I’m Still Torn Over The Fact That The DCEU’s Cancelled Batman Story Resulted In My Favourite Batman Movie

I rest conflicted about theDCEU ’s canceledBatmanmovie – I bid I could have seen it , but its cancellation led to my all - prison term favourite Batman moving-picture show . Few superhero dealership have had as tumultuous a journeying asthe DCEU timeline . Amid the high and Low of its 10 - long experimentation , one particular casualty still haunts me as both a awful expiration and a unknown endowment : the solo Batman plastic film that Ben Affleck was hypothesise to write , direct , and asterisk in . Its cancellation left a vacuum – but also pave the way for one that in the end became my favorite .

Ben Affleck debuted as Batman in 2016’sBatman v Superman : Dawn of Justice , offering a darker , more humans - aweary take on the lineament . His performance stood out , even amid the film ’s divisive reception . With the Snyderverse already expanding , Warner Bros. waste little time herald that Affleck would helm his own Batman solo film , which he was also co - writing alongside DC stalwart Geoff Johns .

A Batman Movie Starring Ben Affleck Could Have Been Something Truly Special

Affleck Would Have Written, Directed, And Starred In The DCEU’s Batman Movie

Ben Affleck’sBatmanmovie was rumored to center around Arkham Asylum and a psychological line of descent into folly , with Joe Manganiello ’s Deathstroke as the key villain . This would ’ve been Batman ’s answer toThe RaidorDie Hard , taking place mostly in one location with grounded action and emotional stakes . For many , myself included , thissounded like the most exciting Batman construct in years .

alas , it never materialized . Affleck mistreat away from directing , then from writing , and finally , from the role entirely . Creative differences , personal challenge , and thebroader implosion of the Snyderverse all lend . As such , the DCEU ’s solo Batman motion-picture show – so long in exploitation – disappear before a unmarried physique was shot .

There ’s a lot of “ what if ” vigour surround Affleck ’s Batman movie . His carrying into action inBatman v SupermanandZack Snyder ’s Justice Leaguehinted at a superimposed , emotionally wear Bruce Wayne who ’d been through the wringer – red ink , grief , and decades of offense - fighting . Affleck ’s older , hardened Batman was themost physically bring down version ascertain on - screen , and his reading brought new tale hypothesis that no anterior Batman moving-picture show had explored .

Margot-Robbie’s-Harley-Quinn-and-Michael-Keaton’s-Batman

Some of the most important events in the DC movie pantheon come about wholly off - screen , happen between major moving-picture show rather than in them .

The notion of Batman being interlock in Arkham , fending off inpatient he ’d personally put by over a decades - long vocation , plus Deathstroke , a skilled and personal resister , make arecipe for an intense , intimate , action - pack thriller . The tone prognosticate to be more grounded thanJustice Leaguebut more kinetic and amusing - Word of God faithful than Christopher Nolan ’s realism .

Ben Affleck’s Batman Movie Paving The Way To The Batman Is A Complicated Matter

The Batman Became Matt Reeves’ Vision Instead

What ’s both frustrating and fascinating is how thecollapse of Affleck’sBatmanultimately opened the room access for a completely different imaginativeness . With Affleck out , director Matt Reeves was brought in and proffer the chance to reboot the task entirely . Rather than continue within the DCEU , Reeves pitched a standalone investigator noir with a younger Bruce Wayne , oneunconnected to the persistence that had grown increasingly convolute .

The upshot wasThe Batman(2022 ) , starring Robert Pattinson in a brooding , year - two interlingual rendition of the Caped Crusader . Despite my disappointment over losing Affleck ’s film , Reeves’The Batmanquickly became my favorite Batman movie ever made . The Batmandelivered everything I never knew I need .

The most popular sports fan - casting option for Batman played a different DC theatrical role already – and I call back he ’d should reprise that theatrical role instead .

Ben Affleck’s Batman and Jason Momoa’s Aquaman

Its whole tone was consistent and immersive , its mystery - driven plot played like a genuine detective account , and Pattinson ’s Batman felt closer to the haunt vigilance man of the comics than any version before . The motion-picture photography , the wakeless design , the loot - down gadgets – it all form . The Gotham of Reeves ’ film is themost atmospherical to engagement , and Michael Giacchino ’s score still echo in my mind .

I’m So Glad The Batman Was Made, But Still Sad We Never Got A Solo Batman Movie When The DCEU Needed It

Ben Affleck’s Batman Could Have Saved The DCEU

Therein lies the emotional whiplash . I loveThe Batmanand would n’t trade it for anything – except , perchance , the flick it replaced . What pang the most is that audience could have had both . Affleck ’s movie would n’t have involve to contradict Reeves ’ film ; it could have be in parallel as the franchisenow does with James Gunn ’s DCU .

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While the DCEU was floundering with discrepant tone and direction , a solo Batman film could have grounded the universe again , pay audiences a reason to invest in the nitty-gritty submarine . Affleck ’s Batman had unfinished business – emotional bow with Alfred , legacy enquiry , the Robin storyline – and it merit stop . Even more frustrating is that Affleck ’s Batman only appeared in ensemble line - ups , when a solo moviemight have given the DCEU the boost it needed .

Batman and Damian Wayne’s Robin in DC Comics

alternatively , a hopeful part arc dissolved behind the scenes . By the time the DCEU fizzle out totally , the chance for a definitive Batman here and now within that universe had long passed . Even thoughThe Batmanwas a victory , it arrived as part of a freestanding continuity thatdidn’t assist the franchise that had initially introduce Affleck ’s Batman at all . So , while I ’m glad we gotThe Batman , I ’ll never stop marvel what could ’ve been if Affleck had gotten the chance to finish what he start .