Ben Affleck Reportedly Replaced Michael Keaton As Batman In 'Aquaman 2'

Last week, Jason Momoa teased that Ben Affleck is returning as Batman for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Momoa posted a picture on his Instagram which featured him and Affleck on the set of the upcoming Aquaman film.

"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," Momoa captioned his post. 

Affleck's version of Batman joined the DC Extended Universe in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This was meant to be the beginning of a major role in the shared universe, and it did continue with a Batman cameo in Suicide Squad and a major role in Justice League. After that, Affleck decided to not continue with his role as Bruce Wayne and showed disinterest in his solo project. However, tables seem to be turning again, indicating that Affleck will wear the cape again in Aquaman 2.

However, this news has left fans confused. The Aquaman sequel was supposed to feature Michael Keaton as the caped crusader, setting his feet again in the upcoming DC project after retiring from the role earlier. The film, which explores the DC multiverse, was meant to have Keaton as the Dark Knight of another universe, eventually leading to Keaton replacing Affleck as the main Batman of the shared DC Extended Universe. Instead, Momoa appeared to confirm it would be Affleck who makes waves in Aquaman 2, not Keaton's Batman.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Keaton—who was also slated to don the Batman costume in the Batgirl movie which has now been shelved—would have been positioned as an elder superhero who comes up in multiple films, offering guidance at crucial instances, much like Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury from Marvel. He also makes an appearance in the upcoming DC film, The Flash.

While Keaton had already filmed a scene in the Aquaman sequel, reports claimed that test audiences found his Batman appearance—coming decades after 1992’s Batman Returns—confusing. His return is only set to be explained in The Flash, which is opening after Aquaman 2 in theaters, complicating things further. 

James Wan's Aquaman sequel is dated to open on March 17, 2023, before the June 23, 2023 release of the Andy Muschietti-directed The Flash, which would explain Keaton's return and his crossover from the retired Burtonverse into the mainline DCEU. This might explain why Affleck is returning as Batman for the sequel instead of Keaton.