The DC Extended Universe is having a difficult time, that’s for certain. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice might have low ratings, but critics and audiences have praised Ben Affleck’s interpretation of Batman. Sadly, the Bat-star has been unable to commit to reprising his role as DCEU’s Dark Knight.
Matt Reeves is the official director and is in the process of writing and directing the new film, The Batman. There is speculation that it will take place before the events of Dawn of Justice. Since Affleck has cut his influence on the development of the DCEU, it could be possible that Warner Bros. is looking for a younger actor to play a younger Bruce Wayne (hey, maybe David Mazouz will be old enough if they’re going for Year One!)
Recently, DCEU storyboard artist and DC Animated Universe director, Jay Oliva replied to a comment on twitter stating something as interesting as the famously unknown Zack Snyder script. Oliva praised the old script written by Affleck for Batman years ago. He writes:
Hi Bill! The original Affleck script was the best Batman script I’ve ever read. Ben had a kick ass story and I believe that the audience and fans would have loved it.
— Jay Oliva (@jayoliva1) September 4, 2018
The original Affleck script was the best Batman script I’ve ever read. Ben had a kick ass story and I believe that the audience and fans would have loved it.
Ben Affleck’s acting gives Batman one of his most human interpretations. He’s not the typical epitome of human-condition – how to Christian Bale made him – he’s more flawed and tragic. What makes him interesting is that he is a Batman so broken, that the hope re-ignited by these meta-humans is powerful. These super powered beings, despite how much they have been hurt (Superman: by his world rejecting him, Wonder Woman: having war kill what she loved), still stand and fight for humanity. It would be wondrous to see what Affleck envisioned. If Oliva says that this is the best Batman script he’s ever seen, then it puts it above the Dark Knight trilogy.
Oliva continues:
There was a lot happening that is above you and my paycheck. I wish it was as easy as just making it. It had some of the best Batman/ Deathstroke stuff I’d ever done!
— Jay Oliva (@jayoliva1) September 4, 2018
Seems like fans have been missing out. As the storyboard artist writes, “I wish it was as easy as just making it.” For now, it seems like we will never know what was planned on the script other than epic Deathstroke scenes. Hopefully, with the upcoming line-up of anticipated films from the DCEU, the direction of Batman will be paved.
The next DCEU film to hit theaters is Aquaman, Dec. 21st of this year, followed by David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! on April 5, 2019, and Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 1984, which hits Nov. 1, 2019.