Matt Reeves in talks to direct Ben Affleck's The Batman

It appears Warner Bros/DC have decided who will replace Ben Affleck in the director’s chair on ‘The Batman’ – and it’s Matt Reeves.

Variety report that Reeves – director of ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ and its upcoming sequel ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ – has ‘committed’ to take the helm on the troubled but highly anticipated DCEU movie.

And it would seem Reeves has beaten out some stiff competition: The Hollywood Reporter tell us the legendary Ridley Scott was also a contender for the job, as well as comparative newcomer Fede Alvarez (‘Evil Dead,’ ‘Don’t Breathe’). Both reports stress that a deal has not been finalised with Reeves yet, and THR state that Scott and Alvarez ‘remain in the wings.’ (Holy bat-pun?)

After rumours of script problems and behind the scenes issues on Affleck’s first solo movie as the Dark Knight, the actor-director shocked many fans by announcing his abdication of the director’s chair on 30 January, stating, “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.”

Given the (at best) middling response to 2016’s ‘Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice’ and ‘Suicide Squad,’ Affleck’s move had done little to quell fears that the DCEU is in serious trouble. However, thanks to his ‘Apes’ work, Reeves has a proven history of making follow-up films which improve on what went before.

In addition, Reeves directed one of the few horror remakes of recent years to meet a warm response from critics and audiences, in 2010’s ‘Let Me In’ (remake of acclaimed 2008 Scandinavian vampire film ‘Let the Right One In’). Prior to this, Reeves directed ‘Cloverfield,’ widely held up as one of the best examples of the ‘found footage’ format.

As well as playing Bruce Wayne/Batman, Affleck also remains on board ‘The Batman’ as screenwriter with DC’s Geoff Johns, although it has been suggested they may be going back to the drawing board there. Beyond that, the only other name officially attached to ‘The Batman’ is Joe Manganiello as bad guy Deathstroke, although it seems likely Jared Leto will also be back as the Joker. (Sorry about that…)

‘The Batman’ does not yet have a confirmed release date, but is expected to hit screens in 2019. Before that, the DCEU will continue this year with ‘Wonder Woman,’ opening in UK cinemas on 2 June, and ‘Justice League,’ opening 17 November.

Meanwhile, Matt Reeves’ ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ is out on 14 July.

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