Zack Snyder reignites fan calls for a solo Batfleck film by releasing a color version of the first-look image of Affleck's Batman from BvS.
Zack Snyder has given DC fans a glimpse of a full-color version of Ben Affleck's Batman test shot from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Snyder, who served as the chief architect of the DCEU’s earliest days, began DC’s attempts at constructing their own interconnected cinematic universe with 2013’s Man of Steel. The director would later cast Affleck as Gotham’s Dark Knight in the DCEU’s second outing Batman v Superman, a decision which originally took many DC fans by surprise and even generated some initial backlash and even inspired fan petitions to have him removed from the role.
Affleck, who had previously brought Marvel’s Daredevil to life in 2003 with limited success, was reluctant to tackle another superhero role after that film’s poor performance. Criticisms aimed at Affleck’s casting, however, began to subside when a first-look, black and white image of him emerged next to a redesigned Batmobile. Showcasing a musclebound version of Batman distinctly reminiscent of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, Affleck promised a physically imposing iteration of the character never before seen on screen.
Related: How Snyder's Robin & Batgirl Plans Could Have Saved Affleck's Batman
Snyder, who is well known for offering fans behind-the-scenes glimpses of his DC films, has recently taken to social media to share an alternate version of the first glimpse of Affleck’s Batman and his Batmobile. Originally posted to his Vero account, and quickly shared on Twitter by various fan accounts, the image not only provides fans a look at the image in color but also offers a fresh new angle. You can check out the image below (via SnyderVerseDC):
More Batmobile - @ZackSnyder on @verotruesocial #RestoreTheSnyderVerse pic.twitter.com/Zrgg5ZpNBL
Despite Affleck recently asserting that he was done with playing large IP roles such as Batman, Snyderverse aficionados are already taking this latest image as fodder to renew calls for Affleck’s return to the role and his own solo film. Earlier plans for next year’s The Batman starring Robert Pattinson had Affleck slated to not only star but also to direct and co-write his own solo Batman project with Geoff Johns. Current director Matt Reeves came on board in 2017, and after months of rumors, Affleck officially departed the project altogether in 2019, making room for Pattinson’s eventual casting.
While Affleck is due to reprise the role of Batman one more time for 2022’s The Flash movie, it is widely expected that the film will be his final time in the cowl, as Warner Bros. seeks to establish the future of the Batman franchise with Pattinson at the helm. This, of course, hasn’t prevented avid Snyderverse fans from petitioning for a solo Batfleck film, as the online reaction to this latest image is already proving. However, at this stage, it seems increasingly unlikely that Affleck, who began his DC journey with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, will return after what is widely expected to be his Batman swansong.
Next: Why Affleck's Batman Is Returning To The DCEU (But Not Cavill's Superman)
Source: Zack Snyder (via SnyderVerseDC)
TC Phillips is a scribbler, mess maker, and storyteller by nature. He is also a publisher and an author of his own special brand of warped fiction, and he revels in delving headfirst into all things strange, bizarre, and fantastical. A self-proclaimed nerd of the highest order, the vibrational energy generated by his constant state of fanboy excitement should probably be harnessed to power a small city. When his pancreas is not screaming under the pressure of his dietary habits, he is constantly befuddled by his three children and amazed that his long-suffering wife has not yet taken it upon herself to murder him in his sleep. He Tweets at @T_C_Phillips