Warner Bros. Confirms Matt Reeves Will Direct THE BATMAN

After some back and forth online reports, today Warner Bros. made it official: Matt Reeves will direct The Batman, taking the place of departed helmer Ben Affleck.

As we previously reported, the Planet of the Apes (War For and Dawn of) director has been on top of the studio’s short list since Affleck, who remains The Batman‘s star, co-screenwriter and producer, stepped away from the position. Reeves will serve as a producer as well.

Reeves said this in WB’s official statement:

“I have loved the Batman story since I was a child. He is such an iconic and compelling character, and one that resonates with me deeply. I am incredibly honored and excited to be working with Warner Bros. to bring an epic and emotional new take on the Caped Crusader to the big screen.”

Reeves is currently putting the finishing post production touches on War for the Planet of the Apes, due out July 14th. He also directed Cloverfield and the horror film remake Let Me In.

Also from WB:

Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Matt Reeves (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” “Cloverfield”) has been set to direct “The Batman.” Reeves will also serve as a producer on the new standalone action adventure centering on one of DC’s most enduringly popular Super Heroes. The announcement was made by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

Emmerich stated, “We are thrilled to have Matt Reeves taking the helm of Batman, the crown jewel of our DC slate. Matt’s deep roots in genre films and his evolution into an emotional world-building director make him the perfect filmmaker to guide the Dark Knight through this next journey.”

No release date for The Batman has been announced yet.

UPDATE:

Ben Affleck publicly welcomed Reeves to the production via Twitter. Though as a producer on the film, in all likelihood he was very involved in the process of finding a new director.