Ben Affleck denies Batman exit, is 'the luckiest guy in the world'

Following reports earlier this week that Ben Affleck might be leaving Batman behind, it seems like many fans had already decided that was the case. Speaking to the crowd at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, though, Affleck says that’s simply not the case.

“I am the luckiest guy in the world. Batman is the coolest fucking part in any universe. It’s fucking amazing and I still can’t believe it after two films,” Affleck said.

“And Matt Reeves doing it, I would be an ape on the ground for Matt Reeves. And I think you’ll see why I’m so excited to be Batman,” he continued.

Affleck said he’d spoken with Warner heads Kevin Tsujihara, Sue Kroll, and Toby Emmerich about the role.

“We want you to be the Batman, they told me, and I believe them,” Affleck said. He said later in the presentation that he loves “being in Hall H and being able to say, ‘I’m Batman.'”

Slow down, Ben!

Affleck is pretty enthusiastic about the role. As should anyone getting to play Batman. I’m a bigger fan of the Flash these days, but even I know Batman is the coolest.

But it’s important to remember that, at one point, Affleck was writing and directing The Batman, and now he isn’t. Just prior to that rather sharp change, Affleck said he was still directing the movie. Two weeks later, he was out. Things change.

Affleck’s enthusiasm could come across as a bit of “the Batman doth protest too much, methinks,” though. If there is a change coming, these sorts of changes aren’t things studios like leaking out before they’ve figured out what to do about it. It seems like, in the studios’ eyes, we as viewers aren’t smart enough to understand a casting change, as rumor also had it that the studios were going to address Affleck’s exit in the movies themselves. Please, DC. If we can handle three Hulks, three Punishers, six James Bonds, we can sure handle a seventh Batman.

Personally, I’d prefer Affleck stay. He has the physicality and the look to play the character, and the trailers for Justice League have more more convinced than ever that he’s the guy. Warner Bros. should be working to keep him, in my opinion. If he is leaving, I’m guessing we won’t find out officially until after the dust has settled on Justice League, which hits theaters on November 17, 2017.