Ben Affleck’s caped crusader is thought to be the reason Warner Bros. execs gave a rough cut of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice a standing ovation. An outpouring of praise for Batfleck followed, with execs dubbing him the ‘definitive Batman’; a lofty claim considering the array of actors who’ve taken to the cape previously. And if a new piece of rumored intel is to be believed, the studio plans to capitalize on his winning turn.
According to a new rumor over at Heroic Hollywood, Warner brass’ enthusiasm for Affleck’s Batman is such that they’re aiming to optimize his appearance by actually increasing his screentime. As a result, his second-billed comrade Superman looks set to spend more time on the cutting room floor. “Supposedly Ben Affleck’s Batman is so good,” the site reports, “that he is blowing Henry Cavill’s Superman right off the screen.”
Taken with a pinch of salt is how we’d often recommend you ingest unverified claims, but taken in context with the wealth of prior news it may be worth considering. After all, the studio pushed forward work on a Batman solo movie that’s eyed as the opening chapter in a whole new trilogy of Batflicks. And Superman’s standalone efforts? Apparently Man of Steel 2 isn’t even a priority for the studio and is currently on hold. That’s likely another key factor in wanting to boost Batman’s time on screen; if Supes won’t be following up his BvS appearance with a second solo outing, then it makes sense for the studio to push for Batman’s adventures much sooner.
Find out who reigns supreme in the screentime war when Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice opens on March 25, 2016.
Fearing the actions of a god-like super hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.
