Matt Reeves Will Direct The Batman

Matt Reeves has officially signed on to direct The Batman, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Ben Affleck was initially attached as director, but backed out last month. Reeves, who is known for directing Let Me In, Cloverfield, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, had previously been in talks to direct the film, but they broke down earlier this week. At the time, THR sources said that talks could resume "when heads cool."

"I have loved the Batman story since I was a child," Reeves, who will also produce the project for Warner Bros., said in a statement. "He is such an iconic and compelling character, and one that resonates with me deeply. I am incredibly honored and excited to be working with Warner Bros. to bring an epic and emotional new take on the Caped Crusader to the big screen."

"We are thrilled to have Matt Reeves taking the helm of Batman, the crown jewel of our DC slate," added Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Pictures Group. "Matt's deep roots in genre films and his evolution into an emotional world-building director make him the perfect filmmaker to guide the Dark Knight through this next journey."

Affleck, who will reprise his role as Bruce Wayne in the film, co-wrote the script with DC Comics president Geoff Johns. Affleck will next appear as Batman in Zack Snyder's Justice League, which flies into theaters on November 17. In the meantime, see why we're worried that The Batman may fail.