But even more surprising is the fact that Ben Affleck is also reprising his role as the DCEU’s Caped Crusader for another go at the character he initially left behind just a few short years ago after 2017’s troubled Justice League. The topic of many reports and much fan speculation, Affleck has finally set the record straight about his return, confirming that he’s back — and recent set photos confirm it’s indeed in the cape and cowl.
He stopped short of sharing any actual details about the extent of his role — rumor has it he filmed all his scenes in September behind closed doors. “I’m probably under some gag order that I’m not even aware that I probably just violated and I’m now going to be sued.” While Batman lightened up for Justice League, in which he led the pantheon of DC superheroes against the forces of Apokoliptian villain Steppenwolf, the movie itself turned out to be a critical and financial disaster for Warner Bros. Although it can be argued that BvS didn’t really set up this big team-up film for an Avengers-level success, strife behind the scenes certainly didn’t help. Many reports have come out in the years since the movie’s release about the events that led to original director Zack Snyder being replaced by Joss Whedon, whose own allegedly toxic tenure made working conditions for the cast and crew even worse. For better or worse, Snyder got another shot at his version of Justice League earlier this year, which at the very least adds much needed context and depth to some of the theatrical release’s most confusing plotlines. Affleck’s Batman has yet to really get a win in theaters, but perhaps third time’s the charm, especially in the hands of director Andy Muschietti, who recently turned Stephen King’s It into a critical success and a major blockbuster — the first horror picture ever to give even the superhero genre a run for its money. At the very least, seeing Keaton and Affleck sharing the screen as two different Batmen should make for a memorable pop culture moment. The Flash hits theaters on Nov. 4, 2022.