Virtually from the moment the new Batman film was announced (prematurely, it turns out), Ben Affleck resisted efforts by journalists and Warner Bros. executives to pin him down on a production timeline or even a script. Months of uncertainty ended in January with the announcement that he had stepped aside as director, which led to another period of hand-wringing, accompanied by rumors that the actor might not want to don the cape and cowl again following Justice League.

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While there are still a lot of questions surrounding The Batman -- for instance, can it be finished in time for a 2018 release? -- its new director, Matt Reeves (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Cloverfield) can confirm at least one thing: Affleck is still on board to play Bruce Wayne.

During an interview with Getty at an event for War for the Planet of the Apes, the filmmaker was asked whether the actor is still on board as the Dark Knight. "Yeah, right now that's exactly what's going on, for sure," Reeves said.

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That will likely ease concerns about Affleck's involvement, even if the director's other remarks do little to bring production or release dates into focus. "I finished this movie about eight days [ago], so literally we're only now beginning," Reeves said.

The Batman was originally targeted for a 2018 release, although that now seems highly unlikely. The film stars Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, and Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke,