“Batman” already did the moody, self-serious version with Nolan. What DC seems to want is a more effervescent, Marvel-esque take on their characters. Abrams is much better at that than Reeves, a director whose taste seems to lean dark and atmospheric. You could produce a long list of affirmatives about the work of Matt Reeves but “fun” would not be in the top 10.

On the “Star Wars” side of things, Abrams has already done this gig and while “Force Awakens” was just fine, his second tour isn’t going to inspire the same degree of anticipation as his first. Moving over to “Batman” would allow him to revitalize an entirely new franchise (his expertise) without literally repeating himself. Superheroes are fresh territory him. Futhermore, the “Star Wars” series is operatic by nature and could use a dose of some “Empire Strikes Back” gravitas that was completely lacking from “Force Awakens”. That is much more in Reeves wheelhouse than either Johnson or Abrams.

As it currently stands both directors and franchises are cruising for a bruising, Abrams/Star Wars for repeating themselves and Reeves/Batman for not exceeding the cultural resonance of Nolan’s dark take on the character. Swapping would serve both series and both directors.