Another day, another (different) status update onBen Affleck’s role as Batman in the DC Extended Universe.Justice Leaguehits theaters in a matter of days, which means the folks at Warner Bros. are now looking ahead to see how the rest of the DC world will fill out. It’s been something of a bumpy road as the studio’s initial—and extremely ambitious—plan laid outa series of DC films that would be releasedup through the year 2020, includingJustice League Part OneandJustice League Part Two. Those plans were somewhat halted after the response toBatman v Superman, and things have further shifted asZack SnyderleftJustice Leaguein post-production withJoss Whedonstepping in to finish the movie.
Through it all,a newBatmanmoviehas been a high priority. Initially Affleck was slated to co-write and direct the picture, but early this year Affleck announcedhe was stepping down as director. Warner Bros. quickly securedWar for the Planet of the ApesfilmmakerMatt Reevesto take over directing duties, but he was busy finishing and promoting the thirdApesmovie through July and August, so he hasn’t gotten too far along with development of the standalone that people are callingThe Batman.
And then of course this summer, a report surfaced in THR that Warner Bros. waslooking for a way to phase Affleck’s Batman outof the DCEU entirely. Affleck insisted he was still keen on playing the Dark Knight at the time, but withJustice Leagueabout to hit theaters, it appears the actor is ready to hand the cape and cowl over to a different actor.
As part of a lengthy profile inUSA Today, Affleck reveals he’s looking for a good way to phase his Batman out of the DCEU:
The newBatmanmovie being developed by Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes) is “something I’m contemplating,” says Affleck, who originally was tapped to direct. “You don’t do it forever, so I want to find a graceful and cool way to segue out of it.”
It’s unclear ifThe Batmanwould be that segue movie—an entire film devoted to Affleck’s Batman handing over the reigns to someone else—or if the shift would occur in a different film. Rumors have swirled that the in-developmentFlashpointmoviecould potentially change the DCEU timeline entirely using time travel, but that film still doesn’t have a director yet and seems a bit of a ways off.
Regardless, in contrast to someone likeEzra Millerwho’s just getting started as The Flash, what’s clear here is that Affleck himself is admitting he doesn’t plan on playing Batman for too much longer. Enjoy it while you can folks.
