Prey for Huntress and Cassandra Cain with Oracle, a Riddler story using Stephanie Brown (Spoiler)...

It's all there, and I've thought about it for literally years. Somebody hook me up with Geoff Johns. :trazz:

[ToTheNines]

It's too obvious. They'll bungle it.

[Commenter 42]

We all read the same article, right?

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

We all read the same article, right?

What exactly do you take issue with from the article?

I checked out of the BvS thread before you and Leo burned it down, so I don't remember any of your criticisms.

Toning down Zach Snyder, bringing in a veteran DC comics guy in a much larger role, changing the tone... sounds like stuff of which you'd approve.

[Commenter 42]

What exactly do you take issue with from the article?

I checked out of the BvS thread before you and Leo burned it down, so I don't remember any of your criticisms.

Toning down Zach Snyder, bringing in a veteran DC comics guy in a much larger role, changing the tone... sounds like stuff of which you'd approve.

Right, because the studios involvement fixed fant4stick, and clearly fixed Suicide Squad?

We got bridges for sale here folks, step right up!!!

I see it more like adding extra sugar to a mixture of spoiled ingredients to cover the stench.
That's fine...I won't go the distance here, but I will say now, I told you so.

Justice League, will be a bigger disaster than BVS, unless you thought the jokes and tone of the "trailer" were funny/good. Personally, it was a wash. SS was unwatchable, even with Robbie doing her thing.

I harp on Nolan, but, seeing the aftermath now... idk... it's like the a swirling vortex of diminishing returns.
I still think he's sloppy, but his successors are flat out incompetent.

[Commenter 42]

Just read the rumor that Vince Vaughn has been tapped to play the real Luthor.
first as a cameo in JL, then MOS2, hence the new look.

https://nyppagesix.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/spl1349989_001.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=696

[Candy Kappa]

He... Actually looks like a Luthor...

[ToTheNines]

Yeah, that's ace casting.

[MikeandRaph87]

For some reason Lex is Alex Luthor Jr., not to be confused with the rouge son of the Earth-3 Lex. I assume this is Lex Luthor Sr.? I never saw the point of the 'jr." part of his name. Perhaps there is a reason in story that is about to be told.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Right, because the studios involvement fixed fant4stick, and clearly fixed Suicide Squad?

We got bridges for sale here folks, step right up!!!

I see it more like adding extra sugar to a mixture of spoiled ingredients to cover the stench.
That's fine...I won't go the distance here, but I will say now, I told you so.

Justice League, will be a bigger disaster than BVS unless you thought the jokes and tone of the "trailer" were funny/good. Personally, it was a wash. SS was unwatchable, even with Robbie doing her thing.

I harp on Nolan, but, seeing the aftermath now... idk... it's like the a swirling vortex of diminishing returns.
I still think he's sloppy, but his successors are flat out incompetent.

Studio meddling in the middle of production is indeed usually a recipe for disaster. However, how early into production was JL before these changes were made? Just because you have a roadmap doesn't mean it can't and shouldn't be corrected.

Could this result in further chaos? Absolutely? Does it have to turn out that way? Not necessarily.

Reducing "Snyderisms" is a good thing.
Bringing in a comics veteran is a good thing.

If handled poorly, it can backfire. But they are addressing issues that are real and do need to be addressed.

Also, Fant4stic was always going to be a clusterfrak. Studio meddling couldn't save it, but the absence of studio meddling wouldn't have helped either.

Suicide Squad? I loved it. Studio meddling did drastically effect the final product, especially regarding Joker and Harley (*one can hardly blame them for backing down on portraying such an abusive domineering relationship, though... that's an easy target for backlash). I think a lot of the splash and color and crap (freaking unicorn jokes) was added in to try to more closely resemble Deadpool.

So I can point to stuff and admit "Yeah, studio fingerprints there and there and there" but the film overall worked for me. Could've been better, but not a trainwreck.

As far as the Justice League trailer... well, you've got me there. It is definitely trying to course correct and bring in lightness and humor, blah blah blah. As long as they don't over-correct, it could certainly help their mass appeal. What's a studio to do? They're trying to make changes to fix things critics, haters, and apathetic viewers all didn't like. Why shouldn't they?

Bottom line: WB/DC's biggest problem is their lack of faith in their product. Some of these changes could very easily turn out to add further problems, but it could also give them a lift. It's too early to tell, and I'm not going to hate on them for genuinely trying. I remain optimistic yet guarded.

Just read the rumor that Vince Vaughn has been tapped to play the real Luthor.
first as a cameo in JL, then MOS2, hence the new look.

https://nyppagesix.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/spl1349989_001.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=696

I can't find that rumor anywhere online, but I didn't look very hard. Source please?

Hope that turns out true... Eisenberg was the biggest misstep I've seen DC/WB make. Vince Vaughn, on the other hand...

Yeah, I can get behind this. :tgrin:

For some reason Lex is Alex Luthor Jr., not to be confused with the rouge son of the Earth-3 Lex. I assume this is Lex Luthor Sr.? I never saw the point of the 'jr." part of his name. Perhaps there is a reason in story that is about to be told.

Nah, I'm hoping recast and pull a Hulk/Rhodey. :twink:

[CyberCubed]

So I haven't been following, the Luthor in Batman/Superman was not the real Luthor? Then why did he say his first name was Lex? He felt more like a gay flamboyant Riddler than Luthor to me.

[sdp]

DC's problem is indeed lack of faith in their product and Marvel fanboys. The moment their franchise doesn't do what they wanted they restructure everything. I still remember the SDCC before Green Lantern came out int he Q&A they were asked about a "Cinematic Universe" and while he said they were planning to keep things separate because simply their characters are bigger (ironic how that turned out) but in that same panel he basically implied it could/would happen slowly. Of course everything changed when Green Lantern bombed and they decided to try again with MoS but that didn't do as well as planned they again went back to the drawing board.

Seeing how much money they were losing and no time to wait to reboot they decided to go full on shared universe first, which is fine as well and always found "BUT HOW WILL WE KNOW THE ORIGINS!?" posts rather stupid, did you ask what everyone's origin was when you first watched X-Men or even the Justice League cartoon? of course not. I personally liked BvS but it did have odd choices here and there, the internet went through it as a TSA agent though and now DC is making all these changes that further affect how their shared universe will go and killing the interest I had in it.

Will new movies be cookie cutter like Marvel films? I guess we'll find out. Was Suicide Squad cut up after BvS failed to be as huge as they wanted? We'll know eventually. But these things do affect the product. MoS was a Superman origin and BvS puts Superman in a "mature" DC Universe and yet some heroes/villains are just showing up and yet other events having happened making the universe not make a lot of sense. Some mix up is fine but this is already creating confusion on the timeline.

So I haven't been following, the Luthor in Batman/Superman was not the real Luthor? Then why did he say his first name was Lex? He felt more like a gay flamboyant Riddler than Luthor to me.

Yeah, apparently he was Alexander Luthor, we knew this shortly after the movie premiered I think. That is kind of stupid and didn't understand the decision. Unlike most I actually liked this interpretation of Luthor for the most part, except for the whole "Darkseid is coming" in the end.

[CyberCubed]

I think Justice League will be fantastic, but I am wary of the new Aquaman. He looked like a hobo.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I think Justice League will be fantastic, but I am wary of the new Aquaman. He looked like a hobo.

I think Justice League will be better than BvS at least. I sort of liked Aquaman, I just wish DC/WB weren't trying so damn hard to convince us that he's a badass.

I read the comics, guys, I already know. He doesn't have to freaking be Ocean of Thrones.

So I haven't been following, the Luthor in Batman/Superman was not the real Luthor? Then why did he say his first name was Lex? He felt more like a gay flamboyant Riddler than Luthor to me.

Nah, he was supposed to be the real Lex. I think they were just trying to go for some symmetry of male characters with absent (whether dead or abusive and emotionally distant) father figures. Symmetry.

Didn't work. Horrible Lex.

[Commenter 42]

I can see we're wider apart on the subject then I thought. I liked the idea of SS, but it was painful to watch.

I'm expecting JL to be a longer version of the trailer.
I had a hard time sitting through the trailer. As they say, your milage may vary.

Maybe the next trailer will change my mind...

[Spike Spiegel]

If they really wanted to reboot/recast Lex Luthor as a character, maybe they could pull a version of that stunt from the 1990s comics where he had cloned himself into a younger body and later returned to his normal state. It was somewhat concurrent with the "Death/Rebirth of Superman" arc, so there's a precedent for it.

Even as a fan of the Donner movies, I have to admit Eisenberg's Lex was scarier and more sinister than Gene Hackman was (though Eisenberg had better material to work with).

If they did the Matrix/Linda Danvers version of Supergirl that was Lex's pawn in those 90s comics, all the casual TV fans would probably cry foul.

[Shark_Blade]

Maybe Luthor Snr will breakout Jr from prison.

[ToTheNines]

Or maybe he'll asphyxiate Jr. with his own dumbass wig.

[The Deadman]

Time Warner CEO Offers Timetable for Solo Batman Movie
(http://www.superherohype.com/news/382723-time-warner-ceo-offers-timetable-for-solo-batman-movie#/slide/1)

[Andrew NDB]

Time Warner CEO Offers Timetable for Solo Batman Movie
(http://www.superherohype.com/news/382723-time-warner-ceo-offers-timetable-for-solo-batman-movie#/slide/1)

I'll bet the farm that when they do have a projected release date, they're going to announce the movie again for a sixth time.

[Andrew NDB]

Look, they've "confirmed" the title again:
http://comicbook.com/2016/10/03/ben-affleck-the-batman-solo-movie/

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Look, they've "confirmed" the title again:
http://comicbook.com/2016/10/03/ben-affleck-the-batman-solo-movie/

Man, the news is just trickling in, isn't it? :tlol:

I'm confident any day noew we'll have an official reconfirmation that Ben Affleck will star in it. :twink:

[Andrew NDB]

Man, the news is just trickling in, isn't it? :tlol:

I'm confident any day noew we'll have an official reconfirmation that Ben Affleck will star in it. :twink:

Nope, confirmation of that is still pending, to come in future announcements of the movie happening.

Today:
https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/ben-affleck-backtracks-on-the-batman-comments-there-is-no-movie-happening-a145758

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Nope, confirmation of that is still pending, to come in future announcements of the movie happening.

Today:
https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/ben-affleck-backtracks-on-the-batman-comments-there-is-no-movie-happening-a145758

This is the first step. First say "it's not officially happening."

THEN he can more easily re-confirm "Ben Affleck to star in Batman movie!" :tlol:

[myconius]

I'm personally hoping Slade Wilson isn't the single antagonist of the film. Maybe work in some Jason Todd or Court of Owls...

Court of owls really could only be really effective with an inexperienced Batman fairly early in his crimefighting career.
having Batman active for so many years and not knowing of a secret organization operating right under his nose would really discredit him as being "the world's greatest detective".

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Court of owls really could only be really effective with an inexperienced Batman fairly early in his crimefighting career.
having Batman active for so many years and not knowing of a secret organization operating right under his nose would really discredit him as being "the world's greatest detective".

Nah. It just gives even more credence to the skill of the Court at Owls, that they are able to hide in plain sight in HIS city for so long.

[myconius]

Nah. It just gives even more credence to the skill of the Court at Owls, that they are able to hide in plain sight in HIS city for so long.

since their introduction took place approximately 5 years after Batman had been active in Gotham, it would also raise the question of why didn't the Court of Owls go after Batman sooner? putting them right in his radar.

unless they use an already introduced Court of Owls that had already crossed paths with Batman time and again?

but the Court i only honestly find effective as a plot device within their origin story. almost the same i feel with Bane.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

since their introduction took place approximately 5 years after Batman had been active in Gotham, it would also raise the question of why didn't the Court of Owls go after Batman sooner? putting them right in his radar.

unless they use an already introduced Court of Owls that had already crossed paths with Batman time and again?

but the Court i only honestly find effective as a plot device within their origin story. almost the same i feel with Bane.

Bane I'll grant you; he's never had a good story beyond "Knightfall". (He had some pretty cool stuff in Suicide Squad and Secret Six, but that's not mainline Batman stuff.)

But Court of Owls is a SECRET. We've all heard rumors of the Illuminati for YEARS but nobody believes it's really true. Until all of a sudden PROOF! Same works for Gotham City and the Court of Owls.

[myconius]

Bane I'll grant you; he's never had a good story beyond "Knightfall". (He had some pretty cool stuff in Suicide Squad and Secret Six, but that's not mainline Batman stuff.)

But Court of Owls is a SECRET. We've all heard rumors of the Illuminati for YEARS but nobody believes it's really true. Until all of a sudden PROOF! Same works for Gotham City and the Court of Owls.

but after the Court's secret was out their presence never quite held the same magnitude.
even when they made appearances in comics after their debut, they were kind of treated like a punch-line.
'Punch' being the KEY word!! :lol:

[Andrew NDB]

Bane I'll grant you; he's never had a good story beyond "Knightfall". (He had some pretty cool stuff in Suicide Squad and Secret Six, but that's not mainline Batman stuff.)

I don't remember him in Suicide Squad. Secret Six, yeah, he became sort of the den father... a very different role for him but I liked the human aspect of it.

But yeah, beyond that one story where Bruce funded a Bane expedition to discover his father and "Bane of the Demon" which led into "Legacy" (where he became Ra's' heir, which even there shortchanged him), Bane has been grossly maligned. It seems nowadays the latest "hot" artist/writer just throws him into a 2-3 part story in some crap Batman title twice a year or so to get pumped up on venom and lose to Batman again, and the story is never referenced again. He shouldn't even be on venom anymore, he broke that.

Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan have all but admitted outright they are working on some kind of massive Bane story for DC right now.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I don't remember him in Suicide Squad. Secret Six, yeah, he became sort of the den father... a very different role for him but I liked the human aspect of it.

But yeah, beyond that one story where Bruce funded a Bane expedition to discover his father and "Bane of the Demon" which led into "Legacy" (where he became Ra's' heir, which even there shortchanged him), Bane has been grossly maligned. It seems nowadays the latest "hot" artist/writer just throws him into a 2-3 part story in some crap Batman title twice a year or so to get pumped up on venom and lose to Batman again, and the story is never referenced again. He shouldn't even be on venom anymore, he broke that.

Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan have all but admitted outright they are working on some kind of massive Bane story for DC right now.

Didn't the Secret Six cross over with the Suicide Squad at some point? It's been a couple of years since I read it, but I think that's when he was involved in the Squad.

Damn, a new GOOD Bane story? I surely hope so.

[Andrew NDB]

Didn't the Secret Six cross over with the Suicide Squad at some point?

That sounds right. Just before Flashpoint (obviously).

Damn, a new GOOD Bane story? I surely hope so.

I hope it's Vengeance of Bane III. But it's probably some kind of Bane: Rebirth that will lead to some minor part in some Batman event and be forgotten about in short order.

[myconius]

Chuck Dixon has written a good number of some of my favorite comics.

even when he's teamed up with another writer he delivers!

one of my favorites from him was 'Robin Year One'.

probably the best Dick Grayson story i've ever read?

[TigerClaw]

Take this with a grain of salt, But there are reports that the script for the new Batman movie is a mess, but Warner Bros doesn't care.
https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/the-script-for-ben-afflecks-batman-movie-is-reportedly-a-mess-but-warner-a146533
"[They] were just telling me that there are serious problems with the script. And that the executives I was having dinner with were complaining about people who work on the Batman movie. And they just said they went to the studio and they said, ‘Look, the script is … Here’s 30 things that are wrong with it that we can fix.’ And [the executives] said, ‘We don’t care. We don’t really care. The amount of money we’re going to make globally, I mean 70 percent of our audience is not going to be seeing this in English. And it doesn’t really matter, these things that you’re bringing up about the flaws of the script.’ So I do think global concerns play a big part in how movies, and what movies, are being made, obviously."

[CyberCubed]

Well I can believe it.

[Shark_Blade]

Why are these stupid people running the show?

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Take this with a grain of salt, But there are reports that the script for the new Batman movie is a mess, but Warner Bros doesn't care.
https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/the-script-for-ben-afflecks-batman-movie-is-reportedly-a-mess-but-warner-a146533

Trolling. Not you, the article. I doubt it. Affleck is a competent director and producer.

EDIT:

Took another look, apparently it's on Batman-News as well. That site I trust. Hmm...

This does not look good. Once again, WB has a goldmine and just pisses all over it?

[myconius]

Take this with a grain of salt, But there are reports that the script for the new Batman movie is a mess, but Warner Bros doesn't care.
https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/the-script-for-ben-afflecks-batman-movie-is-reportedly-a-mess-but-warner-a146533

i usually don't give much attention to these types of article.

when i start seeing trailers and preview clips, i'll judge for myself.

[Andrew NDB]

Well, we know Affleck isn't going to move on this until the script is "just right." I don't think he's going to let them muscle him. They need him way more than he needs them.

[TigerClaw]

Well, we know Affleck isn't going to move on this until the script is "just right." I don't think he's going to let them muscle him. They need him way more than he needs them.
It could be that Affleck turned in the script to WB and they have some issues with it, you never know.

[myconius]

Well, we know Affleck isn't going to move on this until the script is "just right." I don't think he's going to let them muscle him. They need him way more than he needs them.

i like this rational much better than the folks publishing articles announcing that the sky is falling right from the get go.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

Well, we know Affleck isn't going to move on this until the script is "just right." I don't think he's going to let them muscle him. They need him way more than he needs them.

This is the same guy who said that Batman v. Superman would be better than Daredevil. (http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Ben-Affleck-Says-He-Picket-Batman-v-Superman-It-Were-Anything-Like-Daredevil-67537.html) It is, but not by much.

Affleck's heart might be in the right place, but he either just can't come up with good ideas or (my opinion) WB IS breaking him down and forcing him to move ahead with crappo ideas in the name of making more money in China. WB destroyed Peter Jackson and now the new victim is Ben Affleck. Both creative guys who were utterly rammed into participating in half-baked projects.

[TigerClaw]

The guy that made those comments about the script has backtracked on those comments.
https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/bret-easton-ellis-walks-back-on-the-batman-comments-i-have-no-idea-what-a146556
During a long interview with The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey we talked about reasons why studio movies are so bad now and touched on the global needs of the marketplace. I told him something I had heard about the new Batman movie as an example of what might be the problem: I was talking with two executives who have NOTHING to do with the Batman movie and who KNEW people who were involved with the production. The two executives I was having dinner with were relating the problems they had heard about the script from people working on the Batman project–that’s all. I know no one involved with the Batman movie and I didn’t realize that my comments would make it into The Ringer piece or else I wouldn’t have cited that particular movie–I have no idea what the Batman script is like and I regret that it came off as if I was disparaging the project. Another reason to be careful giving interviews.

[myconius]

The guy that made those comments about the script has backtracked on those comments.
https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/bret-easton-ellis-walks-back-on-the-batman-comments-i-have-no-idea-what-a146556

what a doofus

[TheSkeletonMan939]

WB probably threatened to break his kneecaps.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

WB probably threatened to break his kneecaps.

Dude, this is a BATMAN movie.

...

They threatened to break his back across their knee. :twink:

"I wondered which would break first; your spirit... or your body!"

*CRACK*

[myconius]

WB probably threatened to break his kneecaps.

Dude, this is a BATMAN movie.

...

They threatened to break his back across their knee. :twink:

"I wondered which would break first; your spirit... or your body!"

*CRACK*

Ben Affleck probably put on the suit and threatened the guy. :lol:

http://66.media.tumblr.com/c98792ec7866c827d7e052603e27bbec/tumblr_o0ya7yPNxs1untprdo1_250.gif

[Autbot_Benz]

Affleck says he is not in a hurry to make the Batman he wants to get the story right.

http://batman-news.com/2016/12/12/ben-affleck-batman-movie-not-in-a-hurry/

[myconius]

Affleck says he is not in a hurry to make the Batman he wants to get the story right.

http://batman-news.com/2016/12/12/ben-affleck-batman-movie-not-in-a-hurry/

awesome interview.

while i'm not setting my expectations super high, hearing Ben Affleck's take on this does get me excited for his stand-alone Batman movie.

[CyberCubed]

Affleck better hurry up, in a few years he might be too old to play Batman. Are they really going to have a 50+ year old Batman? On the other hand that might be cool.

[Andrew NDB]

Affleck says he is not in a hurry to make the Batman he wants to get the story right.

http://batman-news.com/2016/12/12/ben-affleck-batman-movie-not-in-a-hurry/

Isn't that exactly what he said in interviews 5 months ago? The cyclical nature of "news" on this movie is pretty mind-boggling.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Isn't that exactly what he said in interviews 5 months ago? The cyclical nature of "news" on this movie is pretty mind-boggling.

I am already so sick of Affleck on this.

"Yeah, I'm still taking it slow." "Not rushing it." "Still not committed."

We GET it, Ben. :trolleye: Come back when you have something new to say.

EDITED: Correction, I shouldn't be taking it out on Ben. He's just answering all the pesky questions. It's the damn entertainment news sites that won't let it be.

[NinjaPug]

How many times is this going to be considered news?

It's not Ben's fault though. He can't help that this movie is the only thing "reporters" will ask him about when he's doing press for other movies.

[myconius]

How many times is this going to be considered news?

It's not Ben's fault though. He can't help that this movie is the only thing "reporters" will ask him about when he's doing press for other movies.

yeah. the guy can't seem to catch a break ever since accepting the dang roll!

[The Deadman]

Ben Affleck Won’t Do Batman Movie If The Script Isn’t Good (http://411mania.com/movies/ben-affleck-wont-do-batman-movie-if-the-script-isnt-good/)

[Leofan26]

Affleck better hurry up, in a few years he might be too old to play Batman. Are they really going to have a 50+ year old Batman? On the other hand that might be cool.

We had a 50 year old Batman in Batman Beyound :P

Edit;

I get he doesn't want to do a film if the script isn't good, look what happened with Batman Forever? It's known as the worst Batman film to date, I don't think Affleck wants to be known for a film like that.

However, Batman V.S Superman wasn't good either, did he like the script to that one? It got a lot of bad reviews. I hated how they wrote Lex Luthor, nothing like all the past ones and the actor was over the top in my opinion. Than again, I knew Lex Luthor in the Justice League series, I know other shows tend to tweak characters as it goes on, better or worse. I myself liked the Justice League version the best.

[The Deadman]

No, that was a 50 year old Bruce Wayne, lol.

[ToTheNines]

Bruce was like 80 in Beyond.

[Autbot_Benz]

We had a 50 year old Batman in Batman Beyound :P

Edit;

I get he doesn't want to do a film if the script isn't good, look what happened with Batman Forever? It's known as the worst Batman film to date, I don't think Affleck wants to be known for a film like that.

However, Batman V.S Superman wasn't good either, did he like the script to that one? It got a lot of bad reviews. I hated how they wrote Lex Luthor, nothing like all the past ones and the actor was over the top in my opinion. Than again, I knew Lex Luthor in the Justice League series, I know other shows tend to tweak characters as it goes on, better or worse. I myself liked the Justice League version the best.

no Batman and Robin is known as the worst batman film not Batman Forever to date its what killed the bat movie franchise until Batman Begins

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Ben Affleck Won’t Do Batman Movie If The Script Isn’t Good (http://411mania.com/movies/ben-affleck-wont-do-batman-movie-if-the-script-isnt-good/)

In other news, water wet. :tlol:

[Andrew NDB]

Ben Affleck announces he's directing The Batman again.

https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/video-ben-affleck-confirms-he-is-directing-the-batman-and-we-should-a148059

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Ben Affleck announces he's directing The Batman again.

https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/video-ben-affleck-confirms-he-is-directing-the-batman-and-we-should-a148059

I feel like we should start a betting pool.

How many more times will Affleck confirm he is working on this movie before we get an official release date?

[ZariusTwo]

JL and Wonder Woman are disasters in the making it apperars

http://www.cosmicbooknews.com/content/wonder-woman-justice-league-said-be-disasters-batman-delayed

[MikeandRaph87]

Who is the villain in the Wonder Woman movie? Cheetah would be the most likely choice, but is it another like Circe or Ares?

[CyberCubed]

It's Ares, the God of War.

[NinjaPug]

Hahaha.

Affleck no longer directing Batman.

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/ben-affleck-the-batman-will-not-direct-1201971566/

[TurtleTitan97]

Dang, that's gotta suck for WB.

[CyberCubed]

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/56f546aedd0895f7388b47d3-/sad-ben-affleck.gif

[myconius]

Hahaha.

Affleck no longer directing Batman.

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/ben-affleck-the-batman-will-not-direct-1201971566/

i don't blame Ben for stepping down one bit.

WB and DC keeping with the tradition of Quantity over Quality.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Hahaha.

Affleck no longer directing Batman.

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/ben-affleck-the-batman-will-not-direct-1201971566/

Whoa. WHOA.

That is big--and bad--news.

“There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions,” Affleck said in a statement. “Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world.”

Somebody got tired of being asked about the Batman movie. :tlol: :tsad:

[NinjaPug]

Has nothing to do with him being asked questions about the movie.

[TurtleTitan97]

Whoa. WHOA.



Somebody got tired of being asked about the Batman movie. :tlol: :tsad:

Has nothing to do with him being asked questions about the movie.

Yeah, the most likely answer is that it probably has more to do with the fact that the studio is getting impatient and wants to put out this movie ASAP, because WB thinks that Batman=$$$.

[NinjaPug]

Seems pretty clear there are creative differences between Affleck and WB.

WB probably isn't happy that they are going to lose $75 million on Live By Night either.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Yeah, the most likely answer is that it probably has more to do with the fact that the studio is getting impatient and wants to put out this movie ASAP, because WB thinks that Batman=$$$.

Batman DOES equal money. Batman is like Star Wars; even if it sucks, it will make bank.

Has nothing to do with him being asked questions about the movie.

'Twas a joke, Horatio.

[ToTheNines]

Hahaha.

Affleck no longer directing Batman.

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/ben-affleck-the-batman-will-not-direct-1201971566/

I guess you gotta laugh it off. **** Warner Brothers.

"MCU makes you love the characters you didn't care about. DCEU makes you not care about the characters you loved."

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I guess you gotta laugh it off. **** Warner Brothers.

"MCU makes you love the characters you didn't care about. DCEU makes you not care about the characters you loved."

DAMN, dog. That's brutal. Also, quoted? Anybody important say that?

[ToTheNines]

Some dude who keeps an MCU timeline on TheComicBoard posted it after seeing it come up in his Facebook feed. No one special, just didn't want to take credit.

[CyberCubed]

I really liked Ben Affleck's Batman, and people are kidding themselves if they don't want to see a solo movie with him.

[myconius]

I really liked Ben Affleck's Batman, and people are kidding themselves if they don't want to see a solo movie with him.

i'll still see the movie regardless.

but my expectations will be very minimal.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

Lol, this is a vote of no confidence from Affleck. Not a good sign...

[NinjaPug]

If WB tries to rush this into production with a bad script then I bet Affleck walks from the project completely.

[ProactiveMan]

That's a shame. Still - Batman's got the puncher's chance. He's like a one-man MCU; Marvel can release 135 minutes of colonoscopy footage at this point, and it will get rave reviews. In the same way, everyone loves Batman, even when he stinks up the place.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

If WB tries to rush this into production with a bad script then I bet Affleck walks from the project completely.

He's almost certainly required by contract to participate in the film no matter what, as an actor. But yeah, he might try to humiliate WB at least by withdrawing from the creative aspect, if he feels like it's necesary.

[NinjaPug]

Is he? His first contract was for 3 films - BvS and two Justice League movies (back when the plan was to do two). He never signed anything to direct it. Doubt he signed anything to star in it. Even if he did he'd still be able to walk if he wanted to.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

I'm assuming that WB is so hell-bent on pumping these things out that they made sure that Affleck would be available for 'The Batman' no matter what. I can imagine WB executives having nightmares about not being able to do a Batman movie with Affleck as the star.

[myconius]

everyone loves Batman, even when he stinks up the place.

^ this is unfortunately true of Batman's comics as well. :lol:


i haven't been following the creative team of the upcoming Ben Affleck solo Batman film.

it's very disappointing that he'll no longer be directing it, but it's the smart move on his part if he's being rushed.

i knew it was a mistake for WB to schedule all these other solo films ahead of Batman.
he's their only guarantee for ticket sales aside for Superman, and he's been temporarily been written out of the picture.

[myconius]

I'm assuming that WB is so hell-bent on pumping these things out that they made sure that Affleck would be available for 'The Batman' no matter what. I can imagine WB executives having nightmares about not being able to do a Batman movie with Affleck as the star.

they probably still have Christian Bale's number handy? :lol:

[NinjaPug]

You gotta think WB would do whatever they needed to keep Affleck on board as Batman. I wonder if part of the reason he left is because of Justice League being a disaster like the rumors say.

[CyberCubed]

I think Affleck will never live it down if he walks off entirely. He'll be viewed as an embarrassment. I don't think he wants that

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

You gotta think WB would do whatever they needed to keep Affleck on board as Batman. I wonder if part of the reason he left is because of Justice League being a disaster like the rumors say.

I'm more inclined to think it has nothing to do with JL and everything to do with continued studio interference and "hey Ben can we film yet? Can we film yet? Can we film yet? Oh, and can you fit Riddler in there? And Catwoman? And Joker? And Harley? And Deadshot?"

I think Affleck will never live it down if he walks off entirely. He'll be viewed as an embarrassment. I don't think he wants that

Ben's not the embarrassment; WB at large is.

[NinjaPug]

I think critics/movie bloggers would applaud him for leaving the DCEU trainwreck due to them rushing the production of the movie just to get it released sooner despite all the negative backlash they've already received. Obviously the nutjob DCEU fans would not agree with it and probably say that Disney paid him to drop out.

[myconius]

I think Affleck will never live it down if he walks off entirely. He'll be viewed as an embarrassment. I don't think he wants that

if he walked entirely some might view it as embarrassing, but i'm sure there are others including myself that would admire his integrity.

[CyberCubed]

The thing is I think he WANTS to be a good Batman. Him leaving the role entirely would seem like him "giving up." You can tell by the interviews he gives that he really wants to be remembered as a good Batman.

[NinjaPug]

How is he giving up if WB won't allow him to make a good Batman movie? Their track record with the DCEU is terrible. He's not the one in charge. Why stick around and be associated with another poor movie as Batman?

[LeotheLateBloomer]

The thing is I think he WANTS to be a good Batman. Him leaving the role entirely would seem like him "giving up." You can tell by the interviews he gives that he really wants to be remembered as a good Batman.

But it doesn't mean a thing when he still turns out to be a good Batman in a mediocre to bad Batman film.

It is a shame that he won't be directing this but if it ultimately means giving us a better film then that's all that matters to me.

There are already a fair amount of people that want Kevin Smith to direct the film but he gave his response through a tweet.

“I'm flattered,” Smith tweeted. “But 3 things make me directing Batman impossible: 1) Haven't spoken to Ben in years. 2) I made @YogaHosers, 3) Common sense.”

http://http://comicbook.com/2017/01/31/kevin-smith-direct-batman/

1.) You're still a fan of the guy though. Apparently you gave him a bare hug when he wore the suit. 2.) I never watched this film since you decided to release this in limited theaters only, though I admit the trailer looked terrible. 3.) "Common Sense" from the guy that directed for a few of DC's TV shows.

[Andrew NDB]

You people are fooling yourself if you think Ben Affleck could just walk away from Batman at any point, because he feels like it. You can be absolutely certain as soon as he was signed for Batman V Superman, that was a multi-picture deal that guarantees him remaining in the role for probably 3-5 movies, maybe more. Nothing he can do about that.

Him abandoning the director position? That speaks everything to his lack of confidence in how WB is handling things. By this point he kind of knows he's going to be in an embarrassing The Batman movie... all he can do to mitigate damage is just not hurt his director's hat.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

You people are fooling yourself if you think Ben Affleck could just walk away from Batman at any point, because he feels like it. You can be absolutely certain as soon as he was signed for Batman V Superman, that was a multi-picture deal that guarantees him remaining in the role for probably 3-5 movies, maybe more. Nothing he can do about that.

Him abandoning the director position? That speaks everything to his lack of confidence in how WB is handling things. By this point he kind of knows he's going to be in an embarrassing The Batman movie... all he can do to mitigate damage is just not hurt his director's hat.

He can portray a badass Batman in a mediocre or bad Batman movie and be fine; but directing and starring in a bad Batman movie would be much more condemning and permanently scarring.

So... yeah, I've seen some articles talking about how "No, this is a GOOD thing!" and all I can do is shake my head in disbelief.

Occam's Razor and common sense bring us to the same conclusion: Ben Affleck could not convince WB to let him do his own thing on his own schedule, and he has little faith in how the universe is being handled.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

The crazy thing is that Affleck must have warned his WB bosses, several times, that he would leave the director's chair if they pulled a Peter Jackson on him. And they still did it, knowing that the departure would be highly publicized. I think this is the third time a director has run screaming from a DCEU film... do these bigwig execs ever learn? They should be embarrassed.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

The crazy thing is that Affleck must have warned his WB bosses, several times, that he would leave the director's chair if they pulled a Peter Jackson on him. And they still did it, knowing that the departure would be highly publicized. I think this is the third time a director has run screaming from a DCEU film... do these bigwig execs ever learn? They should be embarrassed.

Moral of the story: pay Christopher Nolan whatever he asks. :trazz: :twink:

[CyberCubed]

Ben Affleck will be a good Batman. He already is one. His Batman scenes were the best part of Batman/Superman.

[ToTheNines]

I really liked Ben Affleck's Batman, and people are kidding themselves if they don't want to see a solo movie with him.

The thing is I think he WANTS to be a good Batman. Him leaving the role entirely would seem like him "giving up." You can tell by the interviews he gives that he really wants to be remembered as a good Batman.

Ben Affleck will be a good Batman. He already is one. His Batman scenes were the best part of Batman/Superman.

And here I thought you only jerked off to Supergirl.

[RaphaelinSTL]

Personally I love all of this news because this whole WB/DCEU thing has been like watching a car crash from day one. I don't think Ben would walk away from the project all together and I'm not even sure a contract would allow it (though Ben has enough say and clout in Hollywood that he could get out if he really wanted to) but this was also the same guy who went on Jimmy Kimmel a few weeks ago to save face saying "Yeah, I'm directing it...it's gonna be great."

I honestly believe that Justice League isn't coming together the way everyone wants and Ben probably knows this. It sounds like it was a rough, hectic and claustrophobic shoot since they were starting production right around the time that BvS came out and WB wanted them to change things on the fly as they they were shooting...and with all of the stress that came with the reaction to BvS, the reaction to Live By Night, all of the new responsibilities he's taken on for Justice League AND WB wanted them to get things rolling on the solo Batman film ASAP...it just seems like it's adding up to be too much. Again, I don't think Ben will bow out of this DC world completely, but I wouldn't necessarily be shocked either.

[ToTheNines]

They paid that ****ing turd Chris Terrio to do a rewrite.

https://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman/batman-v-superman-and-justice-league-scribe-has-reportedly-rewritten-the-a148593

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

We've come a long way since Man of Steel.

...

...

All of it downhill, despite some exquisite casting.

...

...

Except for Jesse Eisenberg.

[DestronMirage22]

Crash and burn already DC.

[NinjaPug]

It's become obvious that WB is not concerned about the quality of these movies as long as they make any money. Why else would they keep going back to Snyder, Ayer and Terrio?

[CyberCubed]

It's times like this I wish they brought back Nolan or Tim Burton for a new Batman movie.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

It's become obvious that WB is not concerned about the quality of these movies as long as they make any money. Why else would they keep going back to Snyder, Ayer and Terrio?

It's a very weird paradox of WB having little faith in any of their creative decisions or planned directions, and yet, they do keep going back to Snyder.

Either have faith in the man and his direction, or make a firm decision to change course.

That has been the anchor around WB's neck: their inability to focus, decide on, and stand by a single controlled vision for their shared universe.

[Andrew NDB]

If you remember, "Green Lantern" was supposed to be the first DC cinematic universe film. You can even see them setting it up, with Waller/Female Samuel L. Jackson and all in it (which they redid in Suicide Squad). "Man of Steel" was supposed to be movie #2.

Personally, it's pretty sad. There's really no time in my head growing up, or even just a few years back that, if you were to ask me, "Hey, what do you think about a big, live-action Justice League movie with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman teaming up? With probably Apokolips and Darkseid?" that I wouldn't like, immediately do a double-take and go, "Say whaaat?? HELL YEAH!"

But now "Justice League" is imminently coming, we've had multiple "behind the scenes" bits shared... and the whole thing barely registers a "Meh" out of me. It's not the costumes, or the actors or anything. It's all just so limp, so "product"y. This shouldn't have been that hard to set up. It really shouldn't have been.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

If you remember, "Green Lantern" was supposed to be the first DC cinematic universe film. You can even see them setting it up, with Waller/Female Samuel L. Jackson and all in it (which they redid in Suicide Squad). "Man of Steel" was supposed to be movie #2.

Personally, it's pretty sad. There's really no time in my head growing up, or even just a few years back that, if you were to ask me, "Hey, what do you think about a big, live-action Justice League movie with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman teaming up? With probably Apokolips and Darkseid?" that I wouldn't like, immediately do a double-take and go, "Say whaaat?? HELL YEAH!"

But now "Justice League" is imminently coming, we've had multiple "behind the scenes" bits shared... and the whole thing barely registers a "Meh" out of me. It's not the costumes, or the actors or anything. It's all just so limp, so "product"y. This shouldn't have been that hard to set up. It really shouldn't have been.

Oh, that's right... I completely forgot Amanda Waller was in Green Lantern.

Sigh. It really REALLY shouldn't be this hard. Setting up the Marvel Cinematic Universe? That deserved to be hard, just because it was a bunch of C-list heroes to the public eye. And yet it came together surprisingly easy, even with Thor and Captain America 1 not being that good. Or Iron Man 2...

And yet, here's a company with the biggest and easiest to recognize heroes, Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, and some other cool dudes, and they continue to run around like... It's incomprehensible. I've run out of words.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

It's because it's not a natural growth; it's not organic worlbuilding. WB thinks they're in a race with Marvel for some reason and they base all of their decisions based on that.

[CyberCubed]

I think some of you need to come to the realization that many DC movies have always been bad, even before the current universe.

The only really good DC movies are Superman 1 and 2 (although they're dated now obviously, I can still enjoy them), Batman 1989, Batman Returns, and the first two Nolan Batman films. The Dark Knight Returns was just OK.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I think some of you need to come to the realization that many DC movies have always been bad, even before the current universe.

The only really good DC movies are Superman 1 and 2 (although they're dated now obviously, I can still enjoy them), Batman 1989, Batman Returns, and the first two Nolan Batman films. The Dark Knight Returns was just OK.

When you look critically at it, a small minority of CBMs from ANY studio have been any good. Hell, >50% of the MCU is average.

The difference between the MCU and WB/DC or Fox-Men is that MCU came up with a plan, acted on the plan, and stuck with the plan even when some of their movies were "eh." That's why they're working on Avengers 3 for next year, and DC still can't convince much of its audience that Justice League will be a success.

[Andrew NDB]

I'd argue that maybe the best of the DC movies are way better than the best of the Marvel movies on the whole... even if, by the same token, the worst of the DC movies are worse than the worst of the Marvel movies. Though DC hasn't really put out anything solid since Man of Steel, and even that wasn't without flaws.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I'd argue that maybe the best of the DC movies are way better than the best of the Marvel movies on the whole... even if, by the same token, the worst of the DC movies are worse than the worst of the Marvel movies. Though DC hasn't really put out anything solid since Man of Steel, and even that wasn't without flaws.

Agreed on all counts.

Still, I do hope that Wonder Woman will be great. I'm really counting on that one...

[CyberCubed]

Wonder Woman is basically the last straw for some people. If that movie is bad, most people will take the hint and won't even see Justice League. I predict it'll be a bomb at the box office then.

Fool me once, fool me twice...fool me a third time?

[Andrew NDB]

Wonder Woman is basically the last straw for some people. If that movie is bad, most people will take the hint and won't even see Justice League. I predict it'll be a bomb at the box office then.

Fool me once, fool me twice...fool me a third time?

And if "Justice League" bombs... holey moley, that's a wrap. That'd be like if the Avengers had bombed. There is literally nowhere to go from there.

[CyberCubed]

That Aquaman movie will probably still come out given they seem to be far into production on it, but the upcoming Flash, Cyborg, Justice League 2, etc...whatever movies will all likely be canceled.

[Andrew NDB]

Well I guess if/when the smokes clears... they could conceivably just pump out Batman and Harley Quinn movies. And probably the Black Adam movie with The Rock, since they want to placate him and not have him show up in the MCU.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

That Aquaman movie will probably still come out given they seem to be far into production on it, but the upcoming Flash, Cyborg, Justice League 2, etc...whatever movies will all likely be canceled.

I'd be mostly okay with losing Flash and Cyborg. But it'd be how many years before a Justice League reboot? Ten? Eight? They rebooted Batman in 4, but that was coming off SUCCESS, not failure...

Well I guess if/when the smokes clears... they could conceivably just pump out Batman and Harley Quinn movies. And probably the Black Adam movie with The Rock, since they want to placate him and not have him show up in the MCU.

Hypothetical thinking, the DCEU at large DOES crash and burn with Justice League. We'd still get: Aquaman, probably Gotham Sirens, and maaaaaybe The Batman.

Flash would be officially killed quicker than Nora Allen, Green Lantern would linger for another decade, and Shazam would never, ever happen.

In a few years, though, what would lead the charge? A Trinity movie or a rebooted Man of Steel.

[CyberCubed]

Some people will be 40+ years old before a proper DC movie universe happens. :lol:

[TheSkeletonMan939]

Some people will be 40+ years old before a proper DC movie universe happens. :lol:

... Huh? CC, re-read that post you made and tell me why it doesn't make any sense.

[JTH]

When the most anticipated DC movie in 2017 for me is LEGO Batman, there's a problem.

[Redeemer]

I'd argue that maybe the best of the DC movies are way better than the best of the Marvel movies on the whole... even if, by the same token, the worst of the DC movies are worse than the worst of the Marvel movies. Though DC hasn't really put out anything solid since Man of Steel, and even that wasn't without flaws.

You literally crap on everything, even if it is good. But.... you consider Man of Steel solid????WTF really???

[sdp]

I wrote about the problems with the DC cinematic universe a while ago:
http://miscrave.com/articles/cinematic-universe-dc/ and I mostly agree with Andrew, they've been so worried about coming in with a bang that they keep messing up and don't learn their lessons.

And if "Justice League" bombs... holey moley, that's a wrap. That'd be like if the Avengers had bombed. There is literally nowhere to go from there.

The thing is BvS and SS didn't bomb, they were B.O. disappointments but they made plenty of money so WB might end up being ok with having movies that get crap reviews but still bring in enough money for it to be worth their while.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

WB might end up being ok with having movies that get crap reviews but still bring in enough money for it to be worth their while.

But if that were the case, they wouldn't be so reactionary with their movies.

[Andrew NDB]

The thing is BvS and SS didn't bomb, they were B.O. disappointments but they made plenty of money so WB might end up being ok with having movies that get crap reviews but still bring in enough money for it to be worth their while.

Oh, I'm not saying they did. They have yet to experience a flop. But between audiences getting jaded between BvS and SS... the stage is kind of being set for that.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Oh, I'm not saying they did. They have yet to experience a flop. But between audiences getting jaded between BvS and SS... the stage is kind of being set for that.

They've had critical flops, but not financial flops. But you can't keep getting smeared by critics without very quickly derailing future sequels and losing the jackpot.

[ProactiveMan]

They've had critical flops, but not financial flops. But you can't keep getting smeared by critics without very quickly derailing future sequels and losing the jackpot.

Movie critics are so full of it these days that I don't know if their relevance is assured.

[NinjaPug]

Fans started an online petition to get Zack Snyder to direct the Batman movie. As if online petitions weren't funny enough to begin with.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

At this point, Snyder being attached to the movie would be box office poison. Even WB knows it.

[ProactiveMan]

Can we petition for anyone? WB, it's been 20 years already, give Joel Schumacher another shot.

[RaphaelinSTL]

Movie critics are so full of it these days that I don't know if their relevance is assured.

While these haven't been box office flops per se, they're certainly not as profitable as they were hoping for. I think Suicide Squad did pretty good, but all the public backlash and harsh reviews isn't really what WB was hoping for these films in a post Christopher Nolan DC world so I think all these rotten reviews does hurt their ego pretty bad.

All of this is just such a train wreck. Honestly though, I haven't been in love with a DC/WB film since 2008 as I thought TDKR was pretty underwhelming. There's just such an lack of momentum and buzz around these films besides wanting to know how terrible they are. With Ben Affleck saying "I won't direct unless the script comes together and is great"and then backing off the project...along with all the (possibly fake, but still noteworthy) rumors of JL and WW being a mess TIED IN with the fact they still have yet to release another JL trailer...it's just not looking good for these movies. I honestly feel if JL does under perform as far as box office and reviews go, that will be Ben's last role as Batman.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Movie critics are so full of it these days that I don't know if their relevance is assured.

A rather vocal majority on the internet--which means little to individuals but means a great deal to studios--also hated the last two movies.

[Andrew NDB]

You literally crap on everything, even if it is good. But.... you consider Man of Steel solid????WTF really???

I literally don't. But not airtight. But solid. Easily the best Superman movie we've gotten yet, warts and all.

At this point, Snyder being attached to the movie would be box office poison. Even WB knows it.

Unless Justice League is like a super huge hit... I don't foresee WB attaching him to any new projects. Like, any. Maybe an honorary producer credit. They certainly haven't since BVS hit... and apparently only squeaked in to still direct Justice League to begin with.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Unless Justice League is like a super huge hit... I don't foresee WB attaching him to any new projects. Like, any. Maybe an honorary producer credit. They certainly haven't since BVS hit... and apparently only squeaked in to still direct Justice League to begin with.

Directing Justice League was no doubt a contractual obligation. Seeing how both MoS and BvS didn't do anywhere near as well as they wanted, they're not going to throw new projects at him until things turn around.

[ToTheNines]

Fans started an online petition to get Zack Snyder to direct the Batman movie. As if online petitions weren't funny enough to begin with.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.everydayhealth.com/news/understanding-battered-womens-syndrome/amp/

[Andrew NDB]

Directing Justice League was no doubt a contractual obligation.

Had to be.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Had to be.

Next question... when WB/DC made its big announcement, the lineup went (if I recall correctly):

BvS
Suicide Squad
Wonder Woman
JL 1
Aquaman
The Flash
JL 2
Cyborg
Green Lanterns

How far did Snyder's contract reach? Was he locked in for JL2 already?

[Redeemer]

Next question... when WB/DC made its big announcement, the lineup went (if I recall correctly):

BvS
Suicide Squad
Wonder Woman
JL 1
Aquaman
The Flash
JL 2
Cyborg
Green Lanterns

How far did Snyder's contract reach? Was he locked in for JL2 already?

I hope not.....

[NinjaPug]

At that time Snyder was on board to direct JL 1 & 2. Him and his wife were also set up as the creative producers for every DCEU film.

[Andrew NDB]

WB killing "Justice League 1, Part 2: Return of the Bat Goggles" was probably their way out of the deal with Snyder. Or at least, any commitment thereto.

i.e., they were committed to Snyder helming "Justice League, The Movie," which got split into two when everyone was overly optimistic about BVS. So if they axe the second "part" of it, they don't need to legally hire him if they just straight up do a "Justice League II" movie.

[myconius]

i've lost all faith that the Justice League movie will be anything but pure crap.
probably even bigger heap of crap than Suicide Squad was.

hopefully the Solo Batman film will be at least decent? but at this point it's better to not expect too much.

even though it's a totally different area, the WB Animated movies that used to be good are now laughably bad.
they are now 'after school cartoon' quality, but with the occasional death or cuss word thrown in just to show how grown up it is.

the dialog and acting shown in both the WW and the JL trailers looks pretty lame.

the scene of (Ezra Miller) Flash's first meeting with Bruce Wayne is just painful to watch!!!

"stop right there. i'm in! . . . . yeah . . . . i need . . . . . . . friends."

no dude, you need some better dialog!

[Andrew NDB]

hopefully the Solo Batman film will be at least decent?

There is literally not a single reason to be optimistic about it at this point. Not anymore.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

WB killing "Justice League 1, Part 2: Return of the Bat Goggles" was probably their way out of the deal with Snyder. Or at least, any commitment thereto.

i.e., they were committed to Snyder helming "Justice League, The Movie," which got split into two when everyone was overly optimistic about BVS. So if they axe the second "part" of it, they don't need to legally hire him if they just straight up do a "Justice League II" movie.

That makes sense.

There is literally not a single reason to be optimistic about it at this point. Not anymore.

We can still at least expect a good performance from Affleck.

[NinjaPug]

Affleck said he would direct a Batman solo movie if it had a good script.

Terrio turned in a rewrite of the script recently.

Affleck just dropped out of directing the movie.

Seems pretty obvious what state the Batman movie is in.

[Andrew NDB]

Affleck said he would direct a Batman solo movie if it had a good script.

Terrio turned in a rewrite of the script recently.

Affleck just dropped out of directing the movie.

Seems pretty obvious what state the Batman movie is in.

http://www.deviantpictures.com/trippinmovie/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/development-hell.jpg

[CyberCubed]

It's a shame because Ben Affleck's Batman is probably the closest to the "real" Batman on film to date.

[Andrew NDB]

The Batman Ben Affleck Story:


https://www.flickeringmyth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ben-affleck-chasing-amy-600x338.jpg

Hell yeah I'll direct a Batman movie. If the script is good, why not? And why wouldn't it be, I'll write it!


http://media.comicbook.com/2016/05/geoff-johns-ben-affleck-batman-183633.jpg

OK, sooo... sounds like I'll be writing a script with this hack. I guess. It's not like he had full creative veto power over Green Lantern and that sunk, or had his name on BVS either. Or really... has ever demonstrated any kind of ability to write Batman outside of that awful elseworlds "Batman: Earth-1" I wouldn't want to use as toilet paper. Thanks, WB. We'll do great.


http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5218a6b7ecad04785200001d-480/ben-affleck-sad-worried.jpg

What? You guys don't like "our" script and you want me to start filming when? I don't care what the damn Deathstroke actor's been going around saying. Fine, have Terio take a crack at it. Getting real unhappy though, WB, and I want you to know that.


https://images.moviepilot.com/images/c_fill,h_240,w_500/t_mp_quality_gif/jz5ppuxgcbrgawngraib/reports-say-that-affleck-rewrote-the-script-for-batman-v-superman-in-costume-861723.jpg

Say whaat, you got a copy already, Terio? Cool, lemme have a look. I already know it's going to make "Argo" look like Mallrats.


http://img.cinemablend.com/cb/e/b/f/7/6/3/ebf76321bb9cbade0469f35bdf15966dfc5a3f38801e1ea5b2 5cbc0a0f3c7d78.jpg

What the... aw, f***, you guys got me goin' around killin' foos again as Batman and stuff. Fans are gonna hate this.


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/2a/a5/74/2aa57403f1c9113e1880ab80cf751f33.jpg

F this movie! F F F...


http://img.allw.mn/content/www/2009/10/stars-smoking/BEN_AFFLECK2.jpg

... wait. It says right here I signed a multi-picture deal. Crap. I don't like those apples at all. Not at all.


https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/03/20/arts/20AFFLECKJP5/20AFFLECKJP5-master675.jpg

Thanks for coming, everybody. So I... uh, feel like Batman's a huge role and, uh, I need to concentrate on either starring in it, or directing it, but not both.

[myconius]

There is literally not a single reason to be optimistic about it at this point. Not anymore.

yeah, you're probably right.



http://media.comicbook.com/2016/05/geoff-johns-ben-affleck-batman-183633.jpg

OK, sooo... I'll write a script with this hack. I guess. It's not like he had full creative veto power over Green Lantern and that sunk, or had his name on BVS either. Or really... has ever demonstrated any kind of ability to write Batman outside of that awful elseworlds "Batman: Earth-1" I wouldn't want to use as toilet paper.


^ especially for the fact that the Green Jack-O-Lantern will be co-writing the script with him.
both those 'Batman Earth One' stories he did were more wretched and vile than festering day old doggie d@@ d@@!

geoff johns has shown absolutely no respect to Batman as a character over the years.
being that Hal Jordan is his love and joy and he let that film crash and burn is NOT a good sign at all!

it still cracks me up that DC lists goeff johns 'Batman: Earth One' as "esential reading" :lol:
it's only essential if you're looking to punish yourself.

[Andrew NDB]

http://cdn2-www.idly.craveonline.com/assets/uploads/gallery/ben-affleck-batman-script/gettyimages-516734112.jpg

But hey... maybe things could be a lot worse for a guy, eh?


geoff johns has shown absolutely no respect to Batman as a character over the years.

Nope. Just as a foil for other characters. He has no great original Batman stories in him of any kind. Zero. I asked a question at a DC panel in San Diego and they gave me a free copy of "Batman: Earth-1" and I still haven't gotten through it. It's just fanwank. With Sean Connery as Cool Alfred.

being that Hal Jordan is his love and joy and he let that film crash and burn is NOT a good sign at all!

Yeah, if he can't get that right, then...

I'm shocked he still has a job at DC/WB, yet somehow he keeps getting promotions instead.

it still cracks me up that DC lists goeff johns 'Batman: Earth One' as "esential reading" :lol:
it's only essential if you're looking to punish yourself.

That is truly comical, that they list it there. Though not wholly surprising. Everyone at DC is like living in fear of him. They're afraid to even mention his name unless they're busy explaining how awesome he is.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

So I... uh, feel like Batman's a huge role and, uh, I need to concentrate on either starring in it, or directing it, but not both.[/B]

I would not be surprised at all if Affleck were to just come out and say what everyone's thinking: "I had some serious creative differences with WB and DC." The film is either going to suck or go into development hell - what would he have to lose by just saying it? ****, let's go even further, what would WB have to lose? People are paying more and more attention to these behind-the-scenes rumors thanks to the Internet - and they're believing them because in the end they usually come out as true (like with Suicide Squad and the Joker debacle). A simple PR statement denying it won't sway anyone.

[Andrew NDB]

I would not be surprised at all if Affleck were to just come out and say what everyone's thinking: "I had some serious creative differences with WB and DC."

I'd be kind of surprised, unless they tell him he can. They probably all had to sign "We won't say anything that could be remotely construed as negative about the film or production to the media" non-disclosure agreements on something like this.

[myconius]

I asked a question at a DC panel in San Diego and they gave me a free copy of "Batman: Earth-1" and I still haven't gotten through it.


OUCH! yeah that's just as bad as giving someone a rotten apple with worms and razor blades in it!

just burn that evil thing and have it buried in hallowed ground!




Yeah, if he can't get that right, then...

I'm shocked he still has a job at DC/WB, yet somehow he keeps getting promotions instead.


i have my theories on how he keeps getting promoted. . . . .

none of which are appropriate for me to say in public. :lol:



That is truly comical, that they list it there. Though not wholly surprising. Everyone at DC is like living in fear of him. They're afraid to even mention his name unless they're busy explaining how awesome he is.

once again, . . . . it's the manifestation of evil i tell you!!!!!

he must have performed an Aleister crowley or something???

don't gaze into those eyes TOO long...

or you will become LOST in the abyss!!!!! :o

https://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/geoff-johns-rings.jpg

[Andrew NDB]

OUCH! yeah that's just as bad as giving someone a rotten apple with worms and razor blades in it!

just burn that evil thing and have it buried in hallowed ground!

"Batman: Earth-1" may as well be this:

https://cnet1.cbsistatic.com/img/zlR3ADl-uR2wuckKYY4Z1v_4vrQ=/770x433/2015/10/29/6889990f-e6ea-430e-8a1f-0ac9eaa852ff/evildeadnecronomicon.jpg

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Andrew = C42? :teek: :tsad:

[myconius]

"Batman: Earth-1" may as well be this:

https://cnet1.cbsistatic.com/img/zlR3ADl-uR2wuckKYY4Z1v_4vrQ=/770x433/2015/10/29/6889990f-e6ea-430e-8a1f-0ac9eaa852ff/evildeadnecronomicon.jpg

i'd sooner take the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and all the Kandarian Demons within over Batman Earth One any day :lol:

https://media.giphy.com/media/AFGKVfxD5cIHm/giphy.gif

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/53/3c/b8/533cb8ad21bc9582d3662e20804de77e.gif

[Chris]

Still can't believe someone made a petition for Snyder to direct this! The only reason the guy wasn't fired off JL is because the cameras were about to start rolling and any replacement director coming in after BvS would likely have wanted a page 1 re-write of the script or at the very least enough to to make major changes. Plus firing him with BvS still in cinemas would likely have hurt its box office even more.

I truly believe WB are already expecting to take a hit on JL. Yes, they're doing damage limitation and rewrote the script on fly during filming to try and address BvS's complaints but I honestly think they're just expecting another BvS - critical flop but hopefully successful enough commercially. Anything on top of that would just be a bonus for them. Then they can ditch Snyder and his influence over the film's and hopefully make some real progress.

There's no way they'll bring him back for The Batman, right now his name is toxic to the DC brand and if they really want a 2018 release date this will need to start whilst he's still in post on Justice League (plus before any slim chance of JL redeeming him in any way)

[Andrew NDB]

Still can't believe someone made a petition for Snyder to direct this! The only reason the guy wasn't fired off JL is because the cameras were about to start rolling and any replacement director coming in after BvS would likely have wanted a page 1 re-write of the script or at the very least enough to to make major changes. Plus firing him with BvS still in cinemas would likely have hurt its box office even more.

I truly believe WB are already expecting to take a hit on JL. Yes, they're doing damage limitation and rewrote the script on fly during filming to try and address BvS's complaints but I honestly think they're just expecting another BvS - critical flop but hopefully successful enough commercially. Anything on top of that would just be a bonus for them. Then they can ditch Snyder and his influence over the film's and hopefully make some real progress.

There's no way they'll bring him back for The Batman, right now his name is toxic to the DC brand and if they really want a 2018 release date this will need to start whilst he's still in post on Justice League (plus before any slim chance of JL redeeming him in any way)

Non-issue. No way is WB giving The Batman to Snyder. Even if they were apt to and Justice League makes more money than God, they'll just tap Snyder to Justice League II. Possibly Man of Steel 2 if that happens (it should, but I'm not hopeful).

[Chris]

I'd rather see him on Batman than Superman ever again. But like you say, none issue either way. The only film he may get (in the unlikely event JL brings in TFA levels of money) is JL2

[CyberCubed]

I think Justice League and Aquaman will be the last two DC films besides more Batman films.

No way are Flash or Cyborg (lol) going into production.

[Andrew NDB]

I think Justice League and Aquaman will be the last two DC films besides more Batman films.

No way are Flash or Cyborg (lol) going into production.

Cyborg never should have been on the slate. Maybe as a member of the Teen Titans in a Teen Titans movie or something.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

I think it was a huuugge mistake for WB to announce their 6-7 year plan so early on. Marvel can get away with it because they've already established a certain level of quality. But WB was on shaky ground from the start, and they only look more foolish as they desperately try to get their ducks in a row but keep knocking them down.

I understand that they have to drum up excitement for their new universe, but there must have been a better way of doing it than just saying, 'Here are all our movies until 2020. Yup, definitely happening!'

[Chris]

Cyborg never should have been on the slate. Maybe as a member of the Teen Titans in a Teen Titans movie or something.

Wasn't there a rumour a while back that the Cyborg movie was meant to be changing into a Teen Titans movie?

[ToTheNines]

https://s27.postimg.org/p2b15m76b/Justice_league_dceu_martian_manhunter_green_lant.j pg

Lol uwish.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

I'd rather see him on Batman than Superman ever again.

Same. He really hasn't done Superman justice at all.

Wasn't there a rumour a while back that the Cyborg movie was meant to be changing into a Teen Titans movie?

Not that I heard of but they might as well, since this universe's Cyborg has yet to warrant his own film.

Place your bets on what movie you guys think WB will get up to before/if they cancel their cinematic universe.

[ToTheNines]

Same. He really hasn't done Superman justice at all.


He thinks Supes is Jesus. That's an irreconcilable misunderstanding.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

Place your bets on what movie you guys think WB will get up to before/if they cancel their cinematic universe.

Lol, though I think it's less a question of "how far can they go" and more like "what will they resort to?"

Shazam/Black Adam? Not happening. Cyborg? Nope. Green Lantern? :lol:

But I fully expect them to go full-steam ahead with anything having to do with Suicide Squad or Batman. Honestly that'd probably be so much better than having them shove crap like The Flash down our throats.

[NinjaPug]

Which is worse - Fox continually using Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg for X-Men or WB continuously using Snyder and Terrio?

[Andrew NDB]

Which is worse - Fox continually using Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg for X-Men or WB continuously using Snyder and Terrio?

The former.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

Definitely the former, but from a comedic perspective, X-Men Apocalypse was almost as great as Spider-Man 3.

[Chris]

Gotta go with Snyder/Terrio here (though I would be interested in seeing what Terrio could do if Snyder had no story input at all). The X-Men films may not be as faithful to the comics as I'd like but I'd take movies like X2 and Days of Future Past over MoS and BvS any day of the week. In both cases though it's really time for some new blood.

[myconius]

i really wish they'd do a multi-verse story where this Snyder-verse set of Characters could cross-over with an actual GOOD representation of Superman from an alternate reality.
then they could just do away with the MOS version of Superman like how they did away with the New 52 Superman in the comics.

[Andrew NDB]

i really wish they'd do a multi-verse story where this Snyder-verse set of Characters could cross-over with an actual GOOD representation of Superman from an alternate reality.

The thing about stories that try to reconcile their own continuity by involving other continuities and universes is... at the end of the day, you're not really reconciling your own continuity. You're just compartmentalizing it, and really not fixing anything. All you're doing is needlessly convoluting things to audiences/readers and making things more toxic than when you began.

<-- said no one at DC or Marvel, ever. But it's true.

[Chris]

Gotta agree. You can't fix this universe's problems just by switching it's Superman for an alernate version. They need to fix this Superman and this world.

Right now my hope is that JL does this. I'm actually at the point after BvS where I don't really care how they do it. They could even give them personality transplants rather than character arcs. Just get them where they need to be by the end of the film so other, better, film makers can pick up the ball and run with it once Snyder's gone. Of course I want them to have well done, fully realised, character arcs & proper development, but right now I would just take them ending in the right place so the universe can move on.

Of course that's assuming JL doesn't tank so hard they just reboot.

[myconius]

The thing about stories that try to reconcile their own continuity by involving other continuities and universes is... at the end of the day, you're not really reconciling your own continuity. You're just compartmentalizing it, and really not fixing anything. All you're doing is needlessly convoluting things to audiences/readers and making things more toxic than when you began.

<-- said no one at DC or Marvel, ever. But it's true.

true! very true!
at this point they really just need to scrap it all and start over, but they'll never admit they messed up as bad as they did.

it's the same with DC's current line of 'Rebirth' comics built of the 'New 52' continuity.
it's so badly cobbled together from 'Pre-Flashpoint'. but they'll never just hit the reset button and build a solid continuity.
probably because they're afraid sales from older stories will drop if they're not still part of the current ongoing timeline?

[Andrew NDB]

it's the same with DC's current line of 'Rebirth' comics built of the 'New 52' continuity.
it's so badly cobbled together from 'Pre-Flashpoint'. but they'll never just hit the reset button and build a solid continuity.
probably because they're afraid sales from older stories will drop if they're not still part of the current ongoing timeline?

Well, the DC thing is pretty funny. And it's an obvious cash grab.

#1: Make a big event of rebooting the universe into something new and shiny (New52). Maybe you even get some new readers. Meanwhile, the old readers are pissed as hell. Good. That's the point.

#2: Make a big event out of un-rebooting the universe into what it used to be (Rebirth). Now the old readers are happy and come back, sing DC's praises for seeing the light (when this has been their plan all along), and maybe the new ones from #1 stick around, too.

Rinse and repeat every decade or so when sales dwindle. They did this between Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis too, essentially. Reboot, un-reboot. Only thing is they are doing this a lot more often, as comic book sales in the 2010s are not what they were in the 2000s, and especially not the 90s or 80s. They don't know what to do. Just the same old tricks, over and over again, while an already dwindling readership is hip to it and getting sick of it.

Just hire world-class writers and tell good stories. Not just hack frat boys who are s***ing off Geoff Johns to get a piece of whatever the latest giant, lame DC event is. Focus on that and nothing else for 5 years, and see what happens. They've never tried that.

[myconius]

Well, the DC thing is pretty funny. And it's an obvious cash grab.

#1: Make a big event of rebooting the universe into something new and shiny (New52). Maybe you even get some new readers. Meanwhile, the old readers are pissed as hell.

#2: Make a big event out of un-rebooting the universe into what it used to be (Rebirth). Now the old readers are happy and come back, sing DC's praises for seeing the light (when this has been their plan all along), and maybe the new ones from #1 stick around, too.

Rinse and repeat every decade or so when sales dwindle. They did this between Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis too, essentially. Reboot, un-reboot. Only thing is they are doing this a lot more often, as comic book sales in the 2010s are not what they were in the 2000s, and especially not the 90s or 80s. They don't know what to do. Just the same old tricks, over and over again, while an already dwindling readership is hip to it and getting sick of it.

Just hire world-class writers and tell good stories. Not just hack frat boys who are s***ing off Geoff Johns to get a piece of whatever the latest giant, lame DC event is. Focus on that and nothing else for 5 years, and see what happens. They've never tried that.

AMEN!!!

and the cash grabs keep getting worse and worse with each passing mini series and cross-over event.

i've tried to re-read some of the DC stories i've collected over the past couple of years, and just couldn't do it.
99.999% of them weren't worth reading the first time, let alone a second read.

i'm actually really glad they did this latest 'jumping-on' point, as i used it as my opportunity to jump ship from buying their monthlies.
.........i'm sorry! i meant bi-weekly! :lol:

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Both Marvel and DC are dying from a creative point of view. There are still some damn good stories being told, but they're few and far between. Meanwhile, the really great stories are coming out of Image Comics, IDW, Dark Horse, and all the other smaller companies...

[Andrew NDB]

i'm actually really glad they did this latest 'jumping-on' point

I actually appreciated "Flashpoint" more. Not because it was a great story (far from it), but because it's pretty rare a big publisher like DC gives its readers the perfect "jumping off" point to stop reading their comics.

[myconius]

Both Marvel and DC are dying from a creative point of view. There are still some damn good stories being told, but they're few and far between. Meanwhile, the really great stories are coming out of Image Comics, IDW, Dark Horse, and all the other smaller companies...

^ this is so true!
the Best stories i've read in recent years have been from The Walking Dead, Idw Tmnt, and the French import 'Samurai' series that Titan Comics has been publishing.
there's only a handful of stories i'm actually keeping from my DC and Marvel collections.

I actually appreciated "Flashpoint" more. Not because it was a great story (far from it), but because it's pretty rare a big publisher like DC gives its readers the perfect "jumping off" point to stop reading their comics.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! :lol:
if only i were smart enough to have jumped to safety sooner!!!

[ZariusTwo]

I'm reminded of an MST3K quote when it comes to DC Rebirth

"You know if we PRETEND we know what's going on, this is actually kind of exciting"


Movie pushed back to 2019, and the Terrio rewrite's been tossed

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2017/02/08/the-batman-movie-gets-new-script-new-director-and-likely-2019-release/#1909dd1e51f8

[NinjaPug]

Glad they scrapped Terrio's script. Now can they change up the main antagonist from Deathstroke to almost anybody else.

They could do a lot worse than Matt Reeves as the director. I'm concerned this movie will have way too much involvement from Affleck, Johns and the ridiculous studio notes from WB execs to let Reeves do his own thing.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Glad they scrapped Terrio's script. Now can they change up the main antagonist from Deathstroke to almost anybody else.

They could do a lot worse than Matt Reeves as the director. I'm concerned this movie will have way too much involvement from Affleck, Johns and the ridiculous studio notes from WB execs to let Reeves do his own thing.

EXACTLY.

Court of Owls, Under the Red Hood, or Hush. It's the easiest damn decision ever.

Hell, merge The Killing Joke, Mad Love, and A Death in the Family into one insane Joker rampage movie!

[NinjaPug]

Bringing in a new writer for a page one rewrite is the next step in Affleck distancing himself from the project completely.

Step 1: Walk away from directing
Step 2: Walk away from writing

How long before they announce Affleck is no longer starring in the movie?

[Andrew NDB]

Bringing in a new writer for a page one rewrite is the next step in Affleck distancing himself from the project completely.

Step 1: Walk away from directing
Step 2: Walk away from writing

How long before they announce Affleck is no longer starring in the movie?

Again, no way he could, even if he wanted to. No chance in Hell WB didn't have him sign some crazy 5 picture deal or such before ever stepping on set for BvS with what is at stake.

[CyberCubed]

2019? WTF?

Affleck will be 50 by then.

[NinjaPug]

Again, no way he could, even if he wanted to. No chance in Hell WB didn't have him sign some crazy 5 picture deal or such before ever stepping on set for BvS with what is at stake.

His original contract was a 3 picture deal - BvS and two JL movies. He didn't sign on for a solo Batman movie. There were rumors that WB wanted to sign Affleck for something like an 8 picture deal after BvS but there's never been any official word on that and I've never seen Affleck comment on it like he did his original 3 picture deal.

[ToTheNines]

2019? WTF?

Affleck will be 50 by then.

He'll be 46 at the time of filming. Get another hobby.

[CyberCubed]

Affleck is only 44 now? Man, I thought he was 48.

[ToTheNines]

Good math.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Good math.

Hey, stop being mean to Cubed. Dude can't even remember how old HE is; every year he freaks out like "I'M STILL GETTING OLDER!!!! NO ONE PREPARED ME FOR THIS!!!!"

:trazz:

[ToTheNines]

Normally he's marveling at how much time has passed and swearing something/someone was young not long ago. Now he's adding years onto Affleck. The cubedtime continuum is all ****ed up.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Normally he's marveling at how much time has passed and swearing something/someone was young not long ago. Now he's adding years onto Affleck. The cubedtime continuum is all ****ed up.

The Cubed Continuum. Damn, sounds like the Enterprise was lucky to avoid running into it, huh? They got off easy with Q... :tlol: