In January 2017, it was reported that Ben Affleck had stepped down as Director for his co-written, co-produced, and self-starring, The Batman; while also naming Reeves as one of several filmmakers on a shortlist of those the studio and Affleck were jointly considering as a replacement to direct the film. In February 2017, it was announced that he would direct and produce the upcoming film. Production on the film will start sometime in June 2018, in Burbank, California. The film will exist inside the large and expanding DC Extended Universe.