Well, this probably isn’t the kind of headline Warner Bros. wants on the eve of its huge DC Films panel at the San Diego Comic-Con International tomorrow, but according to The Hollywood Reporter the studio is quietly working on a plan to phase out Ben Affleck’s Batman from the DCEU, with the outlet even going so far as to claim that Justice League may be the last time he dons the cape and cowl.
Affleck was of course initially attached to direct The Batman, only to step away earlier this year, with War for the Planet of the Apes’ Matt Reeves signing on as his replacement. However, despite rumours that Affleck was looking to quit the movie and the DCEU entirely, Reeves has recently came out and said that Affleck is still attached to the solo movie (although he is ditching Affleck’s script and starting from scratch).
However, according to THR’s report, the studio is keen for Reeves to develop his idea for a trilogy of movies based around the Dark Knight, which would presumably take Ben Affleck through to his mid-50s (he’s 45 next month) where he to remain involved. As such, at this point “it would be wise to bet against Affleck starring in The Batman.”
The article goes on to speculate that Warner Bros. could potentially recast Batman for the solo movies, whilst keeping Ben Affleck involved for the proposed Justice League sequel (which sounds ridiculous, in this writer’s opinion), or go down the Batman Beyond route, with Bruce Wayne passing on the torch to a younger Batman.
Apparently, once a decision has been made, the studio will “gracefully” address the change “in some shape or form” in one of the upcoming DC films.
What do you make of this news? Would you be disappointed to see Ben Affleck exiting the DCEU? Could Warner Bros. simply recast the role of Bruce Wayne? Or can they have a different character don the cape and cowl? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
Originally published July 21, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
