CEITEDMOFO
Banned
As this week's announcement that Ben Affleck would step down as director of his solo superhero movie The Batman continues to reverberate through Hollywood and fandom, sources confirm the script originally penned by Affleck and Geoff Johns was rewritten by scribe Chris Terrio (whose Argo screenplay won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, and who did a page-one rewrite on Batman v Superman), but the project will undergo substantial changes and possible/probably another full rewrite. Warner Bros. is already speaking to several filmmakers about taking over in the director's chair -- including one of my personal longtime favorites to direct a Batman movie, Matt Reeves, who seems to be the frontrunner -- and word is the project will essentially get a fresh start once a new creative team has been put together.
For now, Affleck remains attached to play Batman/Bruce Wayne, and has publicly asserted his intention to remain in that role now that he has less pressure to write and direct while also prepping mentally and physically for the performance. However, since he's already played Batman in three films to date -- including two extended and demanding productions over the course of about two years -- and has managed to act-write-direct other major projects in the past, it's fair to question whether he will remain committed to the project over the next several months while a new filmmaker and new script are acquired.
It's true Affleck's public statement (see below) insists he wants to make the film and will star in it, but he made similarly firm remarks just three weeks ago on Jimmy Kimmel Live! when asked if he was still directing the film. We've all learned it's impossible to take such public denials or assertions at face value every time, since the demands of the big-budget business of cinema realistically require playing cards close to the chest. Here is Affleck's full statement announcing his departure as director:
"There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions. Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. 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. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world."
The story for The Batman originally included the assassin Deathstroke as a main villain, with Joe Manganiello cast in the role, as well as a few other likely villainous appearances by characters including the Joker, according to sources familiar with the project. Jared Leto, who portrayed the Joker in Suicide Squad, has for months expressed his displeasure about the removal of substantial portions of his performance from the final cut of the film, raising questions about whether he would return to the role in future movies. He seems to have softened his stance lately and appears interested in a possible return, but whether he will ultimately be part of The Batman or Gotham City Sirens remains to be seen.
With scripting duties and directing demands off his shoulders, Affleck will have more time to commit to overcoming the exhaustion and frustrations that became a problem for him recently after a demanding schedule that included Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, The Accountant, Justice League, and Live By Night. Acting in all five of those films, plus doing scripting and editing duties on a few as well, and of course serving as writer-director-actor for Live By Night, put a strain on Affleck and made it difficult for him to focus on the screenplay for The Batman. Besides his work in those films, he also traveled around the country and world doing press junkets to promote most of the films, all of this while dealing with personal issues that added to his stress.
However, while the changes to The Batman seem to provide more breathing room and time to relax and refocus his efforts, the reverse side of that coin is quite simply that pressures dramatic enough to necessitate such a dramatic step-back could also be inherently serious enough to pose problems going forward, at least in the interim. Especially in light of the fact performing as Batman is something he's had a few years of experience with already now, and since rumors continue to spread that there is more going on than meets the eye -- rumors that gain traction when we can't be sure how long public assurances will last and when the rollout of information comes slowly and in small doses instead of ripping the bandaid off quickly.
If Affleck and Warner had spent the last few weeks noting Affleck's schedule and the particularly important needs of The Batman might necessitate him bringing in a collaborator, and if the remarks about the script had admitted Terrio was being sought to help get the script into shape for production, those frank admissions would've removed the seeming veil of secrecy and appearance of damage-control-mode, and the announcement of Affleck quitting the directing job wouldn't have seemed quite so sudden or huge. Now, we face another round of slow leaks, with word about continued script problems and the possible need for the new creative team to go back to the drawing board, and rumors that Affleck might continue slowly stepping away from the project.
This could all be solved by a simple announcement that a new director coming onto the project means the studio and Affleck are postponing further script development so they can work closely with the director on a unified vision, and that the extra time will let Affleck regain the focus he needs while teaming him with the best director and writers possible to get the project on firm ground. When it comes in bits and pieces that contradict one another and seem to reveal previously undisclosed developments, then it gives the impression -- fair or not -- that there is no coherent plan, and that the process is entirely reactive instead of proactive.
It's also not really fair to put all of the responsibility for these changes on Affleck's shoulders. Warner wanted Affleck to delay Live By Night so the DCU projects could be prioritized and filmed almost non-stop for several years, creating a dual situation of long production schedules for Affleck in the bat-cowl while leaving him far less time to focus on his labor of love, Live By Night (which I'll continue to note is in fact a great movie despite the obstacles Affleck faced getting it into production and ready for release); Warner made the decision to demand editing changes in Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad that caused a lot of the negative critical receptions for those movies, setting up a year of unfortunate media coverage that inevitably contributes to any artist's mood and energy level going forward on related projects; and Warner pushed for a faster production schedule for The Batman, despite Affleck's repeated public and private remarks expressing uncertainty about meeting those expectations.
My point is, there are lots of factors that led us to this moment, and while most reporting has focused on Affleck himself, it's a mistake to set up a scenario where the delays and changes -- and Affleck's departure as director -- are all framed as entirely his doing. And if he does choose to eventually bow out of the performance, it will be important to understand that the same array of factors from various directions, due to various players, will be behind it all. Everyone had their own reasons, there were unforeseen events, there were unintended consequences, and there's the simple fact everyone involved are human beings who get tired and change their minds sometimes and have to respond to realities around them.
That the script would need more rewrites, particularly with a new director joining the picture, was a given. How extensive the process will be -- I'm hearing anything from "major rewrites" to "a completely new script," including starting from scratch on the story if that's what it takes -- is unclear, not just to us but probably to those involved as well, since the new filmmaker might look at the story and script and decide there's plenty to salvage that appeals to them. Once the director is in place, more will become clear, but for now Warner Bros. is suffering far more negative perceptions than they need to, simply because of the attempt to slow and control the spread of information. The fear this causes and the speculation arising from that fear is far worse than whatever reaction resulted from putting the current known information out there for public consumption. Likewise, the more the press and public get the impression they can't trust public statements and the more the flow of information is slowed and controlled, the more it feeds the perception that larger problems loom for the DCU.
If Affleck stays on as lead actor, then this is actually an easy fix if the studio takes it slow, is open about the problems on the front end instead of fueling speculation and concern, and focuses on the relatively easy task of getting a great director and great writer to take all the time they need to pick the right story and then develop a great screenplay. There's more than enough talent involved and available to do this, and since we're likely looking at a release date in 2019 anyway (assuming things get on track now and there aren't further major delays), there's no need to rush it. They can spend the next year and several months letting the creative team focus on finding a story and writing a script for The Batman, and still have another year and several months to shoot it and get it ready for release by July 2019. If Ben Affleck is even just possibly -- on the low end of odds -- going to depart as actor, there is plenty of time to put together a list of replacement actors who could take over. That doesn't have to happen, but being ready for all outcomes would be a good idea at this point.
As I've said many times, I am a huge fan of Affleck's work and want him to be Batman, and I was very sad to see him depart as director. My heart broke a little when he quit as director, and it will break again if he walks away from the cowl altogether. But Batman is bigger than any one filmmaker or actor, and the most important thing is to get this project on the right footing and move forward with confidence. That's why I think the best option now would be clearing the air and ripping the bandaid off, making sure that Affleck is either 100% committed to at least making this one more movie as Batman OR letting him go ahead and state his intention to leave while remaining as producer and helping with the transition team until they are all in place and up to speed.
The 'Batman' Movie Gets New Script, New Director, And Likely 2019 Release
For now, Affleck remains attached to play Batman/Bruce Wayne, and has publicly asserted his intention to remain in that role now that he has less pressure to write and direct while also prepping mentally and physically for the performance. However, since he's already played Batman in three films to date -- including two extended and demanding productions over the course of about two years -- and has managed to act-write-direct other major projects in the past, it's fair to question whether he will remain committed to the project over the next several months while a new filmmaker and new script are acquired.
It's true Affleck's public statement (see below) insists he wants to make the film and will star in it, but he made similarly firm remarks just three weeks ago on Jimmy Kimmel Live! when asked if he was still directing the film. We've all learned it's impossible to take such public denials or assertions at face value every time, since the demands of the big-budget business of cinema realistically require playing cards close to the chest. Here is Affleck's full statement announcing his departure as director:
"There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions. Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. 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. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world."
The story for The Batman originally included the assassin Deathstroke as a main villain, with Joe Manganiello cast in the role, as well as a few other likely villainous appearances by characters including the Joker, according to sources familiar with the project. Jared Leto, who portrayed the Joker in Suicide Squad, has for months expressed his displeasure about the removal of substantial portions of his performance from the final cut of the film, raising questions about whether he would return to the role in future movies. He seems to have softened his stance lately and appears interested in a possible return, but whether he will ultimately be part of The Batman or Gotham City Sirens remains to be seen.
With scripting duties and directing demands off his shoulders, Affleck will have more time to commit to overcoming the exhaustion and frustrations that became a problem for him recently after a demanding schedule that included Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, The Accountant, Justice League, and Live By Night. Acting in all five of those films, plus doing scripting and editing duties on a few as well, and of course serving as writer-director-actor for Live By Night, put a strain on Affleck and made it difficult for him to focus on the screenplay for The Batman. Besides his work in those films, he also traveled around the country and world doing press junkets to promote most of the films, all of this while dealing with personal issues that added to his stress.
However, while the changes to The Batman seem to provide more breathing room and time to relax and refocus his efforts, the reverse side of that coin is quite simply that pressures dramatic enough to necessitate such a dramatic step-back could also be inherently serious enough to pose problems going forward, at least in the interim. Especially in light of the fact performing as Batman is something he's had a few years of experience with already now, and since rumors continue to spread that there is more going on than meets the eye -- rumors that gain traction when we can't be sure how long public assurances will last and when the rollout of information comes slowly and in small doses instead of ripping the bandaid off quickly.
If Affleck and Warner had spent the last few weeks noting Affleck's schedule and the particularly important needs of The Batman might necessitate him bringing in a collaborator, and if the remarks about the script had admitted Terrio was being sought to help get the script into shape for production, those frank admissions would've removed the seeming veil of secrecy and appearance of damage-control-mode, and the announcement of Affleck quitting the directing job wouldn't have seemed quite so sudden or huge. Now, we face another round of slow leaks, with word about continued script problems and the possible need for the new creative team to go back to the drawing board, and rumors that Affleck might continue slowly stepping away from the project.
This could all be solved by a simple announcement that a new director coming onto the project means the studio and Affleck are postponing further script development so they can work closely with the director on a unified vision, and that the extra time will let Affleck regain the focus he needs while teaming him with the best director and writers possible to get the project on firm ground. When it comes in bits and pieces that contradict one another and seem to reveal previously undisclosed developments, then it gives the impression -- fair or not -- that there is no coherent plan, and that the process is entirely reactive instead of proactive.
It's also not really fair to put all of the responsibility for these changes on Affleck's shoulders. Warner wanted Affleck to delay Live By Night so the DCU projects could be prioritized and filmed almost non-stop for several years, creating a dual situation of long production schedules for Affleck in the bat-cowl while leaving him far less time to focus on his labor of love, Live By Night (which I'll continue to note is in fact a great movie despite the obstacles Affleck faced getting it into production and ready for release); Warner made the decision to demand editing changes in Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad that caused a lot of the negative critical receptions for those movies, setting up a year of unfortunate media coverage that inevitably contributes to any artist's mood and energy level going forward on related projects; and Warner pushed for a faster production schedule for The Batman, despite Affleck's repeated public and private remarks expressing uncertainty about meeting those expectations.
My point is, there are lots of factors that led us to this moment, and while most reporting has focused on Affleck himself, it's a mistake to set up a scenario where the delays and changes -- and Affleck's departure as director -- are all framed as entirely his doing. And if he does choose to eventually bow out of the performance, it will be important to understand that the same array of factors from various directions, due to various players, will be behind it all. Everyone had their own reasons, there were unforeseen events, there were unintended consequences, and there's the simple fact everyone involved are human beings who get tired and change their minds sometimes and have to respond to realities around them.
That the script would need more rewrites, particularly with a new director joining the picture, was a given. How extensive the process will be -- I'm hearing anything from "major rewrites" to "a completely new script," including starting from scratch on the story if that's what it takes -- is unclear, not just to us but probably to those involved as well, since the new filmmaker might look at the story and script and decide there's plenty to salvage that appeals to them. Once the director is in place, more will become clear, but for now Warner Bros. is suffering far more negative perceptions than they need to, simply because of the attempt to slow and control the spread of information. The fear this causes and the speculation arising from that fear is far worse than whatever reaction resulted from putting the current known information out there for public consumption. Likewise, the more the press and public get the impression they can't trust public statements and the more the flow of information is slowed and controlled, the more it feeds the perception that larger problems loom for the DCU.
If Affleck stays on as lead actor, then this is actually an easy fix if the studio takes it slow, is open about the problems on the front end instead of fueling speculation and concern, and focuses on the relatively easy task of getting a great director and great writer to take all the time they need to pick the right story and then develop a great screenplay. There's more than enough talent involved and available to do this, and since we're likely looking at a release date in 2019 anyway (assuming things get on track now and there aren't further major delays), there's no need to rush it. They can spend the next year and several months letting the creative team focus on finding a story and writing a script for The Batman, and still have another year and several months to shoot it and get it ready for release by July 2019. If Ben Affleck is even just possibly -- on the low end of odds -- going to depart as actor, there is plenty of time to put together a list of replacement actors who could take over. That doesn't have to happen, but being ready for all outcomes would be a good idea at this point.
As I've said many times, I am a huge fan of Affleck's work and want him to be Batman, and I was very sad to see him depart as director. My heart broke a little when he quit as director, and it will break again if he walks away from the cowl altogether. But Batman is bigger than any one filmmaker or actor, and the most important thing is to get this project on the right footing and move forward with confidence. That's why I think the best option now would be clearing the air and ripping the bandaid off, making sure that Affleck is either 100% committed to at least making this one more movie as Batman OR letting him go ahead and state his intention to leave while remaining as producer and helping with the transition team until they are all in place and up to speed.
The 'Batman' Movie Gets New Script, New Director, And Likely 2019 Release
let's see how this thread goes
