Thanks to the massive critical and box office success of The Batman, director Matt Reeves is now recognized as one of the best and most sought-after directors in the business. Similar to directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve, Reeves is a filmmaker with the scope for epic storytelling.
With his new overall deal with Warner Brothers and The Batman 2 seemingly moving along, it looks like the beleaguered studio is putting all of their faith in Matt Reeves. But will it last? This all depends on how Reeves intends to handle Batman and other potential DC characters, as well as original features.
Reeves Can Create Major Franchises For Warner Bros.
There's no doubt that Reeves can accomplish tremendous projects for Warner Brothers. His take on the Caped Crusader was one of the best films of 2022, creating not only an entertaining superhero picture but also an engrossing detective story. He makes Robert Pattinson's Batman an intelligent yet flawed hero who still has plenty to learn, leaving room for at least a couple of sequels for a trilogy, or more depending on how far Reeves wants his series to go.
Aside from a Batman sequel in the works, there's also an HBO Max series based on Colin Farrell's portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, which could be a great crime drama/gangster saga. A series about Arkham Asylum is also planned, which could reveal the backstories of several other DC villains like Joker and Poison Ivy. Zoë Kravitz's Catwoman and Paul Dano's Riddler may also be a part of these projects or separate ones to continue their respective storylines.
Reeves has the potential to create major franchises based on DC superheroes and villains for Warner Brothers, leading the production company on a path toward success. Aside from the superhero genre, Reeves also intends to direct other films, which shouldn't be an issue considering the acclaim he received for his Planet of the Apes movies starring Andy Serkis. The filmmaker could take on other sci-fi and apocalyptic features based on the concept of man versus nature, as well as how humanity deals with real-world changes (viruses, pandemics, war, climate change, etc.).
Reeves might also return to the horror genre, especially since the original Cloverfield film is considered a unique take on the monster/creature feature. He may return to the Cloverfield franchise (or "Cloververse") since the third film wasn't as well-received compared to its predecessors. A fourth film is currently in development, and the series is distributed by Paramount Pictures. However, Reeves could make a case to direct new Cloverfield installments of his own for Warner Brothers, and/or both production companies can combine forces (like Warner Brothers, MGM, and New Line Cinema did for The Hobbit trilogy).
What Does Reeves' Deal Mean For Other Filmmakers & Projects?
Reeves' future with Warner Brothers will likely be a long-lasting relationship, reminiscent of other successful directors like Christopher Nolan, Zack Snyder, and Clint Eastwood. However, this could mean competitive trouble for other filmmakers, specifically those who intend to create superhero pictures. Currently, Warner Brothers has come under tremendous scrutiny for displaying a lack of faith, transparency, and trust by canceling projects such as the highly anticipated Batgirl film from Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (the directors of Bad Boys For Life).
The cancelation of Batgirl, the uncertainty surrounding The Flash movie due to Ezra Miller's behavior and abuse allegations, and several comic book fans wanting Snyder to continue his Justice League saga with Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill as Batman and Superman, respectively, are major questions looming over the future of Warner Brothers and DC films. Despite these concerns, Matt Reeves will likely not be negatively impacted due to his distinguished repertoire as a filmmaker. His involvement with Warner Brothers could be impactful in terms of speaking out and allowing other directors and actors to get their shot to tackle important projects.
If there is a chance that one of Reeves' films is not successful, both financially and critically, he will still have opportunities to rebound. This is why the director will most likely not only do superhero pictures, but also be a part of other genres. For instance, Zack Snyder was able to do at least a few DC films before likely ending his superhero run with his director's cut of Justice League. After that, Snyder returned to the horror/zombie genre with Army of the Dead (a hit for the director and for Netflix). Reeves will also seek to gain spectators both on streaming services and, more importantly, in theaters for his features to be enjoyed on the big screen as well.
Reeves' Deal Could Last A Long Time
Reeves' time with Warner Brothers could last for several years not only due to his versatility as a director, but also by having crucial partnerships. Andy Serkis has worked with Reeves on three movies now: two Planet of the Apes films and The Batman. Reeves can continue to rely on Serkis for future Batman films thanks to the actor's powerful turn as Alfred Pennyworth. The director may also use Serkis in other action or dramatic features (especially those involving motion capture CGI, which is Serkis' area of expertise).
It's safe to say Reeves made an easy choice to take a long-term deal with Warner Brothers. He can expand his reputation with The Batman 2 and other DC projects, as well as new content. Reeves most likely won't be a part of the DCEU, but he may inspire a new wave of superhero films while retaining the old-school qualities of movie-making and storytelling.