Los Angeles, May 17 (IANS): Actor Robert Pattinson is in negotiations to play Batman in Matt Reeves' upcoming superhero film.

The film titled "The Batman" is slated to release in June 2021.

While sources say it's not yet a done deal, Pattinson is the top choice and it's expected to close shortly, reports variety.com.

Pre-production on the Warner Bros.-DC Comics movie is expected to start later this year.

Reeves, the filmmaker behind the last two "Planet of the Apes" sequels, assumed "Batman" directing duties from Ben Affleck in January 2017 and has been developing the project ever since. Affleck was the last actor to play Batman on the big screen in 2016's "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" and 2017's "Justice League".

Affleck and Warner Bros. began discussing the actor-director leaving the 'Caped Crusader' after "Justice League".

Multiple reports suggest Pattinson, 33, is the frontrunner to play the superhero avatar, while other names floating for the role include Armie Hammer, Nicholas Hoult and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

According to variety.com, Pattinson was cast even as Reeves continue to polish a final version of the script. Reeves will produce "The Batman" with his "Planet of the Apes" collaborator Dylan Clark.

If the deal is sealed, the "Twilight" star will become the youngest actor to ever play Batman on the big screen.

The shoot for the film might start in late 2019 or early 2020.

Pattinson has a total of four films opening this year, beginning with Claire Denis' "High Life". He also appears in Robert Eggers' "The Lighthouse", "The King" for Netflix and "Waiting for the Barbarians".