The Batman might be a little while away, but the anticipation has made it out to as if the release date is just around the corner. Due to this, there have already been many comparisons between former Batman Ben Affleck and the current one in Robert Pattinson, although most haven’t been judged very fairly.

RELATED: Every Movie Robert Pattinson Has Done Since Twilight (& Their Rotten Tomatoes Score)

For this reason, we’ve come up with five reasons why Robert Pattinson can trump Ben Affleck as the best Batman, and five why Affleck will remain as the premier version for years to come. These have been considered taking factors both in-universe and the audience perception around both actors, as well as the film at large.

Affleck: Chemistry With The Justice League

At least for the next few years, we won’t be seeing Robert Pattinson’s Batman interacting with the Justice League, as the DCEU has now shifted toward singular films rather than team-ups. Regardless, it doesn’t seem likely that Robert’s version can emulate the chemistry Affleck’s had with the cast.

That would be because the Affleck Batman was positioned as being far more experienced than his teammates, something that won’t be believable given Pattinson’s younger appearance and the fact that the continuity won’t make sense if the series tries to act as if things have picked up straight after Justice League with Pattinson now in the role.

Pattinson: Chance To Start Over

Robert Pattinson and Batman Suits Video Image

Unfortunately for Ben Affleck, he was thrust right into the DCEU and made to work with what he had, as there was no origin story or solo film for him. With Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice starting things off all of a sudden, the odds were against Affleck’s Batman to make a mark.

This is why Pattinson won’t be having these issues since he does have a solo film for fans to really get to know his character. There’s ample time to get viewers to settle down with both his Bruce Wayne and his Batman, which is a refreshing change of pace that can only work in his favor.

Affleck: He Looks The Part

An image of Bruce Wayne looking serious in the movies

Appearances are something you just can’t manufacture. Even with all the diet and exercise in the world you just can’t make a guy seem like a character if he naturally doesn’t. With Ben Affleck, the benefit was that he looks just like you’d imagine Bruce Wayne and Batman would.

RELATED: Batman V Superman: 10 Easter Eggs That We'll Never See Paid Off

As Bruce, Affleck had that suave quality and commanding presence simply based on how he looked, while his Batman version had an incredible frame to behold. His physique was just what you wanted from a hardened, experienced and brutal Batman. In Pattinson’s case, he might have the Bruce Wayne look done right, but the Batman is going to take getting used to.

Pattinson: He's A Diverse Actor Capable Of Surprising The Audience

Robert Pattinson and The Batman Costume

Not to say that Ben Affleck isn’t a diverse actor himself, but Pattinson’s advantage is that he’s bound to blow people away with his acting chops since hardly anyone knows what to expect. In fact, Pattinson has been on a roll since his Twilight days.

Since Affleck didn’t have anything to prove where his acting talent was concerned, not many focused on it. However, Pattinson’s turn as Bruce Wayne and Batman is bound to reflect the superb progress he’s made in the last decade, which will bring in more appreciation for his performance.

Affleck: Already Established Storylines

Even though it will be nice to see a new storyline for Batman, there’s no running away from the stories that have already been established for him. After all, Affleck’s Batman was seen setting up the Justice League while also having undergone a significant change after the death of Robin.

This will be something that will hang over Pattinson’s Batman throughout, as fans will want to have Affleck’s storylines resolved. He also did a great job in having these angles set up, seeing as the other heroes’ stories haven’t stirred interest the way Affleck’s Batman has.

Pattinson: He's Set To Face Classic Villains

The Riddler

The reason why the DC Animated Universe has trumped the DCEU version so far has been the richer history the former has, which includes facing all of Batman’s villains from the comics. Affleck’s version never got a chance to fight them, while The Batman seems to be setting Pattinson’s version up with most of the major antagonists.

We know that The Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman, and Carmine Falcone will all be in it, meaning that Pattinson’s Batman already has far more interesting villains than what Affleck ever got, and everybody knows Batman is at his best when he’s up against quality antagonists.

Affleck: The Majority Of Fans Prefer This Version

Batman Ben Affleck DCEU

With Pattinson’s history as Edward in The Twilight Saga still being the dominant perception about the actor, many seem to find it difficult to accept that Ben Affleck has stepped out from the role. 

RELATED: The Suicide Squad: 10 Movies Starring The Cast You Need To See

Since this version was so different, and that Affleck pulled it off well, fans just aren’t ready to say goodbye. It’ll probably take some time for viewers to truly appreciate Pattinson in the role, but Affleck’s legacy is definitely all set and won’t ever be tarnished since he left people wanting more.

Pattinson: He Gets A Theme Behind His Movie

Robert Pattinson Batman and Arkham Knight Armor

Sure, Affleck’s Batman was one of the darkest interpretations of the character yet, but he was still restricted in films that featured other superheroes, which also meant that the movies lacked a theme that circled around Batman’s darkness.

To Pattinson’s benefit, The Batman’s Gotham City is meant to take a noir-like approach, something that will have the theme working to elevate the character’s innate darkness without putting all of the pressure on the actor. This, combined with the original take on Batman by Pattinson, has set him up to turn the perception around the DCEU character in a new way.

Affleck: He Was The Standout Performer In His Appearances

Batman saves Harley Quinn suicide squad Cropped.v1

Being a great performer in a great movie is one thing, but being a great performer in multiple bad movies is something that immortalizes you for the fans. Affleck was one of the few good things in as many as three movies in Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League.

Standing out among the rest in these films has enabled Affleck to be considered the premier Batman by most, which has also meant that Pattinson will always be compared to Affleck even if the former’s films turn out to better.

Pattinson: Long-Lasting Potential

Robert Pattinson and Batman Suit

It was an odd decision of Zack Snyder to start things off with an older Batman since there was never going to be long-lasting potential here. It was inevitable that sooner than later Batman would be shown struggling with age-related issues, which is not a problem for Pattinson.

The Batman is hopefully just the beginning for him because it would practically be a guarantee that we’d see him interacting with other superheroes if the DCEU starts taking things on a larger scale down the line. Throw in potential sequels to The Batman, and Robert Pattinson just might carve out a legacy that seals his spot as the greatest Batman actor.

NEXT: DCEU: 10 Most Hated Supporting Characters