Ben Affleck To Team With DC’s Geoff Johns On Standalone ‘Batman’ Film - Part 5

[shauner111]

I really don't. Minor adjustments and probably a different cowl.

 

[C Prometheus]

To be fair, he's been on set for three shoots as this character in the span of a few years. It's more about how many times he's played the role.

I think he'll play Batman in the first Reeves movie, and exit. I can see a limited role, where they cut to flashbacks with a younger actor playing Bruce for most of the film. That would be a segue for them to retire his older version and carry on with two more films featuring Armie Hammer or whoever they cast.

I only see Ben making it to the Reeves film in the way you suggest if it ends with Ben dipping into a Lazarus Pit and emerging out as Armie Hammer or whoever they get to replace him. Definitely doable, but right now I'm leaning more towards the possibility that Ben's final appearance as Batman will be in Flashpoint and that will also be where we get our first glimpse at the new actor who'll star in Reeves' Batman trilogy.

 

[The Shape]

I only see Ben making it to the Reeves film in the way you suggest if it ends with Ben dipping into a Lazarus Pit and emerging out as Armie Hammer or whoever they get to replace him. Definitely doable, but right now I'm leaning more towards the possibility that Ben's final appearance as Batman will be in Flashpoint and that will also be where we get our first glimpse at the new actor who'll star in Reeves' Batman trilogy.

That would be so awful and unnecessary.

 

[I Am The Knight]

 

[Kane52630]

It's perfect for a fanfic.

 

[shauner111]

I'm sorry but that was bad. You can't see how my idea would play out but the Lazarus pit sounds reasonable? Ahahaha. Only if the new Bruce comes out of the pit and it's Tommy Wiseau, "I did naaht die! I DID NAAAAHT! Oh hai Alfred!"

 

[C Prometheus]

I'm sorry but that was bad. You can't see how my idea would play out but the Lazarus pit sounds reasonable? Ahahaha. Only if the new Bruce comes out of the pit and it's Tommy Wiseau, "I did naaht die! I DID NAAAAHT! Oh hai Alfred!"

Oh I think that it's a horrifically bad idea. I don't disagree with that at all. I'm just saying that I don't think we're going to keep Batman in the past from here on out. We're going to get a Justice League sequel eventually and I don't think Affleck will be around to play Batman again when that happens.

If they were to go with the idea you're suggesting- keep Ben in the present and set the Reeves trilogy in the past with a younger actor- you can bet that Warner Bros are going to look into finding some way to canonically get "Young Batman" into the present.

Personally I think the far more likely scenario here is that Ben's final performance as Batman will be in Flashpoint and Barry messing around with timelines will be what gets us the new DCEU Batman actor in-universe.

I'd prefer a hard recast myself, but given how Ben's statement eerily aligns with what THR reported months ago (looking for a graceful way to bow out), it makes sense that they'll probably be using Flashpoint as the means of explaining away why Batman suddenly looks different.

 

[shauner111]

I only suggested Ben in the present and a younger bats for the prequel, for one film. Still, you did say you only saw it happening if the lazarus pit came into play, which is quite funny. They can easily have the first Reeves film be a story where current Batfleck is thinking back on his past, or even telling somebody what happened. All they need to do is give a handful of meaningful scenes as both Bruce and Batman. As a selling point, but a supporting role, while a younger actor gets the lead position in most of the film (in chunky flashbacks).

The problem is if they want a Justice League sequel due to rising numbers in the box-office. Then we need a recast because Ben ain't doing it right? What would a Flashpoint movie do to make a recast make sense? Barry changing the timeline suddenly makes Bruce have a different face? Ok, it makes Bruce start as Batman later, which makes him the same age as Gal and Clark....aaaand he never fought Supes? I mean, it's so much easier to kill off Wayne in the next Justice League. Why not? Darkseid could end his life, and Superman takes him out right after. Then we get prequels. But it seems like The Batman will be out before JL 2. So what can they do?

The key is in Ben's comments. There has to be a rough draft at the very least, maybe even more than that if they want this film out in a couple of years. Ben says he's contemplating...which tells me there's a spot for his older Wayne. But if it's small, like i said, where he has a few scenes reminiscing about the past, then that's something they can cut out of the script. Just focus on the young Batman adventures and cut out Affleck. If the whole script features this current Wayne in the role, and nobody else, then they're probably planning a recast. But i just don't buy it. A 40 something actor is the wrong choice right now. That actor is going to commit to FOUR films? What makes them think they can snatch up an actor willing to do that when Ben couldn't even commit??

So i say it's a prequel trilogy. They need an actor who isn't too young. Show us what happened to him 10 years into his crusade instead of 20. That way if they want to kill off Batfleck in the first Reeves film, they can use this new actor in a trilogy for prequels AND a Justice League sequel.

 

[LaughterLives]

Well Here's Hoping Ben pulls a Bruce Jenner before filming.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

Cast someone younger.
Make the solo movies prequels.
Get audiences used to the new actor and then continue with them in future JL movies.
Just age them up a little with makeup. Nothing extreme.

 

[shauner111]

Exactly. After going through all the possibilities that stupid Warner Brothers could come up with, that would be the simplest way to go. Young, but not too young. Mid 30's.

 

[C Prometheus]

Exactly. After going through all the possibilities that stupid Warner Brothers could come up with, that would be the simplest way to go. Young, but not too young. Mid 30's.

I don’t disagree. Like I said, I’d prefer a hard recast. But Affleck’s comment on the matter in USAToday is basically what THR reported as being Warner Bros’ plan back before Comic Con. Some sort of “graceful way to write him out of the role,” as they’re saying.

That seems to point in a different direction than just Affleck making a cameo in The Batman and being replaced for good both past and present, especially with the announcement of Flashpoint being a future film in the DCEU and the rumors that WB are close to picking a director for that film.

I’d love to be wrong on this though.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

I don’t disagree. Like I said, I’d prefer a hard recast. But Affleck’s comment on the matter in USAToday is basically what THR reported as being Warner Bros’ plan back before Comic Con. Some sort of “graceful way to write him out of the role,” as they’re saying.

That seems to point in a different direction than just Affleck making a cameo in The Batman and being replaced for good both past and present, especially with the announcement of Flashpoint being a future film in the DCEU and the rumors that WB are close to picking a director for that film.

I’d love to be wrong on this though.

That might be what Affeck wants but it doesn’t mean he’s gonna get it.

 

[shauner111]

Ben doesn't deserve to play a character like Batman to be honest.

 

[terry78]

You thought this before all the crap happened?

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

What I would do is what Marvel did with The Hulk or the Bond franchise always did pre-Craig. Just cast a new, younger Batman and have the characters act like he was Batman all along. Ben who?

 

[Boom]

What I would do is what Marvel did with The Hulk or the Bond franchise always did pre-Craig. Just cast a new, younger Batman and have the characters act like he was Batman all along. Ben who?

Agreed. I honestly think the worst thing they could do is create an in-story reason for recasting a lead character. All you're doing is calling further attention to it. Just recast the role and pretend nothing happened. People are there for Batman, not Ben Affleck.

 

[C Prometheus]

What I would do is what Marvel did with The Hulk or the Bond franchise always did pre-Craig. Just cast a new, younger Batman and have the characters act like he was Batman all along. Ben who?

Agreed. I honestly think the worst thing they could do is create an in-story reason for recasting a lead character. All you're doing is calling further attention to it. Just recast the role and pretend nothing happened. People are there for Batman, not Ben Affleck.

I completely agree. I just think that we're not getting that, given how eerily on the money Ben's new quote is from what THR reported back in July.

... But a source with knowledge of the situation says that the studio is working on plans to usher out Affleck’s Batman — gracefully, addressing the change in some shape or form in one of the upcoming DC films.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/he...as-warner-bros-plots-franchise-future-1023296

"You don't do it forever, so I want to find a graceful and cool way to segue out of it."

My guess is that Affleck wants out, but he wants his exit to be some big deal even within the films itself. So rather than just straight up recasting Affleck, Warner Bros are playing ball right now and are probably looking for a way to give him what he wants via the Flashpoint movie.

 

[shauner111]

So should we expect him in Flashpoint, briefly...and him "contemplating" the Reeves film as total b.s?

 

[C Prometheus]

So should we expect him in Flashpoint, briefly...and him "contemplating" the Reeves film as total b.s?

I think so, yeah. If it turns out The Batman comes out before Flashpoint though, I’d say your original idea becomes way more likely to be how Ben leaves the role. But for now, I’m putting my money on Ben not being in The Batman.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

I think so, yeah. If it turns out The Batman comes out before Flashpoint though, I’d say your original idea becomes way more likely to be how Ben leaves the role. But for now, I’m putting my money on Ben not being in The Batman.

With what he’s said, there’s no way he’s gonna be in the batman.
If he’s doubting it at all he’s definitely not gonna start a trilogy.

 

[The Endless]

Cast someone younger as Dick Grayson. Feature him in The Batman. Have Bruce Wayne die. Dick Grayson takes on the mantle.

Job done.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

Cast someone younger as Dick Grayson. Feature him in The Batman. Have Bruce Wayne die. Dick Grayson takes on the mantle.

Job done.

Problem with that is there’s gonna be that nightwing movie and the Batman solo is happening first.

 

[C Prometheus]

With what he’s said, there’s no way he’s gonna be in the batman.
If he’s doubting it at all he’s definitely not gonna start a trilogy.

I agree.

I could also see things turning out where Ben just doesn't even bother coming back for an appearance in Flashpoint and is officially recast by the time Reeves starts working on The Batman. I'm kinda hoping that happens, personally speaking, but considering how much that quote of his aligns with the THR report, I'm guessing he's aiming to get one last brief appearance in the role in before calling it quits.

 

[Web-Head]

It'd be pretty funny if the new Batman actor is only a few years apart from whoever ends up playing Nightwing