Ben Affleck’s Batman will have a brand new theme in Zack Snyder’s Justice League score. After nearly 4 years since the theatrical release of Justice League, 2 years of the Snyder Cut campaign, and almost a full year since Zack Snyder’s Justice League’s HBO Max announcement, the wait to see Snyder’s much-talked-about project is almost over. The over 4-hour long film releases on HBO Max on March 18, and it will showcase Snyder’s original vision for the Justice League, which includes new elements revolving around Affleck’s Batman, such as the spotlighted scene with Jared Leto’s Joker in the recent trailer.
Affleck’s Batman originally debuted in Snyder’s divisive Batman v Superman in 2016, and it was an older, much darker version of the hero. His theme in that film, which was created by Junkie XL and Hans Zimmer, also reflected the tone of not only Snyder’s DC universe but also of the Batman character, including a track titled “Beautiful Lie” that even highlights Bruce Wayne’s tragic past. In Justice League, Affleck’s Batman evolves into a more positive force trying to assemble the superhero team, but unfortunately, in the 2017 theatrical cut, Junkie XL’s music accompanying this journey was removed (one of the many changes). Instead, Danny Elfman’s nostalgic 1989 Batman score accompanies the Caped Crusader. In Snyder’s Justice League, Tom Holkenborg’s (Junkie XL) score will return, but the composer has revealed fans will also hear a new Batman theme.
In an interview with TheFilmJunkee, Junkie XL discussed scoring the Snyder Cut of the Justice League. The interview touched on the existing themes of Superman and Batman, and was about to tackle composing themes for the other superheroes in this ensemble project before Junkie XL provided “a little premiere” regarding Affleck’s Batman. According to the composer, “Batman has a whole new theme in this movie,” which focuses on his “motivation” in the film, as opposed to his tormented past like his Batman v Superman theme does.
“Batman, very tormented character, but the most beautiful thing about Batman – he’s actually not the real superhero in this movie compared to the other guys. He’s just a guy that has a lot of money. So funny enough, he has this very tormented past. So in this particular movie, the focus is a little less on his tormented past and it’s more focused on the motivation to bring the crew together. So that is his primary goal.”
The logic behind introducing a brand new Batman theme for the upcoming Justice League is sound and similar to the opening of Snyder’s Justice League (which recaps Superman’s death), it ties into the evolution of the character and Snyder’s original story. Considering the upcoming Justice League will allow the director to tell his story at his own pace, there will arguably more meaning and impact when hearing Junkie XL’s new Batman theme, compared to Elfman’s Batman theme in Whedon’s version. The theatrical version of the film was a cluster of different ideas, and Elfman’s theme was randomly inserted and had no real impact in the film aside from bringing a little nostalgia.
Although Affleck will return as the Caped Crusader in The Flash film, his time as Batman seems to have come to an end, and it's likely his new theme may be a one and done in Snyder’s Justice League. Although Snyder has expressed a desire to see his Batman battle Deathstroke on screen, and fans will get to see the original set up for Affleck’s Batman film in Justice League, Warner Bros. looks to be heading in a new direction with the DCEU. However, the news of a new Batman theme does add another layer of excitement for the upcoming Justice League and perhaps will even spark a stronger desire from fans to want to see Affleck continue as Batman.
Source: TheFilmJunkee
