The DCEU Batgirl movie being made for HBO Max is confirmed to feature Batman, but will he be portrayed by Ben Affleck or another actor? Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, and Robert Pattinson are all three playing different versions of Batman in upcoming DC films, but who will wear the Dark Knight's cape and cowl in movies beyond that, including Batgirl is a mystery.

Ben Affleck's time as the Caped Crusader has been tumultuous. His initial casting in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was met with a lot of negativity, and the movie's divisive reception spawned the infamous "sad Affleck" meme, although he's said he actually enjoyed working on Batman v Superman, and it was the bad experience on Justice League that ultimately convinced him to walk away from his solo film and the character entirely; however, now he's back again for The Flash, casting mystery on his potential future as the character.

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Batgirl raised some eyebrows when it was reported J.K. Simmons would be returning to play Commissioner Gordon, which would suggest the movie is in the same continuity as Affleck's Batman, but the movie's directors, Adil El Arbi and Bill Fallah, won't confirm what actor will play him (assuming the matter is even resolved behind the scenes yet). Thanks to the state of the DCEU, there's no obvious answer to this question, either. While it seems to take place in Affleck's universe, Affleck's history with the character, the existence of multiple other Batman actors, and potential multiverse changes to the timeline in The Flash means, there's no obvious answer.

JK Simmons Comissioner Jim Gordon Affleck Batman Leslie Grace Batgirl

Based on the movie's continuity, the improved reception to Affleck's portrayal, especially after the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League, and Affleck's willingness to return to the role for The Flash, it seems safe to assume Batgirl's Batman actor casting decision is in Affleck's hands and dependant on whether or not he wants to return. However, it's long been speculated The Flash could be providing him a closing chapter and use the multiverse to explain his recasting. There have also been reports suggesting Keaton could be that DCEU Batman replacement, with some reports even suggesting Keaton's Batman could mentor Batgirl, but that would make J.K. Simmons' return as Commissioner Gordon especially strange, as he's a few years younger than Keaton.

The DCEU was thrown into chaos by the decisions made surrounding Justice League, leading to both Zack Snyder and Ben Affleck departing the franchise, and even though both returned to put the finishing touches on Zack Snyder's Justice League, but with Warner Bros. saying Snyder's time in the DCEU is done, Affleck's future as the DCEU's caped crusader beyond The Flash isn't any clearer. For now, Ben Affleck is still the DCEU's Batman, which is more than we could say before he signed on for The Flash, but whether Affleck has the desire or time in his schedule beyond that will only be revealed in time.

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