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Matt Reeves is the fourth filmmaker to introduce a new take on Batman. Tim Burton’s 1989 version led to three sequels, and three different Batman/Bruce Waynes in the same series.
Christopher Nolan introduced a realistic take in Batman Begins with Christian Bale, and Zack Snyder brought Ben Affleck as a grizzled veteran Batman. (Of course, there was also a 1966 movie based on the Adam West TV show starring that show’s cast.) The Batman originally began as a spinoff for Affleck, which he might have directed.
When Affleck declined, Reeves started over from scratch. He and co-writer Peter Craig chose to keep The Batman separate from Warner Bros’ recently established DC Extended Universe or any future plans, and focus on Wayne (Robert Pattinson) as a detective.
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