Matt Reeves’ The Batman Rumored to Adapt Year One Storyline

Rumors continue to abound on the status and plot details of Matt Reeves’ upcoming superhero film The Batman. Last month, it was rumored that the Penguin would be the primary antagonist of the film, but with no mention of The Batman at last week’s San Diego Comic Con, fans are left to wonder on the status of the project at Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment. Earlier this week, Revenge of the Fan, an online blog, posted new details of the film that were leaked by a source close to the production. According to Revenge of the Fan, a production crew is currently being hired for The Batman, a sign that the film’s story has been completed by DC Entertainment. Additionally, the site reports the film will follow the storyline of Frank Miller’s epic origin story Batman: Year One and that Warner Bros. is looking for an actor in his mid-20s to early 30s to play the character.

News from Comicbook.com that Reeves’ film would adapt Batman: Year One was greeted with mixed reaction by fans of the character. As most people who follow the character know, Year One was already adapted in part by Christopher Nolan’s 2005 film Batman Begins. Additionally, DC adapted the comic in full in an animated film released in 2011. Despite this, evidence continues to mount that DC will follow the Year One storyline and have a soft reboot of the character. Specifically, in last year’s Justice League film, Alfred noted that the Penguin was a major adversary of the Caped Crusader in his early career. In this instance, the Penguin would play the part of the crime lord Batman faces as he begins vigilante activities in Gotham rather than Carmine Falcone, Batman’s chief adversary in Miller’s work.

Additionally, DC’s choice of the Year One setting gives it more breathing room with the character outside of the Justice League continuity. Reports suggest that DC wants Batman to have a more grounded and realistic story set apart from other superheroes in their universe. Revenge of the Fan’s report suggesting that they are looking for a younger actor for the part is also backed up by current rumors that Ben Affleck, who played Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, is uncertain if he wants to return to the franchise for another entry.