Matt Reeves is in early talks for the director’s chair on Warner Brothers “The Batman,” TheWrap has learned.
The director whose next project is 20th Century Fox’s “War for the Planet of the Apes” would replace Ben Affleck behind the camera.
Affleck, who starred as the Caped Crusader in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Suicide Squad” last year, developed the project with an eye to direct along with starring, but stepped down from the project as director last week.
“Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give,” Affleck said in a statement. “It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film.”
Affleck will next be seen as Batman in the upcoming “Justice League.”
“The Batman” was originally written by Affleck and Geoff Johns. Chris Terrio recently did a pass on the script.
Reeves, who is now in post on “War for the Planet of the Apes,” was a former protégé of director J.J. Abrams and made a splash with 2008’s found footage alien film “Cloverfield.” He made the leap to event films taking over for Rupert Wyatt on “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”
“War for the Planet of the Apes” will be released in theaters on July 14th.
Reeves is repped by CAA.