Ben Affleck will return as Bruce Wayne in Aquaman sequel, revealed by Jason Momoa via Instagram. The news follows on prior returns Affleck had made in filming additional scenes for Zack Snyder’s Justice League, as well as ing the cast of The Flash.
Affleck’s initial stint as Batman was marred by behind-the-scenes difficulties on the chaotic reworking of Justice League, which coupled with issues in his personal life led the actor to step down from the role. While Robert Pattinson would become the new big-screen Caped Crusader in The Batman under director Matt Reeves, Affleck’s progressive returns as Batman from the Snyder Cut on have, quite understandably, excited many people. While Affleck might well have further Batman appearances in his future (making Affleck's Batman record that much harder to beat), his role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is likely to be quite minor.
To begin with, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom releasing after The Flash - as opposed to the other way around as they were originally slated - likely means Affleck’s appearance is intended as a means of connective tissue. The late-in-the-game nature of Affleck’s involvement in Aquaman 2 also means that he’ll probably appear only in one scene or a couple, at most. Additionally, the story of Aquaman 2 itself means that Bruce Wayne does not need to fully suit up for the film.
Affleck's Aquaman 2 Cameo Will Be Important, But Won't Require The Cowl
Aquaman 2 will reportedly see Arthur Curry and his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) ing forces on a mission for Atlantis. With Arthur having become King of Atlantis at the end of Aquaman, his rule over the seven seas places the underwater world’s affairs strictly in his purview. Despite the DCEU Justice League including Batman and Aquaman, that also means that there probably is not much room in the main story of the movie for Batman as a surface-dweller.
Of course, Bruce Wayne’s appearance in Aquaman 2 is still sure to be a pivotal cameo, even without him donning the cape and cowl. Affleck’s cameo as Bruce Wayne could be meant to set up his subsequent role in The Flash, or could tease other elements connecting the two films. In any case, Bruce Wayne making a quick cameo in any DC movie is naturally going to be significant to its story, regardless of its duration.
Aquaman 2 will take audiences on another high seas adventure, and without it requiring the whole Justice League, Batman is unlikely to directly team-up with Aquaman. That does not change the fact that Bruce Wayne’s cameo in the movie, along with the very fact of Affleck making another DCEU Batman appearance despite his purported retirement from the role, is of great significance to the film. Though he’s very likely to leave the cowl in the Batcave, Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne cameo in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is sure to contribute substantially to it.
