Ben Affleck’s exit from the role of Batman made it impossible for the DCEU to use its best Robin setup. While Ben Affleck had announced in 2018 that he was no longer going to play Batman, the actor eventually suited up again for the additional Knightmare scenes in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and he's also confirmed to appear in The Flash. Still, Affleck does not plan on being Batman in the long run, as it's Michael Keaton's rendition of the character who will mentor Batgirl in the upcoming Batgirl movie.
Four years after Ben Affleck was considered to direct Man of Steel, the actor and director were invited by Zack Snyder to play Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Affleck was not keen on playing a superhero again after Daredevil (2003), but Snyder’s pitch of an older Dark Knight Returns-inspired Batman was enough to convince the actor to sign up. In addition to his appearances in Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League, Ben Affleck was also expected to direct, write, and star in a solo Batman film.
Ben Affleck’s Batman movie ended up not happening, and the actor decided not to commit to a long-term run as the character, due to how troubled his experience in the role had been. That said, had Affleck continued to be the DCEU’s Batman, the franchise could have easily introduced what is currently the most popular Robin, Damian Wayne. The son of Batman with Talia Al Ghul was introduced in the comics in 1985, followed by his rescue in the canon in 2006 – now as a Robin himself. Damian would then become a recurring presence in the Batman books, as well in the DC Animated Movie Universe. The DCEU could have borrowed from that popularity in the live-action movies, as Ben Affleck’s version of that character would be very welcome for Damian. Not only had Affleck’s Batman lost his Robin, which was supposed to be Dick Grayson, but the character was also at the perfect age to find out he had a 12-year-old son. Additionally, Ben Affleck’s Batman movie was supposed to reveal that Bruce Wayne was a former student of Ra’s Al Ghul, meaning that he already had a connection with Talia Al’ Ghul.
Unlike other Robins, Damian Wayne’s story begins way before he becomes Batman’s sidekick, and thus it requires a lot more lore background. That is why it will always be difficult for a cinematic Batman to introduce Damian Wayne as Robin. The DCEU’s original Batman, on the other hand, had more than 20 years of legacy as a vigilante, meaning that it was way easier for his story to accommodate a character like Damian Wayne. In comparison, Robert Pattison’s Bruce Wayne has just started his journey as Batman, and it would take a lot of time before it even makes sense for Damian Wayne to appear. Likewise, Damian Wayne would also not fit Michael Keaton’s Batman story very well, unless an older version of Bruce Wayne’s son is introduced.
Ben Affleck’s departure from the role of Batman meant the end of a lot of storylines for the DCEU, including the possible arrival of Damian Wayne as Robin. Batman and Deathstroke would both have a history with the League of Assassins in Ben Affleck’s Batman script, which the DCEU could have used as the start of a Damian story. Now, it will probably take a while before Damian Wayne ever gets the chance to appear in live-action.
