Matt Reeves steps in to direct The Batman, replacing Ben Affleck

Cloverfield director Matt Reeves has stepped in to direct The Batman for Warner Bros. just a few weeks after star Ben Affleck left the post. Warner Bros. said Thursday that Reeves would also produce the stand-alone film.

Reeves, also known for directing Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, said he's loved the Batman story since he was a child and is honoured and excited to "bring an epic and emotional new take on the Caped Crusader to the big screen."

Affleck, who is also writing the screenplay, dropped out of directing the project in late January citing the focus required to play the superhero. He'll appear next as Batman in Justice League which comes out in November.

There is no release date set for The Batman.

Lego Batman director to helm Nightwing film

Meanwhile, The Lego Batman Movie's director Chris McKay is in talks with Warner to direct a Nightwing movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Nightwing's alter-ego, Dick Grayson, started out as the first Robin, Batman's boy wonder sidekick.

Grayson, as Robin, was portrayed by Burt Ward in the 1960s Batman TV show and Chris O'Donnell in the '90s films Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.