WB Confirms Pattinson as the Next Batman
Deadline and Variety (both owned by Penske Media Corporation, so essentially the same outlet) are reporting that Robert Pattinson is officially the new Batman.
According to reports, Warner Bros. has confirmed Pattinson has signed a deal to be the Caped Crusader in Matt Reeves’ upcoming production, The Batman, which Reeves has said will focus more on Batman’s skills as a detective, something we haven’t seen very much in the films. The decision at the studio came after executives met with both Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult, who was also in the running to don the cowl for the DC Comics film franchise.
Reeves took over directing duties from Ben Affleck, who was also set to star early in the development of the project, but as things moved forward, Affleck stepped aside, causing rumors to begin swirling about Hollywood that he was done with the character. Affleck confirmed that he “couldn’t crack it” in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, saying that it became more and more evident that this particular story needed a younger version of the character.
Pre-production is set to start this summer, but there’s no date on when cameras start rolling. The Batman is being produced by Dylan Clark, who also produced Reeves’ two Planet of the Apes films.