For a while now, most fans have accepted that Ben Affleck won’t be reprising his role as the Dark Knight in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, but when Jimmy Kimmel Live! formalized his departure last night with a retirement ceremony, the internet was inspired to show its sentimental side all over again.
During his appearance on the talk show, Affleck discussed how he tried to helm his own version of a Batman solo flick, but claimed that he just “couldn’t crack it.” His explanation was then followed by a short ceremony in which his old cape and cowl were hung up in the rafters. Though the sendoff was all in good fun, it apparently proved to be an emotional moment for quite a few viewers, who took to Twitter to pay their respects to Affleck’s run in the series, and in some cases, express their resentment that things turned out this way:
https://twitter.com/FuryFirestorm/status/1096393852414578689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1096393852414578689&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fdc%2F2019%2F02%2F15%2Fben-affleck-retires-batman-cape-cowl-jimmy-kimmel%2F
U may not have enjyd the world that Snyder built, you may have had issues with the story that he told, but the one thing he always got right was casting & Ben Affleck was an AMAZING #Batman. Well done @BenAffleck Maybe someday we will see you don the cape and cowl again. #PodNerd pic.twitter.com/dTc5FHD18u
— Bridging the Geekdoms (@BridgeGeekdoms) February 15, 2019
Ben:"i'm not Batman"
Me:"I know you are not Batman"😅
Ben:"hangging cape"
Me:"your secret is safe with me"😉
Yeah…last Kimmel show never happened…🤐#batman #BenAffleck #hangedButNeverForgotten
— DanyFromChile (@CaresDaniella) February 15, 2019
💔Well it’s just he end of an era… #BenAffleck is not #TheBatman anymore HOWEVER he is THE BEST Live-Action #Batman we ever had…THANK YOU @BenAffleck for your amazing performances as Bruce Wayne/Batman 🙌🦇 #Batfleck #BatfleckForever pic.twitter.com/tHhQieEdDQ
— Josh Herrera (@Josh62488) February 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/DerfelMacGuffin/status/1096394380372525056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1096394380372525056&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fdc%2F2019%2F02%2F15%2Fben-affleck-retires-batman-cape-cowl-jimmy-kimmel%2F
I'm not gonna lie… I figured #BenAffleck was done w/ #Batman during the Justice League promo. I'm still optimistic tho. I mean, I figured Ben was gonna be good, but he blew me away. I just hope the next actor, can bring it like he did. That's all I want. pic.twitter.com/HW9sxp0USw
— Thanksgiving 🦃 /Its a Wonderful 🔪 STAN (@TheReelRapNerd) February 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/AleqLeto/status/1096394137216208896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1096394137216208896&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fdc%2F2019%2F02%2F15%2Fben-affleck-retires-batman-cape-cowl-jimmy-kimmel%2F
While there are many who’d argue that Affleck got a raw deal, the fact remains that he’s now out of the series, paving the way for someone new to inherit the title of the Caped Crusader in the character’s first solo movie since 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. If recent reports are anything to go by, then Warner is currently looking for a younger actor to star in The Batman, and while it could be a few more months until we hear a casting announcement, the fans have already suggested a wide array of potential replacements, from Kit Harington to Robert Pattinson.
But whoever’s next in line for the part, we’ll find out if they too can get the fans on their side when The Batman hits theaters on June 25th, 2021.
