Warner Bros has officially announced Academy Award winner Ben Affleck as their Batman in the untitled Man of Steel sequel.
According to TheWrap, Affleck will star opposite Henry Cavill in the Zack Snyder directed adventure film. The sequel, currently without a name, is already slated to hit theaters July 17, 2015.
Warner Bros president of production Greg Silverman released a statement with the news saying, “We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular super heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some.”
“His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character,” the statement continues. “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him."
Variety notes that Affleck will make the eighth Batman to date, following on the heels of Christian Bale, George Clooney, Michael Keeton, Adam West and many others.
Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane will return to the film which will see the first reunion of Superman and Batman on the big screen.
Affleck has not released a statement following the news.
Image: ABC