Ben Affleck is not giving up his role of the Dark Knight any time soon.
This seems to contradict rumors from The Hollywood Reporter that cast doubt on his continued role in the massive franchise. Their speculative piece was grounded on Ben Affleck's age. Is 50 too old to play a billionaire with lots of tech and expensive crime fighting toys?
Luckily no one has told Robert Downey Jr, whose Iron Man portrayals actually get better and more endearing as he ages into the role of Billionaire Tony Stark.
They went on to cite the recasting of Spiderman. But is that really the same thing, we wonder around here at theCelebrityCafe? Tom Holland, 21 being cast to play a teenaged superhero Peter Parker doesn't seem like ageism as much as casting the bloody character correctly. Who were they supposed to hire? Ian McKellan?
In the same article, Toby Emmerich, Warner's Studio Chief told The Hollywood Reporter, "Ben is our Batman. We love him as Batman. We want to keep him in the cowl as long as we can."
Ben Affleck Addresses the Rumors
Then last weekend, the actor confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con 2017 that he will be the only Batman for the foreseeable future.
At Comic-Con, Chris Hardwick asked the actor directly about the rumors that he might be out after Justice League and its 2019 sequel.
"I know, let me be very clear. I am the luckiest guy in the world. Batman is the coolest f--king part in any universe it's just incredible. I am so thrilled to do it," Affleck said. "It's f--king amazing and I still can't believe it after two films...Matt Reeves doing it, I would be a fucking ape on the ground for Matt Reeves let alone Batman."
(The 'fucking ape on the ground' comment isn't random. Reeves is the director of both Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes.)
Matt Reeves' is directing the upcoming standalone film The Batman. According to an unnamed source Warner Bros. Pictures is "working on plans to usher out Affleck's Batman—gracefully, addressing the change in some shape or form in one of the upcoming DC films."
But Reeves has said in statements that he plans on keeping Affleck in the role.
"It's a great time in the Justice League universe and I'm really excited for what we have," Affleck said. "I mean this is amazing. This is an amazing and the first time when everyone had their costumes on and when we were on set it was very much a high geek level...it was electrifying."