After returning in The Flash for what seemed to be his last time, Ben Affleck's Batman will also appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, raising the question of why the DCU can’t let fully go of Affleck’s version of the character. Following a Jason Momoa cryptic Instagram post featuring Ben Affleck on the set for Aquaman 2, it was reported Affleck would indeed appear as Batman in the Aquaman sequel. However, with James Gunn taking over the mantle of the DCU, nothing is for sure outside the movie's releases. Affleck's appearance in Aquaman 2 is not even certain now.

James Gunn came in and took over the reins of the DCU and made some sweeping changes. Not only is Ben Affleck out as Batman, but Henry Cavill is out as Superman and there are also questions about the Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Flash actors returning. Robert Pattinson will keep his Batman movies as special event films outside the DCU. However, even with Affleck seemingly finished as Batman, there is now a chance that the DCU is not done with Ben Affleck. James Gunn let fans know that there might be more to come from the actor after he hangs up the cowl.

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Ben Affleck's Batman Casting Was A Big Deal

Ben Affleck as the DCUs Batman and Bruce Wayne

Affleck was reluctant in playing a superhero again after Daredevil (2003), but Snyder’s pitch for a Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns-inspired Batman sold the actor on the project. Ben Affleck's Batman appeared in Snyder’s Justice League film and was meant to direct a solo Batman film. However, after a troubling experience with Justice League, Affleck ended up passing on the opportunity to direct his own solo Batman movie and later announced that he was out of the role entirely. After this, Robert Pattinson's Batman movie arrived but was outside the DCU.

Affleck put on the cape and the cowl one more time for the "Knightmare Timeline" scenes in the Snyder Cut, and it was no surprise he returned to help the director with his final Justice League cut. Not long after Affleck's return, the DCU announced Ben Affleck's Batman would be in The Flash, which was already set to also star Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader. The Flash deals with the multiverse, as well as most likely rebooting some elements of the DCU. On top of bringing Michael Keaton’s Batman into DCU canon, it made sense for Warner Bros. to reach out to Affleck to show two alternate variants of Batman.

Will Aquaman 2 And The Flash Be The End For Affleck's Batman?

A montage of Keaton and Affleck's Batmen with Aquaman.

The Flash might mark the end of the road for Ben Affleck's Batman. Affleck will have a small role in that movie, as he warns Barry Allen that he could break everything if he tries to change the past. Clearly, that happened and Barry ended up in an alternate timeline where his mother survives and Affleck's Batman no longer existed. Instead, this was Michael Keaton's Batman, although it might not be the Tim Burton Batman. There are variants in the multiverse that looks the same, and this could be a brand-new Batman. By the end of The Flash, expectations are that the DCU will look very different.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was supposed to have Affleck's Batman in the movie, but that might not happen with the changes in the DCU. However, that doesn't mean that Affleck has to leave the movie role for good. He could easily stop playing Batman fully in the DCU and instead serve as a sort of advisor for other heroes. That could happen in the Aquaman movie. However, there is little chance of it lasting because there will be a brand-new Batman in the DCU with the upcoming The Brave and the Bold movie. That Batman won't be the one from the past movies, but what about Affleck?

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Affleck Might Stay In The DCU To Direct

Ben Affleck as Batman.

While Ben Affleck's Batman days are numbered, and The Flash might mark the end of the road for the actor, he might be sticking around the DCU in another role. James Gunn announced a bunch of upcoming movies and HBO Max shows for the DCU, including a Batman film called The Brave and the Bold. There will also be a Superman movie, written and possibly directed by Gunn. Add in Green Lantern, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and more, and there are a lot of properties that Gunn is overseeing. He also needs directors and that is where Affleck comes into the picture.

Affleck met with James Gunn to talk about directing a DCU film. Gunn said that he might have a new role for Henry Cavill, and they are also "working with Ben Affleck" (via Game Rant). Gunn also said they are looking forward to him directing something. While Affleck never directed his Batman movie, he is an award-winning director. Argo won Best Picture at the Oscars, with Affleck taking home the Golden Globes award for Best Director. Add in Gone Baby Gone and The Town, and Affleck has proven himself. Ben Affleck's Batman might be gone, but Affleck might be here to stay.

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