If someone tells you that an actor is set forThe Batman, that information is false. If someone tells you that a soloFlashmovie is good to go, that information is false. While it may be fun to get the scoop, accuracy counts, and right now the most accurate assessment of Warner Bros.’ plans for the DCEU is that they’re waiting to see howJustice Leagueperforms. Anything beyond that is presumptive and trying to firm up details that the studio hasn’t decided.
Earlier today, a rumor surfaced thatThe BatmandirectorMatt ReeveswantsJake Gyllenhaalto play the Caped Crusader. Our Editor-in-chief Steve Weintraub did some digging, and while he confirmed that Reeves and Gyllenhaal had a meeting, Reeves has also met with a few other actors as well. As you can see in the video above, Steve points out that Warner Bros. doesn’t even have a shortlist of actors forThe Batman. What this means is that nothing is set in stone, and while some may see this as confirmation that Affleck is on his way out, that would be jumping the gun.
The important thing to know right now with regards to casting onThe Batmanand future DCEU movies is that Warner Bros. is being very cautious. They previously put the cart before the horse years back when they announced a slew of DCEU movies and then those films didn’t come together. Now they’ve pumped their brakes and you can see that in their slate. The only movies that have any momentum are the ones that are pretty much outside the bounds ofJustice League.
You haveAquaman, which completed filming beforeJustice Leaguewas released; you haveWonder Woman 2, which was a given because the first movie was such a massive hit; and you haveShazam!, which features a character who wasn’t inJustice Leagueand therefore not subject to that film’s success or failure. Everything else—whether it’sThe BatmanorFlashpointor evenSuicide Squad 2—is something that’s in development rather than a picture with a firm release date and plans to start shooting.
So while it’s fun to speculate on who may put on the cape and cowl if it’s not Ben Affleck, no decision have been made regarding casting onThe Batman. For more on the story watch what Steve had to say in the video above.
