Ben Affleck will return as Bruce Wayne aka Batman in Affleck officially exiting the DCEU as Batman, he'll be seen again in the Justice League Snyder Cut, when the alternate version of the movie is released on HBO Max next year.
Since Affleck departed the DCEU, the Batman solo movie he was once meant to write, direct and star in has been taken in a new direction. Now, Matt Reeves is writing and directing, and Robert Pattinson is donning the cape and cowl. However, when it was announced that former big-screen Batman star Michael Keaton would be returning to the role for The Flash movie, there was speculation about whether Affleck could return too. Now his return has been confirmed.
Today, return as Batman for The Flash movie from DC Films and Warner Bros. Director Andy Muschietti and his sister and longtime producing partner Barbara Muschietti confirmed Affleck's return, with the actor officially signed on for a ing role that will be key to the emotional story in the film. Additionally, The Wrap reports Affleck has not signed on to return as Batman for any other movies or TV shows. Affleck s Keaton along with Barry Allen actor Ezra Miller in The Flash.
Affleck returning to the Batman role is quite surprising, given the long, drawn-out manner of his exit from the DCEU. There were reports and rumors of his departure circulating long before Affleck announced his exit from The Batman and Pattinson was officially cast. Though publicly Affleck maintained his enthusiasm for starring in the solo movie, he later spoke about how his personal struggles impacted his exit from the DCEU. There's been renewed interest in Affleck's Batman since the announcement of the Justice League Snyder Cut's release, with fans even banding together on social media to thank the actor for his time in the cape and cowl.
While it's exciting to see Affleck returning as Batman, it seems this shouldn't be taken as a sign that the actor has a significant future in the DCEU. With Affleck only set to appear in The Flash movie, it may work to tie up his character's arc. That would allow him to leave the DCEU with a satisfying sendoff rather than a quiet exit after Justice League. It would certainly be compelling to see him return in other DCEU movies. Considering his history with Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, perhaps he could cameo in films like Birds of Prey that are set in Gotham City, but aren't necessarily solo Batman movies. For now, Affleck's DCEU future as Batman remains to be seen, but at least we know he'll be back at least once more in The Flash.
Source: Vanity Fair, The Wrap
