AfterChristopher Nolan’sBatmantrilogy came to an end in 2012, fans weren’t sure what the next step was for theBatman franchise. This spring,Ben Affleckportrayed The Dark Knight in Warner Bros.‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, with the actor returning inSuicide Squadand next year’sJustice League. Comic book legendFrank Millerrecently explained how he would approach this character in a new movie.
Varietyspoke withFrank Millerat Lucca Comics & Games, where he said he wants to make a “much smaller” Batman movie. He previously praisedBen Affleck’s work as Batman inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which was partially based on his own work. But it’s clear he would take a different approach, if he were to take the helm on a solo outing for the caped crusader. Here’s what he had to say.
“My dream would be to make it much smaller. To lose the toys and to focus more on the mission, and to use the city a great deal more. Because he’s got a loving relationship with the city he’s protecting. And unlike Superman his connection to crime is intimate; it has been ever since his parents were murdered. And hedefeats criminalswith his hands. So it would be a different take. But it will never be in my hands, because it would not be a good place to make toys from. There wouldn’t be a line of toys.”
BeforeChristopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, Warner Bros.,Frank Millerand directorDarren Aronofskywere set to make a film calledBatman: Year One, which never moved forward. There was an animated version that was released straight to Blu-ray/DVD in 2011. When asked if he would have taken a smaller approach toBatman: Year One, if it would have been produced, the director had this to say.
“That screenplay was based on my bookBatman: Year One, and yeah it was much more down to earth. In it a fair amount of time is spent before he became Batman, and when he went out and fought crime he really screwed it up a bunch of times before he got it right. So it was 90-minuteorigins story.”
Ben Affleckis developing a soloBatmanmovie which he will reportedly star in and direct, while writing the script withGeoff Johns. Warner Bros. recently namedGeoff Johnsas one of the heads of their new DC Films banner, alongside Warner Bros.‘Jon Berg.Ben Affleckwill next return as Batman/Bruce Wayne inJustice League, arriving in theaters July 02, 2025.
