As The Batman starring Robert Pattinson hits theaters across the globe, the latest iteration of the Dark Knight seems to be getting some heat from the Zack Snyder loyalists. Despite overwhelmingly positive reception received by Matt Reeves’ The Batman, a sizable number of fans have taken to Twitter to bring back Ben Affleck’s version of the Caped Crusader, more popularly known as Batfleck. Having made his first appearance in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Affleck’s Batman further appeared in the critically panned Justice League and Suicide Squad, before redeeming himself once again in Zack Snyder’s magnum opus Zack Snyder’s Justice League or Snyder Cut. After the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Ben Affleck, who has proved his mettle as a top-notch director was in talks to direct a solo Batman movie. Unfortunately, the movie remained unfinished as Affleck stepped down due to the critical failure of Justice League (2017) and his own personal issues.
Despite having limited screentime, Batfleck amassed a legion of fans for multiple reasons. Widely considered to be the most comic-book accurate live-action adaptation of the Dark Knight, Affleck’s iteration of Batman was a terrifying creature of the night. Adding to Affleck’s towering physique was the fast-paced, kinetic action sequence that cemented Batfleck as the definitive take on the Caped Crusader portrayed in the comics.
Related: 6 Reasons Ben Affleck Is Still The Best Batman
After the critical and commercial failure of Justice League (2017), director Zack Snyder revealed that his original vision was vastly different from the one that was hastily released. As a result, millions of fans campaigned for the Snyder Cut on social media. Miraculously, HBO Max commissioned the unfinished project which resulted in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a four-hour epic that ranked among the top 10 list of many critics. While fans have since then campaigned for Zack Snyder to finish his arc with the hashtag #RestoreTheSnyderverse on social media platforms, the future seems bleak. However, fans have still not lost hope as Batfleck started trending once again before Robert Pattinson’s The Batman releases across theaters. Here’s what has transpired on Twitter:
I will never see a more Comic Accurate/Terrifying portrayal of the character like Batfleck ever again. All due respect to all the wonderful actors who’ve played The Dark Knight, but they pale in comparison. #RestoreTheSnyderVerse pic.twitter.com/JSioGUjgZp
— TheTruth"Intro King"31 (@Truth31The) March 3, 2022
Because there is only 1 batman in here#Batfleck???? forever???? pic.twitter.com/2N35KNt6cE
— Abudi???????? #RestoreTheSnyderVerse (@hamanny_22) March 3, 2022
No weapons, no tech, no prep time, just fists. All of them stuck in a room and have to fight. Who leaves? pic.twitter.com/pJQpaaoUTp
— JNR-CantFlyButCanKickYourAss (@JosiahNoRunning) March 3, 2022
Batfleck easy 100%. Anyone who has seen him fight knows he’s clearing. No disrespect to the other version btw pic.twitter.com/qdgI8G3Mi5
— Snyder’s Armada (@watermelon606) March 3, 2022
Ben Affleck Was In Talks To Direct A Solo Batman Movie Featuring Himself As ‘Batfleck’
Considering the actor’s massive success as a director, Warner Bros. was in talks with the actor-director for a solo outing. While the movie never materialized, sources including director Matt Reeves have revealed that it was an action-packed, James Bond-esque movie which further ignited the demand for ‘Batfleck’ to return once again.
It’s @BenAffleck Batman film title ????♂️#MakeTheBatfleckMovie #Batfleck????
Via @THR and @jayoliva1 resume on https://t.co/0KLam9Y9V4 https://t.co/sbI7NhrXJU pic.twitter.com/0VoFoJEH7M— The Batfleck Movie #MakeTheBatfleckMovie (@BatfleckMovie) March 3, 2022
Datrinti bringing the Batfleck movie to life. pic.twitter.com/pyZiX1Ubu0
— Di. (@HailEternal) March 3, 2022
While it is being reported that Batfleck will make his final appearance in the upcoming The Flash directed by Andy Muschietti, fans want Ben Affleck’s version of the Dark Knight to stay. While that might seem nearly impossible at the time, there’s still a glimmer of hope as the actor was recently rumored to return as Batman on HBO Max. Though Ben Affleck himself has affirmed that he won’t be returning as the Dark Knight for his own personal reasons, fans are not willing to give up that easily.
