Ben Affleck is Bruce Wayne / Batman in the sequel to MAN OF STEEL! – full press release from WB

Ben Affleck is Bruce Wayne / Batman in the sequel to MAN OF STEEL! – full press release from WB

Warner Bros. just announced that Ben Affleck (ARGO) has been cast as billionaire crime fighter Bruce Wayne / Batman in the follow up to this year’s MAN OF STEEL where he will join Henry Cavill who will be returning as Clark Kent / Superman.  It was just last month at the San Diego Comic-Con that Zack Snyder and Warner Bros. announced that the sequel would include the caped crusader and since then, speculation has been going crazy with fans and sites everywhere trying to figure out who would take up the cowl as Christian Bale would not be returning.  The alleged frontrunner has been Josh Brolin so today’s announcement almost feels like something out of left field.
Ben Affleck

Affleck is no stranger to the superhero world as he was once rumored as the frontrunner to direct MAN OF STEEL before Zack Snyder was announced and has already played a superhero in the form of 2003’s DAREDEVIL.  He even played George Reeves (famous for playing Superman himself) in the biopic HOLLYWOODLAND back in 2006.

The announcement today from Warner Bros. also provided the official release date for the film.  The as-yet-untitled Superman / Batman film will hit theaters on July 17, 2015 with production beginning next year.

So, with big Ben involved, is a Matt Damon / Lex Luthor casting just around the corner?  Stranger things have happened.  Maybe then they could call the movie LEX WILL HUNT(ing)?  No?  Ok, we’ll leave those decisions up to the studio.  For now though, tell us what you think of this casting below.

Here’s the official Warner Bros. press release:

The Oscar®-winning star joins Henry Cavill in the first ever onscreen match-up
of DC Comics’ most iconic characters.

BURBANK, CA, August 22, 2013 – Ending weeks of speculation, Ben Affleck has been set to star as Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne. Affleck and filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new incarnation of the character in Snyder’s as-yet-untitled project—bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen and continuing the director’s vision of their universe, which he established in “Man of Steel.” The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The studio has slated the film to open worldwide on July 17, 2015.

Last month’s surprise announcement of the new movie featuring both Superman and Batman created a wave of excitement and immediately fueled discussion and debate—among fans as well as in the media—about who would put on the cape and cowl of Bruce Wayne’s alter ego.

Snyder successfully re-imagined the origin of Clark Kent/Superman in the worldwide blockbuster “Man of Steel,” which has earned more than $650 million worldwide to date, and climbing. The director will now create an original vision of Batman and his world for the film that brings the two DC Comics icons together.

Affleck will star opposite Henry Cavill, who will reprise the role of Superman/Clark Kent. The film will also reunite “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

In the announcement, Silverman stated, “We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular Super Heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character.”

Snyder also expressed his excitement about the casting of Affleck, noting, “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.”

Kroll added, “We are so thrilled that Ben is continuing Warner Bros.’ remarkable legacy with the character of Batman. He is a tremendously gifted actor who will make this role his own in this already much-anticipated pairing of these two beloved heroes.”

Affleck recently starred in the Academy Award®-winning Best Picture “Argo,” which he also directed and produced, earning acclaim and a BAFTA Award nomination for his performance in the film, as well as a number of directing honors. In 2010, he starred in and directed the hit crime thriller “The Town.” His recent acting work also includes “The Company Men,” “State of Play,” and “Hollywoodland,” for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Earlier in his career, Affleck starred in and co-wrote (with Matt Damon) “Good Will Hunting,” for which he won an Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay.

The new Super Hero film is being scripted by David S. Goyer from a story he co-created with Zack Snyder. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan and Wesley Coller serving as executive producers.

Production is expected to begin in 2014.

The film is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, and Batman characters created by Bob Kane, published by DC Entertainment.

– See more at: http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/08/22/ben-affleck-revealed-as-batman-in-warner-bros-pictures-new-super-hero-feature-film#sthash.OO0L6CGz.dpuf

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About the Author

Jim is an avid movie enthusiast, representing the general movie going audience, looking at movies for their entertainment value as opposed to their critical weight. He enjoys the escapism that movies provide. He is a fan of all genre's of movies, but gravitates toward comic-based movies, summer "popcorn" flicks and over-the-top comedies as his preference.