Written By: Nick Poulimenakos

Several months ago it was reported that the script for the standalone DCEU film, The Batman, was getting a rewrite after Ben Affleck stepped down as director. Originally, Affleck himself wrote the script with DC CCO Geoff Johns and had Chris Terrio, writer of Batman V Superman and Justice League, rewrite it. Now, new director Matt Reeves has confirmed that the script is once again being rewritten.

In an interview with Josh Horowitz on MTV’s Happy Sad Confused, Reeves was asked if the film would use Affleck and John’s script to which he confirmed that a new story is being written.

“No. It’s a new story. It’s just starting again. I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to be really cool.”

Affleck’s original story had Deathstroke as the main antagonist and Joe Manganiello starring as the mercenary. It remains to be seen whether the Deathstroke character will even appear in Reeves’ new script. Rumor has it that Manganiello will actually appear in Justice League first but this is unconfirmed.

As alarming as this may sound, it really isn’t. It’s no surprise that Reeves has commissioned a new script. In a recent interview with Variety, Reeves spoke about how his goal for this new Batman film is to deliver something new and exciting for fans:

“I’m just finishing this movie [War for the Planet of the Apes] obviously, we are just literally showing it today so that journey is just beginning but what I hope to do with that is what I’ve tried to do with this [Apes] which is to tell a very personal, point of view driven story where you feel what it is to be inside of that character. To see a Batman story that is hopefully new. Something you haven’t seen before where you have an emotional identification with him that’s very strong. Kind of like a noir Batman.”

Reeves obviously has how own personal vision for the film and Affleck wouldn’t have signed off on bringing him in if he didn’t agree with the story Reeves wanted to tell. According to recent but separate reports, both Affleck and Reeves have been rumored to want a villain heavy movie. Clearly both are on the same page and the director just wants a script that lines up with his ideas.

The Batman currently has no release date but fans can check out Ben Affleck as the Caped Crusader in Zack Synder’s Justice League which comes out November 17, 2017

