Robert Pattinson to take over for Ben Affleck to play Caped Crusader in The Batman

Robert Pattinson to take over for Ben Affleck to play Caped Crusader in upcoming superhero flick The Batman

Robert Pattinson will play the Caped Crusader in the upcoming The Batman flick slated for a June 25, 2021 release.

The 33-year-old British actor is the next in line to play the DC Comics superhero after Ben Affleck last played Bruce Wayne in 2017’s Justice League.

 Pattinson is in talks to play Batman in the Matt Reeves led project according to Variety on Thursday night.

Caped Crusader: Robert Pattinson will play the Caped Crusader in the upcoming The Batman flick slated for a June 25, 2021 release according to Variety

Back in January it was reported that Ben Affleck was out of the project which he was originally set to star in, write, and direct.

According to Variety’s sources negotiations are not fully complete but Pattinson is the top choice and the deal is expected to close shortly. 

Pre-production on the Matt Reeves directed film is expected to begin this summer.

Dark night: Back in January it was reported that Ben Affleck was out of the project which he was originally set to star in, write, and direct (he is pictured in 2017's Justice League)

Dark night: Back in January it was reported that Ben Affleck was out of the project which he was originally set to star in, write, and direct (he is pictured in 2017’s Justice League)

Back in January, it was officially announced that Affleck would not be returning as the Caped Crusader as  Deadline reported that The Batman will focus on a ‘younger Bruce Wayne.’

Affleck made his DC Extended Universe (DCEU) debut as the Caped Crusader in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, while making a cameo in 2016’s Suicide Squad and then starring in 2017’s Justice League.

Dynamic duo: Pattinson last starred in period-piece The Lighthouse with Willem Dafoe which is set to debut at the Cannes Film Festival this weekend

Dynamic duo: Pattinson last starred in period-piece The Lighthouse with Willem Dafoe which is set to debut at the Cannes Film Festival this weekend

Affleck was originally slated to co-write the script for The Batman with former DC Entertainment president Geoff Johns, while also directing and starring as the title character.  

Reeves (War For the Planet of the Apes) came aboard to write and direct in February 2017, replacing Affleck at the helm while rewriting the script.

Pattinson last starred in period-piece The Lighthouse with Willem Dafoe which is set to debut at the Cannes Film Festival this weekend.

He is best known for his vampire role of Edward Cullen in the Twilight Saga of films which released five films from 2008 to 2012.

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