Rumors have been circulating for years that Ben Affleck will not be playing Batman in the next film.
Sealed with a tweet?
Rumors have been circulating for years that Ben Affleck will not be playing Batman in the next film, due to hit theaters summer 2021. Now, the star seems to have finally confirmed he’s hanging up his cape and mask…
On Monday evening, the actor, 46, tweeted a link to a Deadline story with the headline “Ben Affleck Passes The Torch To Next Generation Of Bruce Wayne,” and added his own caption: “Excited for #TheBatman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life.”
Excited for #TheBatman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life. https://t.co/GNgyJroMIO
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) January 31, 2019
You were the most comic book accurate Batman that has ever been brought to the screen. I’m so thankful that you told a redemptive story about Bruce Wayne in such a human way. Your portrayal reminds me that every fallen person (meaning, all of us) can be saved. pic.twitter.com/AlTFxRo5SA
— Rebecca Johnson (@derbykid) January 31, 2019
In February 2017, Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes) confirmed he’d signed on to direct and produce a new Batman movie. On Wednesday, Warner Bros. announced the release date of the anticipated project: June 25, 2021.
“I have loved the Batman story since I was a child,” Reeves previously said. “He is such an iconic and compelling character, and one that resonates with me deeply… I am incredibly honored and excited.”
Affleck first took on the iconic DC Comics role in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016 and assumed it again in 2017 as part of Justice League — alongside, Wonder Woman Gal Gadot, Superman, Henry Cavill, The Flash, Ezra Miller, Aquaman Jason Momoa and Cyborg, Ray Fisher. Also in 2017, he appeared briefly as the character in Suicide Squad.
Affleck was previously attached to direct an upcoming solo Batman outing but dropped out, leaving room for Reeves to step in.
When he appeared at ComicCon in July 2017, the father of three denied the rumors that he would step down as Batman before the new movie rolled around. He even laughed off the idea of being “phased out” and dropped a few f-bombs.
“Batman is the coolest f—ing part in any universe, DC, Marvel,” Affleck said when he came onstage. “I’m so thrilled to do it.”