In a move that?s been rumored for years but now appears to be officially confirmed, Ben Affleck has vacated the title role in The Batman, Warner Bros. Pictures? upcoming solo feature written and directed by Matt Reeves.
After Reeves hinted that the studio was targeting a 2021 premiere for The Batman, that news was also confirmed, with Deadline reporting that the studio has set June 25, 2021, as the release date for the film. The same report indicated that Affleck will not be reprising the role he played in the studio?s DC Extended Universe films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, and (briefly) Suicide Squad.
Affleck confirmed the report, sharing the article that confirmed the release date and his departure from the project on social media. Later, Affleck explained his decision to hang up his cape and cowl on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
?You know I tried to direct a version of it and worked with a really good screenwriter, but just kind of couldn?t come up with a version. Couldn?t crack it,? Affleck said. ?So I thought it was time to let someone else take a shot at it, and they got some really good people.?
Kimmel retired Affleck?s Batman costume in a mock ceremony by sending it to the studio rafters while Affleck looked directly into the camera and said, ?I?m not Batman,? ending his time as the caped crusader for good.
