Zack Snyder, director of the pivotal DCEU film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, recently posted a rare black-and-white photo capturing Ben Affleck during his initial costume test for the role of Batman in the 2016 movie. This image offers fans a unique glimpse of Affleck’s first moments in the Ben Affleck Batman Costume, an essential part of the actor’s portrayal of the Dark Knight within the franchise.
Batman v Superman played a significant role in shaping the Justice League storyline, with Affleck stepping into Bruce Wayne’s boots after being selected to portray the Caped Crusader. Snyder’s recently shared Polaroid highlights the moment he first hoped to see come to life on screen.
“A black-and-white 4×5 Polaroid I took of Ben during the costume test — first time in the suit. Everything I hoped it would be. #Batman,”
Snyder wrote alongside the photo.
Ben Affleck’s Role Across the DCEU and His Final Appearance
Ben Affleck brought Batman to life not only in Batman v Superman but also in Suicide Squad, the 2017 Justice League, and Snyder’s own extended cut of Justice League released on HBO Max in 2021, for which he filmed new scenes. His final time portraying the Dark Knight was marked by a return in the 2023 film The Flash, concluding his tenure as Batman.
Affleck was initially attached to star, direct, and write a solo Batman feature titled The Batman. However, the project was later reworked into a reboot starring Robert Pattinson, with Matt Reeves taking over as director. This shift shaped the future direction of the DCEU’s depiction of the character.
Upcoming Batman Projects in the Expanded DC Universe
DC Studios is currently developing a new Batman movie for the DC Universe, with director Andy Muschietti leading the project, though no release date has been announced yet. This film aims to contribute to the ongoing expansion of the interconnected DC franchise. Meanwhile, the Gotham hero continues to appear across various media, including an appearance in the animated Creature Commandos series and glimpses in the future vision of Circe.
Fans can also anticipate more from Gotham with the upcoming Clayface movie, scheduled for release on September 11, 2026, as part of James Gunn‘s franchise. The film is expected to delve further into the city that the Dark Knight protects.
Future Appearances of Batman on the Big Screen
In addition to the Muschietti reboot, Matt Reeves is set to direct The Batman – Part II, which will bring Robert Pattinson back as the lead and is slated to premiere in theaters on October 1, 2027. Principal photography is planned for 2026, continuing this new era of Batman stories within the DCEU framework.
Those interested in revisiting the Ben Affleck Batman Costume journey can find Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice currently available on home media and various streaming platforms.
