Ben Affleck’s Batman journey likely ended with The Flash this summer. Now, insights are surfacing about the solo Batfleck film that never happened.
Before Robert Pattinson’s The Batman, Ben Affleck was set to direct and star in his own DCEU solo film. Plans for his standalone Batman movie, which Affleck was supposed to write, direct, and star in, were dashed after Zack Snyder had left the DCEU.
According to Zack Snyder, what would have happened after Justice League (which is related to the Batman movie that has never happened) goes like this:
Darkseid comes to Earth with the Anti-Life Equation, helped by Lex Luthor and The Riddler. Batman tries to stop them, but Darkseid kills Lois Lane, making Superman his puppet. Misfit heroes (that would have been chosen for the movie) plan to change the past using a Mother Box. Later, they fail, but Flash fixes the timeline. Bruce sacrifices himself, and the heroes unite against Darkseid. A 20-year-later epilogue shows Superman’s son as the new Batman.
Snyder seemed to have a clear idea of what a perfect Batman should be, but unfortunately, his vision never came to life.
Zack Snyder Chose 2 DCU Characters in the Never Happened Ben Affleck’s Solo Batman Film
Zack Snyder has chosen the storyline that can go after Justice League. He has also selected two DC characters for the planned Batman movie: Riddler and Ryan Choi (Atom).
The first character Snyder wanted was Edward Nashton, aka Riddler, a former accountant turned serial killer themed around riddles, puzzles, and games, Batman’s enemy. So, when Darkseid comes to Earth, Lex Luthor has found the Anti-Life Equation. He teams up with Riddler, who has deciphered the anti-life equation.
The other character was Ryan Choi – the second Atom, an assistant to the first, Ray Palmer. He was a member of the Justice League of America. Snyder had planned to make a movie in China with a Chinese star based on Atom.
Also read: Zack Snyder Did Not Want His Favorite Superhero Movie To Get Released For The Most Bizarre Reason
Why Did Ben Affleck’s Batman Never Happened?
The unmade solo Batman film by Ben Affleck remains a captivating chapter of the DCEU. Affleck’s introduction as Batman in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice garnered mixed reactions, but his portrayal of the Dark Knight was well-received.
Unfortunately, the polarized response to Batman v Superman prompted Warner Bros. to alter the upcoming Justice League, contributing to Affleck’s departure from his planned Batman film. Reports indicate that his role was omitted because DC had reported:
“Changed stuff around, so he is no longer necessary to the plot.”
The discarded concepts featured Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke, Affleck’s vision for his Batman baddie, that audiences never got to see.
DC’s Current Scenario: Preparing to Explore a Side of Batman That’s Always Ignored
James Gunn and Peter Safran officially started overseeing the newly created DC Studios with Warner Bros Discovery. The co-chiefs have announced the ten films and TV titles in the rebooted DCU.
Upcoming DC projects comprise Superman: Legacy, a Batman and Robin film, a Wonder Woman prequel, and a Green Lantern series. Lesser-known characters like Booster Gold and Swamp Thing also have titles in the works. Chapter One, Gods and Monsters, will include a new film called The Brave and the Bold. The movie will feature Batman and his son, Damian Wayne, as Robin.
The Batman II, directed by Matt Reeves, is slated for an October 3, 2025 release.
Source: GQ
