Jason Momoa Finally Confirms What We Suspected About Ben Affleck
We finally have intel on whether or not Ben Affleck might ever reprise his role as Batman.
The actor notably walked away from playing Bruce Wayne in 2017 after participating in "Justice League." He was initially slated to star in and direct the standalone "The Batman" film, which eventually starred Robert Pattinson, but had to quit since he couldn't navigate working with his own version of the superhero. "I tried to direct a version of it and worked with a really good screenwriter but just couldn't come up with a version," he said during a "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" appearance. "I couldn't crack it and so I thought it's time for someone else to take a shot at it. They got some really good people so I'm excited."
In a surprising turn of events, however, it was revealed that Affleck would don his cape again in "The Flash." Per director Andy Muschietti, the actor's part in the film is crucial and, without him, it'd be difficult to tell Barry Allen's story. "He's a very substantial part of the emotional impact of the movie. The interaction and relationship between Barry and Affleck's Wayne will bring an emotional level that we haven't seen before," he told Vanity Fair. Affleck also confirmed with the Herald Sun that it would be his last outing as the Caped Crusader and his role in the movie "put a really nice finish on my experience with that character" (via NME).
But that may not be the case, after all, thanks to an inside scoop from none other than Jason Momoa.
Jason Momoa hints at Ben Affleck's return to the DCEU
Jason Momoa let the cat out of the bag: Ben Affleck will return to the DC Extended Universe one more time. This time around, it's for "Aquaman 2."
Momoa took to Instagram to share the news that Affleck is back at the Warner Bros. Studios. Along with photos of him playing around with the newlywed star, Momoa wrote: "REUNITED bruce and arthur. love u and miss u Ben. WB studio tours just explored the backlot alright. busted on set all great things coming AQUAMAN 2 all my aloha j." He also posted a video of a group of tourists "busting" them on-set, with him saying, "Well it's not a f*****g secret anymore, is it?" he exclaimed while laughing. "Well, we tried to keep it a secret," he said, while heading to a dressing room with a sign that reads "B.A." outside. "Whoops!"
It's not that surprising that Affleck decided to reprise his role as Batman again. In his part in "The Flash," he said that he finally figured out how to play the World's Greatest Detective. "I have never said this — this is hot off the presses — but maybe my favorite scenes in terms of Batman and the interpretation of Batman that I have done were in the Flash movie," he told the Herald Sun (via IGN). "It was really fun and really, really satisfying and encouraging and I thought, 'Wow – I think I have finally figured it out.'"
Amber Heard will also be returning for 'Aquaman 2'
Ben Affleck's return as Batman is not the only noteworthy "Aquaman 2" casting news. Despite the rumors following her extremely public defamation trial brought by Johnny Depp, Amber Heard has not been fired from the film, according to Variety, and will indeed return as Mera, Aquaman's love interest. Heard's public image went through one of the roughest social media wringers we've ever seen during the trial. Scores of Depp stans on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube obsessively watched every day of the defamation trial, in which Heard alleged that Depp had been physically and emotionally abusive during their marriage. Heard's critics attempted to get the actor cut from the "Aquaman" sequel with a widely-shared online petition.
At the end of the trial, both Depp and Heard released statements on social media, earning them supportive comments and likes from fellow celebrities, including Jason Momoa. While most celebs picked a side, Momoa, confusingly, liked both posts, according to BuzzFeed. For what it's worth, Affleck (who has had his own share of career controversy), doesn't seem to have voiced support of either.
Still, we have to wonder if this is going to make things awkward on set.
We don't know how much Ben Affleck will be in the movie
It's still not entirely clear how Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne will fit into the rest of the "Aquaman 2" plot. At the 2021 DC FanDome panel, according to the Hollywood Reporter, director James Wan said, "Black Manta is still seeking his vengeance to try to kill Aquaman. That's going to be something that's exciting for the audience." The director explained, "It's a globetrotting story. We visit so many different worlds. This movie isn't afraid to embrace its fantasy." Well that sure tells us ... basically nothing about Batman.
After having already spilled the beans that Affleck would be returning to the DC Universe as Batman, Jason Momoa hasn't offered fans any further details on what his role will entail. We have a feeling he'd be in a bit of trouble if he did. You'll just have to wait and see the movie for yourself when it is released in theaters on December 16, 2022, according to Hollywood Life.