Batman v Batman: Who Will Win In 2021, Affleck or Pattinson?

With both The Batman and the Snyder Cut of Justice League releasing in 2021, will Robert Pattinson or Ben Affleck prove a better Batman? Zack Snyder’s Justice League is now headed to HBO Max and Matt Reeves’ solo Batman outing will release the same year, giving viewers two iterations of the Dark Knight to choose from. Although they will be very different takes on the character, comparisons between them are inevitable.

After donning the iconic cape and cowl in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Ben Affleck reprised the role in Justice League, as well as Suicide Squad. The films proved divisive among fans and critics, but Affleck was still set to direct and star in the Caped Crusader’s next project, The Batman. However, the actor eventually handed the reins over to director Matt Reeves and after nearly two years of speculation, Affleck vacated the part of Batman in early 2019.

The DCEU had a bit of a rocky start, so the decision to reboot Batman with a younger actor wasn’t a surprising one. Many were shocked, however, when Robert Pattinson was cast in the titular role. Fans have since warmed to the idea and as more details about the movie emerge, including The Batman's impressive cast, excitement has been steadily building around the film. So, of the two Dark Knights, who will emerge victorious?

Justice League’s Snyder Cut Will Deliver Affleck's True Batman

One of many complaints lodged at the theatrical cut of Justice League was the drastic tonal shifts within the film. Zack Snyder and Joss Whedon are very distinctive filmmakers and the two styles clashed, leaving viewers with a movie that never truly felt cohesive. There are many elements that were drastically changed, but one of the most glaring is Batman’s arc. Snyder’s original plan for Batman was quite different than the one that played out in Justice League. The Caped Crusader’s story wasn’t the only major alteration, with the very essence of the character seemingly rewritten between movies.

Justice League’s theatrical cut attempted to make all of its core heroes funnier than they were in Snyder’s vision for the film. This is particularly jarring in the case of Batman, who was decidedly darker in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. That movie featured a Knightmare sequence that was meant to foreshadow possible events to come. Under Snyder’s direction, Batman’s Justice League story was heavily influenced by this vision, which, along with Flash’s warning, largely served as the impetus for the formation of the team. Without that driving force, Batman’s role in Justice League was radically altered.

Justice League was meant to begin a redemption arc for the hero, one that would take place across several movies and end with Batman's death. However, the Dark Knight viewers were reintroduced to in Justice League was a far cry from the brutal, broken man of its predecessor, so his journey was completely derailed. Until the film’s release, there is no way to tell if Snyder’s version of Batman would’ve turned out better, but it certainly would have been more consistent.

Robert Pattinson's Batman Will Be Totally Different

The Batman how Robert Pattinson will be different to previous Batmans

While The Batman will be dark, which is not dissimilar to the more recent adaptations of the Caped Crusader, it is also expected to be something of a film noir. Reeves has said the movie will focus more on Bruce Wayne’s detective skills, which is an aspect of the character that films thus far have mostly ignored. There will also be an emphasis on the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Alfred. Thankfully, despite being an attempt to reboot the franchise, The Batman will not be an origin story, though it will take place early on in his hero’s journey.

Aside from the storyline, which will return Batman to the spotlight, rather than relegating him to a team member, Pattinson’s Dark Knight will likely be very different than what has come before. As with any superhero, much of the challenge comes in essentially depicting two characters, the hero and their alter ego - though, with Batman, it can certainly be argued that those roles are reversed. Some of Batman’s cinematic portrayals have definitely proven more successful than others, with movies ranging from near-perfect to best left forgotten. For better or worse, each actor has put his stamp on the Caped Crusader and Pattinson seems ready to do the same. He is unlike any of the actors who’ve previously donned Batman’s cape and cowl, and even the brief looks at the Batsuit seem to announce a new direction for the character.

Though Pattinson’s history with Twilight initially gave fans pause, his choices in the wake of those movies have shown tremendous range. The actor has worked with visionary directors like David Cronenberg and Claire Denis, and turned in several critically acclaimed performances, such as his role as Connie Nikas in the Safdie brothers’ Good Time. He will soon be featured in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming release, Tenet, as well. The actor’s passion for the part is also worth noting, because Pattinson’s nerves over becoming a piece of Batman’s legacy don’t outweigh his overall excitement to play the iconic hero.

Why Pattinson's Batman Will Win In 2021

The fact of the matter is, if fans were not all that impressed with Batman's portrayal in the other DCEU films, the Snyder Cut won’t change their minds. Affleck has a proven track record as both an actor and director, so it’s not his talent that is in question. His brief tenure as Batman combined with his horrible experience as Daredevil make it unlikely he will ever return to the superhero genre. The Dark Knight’s role in the upcoming cut of Justice League will greatly diverge from the theatrical version, but whether this iteration of Batman is an improvement remains to be seen.

Although many felt Affleck was a bright spot in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it almost seemed as though he was merely going through the motions in Justice League. This might have been due to the strange way the film was stitched together, so the Snyder Cut may fix the issue. While Affleck’s Batman was at the end of his rope, there is something so much more thrilling about a new beginning for the Caped Crusader, especially one that won’t force viewers to watch him witness his parents get gunned down in an alley yet again. Aside from the fact that Pattinson had hoped to play Batman for quite some time, the actor is obviously ready to move onto the next phase of his career.

The Snyder Cut is an opportunity to see the Justice League as the director originally intended, which is something fans have been lobbying for since the film hit theaters. However, it is still the continuation of a plan that ultimately failed. While The Batman will be a part of DC’s Universe, it can’t really connect in the same way as previous films without retconning Justice League. Those connections can be a heavy burden for a solo superhero film to bear, so The Batman can really benefit from being more of a standalone movie.

When it comes down to it, though the Snyder Cut will not be the same Justice League viewers saw in theaters, it’s still a movie that has a lot of baggage. The Batman is a clean slate and a fresh take on well-worn character who fans are ready to see in a new light. Affleck certainly wasn’t the worst live-action Batman, so there is room for further development in the Snyder Cut. Though his portrayal left fans and critics divided, a strong argument can be made this wasn’t the actor’s fault. Even taking that into consideration, Pattinson is extremely devoted to the role and Reeves is looking to make a Batman movie fans have never seen before. That, in conjunction with the massive amount of talent both in front of the cameras and behind-the-scenes, should see The Batman's Caped Crusader triumph over Justice League's Dark Knight.

NEXT: Justice League's Snyder Cut Will Be Better (But Will It Be Good?)