Ben Affleck first appeared as Batman in the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, marking a significant addition to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). That same year, he also made a memorable cameo in Suicide Squad. Although these films did not receive widespread critical acclaim, Affleck, fresh from successes like Argo and The Town, was preparing to shape the Caped Crusader with his own vision.
Working alongside comic book writer Geoff Johns, Affleck aimed to write and direct a new Batman movie for Warner Bros. During the filming of Justice League, with Zack Snyder directing at the time, Affleck shared a teaser featuring Deathstroke, hinting at ambitious plans. This version of The Batman was set to explore a storyline where Bruce Wayne would face Joe Manganiello’s Slade Wilson after being exposed by Lex Luthor, seeking revenge for his imprisonment in Arkham Asylum.
Reasons Behind Affleck’s Departure and the Shift in Direction
Despite these initial efforts, Affleck stepped down from directing The Batman due to a combination of personal challenges and dissatisfaction with the reshoot process on Justice League under Joss Whedon’s leadership. Director Matt Reeves took over the project in early 2017 and by July decided to rewrite the script entirely, choosing to present a new Batman story with a different actor in the lead role.
This change marked a significant departure from Affleck’s original vision, leaving many fans wondering about the potential of the story that never was. Recent reveals by Zack Snyder, including an unpublished photo of Affleck as Batman, offer a glimpse into what could have been—a portrayal reminiscent of a striking comic book panel, emphasizing a darker and more somber Batman.
Affleck’s Return and Future Prospects in the DCEU
Ben Affleck eventually returned to the DC universe with a role in The Flash, although the film did not meet audience expectations. He had also planned to appear in a Crisis on Infinite Earths adaptation, but those plans dissolved after the establishment of DC Studios changed the franchise’s direction.
I loved Batman v Superman. And I liked my brief stints on The Flash that I did and when I got to work with Viola Davis on Suicide Squad for a day or two,
Affleck said.
In terms of creatively, I really think that I like the idea and the ambition that I had for it, which was of the sort of older, broken, damaged Bruce Wayne. And it was something we really went for in the first movie.
—Ben Affleck, Actor and Director
The Impact of Snyder’s Photo on Fans and the DCEU’s Legacy
Zack Snyder’s recent Instagram post featuring the never-before-seen image of Affleck as Batman has reignited interest and speculation among fans about what this version of the character might have looked like on screen. The photograph captures a brooding, intense portrayal that aligns with Affleck’s original, ambitious concept of a damaged and world-weary hero.
If realized, this iteration of the Dark Knight could have added a unique depth to the DCEU’s storytelling. While the current trajectory under DC Studios continues to evolve, Snyder’s glimpse into the past offers a poignant reminder of the alternate paths the franchise might have taken, especially with figures like Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke and storylines involving Lex Luthor’s intrigues.
