Ben Affleck’s The Batman is now preparing for a shoot close to where Warner Bros. is based in California according to LRM, in contrast to other upcoming DC movies shot predominantly overseas.
This is the latest twist in The Batman saga after Ben Affleck cast doubt on his involvement earlier this week. When asked by The Guardian about his reported starring role/direction of the movie, Affleck said:
“That’s the idea. But it’s not a set thing and there’s no script. If it doesn’t come together in a way I think is really great I’m not going to do it.”
This got fans wondering as to the progress of production, particularly after rumors that filming might commence this spring. But even after Affleck’s comments, it seems that Warner Bros. are beginning to prep for the shoot. While The Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Justice League are among future DC films to have been filmed on locations all over the world, a source has reported that the filming of The Batman will be in California.
The suggestion is that the filming is likely to take place on the studio’s lot as one of the primary locations, leading to speculation as to the setting of the caped crusader’s next outing. The filmmakers might be intending to use Los Angeles as Gotham, as Christopher Nolan did in The Dark Knight Rises, or it could be a largely interior shoot. Might we see an Arkham Asylum-based movie?
The Batman’s release is expected in 2018, though that is of course subject to change if no script is confirmed soon. Alongside Affleck who is still expected to direct and star as Batman, Jeremy Irons will reprise his role as Alfred, Joe Mangianello will appear as Deathstroke, with J.K.Simmons as Commissioner Gordon.
What do you think this means for the setting of The Batman? Tell us your theories in the comments!
