“We knew we needed an extraordinary
actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular Super Heroes,
and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some,”
WB president Greg Silverman said in a statement.
Zack Snyder went on to say;
“Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has
the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older
and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime
fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce
Wayne,” Snyder said in a statement. “I can’t wait to work with him.”
BURBANK, CA, August 22, 2013 – Ending weeks of
speculation, Ben Affleck has been set to star as Batman, a.k.a. Bruce
Wayne. Affleck and filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new
incarnation of the character in Snyder’s as-yet-untitled
project—bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time on the
big screen and continuing the director’s vision of their universe, which
he established in “Man of Steel.” The announcement was made today by
Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide
Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and
International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The studio has slated the film to open worldwide on July 17, 2015.
Last month’s surprise announcement of the new movie featuring both
Superman and Batman created a wave of excitement and immediately fueled
discussion and debate—among fans as well as in the media—about who would
put on the cape and cowl of Bruce Wayne’s alter ego.
Snyder successfully re-imagined the origin of Clark Kent/Superman in the
worldwide blockbuster “Man of Steel,” which has earned more than $650
million worldwide to date, and climbing. The director will now create an
original vision of Batman and his world for the film that brings the
two DC Comics icons together.
Affleck will star opposite Henry Cavill, who will reprise the role of
Superman/Clark Kent. The film will also reunite “Man of Steel” stars Amy
Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.
Kroll added, “We are so thrilled that Ben is continuing
Warner Bros.’ remarkable legacy with the character of Batman. He is a
tremendously gifted actor who will make this role his own in this
already much-anticipated pairing of these two beloved heroes.”
Affleck recently starred in the Academy Award®-winning Best Picture
“Argo,” which he also directed and produced, earning acclaim and a BAFTA
Award nomination for his performance in the film, as well as a number
of directing honors. In 2010, he starred in and directed the hit crime
thriller “The Town.” His recent acting work also includes “The Company
Men,” “State of Play,” and “Hollywoodland,” for which he received a
Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Earlier in his career, Affleck
starred in and co-wrote (with Matt Damon) “Good Will Hunting,” for which
he won an Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay.
The new Super Hero film is being scripted by David S.
Goyer from a story he co-created with Zack Snyder. Charles Roven and
Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan
and Wesley Coller serving as executive producers.
Production is expected to begin in 2014.
The film is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel &
Joe Shuster, and Batman characters created by Bob Kane, published by DC
Entertainment.
