In a genuinely shocking announcement, Warner Bros have revealed who they’ve chosen to play Bruce Wayne/Batman in their upcoming MAN OF STEEL sequel… and it’s former Daredevil, BEN AFFLECK!

For those of you wondering why that’s shocking… well, a) they were guaranteed at least another six months of sites like ours reporting on every actor who’s vaguely speculated for the role, or even those just throwing their hat in the ring on Twitter, thus generating essential hype, and b) it’s Ben freakin’ Affleck, former Daredevil!!! 

Affleck has spoken in the past about his DAREDEVIL disappointment (many would say rightly), and has since reshaped his career as an acclaimed, even Oscar-winning director, so his decision to return to the world of capes and tights is a truly unusual one. We can only surmise (hope, pray) that Snyder, Goyer, Nolan and co have pitched an interesting, exciting new approach to the character that Affleck thought worthy of sacrificing his phoenix-like career rebirth on. God knows this announcement will NOT go down well with fans.

Honestly, there’s plenty of us here that have always liked and supported Affleck (GIGLI was shit, sure, but c’mon, we’ve all seen worse); he’s a great actor in the right role, and he definitely has the look and physicality to pull this off; but boy oh boy… this is one hell of a risk on everybody’s part. Colour us very confused right now.

That said, we wish you luck, good sir. If The Bat thought The Clown Prince of Crime was his arch nemesis, then this new incarnation needs to prepare for an even greater threat… The Internet!

Here’s what the decision makers have to say about the inevitably controversial choice:

Zack Snyder, director: “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. I can’t wait to work with him.”

Greg Silverman, Warner Bros’ President of Creative Development: “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. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character.”

Sue Kroll, President of Warner Bros’ Worldwide Marketing: “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.”

The film, which is yet to be officially titled (please don’t go with SUPERMAN VS. BATMAN, you can do better than that) will hit cinemas worldwide (ish) on July 17th 2015.

Batflek art by Grant Kempster

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