A new report indicates Ben Affleck will exit the role of Batman following the upcoming Flash standalone movie.
In a pretty lengthy article that covers quite a bit of the fallout from Justice League’s failure, Variety reports “it is highly unlikely [Ben Affleck] will don the cape and cowl in Matt Reeves’ planned standlone Batman movie. The director is said to want to cast the role with fresh talent, according to sources.”
However, Justice League won’t be his last performance as Batman. Variety indicates he will “appear as Batman in a standalone Flash movie.”
Flashpoint
That Flash movie is rumored to be an adaptation of Geoff Johns’ and Andy Kubert’s Flashpoint comic series. In the comic storyline Barry Allen travels back in time to prevent Eobard Thawne, the Reverse Flash, from killing his mother. While Barry prevents his mother’s death, he creates the alternate Flashpoint timeline where he does not his Speed Force powers.
The timeline Flash now inhabits is also very different. The Justice League does not exist. Instead Aquaman and Wonder Woman are at war with each other. Bruce Wayne was killed by a burglar and his father Thomas Wayne has become Batman while his mother Martha Wayne descended into madness and became the Joker. Superman is locked up by the U.S. government. And Captain Cold is Central City’s greatest hero.
Barry believing Thawne created this new timeline recreates the accident that gave him his powers. After an initial failed attempt, he eventually succeeds and begins working with the heroes of the Flashpoint timeline to stop the war between Atlantis and New Themyscira. While everything comes to a head and casualties on all sides, Barry enters the timestream and attempts to restore the timeline. However, an unknown entity intervenes and removes 10 years of history and creates a new DC Universe.
The story ends with Barry delivering a letter to Bruce Wayne from his father Thomas.
It’s possible Affleck’s Batman might appear in the very beginning of the Flash standalone movie and pass the baton off to the new Bruce Wayne by the movie’s end.
Affleck’s Replacement
As far as Affleck’s replacement, there appears to be two front runners, Jake Gyllenhaal and Jon Hamm. Gyllenhaal appears to be the favorite of director Matt Reeves according to a report from John Campea, who initially reported Ben Affleck would be leaving Batman. However, a new report that broke yesterday indicated Jon Hamm has been actively pursuing the role and could have the blessing of Ben Affleck.
Who would you rather see as Batman? Or would you want someone completely different?