Writer and director Matt Reeves‘ standalone Batman film has finally been given a release date. And it will feature a brand new Batman. At least, that’s what it looks like.

According to new reports, The Batman will hit theaters in summer 2021. However, Ben Affleck will not be there to don the cape and cowl, something he has done since Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016. More on the report below.

Deadline was the first to break the story. According to their reports, the Reeves-directed Batman will hit theaters June 25, 2021. This most likely means that production on the film could begin as early as next year.

And this Batman will be slightly different from the one Affleck portrayed in three films. Affleck’s Batman was portrayed as an older, more jaded hero who believed that Superman could not be trusted. He then saw the errors of his ways and went to great lengths to resurrect the Man of Steel in Justice League. However, it looks we won’t be seeing that Batman anymore, as Reeves is shifting the character in a different direction which will focus on a younger Dark Knight as the world’s greatest detective.

In the same report, a search for Affleck’s replacement is on. So expect to see a lot of people sharing their dream castings and the expected rumors of who might be up for the role in the very near future.

Of course, Affleck tweeted his reaction to the news:

Excited for #TheBatman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life. https://t.co/GNgyJroMIO

— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) January 31, 2019

Now that WB is revamping their DCEU titles by having them focus on the characters rather than using the films as pieces to set up larger event films, we can hopefully expect to see better quality films.

Click here for more on the tentatively titled The Batman.

[Source: Deadline]