After the release of Justice League, it seemed Ben Affleck was hanging up the Batman cowl for good. Director Matt Reeves recast the role with Robert Pattinson and it seemed like Affleck’s cape would be hung in the DC rafters with the other Batmen. That’s not the case.
Vanity Fair has confirmed Ben Affleck will return in DC’s standalone movie for The Flash. Director Andy Muschietti confirmed that the film is an adaptation of the popular comic, Flashpoint. This will open the door to the Multiverse and see the likes of Michael Keaton return as Batman. So, you will see two different Batmen in the film. Muschietti expressed why Affleck’s return was important.
“His Batman has a dichotomy that is very strong, which is his masculinity—because of the way he looks, and the imposing figure that he has, and his jawline —but he’s also very vulnerable,” Muschietti said in an interview with Vanity Fair. “He knows how to deliver from the inside out, that vulnerability. He just needs a story that allows him to bring that contrast, that balance.”
It was also noted that Affleck only got the script at the end of last week and signed on to join this week.
“He’s a very substantial part of the emotional impact of the movie. The interaction and relationship between Barry and Affleck’s Wayne will bring an emotional level that we haven’t seen before,” the director added. “It’s Barry’s movie, it’s Barry’s story, but their characters are more related than we think. They both lost their mothers to murder, and that’s one of the emotional vessels of the movie. That’s where the Affleck Batman kicks in.”
Ben Affleck exited the role of Batman after a long struggle with alcoholism and a divorce. He was set to write and direct a standalone film for the Caped Crusader but didn’t feel like he was in a state to deliver it. That said, he’s in a better place and was happy to come aboard. Barbara Muschietti, producer of The Flash, spoke about his choice.
“There have been some all sorts of stories and things he said himself about having a very hard time playing Batman, and it had been difficult for him,” she said. “I think it was more about a difficult time in his life. When we approached him, he’s now in a very different time in his life. He was very open to it, which was a bit of a surprise to us. It was a question mark.”
She also noted that him not having to carry the movie probably helps.
“We are all human and go through great times in our lives and terrible times in our lives,” she added. “Right now he’s in a place where he can actually enjoy being Batman.”
The Flash will have a mini-panel at DC Fandome this weekend.
