Justice League was meant to usher in a bright new era for Batman and his Super Friends, but it’s looking likely that the movie will mark the final appearance of Ben Affleck as the Dark Knight. That’s because it’s been reported that he won’t be appearing in The Batman, after all, with Jake Gyllenhaal allegedly lined up to replace him. And, thanks to some new info, we now know a little bit more about the situation.
This leak apparently comes from an “incredibly reliable source” at Warner Bros., though it does originate from Reddit, so it’d be best taken with a pinch of salt. Still, given that the social media site has yielded accurate intel in the past, we wouldn’t completely dismiss this latest scoop.
Here’s what the post had to say:
“Matt Reeves hopes to have the film out by 2020. Plot details remain under wraps but Matt has indeed met with other people about replacing Affleck. Initially it was just a tactic to get Affleck to sign on for more films, but then when that didn’t work, it got through to the studio that Affleck REALLY didn’t want to stay. Gyllenhaal really wants the role, but the studio isn’t 100% sold on the idea yet. They might use Flashpoint to make him younger, but I don’t know how that will work.”
If this leak is to be believed, it seems that Gyllenhaal being the one to don the cowl next is far from a sure thing. While the actor is allegedly psyched for the part, he’s not the studio’s preferred choice. It’s also being reported that director Matt Reeves has “met with other people,” suggesting that there are several potential Bruce Waynes being (here it comes) batted around. What this rumor rules out, though, is the chance that Affleck will remain on board for The Batman.
It’s interesting that this scoop states that the changeover of actors could be a result of Flashpoint, as the initial report that revealed Gyllenhaal as the possible next Batman suggested that DC wouldn’t do it this way, out of fear of confusing audiences who aren’t comic book literate. If they did go this route, though, it would be in keeping in line with The New 52, which shaved a few years off the Justice League.
The Batman is thought to be aiming to start shooting in mid-2018, but these casting challenges could push it back even further. In the meantime, you can catch Affleck as the Dark Knight, possibly for the last time, in Justice League, which is in cinemas now.