Ben Affleck’s Justice League’s Batman problem. After years of delays, The Flash film will finally race into theaters on November 4. In addition to being the first live-action solo film outing for Barry Allen, who was first introduced in Justice League, The Flash will bring together two Batmen — Michael Keaton’s Batman and Affleck’s DC Extended Universe iteration of the Dark Knight.
Batman was first introduced in the DCEU by way of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where he went head-to-head with Superman for a bit before they ultimately became allies. Affleck would go on to reprise the role of Bruce Wayne in 2017’s Justice League, and again in Zack Snyder’s cut of the film in 2021. While the Dark Knight’s story didn’t go in the direction that was originally planned, he was brought back for Andy Muschietti’s The Flash. In a recent interview, Affleck reflected on his role in the film, saying that his scenes in The Flash — as well as the interpretation of his character — were his “favorite” thus far.
Affleck’s positivity towards his role in The Flash movie is fantastic news and heavily suggests it will fix the issues from Justice League. While Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice gave Affleck quite a bit of agency and story, 2017’s Justice League underutilized his character and ruined the buildup he had in the previous film. The Caped Crusader was largely there to make up for his actions in Dawn of Justice, but his arc was far weaker in hindsight. And even though Batman had more to do in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, there was still a lot going on and the film underplayed his character somewhat. The fact that Affleck feels so good about — and satisfied with — Batman’s arc and scenes in The Flash is a sign that he’s getting quite a bit of good character work.
The Flash revisiting Batman’s story can make right what the first Justice League movie did so wrong and wrap up the character’s DCEU arc in a way that is worthy of his journey. Affleck’s praise of the film is a major endorsement; if the actor feels so strongly about his role in the film then it must mean The Flash offered the Dark Knight the justice he deserved after 2017’s Justice League. This is especially likely considering The Flash movie is the last time Affleck will portray Batman in the DCEU.
How Batman factors into The Flash movie and how crucial his role will be to the main plot remains to be seen, but all signs seem to be pointing towards it being worthy of the character. Another benefit of The Flash employing Affleck’s Batman is that it will likely see Barry Allen and Bruce Wayne interacting with each other in a more meaningful way than they did in the first Justice League movie. There’s a lot that can be mined from their relationship if the DCEU film goes in that direction. Whatever happens, it’s clear Ben Affleck’s iteration of the Dark Knight is getting a second chance to be utilized in the way he should be.
