Ben Affleck To Team With DC’s Geoff Johns On Standalone ‘Batman’ Film - Part 3

[Loden Greatstorm]

On Movie Talk, John Campea said according to 3 sources Ben no longer wants to be the Batman and is negotiating a way to exit the role.

 

[FunkMiller]

I wouldn't mind Year One flashbacks in The Batman.

If they did the scene depicted in my avatar (one of the best in Batman history) I'd probably need moping up off the cinema floor.

'Ladies. Gentlemen, you have eaten well...'

 

[shauner111]

Or if you want to pretend Affleck is leaving and play fancasting, at least fancast less terrible choice than Gyllenhaal.

I dont see how he's a terrible choice. He has the dedication that Bale has and the acting chops. And the guy can get in incredible shape, like for Southpaw.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

On Movie Talk, John Campea said according to 3 sources Ben no longer wants to be the Batman and is negotiating a way to exit the role.

oh my sweet stars

this is not the future I asked for. Darksnyd what have you done to us

 

[shauner111]

On Movie Talk, John Campea said according to 3 sources Ben no longer wants to be the Batman and is negotiating a way to exit the role.

Which movie talk was that? I don't remember him saying that at all. Was it recent or a couple of weeks ago?

 

[Jekecy]

On Movie Talk, John Campea said according to 3 sources Ben no longer wants to be the Batman and is negotiating a way to exit the role.

Deranged fan theory: they're already in the process of transitioning Ben out and are crafting a story where a younger Batman can co-exist within the current timeline moving forward...enter Armie Hammer as his replacement!

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I'm not entirely buying it, but if its true... they might have to hit the flashpoint button earlier than I anticipated.

 

[C Prometheus]

Which movie talk was that? I don't remember him saying that at all. Was it recent or a couple of weeks ago?

It's on today's Movie Talk. Campea did stress that folks should take it with a grain of salt though.

As a side-note, it sounded like if Affleck does leave Batman, it'd probably happen after his first solo film in the DCEU due to contracts.

 

[KillerWolf]

I dont see how he's a terrible choice. He has the dedication that Bale has and the acting chops. And the guy can get in incredible shape, like for Southpaw.

But doesn't fit the part at all. I mean, Shia LaBeouf has dedication and can probably get into great shape, but he'd be a terrible choice for Batman.

 

[FunkMiller]

On Movie Talk, John Campea said according to 3 sources Ben no longer wants to be the Batman and is negotiating a way to exit the role.

Listening to it right now. He's throwing in huge amounts of caveats, and admitting he's screwed up 'scoops' before with Ant Man and Star Wars, so he really is saying take it with a massive grain of salt.

But, his sources are stating that Affleck wants out. No doubt about it.

Make of it what you will.

 

[misslane38]

Unless this guy has a record of credible scoops and his sources aren't just "articles I read on the internet," then I remain skeptical. I will say, however, that if Affleck were to leave, I would lose a lot of respect for him. I can understand being disappointed and maybe afraid to participate in something that isn't as well-liked as you would have hoped. Nevertheless, he made a committment, and even if it wasn't an official contract, he got people acquainted with his Batman and with the possibility of a Batman movie of his own.

To accommodate Ben's inclusion in this universe, they had to retool Batman v Superman. They have relied heavily on Ben as a collaborator by employing Ben's Argo colleague Chris Terrio on multiple projects and having Ben executive produce Justice League. I'm not saying I have as many problems with BvS as others or that Justice League will be bad, but if Ben were to leave because he doesn't like the results of what he himself had a significant hand in creating, leaving everyone else to pick up the pieces, then I think that's terrible of him to do. Unless he views it as saving the universe from his own toxic presence.

 

[BlueLanternKal]

"Ben Affleck is leaving The Batman; unless he isn't."



"I'm going to cross the street; unless I'm not."

 

[Chip Chipperson]

if he fulfills his contract and wants out, I hold zero ill will towards him. I don't expect any of this to happen until after the JL press tour anyway.

still skeptical, but wouldn't be shocked in the slightest.

 

[FunkMiller]

Campea is saying that he's spoken to three separate sources all saying the same thing. That's officially worrying. If three independent sources are coming out with the same scuttlebutt there may be something in it.

Mark Hughes on Twitter also just told someone he has another DCU story going up soon...

We all know what Jett can be like, but he's saying the same thing about Affleck too - and positing that Reeves coming in with his own vision gives Affleck the 'out' he needs.

There's definitely smoke.

Is there fire?

 

[OtherwiseKnownAs]

Enter: Justice League: Flashpoint/Rebirth.

 

[shauner111]

Thanks, I'll have to wait until they upload it on YouTube.

But doesn't fit the part at all. I mean, Shia LaBeouf has dedication and can probably get into great shape, but he'd be a terrible choice for Batman.

So why do you think he's wrong for the part.

 

[thebatfan5194]

The fact that "three separate people" told Campea that is a little worrying, but if Ben Affleck stays on through his solo film we'll have gotten 4 appearances of his Batman over the last few films. If they pass the cowl down to Dick Grayson or something that would be better than a recast in my mind. Still wouldn't be as emotionally satisfying if we had seen the relationship between Dick and Bruce develop over a few movies, but I digress.

 

[shauner111]

I do believe that Ben will do the film but I can see them showing a younger actor in flashbacks, and then if it's successful they can always do a prequel movie with that younger actor as the lead.

 

[FunkMiller]

Thanks, I'll have to wait until they upload it on YouTube.
.

You can rewind the live YouTube feed to the beginning, dude. It's up now on Collider's feed.

 

[Angel0fDeath]

Ah, there it is. After the good news about Reeves or Ridley Scott possibly helming the Bat solo, some blogger/youtuber has to come up with some bs. Shocking.

 

[Jekecy]

Campea is saying that he's spoken to three separate sources all saying the same thing. That's officially worrying. If three independent sources are coming out with the same scuttlebutt there may be something in it.

Mark Hughes on Twitter also just told someone he has another DCU story going up soon...

We all know what Jett can be like, but he's saying the same thing about Affleck too - and positing that Reeves coming in with his own vision gives Affleck the 'out' he needs.

There's definitely smoke.

Is there fire?

If it happens, I can't wait for inevitable moving of goalposts in another tally for DCEU's "failures".

Enter: Justice League: Flashpoint/Rebirth.

May come off as cheap to the uninitiated, but damn I love it. If they can successfully weave Ben's departure into the actual narrative while honoring the crazy comic book lore...that would be a brilliant recovery.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

if it does happen, I can't wait to hear about all the positives that come with him leaving the role.

 

[OtherwiseKnownAs]

The mental gymnastics would be insane.

 

[misslane38]

It just seems so premature. The result of Justice League is unknown and The Batman with Reeves could be a good experience and a successful result. For him to already be considering leaving seems cowardly and lazy, as if he is running away from the responsibility for the result and running away from the responsibility of the work involved like getting in shape, etc.

Don't get me wrong. I sympathize with all of what he must be feeling, and I don't want him to do something if it will hurt him in some way or if his heart isn't in it. However, whatever happens I hope he handles it with grace and, if he doesn't continue, he assists in finding and establishing some sort of replacement whether that is with a protege taking on the cowl or prequels.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

It just seems so premature. The result of Justice League is unknown

which is why its either completely false or its something that was not meant to get out this early, because it could really hurt JL at the box office.

leaning towards false just because of how much WB has riding on the movie. However, I can't think of a bigger s**tstorm than if he actually does leave and we are aware of it before the press junkets start. that would be awkward.