Ben Affleck spent much of 2017 preparing to direct "The Batman" from a script that he co-wrote with DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns, featuring Affleck?s hardened, older take on the Caped Crusader from "Batman V Superman." But with the recent announcement that Affleck will be stepping down as director, the film's producers are scrambling to find a replacement. Director Matt Reeves is reportedly the first option, coming off of films such as "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" and "Cloverfield.