It looks like a start date for production has emerged for The Batman, the solo Caped Crusader film that will star Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne and his alter ego.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, actor Joe Mangianello, who has signed on to play the main villain Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, shooting is set to begin this spring for a late 2018 release date.

Affleck is not only starring as Batman, but he is co-writing the script with DC Comics exec Geoff Johns and is also directing the film. It is also expected that Jeremy Irons will return as Alfred Pennyworth, a role he played in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and making his first appearance in the upcoming Justice League, J.K. Simmons as Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon will also appear in the film.

There is also a rumor that Anna Kendrick is eyeing the role of a female version of Robin, which would indicate she would want to play Carrie Kelley, who was Robin in the Frank Miller graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns. Let’s not forget that Ryan Potter had recently done a test video and is rallying up for a role as the Tim Drake version of Robin should Affleck decide to put Robin in the mix, which let’s face it, may be unlikely. However, “Never say never”.

The Batman is scheduled for a late 2018 release date.

H/T: Dark Horizons