Ben Affleck's Batman future's in doubt, and Warner Bros. wants to address it in a movie

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·

July 21, 2017

Ben Affleck may not be Batman for much longer.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Warner Bros. is working on a way to "gracefully" address the fact that Affleck is no longer Batman in an upcoming DC Comics movie.

The Batman director Matt Reeves recently said that he has an idea for a "series" of Batman movies, and The Hollywood Reporter says it's likely that Ben Affleck won't appear in any of them.

It sounds like Warner Bros. is currently trying to keep Affleck from walking away, because studio chief Toby Emmerich told The Hollywood Reporter, "Ben is our Batman. We love him as Batman. We want to keep him in the cowl as long as we can."

Affleck leaving the role of Batman would be very disappointing because he's my favorite actor to ever wear the cowl, and I know Batman v Superman made him a favorite for a lot of you as well. My hope is that he'll still do The Batman and they'll figure out a way to have him pass on the cowl to Dick Grayson or something... but that seems doubtful at this point.

As always, stay tuned to Batman News for more on this story as it develops.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter

This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com

440 comments

IamTheOneWhoKnocks
July 21, 2017
I really don't know how they are going to fix this one, but we'll see. I mean will they address this in Justice League, Flashpoint, what??
1. Noah Isak theodar
  July 21, 2017
  Maybe they can try to find a new golden goose and replace the main hero with another hero? Flash or Wonder Woman can be the new symbol of DC sorta of like how Marvel is planning to make Spider-man the symbol of MCU instead of iron man?
  1. IamTheOneWhoKnocks
    July 21, 2017
    Nah, we're talking about Batman. I understand what you mean though, but I don't see this happening, I mean heck even I would boycott DCEU.
cjflan32
July 21, 2017
It's incredible how some of you s***heads only care if this is true whether or not you like Affleck as Batman based on whether you liked or disliked his performance. Here's a reality check:
-It's fairly obvious at this point that negative headlines gather the most web traffic.
-Billy Crudup leaving The Flash or whatever movie he's playing Henry Allen in was bulls***. Funny how some of you folks failed to bring that up.
-Autmn Snyder's suicide didn't break for two goddamn months. These clowns can come up with "anonymous sources" with a snap of a finger but can't find an obituary or the truth as to why Snyder was missing for a month.
-Affleck is either currently (or coming out of being) a trainwreck. This guy should take care of himself and his family first and if WB can't get behind that then he should tell them to f*** off.
IamTheOneWhoKnocks
July 21, 2017
Speed up the Flash movie, its the only way I can see this working somehow, and they would have to do it brilliantly too.
1. StarTheory
  July 21, 2017
  Flashpoint can easily resolve it. Once the timeline is restored some of the fixes can be a younger Batman.
  1. StarTheory
    July 21, 2017
    They can easily do a 2019 release if they stay faithful to the comic.
    1. StarTheory
      July 21, 2017
      Flashpoint has already been written and it's a straightforward story, there is nothing difficult about it so you can easily finish the screenplay in the next 6 months, if not less. 2018 and early 2019 for production and post-production with a late 2019 release.
  2. Kerk Lastnameless
    July 21, 2017
    No, it can't. First of all, the Flashpoint story itself was a convoluted mess. Secondly, how would that translate into a movie? So it will retcon the events of BvS, and then what? We'll be expected to just accept that Bats and Sups met under different circumstances? Or will they have to make a new movie about how they met? Neither would be interesting to the audience. Remember -- one of the major reasons comics sell poorly is because they are too damn convoluted or an average reader to keep track of.
Noah Isak theodar
July 21, 2017
Amazed neither franchise has jumped on the idea of a futuristic world except x-men in future days past. Spider-man 2099 and batman beyond movies I would watch those in a heartbeat.
Wagner Von Schmit
July 21, 2017
If they replace him with Damian I would boycott every movie he is featured in. Has to be Dick, tim or terry.
El Maybe
July 21, 2017
Disappointing. I think Affleck did good in BvS even though I didn't really enjoy his Batman - besides the warehouse scene and a few other moments - and I'm sure him and Reeves would, or might still, do an amazing job.
BorneOnWingsOfSteel
July 21, 2017
"He was wooden and uninteresting," In Affleck's defense, so was just about everyone else in that movie. I think Eisenberg and Fishburne were the only two actors who brought personality into Snyder's sullen, emotionless world.
ssdsus
July 21, 2017
If I buy the rumors, then it is most likely that The Batman movie will feature a younger Batman, hence the recast. The way you set this up is via flashback, showing the other actor in the part. Or maybe this is just BS like most of these "rumors"
Jack Thorne
July 21, 2017
If that's all true, you have to wonder who keeps leaking against Affleck. This isn't the first time something has been leaked against him from the studio side.
Affleck probably does want to leave, and I have a feeling the studio feels the same. Their relationship appears to have broken down.
BorneOnWingsOfSteel
July 21, 2017
Damn, usually Comic-Con season is the bearer of good news, but today it's been the opposite for the DCEU.
1. Alan Conn
  July 22, 2017
  Oh just wait! Itll get better!
Peartdahurt
July 21, 2017
I honestly rather them just recast the role instead of have someone other than Bruce Wayne as Batman. If he had the acting chops then I always liked Scott Adkins for the role, but that's why they have acting coaches. Anyway I know that's just my own personal opinion cuz it goes the same with other superheroes for me, like Steve Rogers Is Cap to me, Peter Parker etc.
Jordan Smith
July 21, 2017
I'll be so disappointed if this is true. Just as DC are getting their Universe together, they remove their cash cow & potentially most important character.
Ezee23
July 21, 2017
We've been here before, folks. Nothing is true until its true, rumours dont mean shit.
Jack Thorne
July 21, 2017
The saddest thing about this?
Ben Affleck will have played the Batman the most (joint with Christian Bale), but will be the only live action Batman not to have his own solo-film.
That's fucking tragic for such a talented actor who happens to be a huge Batman fan...
1. BugsMeany
  July 21, 2017
  Well...by a technicality. SS was just a cameo.
  1. Jack Thorne
    July 21, 2017
    Doesn't matter, he was in four scenes and got credited for the film.
    Three films, none of them Batman solo-films.
Jack Thorne
July 21, 2017
Well no he didn't, but everyone jumped on the bandwagon and thought he did.
After being pressured by the journalist about Ben being the Batman, Reeves replied "Sure".
That means 'Yeah, Ben Affleck is the Batman...until he's not'.
Orlando Furioso
July 21, 2017
Ben is negotiating a bigger payout.
Mike 201
July 21, 2017
First off, I am not a fan of doing a recast here. But, should it happen, we need a good Batman/Bruce Wayne that can carry this 3 films plus. I have read many names here in the comments, and some are good and some, well, like me we all have our opinion, and I truly respect that. I would like to add a name to the list along with why..
Jim Caviezel, of Jonathan Nolan's TV show, "Person of Intrest". If you are a fan of the show or have watched it, you know Jim plays John Reese, a protector for people in trouble. Now Jim, in this show, has many fight scenes, which he pulls off well!! He has a great "Batman voice", he does under cover work, and at times he is like a Bruce Wayne, and he also does detective work, which he pulls off great. I also believe Jim is a little younger than Ben, but not to young to throw off contunity, if if stays in this DCEU. Jim is a great actor, who has had a hit with "Frequency". Jim was also in the running several years back to play Superman.
If anyone has not seen Jim in this show, pull up a small scene on You Tube, and you will see what I mean.
Ravager
July 21, 2017
This bad day just keeps getting worse
Foomankru
July 21, 2017
I don't understand why everyone is flipping out about this.
1. Kerk Lastnameless
  July 21, 2017
  Because it's a sure sing that JL is crap. Otherwise he would not want out.
  1. Kerk Lastnameless
    July 22, 2017
    No, it's common sense. Try getting some.
  2. Foomankru
    July 22, 2017
    That type of defeatist speculation is pointless.
Ryan
July 21, 2017
Glad! Jus get someone different!
Cnyderborg
July 21, 2017
It's over, this shit is already on trend
Jack Thorne
July 21, 2017
It's important to note that Jett from BOF, and John Campea formerly of Collider Videos took a truly astonishing amount of abuse and vitriol from fanboys when they reported this news 7 months ago.
I'd like to see where those fanboys are hiding now.
1. Super S
  July 21, 2017
  They were rumors then and still are. Usually the persistent rumors hit more times than they miss, though. I hope he stays and is able to be in good film so he gets some praise and wants to keep the role for a few more years at least. Also yes, why people have hate for movie news guys is beyond me.
  1. Jack Thorne
    July 21, 2017
    BOF has an excellent track record, you'd be utterly daft and borderline deranged (which to be fair a lot of fanboys are) to not listen to them. If you listen to them none of this is a surprise.
    http://www.batman-on-film.c...
Diego!
July 21, 2017
If this happens to be true I will be very disappointed and sad. Ben is the best Batman ever! WB you can't let him go! 😭😭😭😭
obarium
July 21, 2017
MGM/Columbia Pictures managed to convice Daniel Craig to do another Bond film after Spectre, and he was publicly talking how he didn't want to be Bond again, so miracles do happen.
I'm a fan of continuity so I'd prefer Affleck to stick around, but if he really does want to quit, I say recast and be as open about it with the public as possible. My pick would be John Hamm.
1. obarium
  July 21, 2017
  "Need"
  They "need" to find an actor who can be reasonably believable as the same character that Affleck portrayed in BvS and JL. So an actor of a similar age is what is best.
  1. obarium
    July 21, 2017
    Right, no, let's just cast some guy in his 30's and age him up in every film because you need to be young to play Batman... Snyder gave us an experienced and weathered Bruce Wayne in BvS, he certainly hasn't gotten younger in JL and the story isn't going to end there.
    Why do we need someone younger? For the stunts? No. For the story? Certainly not. For longevity? Perhaps, but RDJ has proven that's not a necessity if you look after yourself.
    I'm not saying John Hamm would be perfect, but I could see him slot into the already established role with less of an impact than say Don Cheadle becoming Col. Rhodes had.
Kouglof
July 21, 2017
Marveltard
Kerk Lastnameless
July 21, 2017
The next piece of the puzzle falls into place. He would not have wanted out if he had faith in DCEU. The final piece will be JL itself.
1. Alan Conn
  July 22, 2017
  Oh dear god this is NOT CONFIRMATION!!! AND ITS BEEN SAID BEFORE!
Verbal Kint
July 21, 2017
Isn't Hollywood Reporter the same site that said Wonder Woman was a "disjointed disaster"??
cjflan32
July 21, 2017
Very funny sir. I do agree with you that info from "unnamed sources" should not be taken as fact. It would not surprise me if Affleck walked away due to his personal problems (which hopefully are resolved but often do take time) but I will wait and see.
Bob Burger
July 21, 2017
The Bat is dead......bury it.......consider this mercy...
Will Batfleck rise again?
1. Batpod4L
  July 21, 2017
  Tell me, do you read?
  You need to #propaganda to make more people interested in what D.C. Is doing
  1. Bob Burger
    July 22, 2017
    I need to use the hashtag? Is that what you saying man?
    1. Batpod4L
      July 23, 2017
      No just trying to be funny....obviously failed
      #fail lol
      It's just those rumors came out and everyone tuned in and of course he said he was happy but it didn't address how long he was gonna do batman
      1. Bob Burger
        July 23, 2017
        Ohhhhhh I see now.
Batpod4L
July 21, 2017
So justice league sets up a multiverse where they came use a "different" actor as batman?

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com