It's safe to say that Warner Bros. was not pleased with the critical reception of Zack Snyder's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," nor are they happy that the movie will fail to cross $1 billion at the worldwide box office. As a result, it's no surprise that the studio is retreating into the well-known safety and comfort of a Batman solo movie.
Ben Affleck's Caped Crusader was widely considered the highlight of "Batman v Superman" which is yet another reason he will be serving as star, writer and director of an upcoming Batman standalone feature. Many thought a solo Batman movie, co-written by DC shot caller Geoff Johns, would feature the Dark Knight vs. Jared Leto's Joker. However, that may not exactly be the case.
A new report suggests that the Batman reboot is going to include a handful of iconic and established DC Comics villains. That means fans may be able to see the full rogues gallery in action.
"Affleck and Geoff Johns, who has been working with him on the film, want to make the definitive Batman film," the report states. "They want to tell the ultimate Batman story, and to do so they're going to bring in all the big guns. They're going to have a big, sprawling Bat universe already in place."
While that sounds exciting on paper, it's worth asking if that's the right approach.
"Batman v Superman" was delivered with an already established universe with backstories that were unknown to audiences in certain capacities. It was also filled to the brim with characters. Are we really sure Warner Bros. should be going back to the well on those tactics? It's risky, to say the least.
However, the difference between "Batman v Superman" and a solo Batman film is Affleck himself. Affleck has rebuilt himself as a top notch filmmaker, with Academy Awards for "Argo" and "Good Will Hunting." His work behind the camera has been very well-received, whereas Snyder has always been more of a divisive filmmaker.
In Affleck's capable hands, it's possible that this full array of villains could work as a "Batman" reboot and an introduction into this version's continuity. Or it could be just another convoluted mess. Who knows?
The "Batman" standalone feature is expected "within the next five years."
