Ben Affleck and Batman.
Will he or won’t he?
Since late 2016, we’ve been doing this same ‘ol song and dance when it comes to Affleck and Batman on film.
First, it was whether or not he would walk away from directing THE BATMAN. He said he was for sure, and then issued a press release shortly after saying he, well, wasn’t going to direct.
And for the last year-plus, we’ve been hearing that both Warner Bros. and Affleck are hem and hawing about whether or not Affleck will play Batman in director Matt Reeves’ (who replaced Affleck) solo Batman film.
It makes you wonder…
Is Warner Bros. ready to move on to a new cinematic Batman after both of Affleck’s turns as The Dark Knight were in films ( BATMAN v SUPERMAN and JUSTICE LEAGUE) that were tremendously unsuccessful?
Is Affleck simply over playing Batman after the disasters known as BATMAN v SUPERMAN and JUSTICE LEAGUE and ready to walk?
Or, could it be a little bit of both?
According to BOF’s good friends over at REVENGE OF THE FANS, here’s Affleck’s Batman on film status…
“The present Batman is still Affleck. A change in cowl will not happen publicly until Ben is officially gone, and he is currently The Batman. But like we have said, it’s a negotiation thing right now. Not money, but appearances and creative. Ben isn’t wanting to vacate, but not wanting to commit fully.”
That’s fine and dandy, but we know that Matt Reeves met with several actors — Jake Gyllenhaal most notably — about playing Batman in his film. Wouldn’t Reeves want his own Batman in his movie and not a contingency plan? And frankly, I’m thinking that an actor of Jake Gyllenhaal’s stature doesn’t consider himself, or would allow himself to be, a “contingency plan.”
Personally, I’m of the belief that Affleck’s time as the cinematic Batman should be over — and I think it is and we just don’t know it yet. Heck, I think there’s a chance that Reeves’ Batman movie will totally be it’s own thing.
With all that said, it wouldn’t shock me in the least if Affleck returns and ends up playing Batman in Reeves’ movie…not with the way this has been playing out.
For the full history on the WB/Affleck Batman back-and-forth, click on the link provided above. – Bill “Jett” Ramey
