'The Batman' Release Date, News: Joe Manganiello Provides Production Update, Says Filming to Start 'Soon'

By Denise See, Christian Post Contributor Friday, March 10, 2017

It is no secret that "The Batman" has been faced with many bumps in the road--from a change in director to a delayed release date. However, actor Joe Manganiello, who is set to portray Deathstroke, assures that everything is going well and production will begin soon.

While speaking to Robert Irvine Magazine, Manganiello criticized the media for acting like "drama queens" with every change the film goes through.

"They have big plans for this movie," he said, pointing out that the changes are just the result of the creative process that is involved. "The movie will start shooting whenever those pieces are in place and we know this is gonna be something that we're proud of. What we're not gonna do is be backed into a start date, scrambling to get something off the ground just to get it off the ground."

However, he ultimately revealed that production is set to begin soon, although he did not provide an exact date. It was announced in February that Matt Reeves, known for "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" and "Cloverfield," will direct the film, replacing Ben Affleck, who is also starring in it.

In a statement, Warner Bros. Pictures Group president and chief content officer Toby Emmerich expressed his excitement about Reeves taking over. "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," he said (via Entertainment Weekly).

Reeves was already a part of the list of potential directors Warner Bros. was eyeing when Affleck first stepped down from the role. As previously reported, other names included George Miller, Gavin O'Connor, Matt Ross and Denis Villenueve.

A release date has yet to be set for "The Batman." However, it is currently expected to arrive in theaters in 2018 or 2019.