The Batman doesn't have a script yet - it'll be ready when they get the “right story”, says Ben Affleck

The Batman, the standalone Caped Crusader flick starring, written and directed by Ben Affleck (no word yet on whether he’s doing the lighting and rigging) doesn’t have a release date yet, but the multi-talented actor has given a brief update on how the writing process is going. And it’s not good news for those wanting to see Batman on the big screen anytime soon.

Speaking with the New York Times (via Den of Geek), Affleck pretty much confirms the movie is some way off as “[they] still have to get a screenplay and get it together”.

In fact, Affleck has some issues with the way some studios (not naming names) plan too far ahead, “I’m a real believer in not doing, not reverse engineering projects to meet a window or a date, but rather like when you get the right story or you get the right idea or you get the right thing, then you make the movie”.

Ben Affleck is a breath of fresh air in a period of studio release schedules longer than a Joker rap sheet: The Batman will be ready when The Batman is ready. It may take some time but fans of The Dark Knight can rest easy. For Affleck there’s “nothing [he’d] love more than to direct a standalone… iconic, great Batman movie”. 

Ben Affleck next appearance as Batman will be in 2017’s Justice League movie. After that, while Affleck has a 'when it's ready' attitude to the main Bats movie, WB creative chief Greg Silverman defintely seems to think it'll be 2018. 

Directed by Zack Snyder and starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller, Justice League is scheduled for release in the US on November 17, 2017.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Latest in Action Movies
Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things 4
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink joins Spider-Man 4 and fans are already theorizing she might be X-Men’s Jean Grey
Doctor Doom in Marvel Comics
The Russo brothers say Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars will draw inspiration from multiple comics – which explains how Doctor Doom might fit into the story
John Wick 4
John Wick 5 is still in the works, but Lionsgate isn't confirming Keanu Reeves' return just yet: "We're all on bated breath waiting to find out"
The cast of Thunderbolts
Marvel fans are revealing who they'd like to see added to the Thunderbolts lineup, from Moon Knight to a major Hulk villain
Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson doubles down on never coming back as Black Widow: “Natasha is dead. She is dead. She’s dead. Okay?"
Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn on set of Joker 2
Lady Gaga jokingly celebrates Joker 2 reception and Razzie nominations: "Joke's on them. I love winning things"
Latest in News
Overwatch 2
My hopes for an Overwatch anime or Diablo horror movie are going strong as Blizzard president points out "we are Blizzard Entertainment, and not simply Blizzard Games"
The New Thunderbolts leaping into action
Marvel's New Thunderbolts* comic steals the MCU's asterisk, and the reason why is just as big of a mystery
Pokemon Go players brace for the worst as Niantic is sold off for $3.5 billion: "This game is entering its death knell"
Stamp PSP
A 16-year-old pitch for a newly discovered first-party PSP game has me mourning the death of PlayStation's Japan Studio all over again
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"