Earlier this year, it was announced that actor Ben Affleck would not be reprising his role as Batman in the upcoming Warner Bros film The Batman, which hits theatres on 25 June 2021.
The Batman focuses on a younger version of the Caped Crusader and according to a report by Variety, Twilight star Robert Pattinson is strongly being considered for the role and is currently in talks with the producers. If he is signed on, it would make the 32-year-old the youngest actor to play Batman. X-Men’s Nicholas Hoult is another frontrunner as well.
The Batman will be directed by Matt Reeves who took over from Affleck after he also stepped down as director of the film in 2017. Reeves has directed last two Planet of the Apes sequels and will produce The Batman with Dylan Clark.
Affleck appeared as Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017). Speaking about his decision to end his stint as Batman in the DC films in an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Affleck said, “I tried to direct a version of it and worked with a really good screenwriter, but just couldn't come up with a version, I couldn't crack it. So I thought it was time to let someone else take a shot at it. They got some really good people so I'm excited.
Pattinson will be seen in four films this year – High Life; The Lighthouse, which premieres on 19 May at the Cannes Film Festival; The King, for Netflix and Waiting for the Barbarians.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)