Before 2022’s The Batman starring Robert Pattinson and directed by Matt Reeves, the DC Universe had plans for a solo Batman movie starring and directed by Ben Affleck. However, Affleck’s vision for his Dark Knight would have been very different from the new version who now exists in his own timeline and version of Gotham City. Although The Batman has been highly praised for its dynamic take on the Caped Crusader, some may wonder what Ben Affleck’s would have looked like, building off of his debut in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Contracted for multiple appearances as the Dark Knight in the DCEU, Ben Affleck was set to write, direct, and star in a solo Batman feature following his appearances in Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League. However, a combination of factors gradually led to Affleck leaving the writing and directing duties before choosing to leave the role altogether. As such, Warner Bros. pivoted with Matt Reeves’ vision for The Batman starring a younger Bruce Wayne, recasting with Robert Pattinson who became a new Batman in his own universe. However, various details about Affleck’s original movie have been revealed over time, highlighting several key differences from the 2022 film.
10 Ben Affleck’s Batman Would Have Been In The DCEU
First and foremost, 2022’s The Batman is set in its own “Elseworlds” timeline and universe apart from the DCEU or the future DCU envisioned by new DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. Focusing on a younger Batman in his second year as Gotham’s Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne is largely on his own as he’s still developing his crusade and methods. Likewise, it’s unlikely that Reeves’ universe will feature any other DC heroes beyond those who are directly a part of the Batman mythos.
In comparison, Ben Affleck’s The Batman would have been set in the aftermath of Justice League in the DCEU. The film would have continued Bruce Wayne’s arc after forming a team of heroes to defeat Steppenwolf and any future threats such as the teased Injustice League at the end of Justice League’s theatrical cut or the likes of Darkseid as seen in Zack Snyder’s Justice League which released in 2021. Affleck’s version of the movie would have still been connected to the greater DCEU at large.
9 Deathstroke Would Have Been Batman’s Singular Antagonist
According to Affleck himself, his main focus while developing the script for The Batman was Slade Wilson’s Deathstroke, the DC Universe’s greatest assassin. Played by Joe Manganiello who was featured in both versions of Justice League’s post-credits scenes, Zack Snyder’s original version saw Lex Luthor giving Slade Batman’s secret identity. As such, Deathstroke would have been a primary and largely singular villain of The Batman in Affleck’s original version. In comparison, Reeves’ The Batman has a wider selection of rogues including The Riddler, The Penguin, and crime boss Carmine Falcone.
8 Arkham Asylum Would Have Played A Significant Role
Affleck was also reportedly inspired by DC’s Arkham Asylum comics and video games. As such, his version of The Batman would have had some key psychological thriller elements as the iconic asylum would have likely been a major location. That being said, Matt Reeves’ version does feature a couple of scenes in Arkham, and there is a spin-off Arkham Asylum series reportedly in the works which may take reference from some of Affleck’s initial ideas.
7 Deathstroke’s Batman Vendetta Was Extremely Personal
According to Manganiello, Deathstroke’s mission to kill Batman would have been an incredibly personal vendetta. Circumstances would have seen Slade Wilson holding the Dark Knight responsible for the death of his son, seeking merciless revenge as a result. While 2022’s The Batman has Paul Dano’s Riddler as the primary antagonist, Edward Nygma actually admired Batman, believing they were allies seeking to rid Gotham of its corruption together. Despite being quite different, both villains’ motivations are equally compelling in their own right.
6 Batgirl Was Rumored For Ben Affleck’s Batman Movie
Although an actress was never connected to the role, Batgirl was rumored to be in Ben Affleck’s The Batman. As such, one has to wonder if Leslie Grace would have been Ben Affleck’s Batgirl before her movie was canceled. Although Michael Keaton was set to play Batman, that might have been a result of The Flash movie with Barry Allen changing the timeline back when Keaton was rumored to replace Affleck as the DCEU’s new Batman due to Affleck’s exit and explained by shifts in the multiverse.
5 The Death of Robin Would Have Been Explored
It’s also been confirmed that Robin’s murder in the DCEU would have finally been explored. Currently, it’s confirmed that Jared Leto’s Joker murdered Robin and that Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn was involved as well. Additionally, Zack Snyder confirmed that Dick Grayson was the Robin who was murdered by Joker rather than the second Robin Jason Todd as seen in the original DC Comics. With Reeves’ The Batman being set in its own timeline with a younger Dark Knight, there was zero opportunity to follow up on the murder of Robin first teased in Batman v Superman.
4 Ben Affleck’s Batman Would Have Had Upgraded Batsuit
Concept art from artist Keith Christensen revealed that Ben Affleck’s Batman would have had an upgraded costume in his solo feature, one that would have incorporated more armor pieces overlaid on top of the original suit seen in 2016’s Batman v Superman. However, the suit worn by Robert Pattinson in The Batman is very much like a prototype version. To that end, much of the resources and gear used by Pattinson’s Batman highlight the early stages of the Dark Knight’s vigilante career compared to the DCEU’s who’d been Batman for more than two decades.
3 Other DC Heroes In DCEU Batman Movie
Although he didn’t specify which DC heroes would have made appearances in Ben Affleck’s The Batman, Matt Reeves did reveal that the version of the script he read did have a handful of DCEU cameos. As such, it follows that one or more of Bruce Wayne’s fellow Justice League members would have stopped by to visit Gotham at some point in the initial plot. However, The Batman’s unique status as an isolated franchise from the rest of the DCU means that Reeves’ trilogy will likely remain grounded, keeping itself concerned only by the heroes and villains who exist within the city limits of Gotham.
2 Ben Affleck’s Batman Movie Had A Martial Arts Focus (With Swords)
Revealed via concept art from Jay Olivia, it was confirmed that Deathstroke would have wielded his traditional swords in Ben Affleck’s The Batman. This implies that the movie would have maintained a core focus on martial arts choreography, highlighting Bruce Wayne’s training and combat skills as was seen in the iconic warehouse scene in Batman v Superman. While Robert Pattinson’s Batman did prove himself capable of handling multiple foes at once in The Batman’s opening scenes, hopefully, his own combat prowess will continue to improve as Reeves’ trilogy continues.
1 Affleck’s Solo Batman Movie Would Have Been Like James Bond
Matt Reeves also revealed that Ben Affleck’s The Batman script had a lot in common with the James Bond franchise. Apparently very action-driven with big set pieces, this concept for The Batman was something that Reeves wasn’t as enthused by. While it does have its share of exciting action scenes, Reeves’ version of The Batman is very gritty and dynamically character-driven. However, it makes perfect sense that Ben Affleck’s The Batman in the metahuman-filled DCEU would have likely seen Batman making serious technological upgrades, arming himself with all kinds of new gadgets (not unlike 007 himself.).
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