Ben Affleck will write and direct Batman movie

Fanboys who weren't best pleased at Ben Affleck's casting as the Dark Knight are about to get outraged all over again, as Deadline is reporting that the new man in the cape and cowl will be writing and directing the next Batman film.

According to the report, Affleck is working with DC Comics Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns to create a screenplay for a new standalone Batman movie, with a first draft likely to be polished off by the end of the summer. There's no word as to when said film is slated to arrive, but we wouldn't be surprised to see Warner rejig its DC schedule to make room for it sooner rather than later.

It won't be the next project on Affleck's agenda, however, with the director set to take the helm on Live By Night, which has now been given the green light by Warner. An adaptation of Dennis Lehane's Prohibition-era crime thriller, the film will see Affleck line up alongside Elle Fanning, Sienna Miller and Zoe Saldana and is set to begin filming this November. Expect more details on Affleck's schedule when Warner stages its Comic-Con presentation this Saturday…

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