9 Changes Warner Bros Wishes It Could Make To Its DC Universe

In some respects, Ben Affleck was a solid choice for the role of Batman. Whether in Bruce Wayne or Caped Crusader mode, the A-lister has brought gravitas and star power to the DC universe.

This, however, has come with a side helping of uncertainty since fresh rumours that Batfleck is about to leave the belfry have cropped up every week since he scaled back his involvement in The Batman, relinquishing the director’s chair and scripting duties in favour of an acting-only role.

Batman is an iconic role and the last thing Warner wants is to have to recast it a dozen films into its cinematic universe. Would the MCU movies have fared as well if Tony Stark suddenly showed up sporting a different face in Iron Man 3? Certainly not from a continuity standpoint.

Bruce Wayne is a layered character with duality at his core who needs multiple films to flesh out his arc. Consistency is needed, and the studio should have tapped an actor who’s in for the long haul, whether than meant locking Affleck into a long-term deal or seeking out another star entirely.

The truth behind Affleck’s apparent reluctance to commit to Batman long-term is still shrouded in mystery, but given that he is the franchise’s most bankable star and a proven asset in front of and behind the camera, perhaps the studio’s strategy should have been creative appeasement.