Ben Affleck is currently our reigning Batman, but that might not be the case for very long. A source close to Warner Bros. told The Hollywood ReporterFriday that the studio is "working on plans to usher out Affleck's Batman—gracefully, addressing the change in some shape or form in one of the upcoming DC films."
This insider information comes in direct opposition to what the studio has publicly said about Affleck and forthcoming film The Batman, which Affleck is set to star in as of right now. Toby Emmerich, film studio chief for Warner Bros., recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about Affleck's status. "Ben is our Batman," Emmerich said. "We love him as Batman. We want to keep him in the cowl as long as we can." Matt Reeves, who is set to direct The Batman, echoed Emmerich, insisting that he intends to keep Affleck in the role. Affleck is also due to promote the upcoming Justice League movie (to be released November 17) at Comic-Con this weekend.
The news comes on the heels of reports that Affleck has stepped down from his role as director of The Batman, effectively replaced by Matt Reeves. Additionally, Reeves plans to scrap the script Affleck wrote for the film alongside Geoff Johns of DC Entertainment.
Younger stars are starting to gain notoriety for leading roles in superhero movies. Case in point: 21-year-old Tom Holland, who recently starred in Spiderman: Homecoming to great praise. Affleck, on the other hand, will turn 45 in August. Considering Hollywood's obsession with looks and the fact that The Batman will likely be the first of a series of Batman movies, it is hard to imagine a Batman in his 50s.
On Saturday, during Warner Bros.' Comic-Con panel, Affleck attempted to address the rumors by reaffirming why he was chosen to play the role in the first place.
“Let me be very clear,” Affleck said. "I am the luckiest guy in the world. Batman is the coolest part in the universe. I’m so thrilled to do it. It’s fucking amazing.”
Later in the presentation, he again drove his point home, saying he loves “being in Hall H and being able to say, I’m Batman.”
