Canceled Ben Affleck Batman Movie Is Better Than The Dark Knight Trilogy
While there are plenty of people excited for James Gunn to take the reins of the DCU, there are also some people who are disappointed that Zack Synder never got to fully realize his vision for the DCEU. Jay Oliva, a storyboard artist for DCEU movies like Man of Steel and Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, is among those who are disappointed, especially when it comes to Ben Affleck’s version of Batman. In a recent interview with Inverse, Oliva talked about the planned Batfleck storyline, saying, “I can’t really say too much other than it was f**ing awesome.”
“Ben’s story was gonna cover something that had never really been covered in comics but was building off of storylines in the Batman mythos over the last 80 years and approaching it from a new kind of perspective.”
Jay Olivia, DC storyboard artist, on the canceled Batman film
Oliva also revealed that Ben Affleck’s character would have explored previously uncharted territory, saying, “Ben’s story was gonna cover something that had never really been covered in comics but was building off of storylines in the Batman mythos over the last 80 years and approaching it from a new kind of perspective.”
It certainly sounds like that storyline was shaping up to be something interesting, but now it looks like we’ll never quite find out what was planned, at least for now. Oliva was tight-lipped about revealing any additional details, but he did say that there’s a chance he could reveal more about it someday.
Ben Affleck’s Batman was one of the least explored elements of the DCEU and while we got to see him in action during Dawn of Justice and Justice League, we never got to see him get his own solo movie.
Until then, Oliva’s interview is definitely going to reignite some passion in the Snyder fanbase, as Ben Affleck’s Batman was one of the least explored elements of the DCEU. While we got to see him in action during Dawn of Justice and Justice League, we never got to see him get his own solo movie. Even his recent appearance in The Flash saw him sharing Bat-screen time with Michael Keaton, who stole the show.
Ben Affleck’s Batman was also a version of the character that we didn’t get to see much on the big screen. His character was introduced as an older, already grizzled Batman who already had plenty of experience patrolling the streets of Gotham. It would have been cool to get a deep dive into his character.
After Ben Affleck’s appearance in The Flash, it seems like his time playing the Caped Crusader is over. James Gunn‘s DCU is looking to start from basically scratch, which means casting a brand new actor as Batman. We know that Gunn will be making a Bat-centric movie with The Brave and the Bold, which will portray Bruce Wayne’s relationship with his son, Damian Wayne, who also takes on the mantle of Robin.
James Gunn is replacing Ben Affleck as Batman for The Brave and the Bold, which will also include Damian Wayne, the son of Batman, as Robin.
The DCU is clearly taking a fresh approach to Batman as well since we haven’t seen him get to interact with and work with his son on the big screen yet. It’s also been a very long time since we’ve seen a suited-up and crime-fighting Robin on screen. The closest we got in recent years was Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character in The Dark Knight Rises, who never suited up, and we didn’t hear his official name until the end of the movie.
Also, for those who were hoping to see Ben Affleck’s Batman one last time in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, you’re out of luck too. Affleck’s cameo was reportedly cut from the film, so The Flash is likely his official last appearance. That film will also be the final remnant of the DCEU before James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy hits screens in 2025.
