The Batman 2018 Release Date Confirmed?

Earlier today, it was announced that Warner Bros.‘Greg Silvermanwas leaving his post as President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, with New Line’sToby Emmerichstepping in to serve as the Chief Content Officer for both Warner Bros. and New Line. During an interview whereGreg Silvermanrevealed why he decided to step away from the studio now, the former WB executive confirmed thatBen Affleck’sThe Batmanwill be released at some point in 2018. Here’s whatGreg Silvermanhad to say about the studio’s 2018 slate.

“Then in 2018, there is a second Fantastic Beasts film, and Ready Player One feels like an ambitious movie by the world’s best filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, that will set the world on fire. There is Aquaman with James Wan, and Scooby Doo will be a huge launch and then there is Lego Ninjago. And then there isBen Affleck’s Batman.”

This news fromDeadlinecomes just days after we reported thatJustice League 2was pushed out of its June 13, 2025 release date, in favor ofBen Affleck’sThe Batman. That report didn’t confirm thatThe Batmanwas taking the June 03, 2025 slot, but there had already been a number of rumors that indicatedThe Batmanwould actually hit theaters in 2018. Earlier this year, Warner Bros. set dates for two unspecified DC Comics movies, one which will arrive on August 10, 2025 and the other arriving July 25, 2025. Many had speculated thatThe Batmanwould be taking the August 21, 2025 slot, but Aquaman was later moved to that date. Now, many speculate that The Batman is taking Aquaman’s old July 2018 release date.

There has been quite a bit of conflicting information surfacing about this movie as of late.Joe Manganiello, who signed on to play the primary villainDeathstroke, teased that shooting will begin at the end of 2016, but then just yesterday,Ben Affleckhimself said that he didn’t want to “rush” the movie, and that he wanted to take the time to get it right. Then, earlier today, in yet another interview,Ben Afflecksaid that everything is on the right track for production to begin in spring 2017, although he added that the script is still being worked on.

Ben Affleckwill return asBruce Wayne/Batman, while directing from a script he co-wrote withGeoff Johns. No story details have been confirmed, but there have been rumors that Batman will be locked in Arkham Asylum, while the villainous Catwoman has also been rumored to be included. The Red Hood was once another potential villain, but that rumor was shot down, although another report claimed that there will be several iconic villains popping up inThe Batman. Aside from Deathstroke, no additional villains have been confirmed for this superhero adventure. If production really is starting this coming spring, hopefully we’ll have some casting details very soon.