The Batman: Everything We Know About Ben Affleck’s Batman Movie

Today it was revealed that the (tentative) title for Ben Affleck’s upcoming Batman solo film is The Batman. Now that there is a name to put to this Batman solo movie, it’s become more than rumors circulated amongst hardcore fans online, and is about to explode onto the mainstream radar.

In order to help save you a lot of Internet searches (and misinformation), here’s everything we know so far about The Batman.

Ben Affleck is Co-Writing, Directing, Producing AND Starring

Hardcore fans probably know this already (skip to the next slide), but mainstream audiences just coming into the tent now, may be surprised to learn that Ben Affleck won’t just be back to star as Batman, he’s also producing the film, directing it, and co-writing the script. In every kind of way, basically, this is going to truly be Ben Affleck’s Batman Movie. 

Affleck’s script writing partner is none other than Geoff Johns, acclaimed DC Comics writer and new head of DC Films. Given the success and subject matter of Affleck’s past films (Argo, The Town, Gone Baby Gone), fans are (for the most part) optimistic to have him involved on so many levels with The Batman. 

Commissioner Gordon is Back

Commissioner Gordon was noticeably absent from our first look at the world of this new Batman (Batman v Superman), and word was that he could be deceased – another casualty in the long (and apparently costly) war for Gotham.

However, since he release of Batman v Superman we’ve learned that Commissioner Gordon is indeed alive and well, and that he’s being played by Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons. We’ll actually be seeing Gordon before The Batman hits theaters: The Commissioner will make his onscreen debut in Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

Deathstroke is a Villain

Last month we got confirmation that Deathstroke The Terminator will be joining the DCEU, and he will indeed be played by True Blood and Magic Mike star, Joe Manganiello. A recent reveal by director Zack Snyder indicated that Deathstroke will appear in Justice League; but the latest confirmation from Ben Affleck himself is that Deathstroke will also be a villain in his solo film. 

Deadpool director Tim Miller made a Batman vs. Deathstroke video for the Arkham Origins video game; fans have been drooling over that footage ever since the Deathstroke’s casting announcement, hoping for that sick level combat action between the two DC characters. 

Threre are Already Possible Release Dates

Time Warner’s CEO recently dropped the word that The Batman is a year and a half away from theatrical release. There’s been no release date announcement ever since then, but like Marvel Studios, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. have reserved some slots for yet-untitled films. Two of those dates – October 5, 2018 and November 1, 2019 – are prime slots that could easily be held up for The Batman, depending on production. 

Given that WB wants to get this project out the door sooner before later, we’re leaning toward the 2018 date; but the movie business is a fickle one, and DC/WB loves to keep options open, so 2019 (or a new release date entirely) are still possible. 

There are Heavily Rumored Storylines

We don’t know anything concrete about the movie that Ben Affleck and Geoff Johns are writing, but there have been, of course, rumors.

The most common rumors are that The Batman could adapt any one of, or pick and choose elements from several Batman stories. Those stories include “Under the Red Hood,” “Hush,” “Arkham Asylum” or even elements of the Arkham Origins video game / Deathstroke’s “City of Assassins” story arc (basically, a bunch of assassins running around Gotham City).

“Hush” and “Red Hood” are favored amongst the comic book hardcores, as both stories feature big reveals, lots of big characters (like Jared Leto’s Joker) and the sort of compelling Noir mystery that fans (finally) want to see in a Batman movie. While we again have no concrete information about what The Batman‘s story is, we wholly expect that a least some of the aforementioned elements will be part of it.  

NEXT: 5 Things We Want to See in The Batman 

Suicide Squad is now playing in theaters. Wonder Woman opens in theaters on June 2, 2017, followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash, The Batman, Dark Universe and Man of Steel 2 are currently without a release dates.