It seems the mold for Matt Reeves’ The Batman is finally starting to take shape. So far, we know that the film will be a prequel that focuses on a younger version of Bruce Wayne, but now it looks like we have a specific time period and genre for the much-anticipated project, set to be released in 2021.
According to Discussing Film, The Batman will be set in the 90s and be more of a detective story. Writing specifically, the outlet says: “[The film’s focus will be on] Batman’s skills as a detective as the film will [be centered] around a mystery that Batman will have to solve.”
If this is the case, Reeves’ project will be unique as a Batman movie that actually showcases the World’s Greatest Detective’s detective abilities, as most films (think Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher) focusing on the character usually rely on the “spectacle” of his crime-fighting skills. But executives at Warner Bros., seemingly pleased with Reeves’ work thus far, decided to give him a bigger budget, and the director is said to have added in a healthy amount of action, too.
Its genre and setting are just the latest of a string of recent leaks related to Reeves’ movie, though. Other details see the film pitting Batman against several villains, with the Penguin being rumored as the primary adversary.
Out of all the things we do know, one pressing thing we still don’t know is who’ll actually be playing the Caped Crusader. Ben Affleck, who’s portrayed Batman in the hero’s last three film appearances (Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Justice League), announced he was hanging up the cowl earlier this year, given that the new director had little to no interest in bringing Batfleck back.
Who’ll replace him remains to be seen, but with Warner Brothers hoping to release The Batman on June 25th, 2021, it probably won’t be long now before that question is answered.