SAN DIEGO (AP) – Ben Affleck is still Batman. The actor shot down rumors that he would be hanging up his cape for the stand-alone Batman film, even though he recently ceded directing responsibilities.
Speaking to a crowd of about 6,500 fans at San Diego Comic-Con, Affleck unequivocally assured the crowd that he is still starring in “The Batman.”
On Friday, the trade publication The Hollywood Reporter published a report that Warner Bros. was working on plans to “usher out Affleck’s Batman gracefully” and suggested that it might happen before “The Batman.” The report threatened to overshadow Warner Bros.’ flashy Hall H presentation on Saturday, which was focused on hyping the studio’s big superhero mashup film “Justice League,” which hits theaters in November.
“Let me be very clear. I am the luckiest guy in the world. Batman is the coolest part in any universe, DC or Marvel,” Affleck said. He wanted to knock down the idea that he wasn’t committed to the character, even though he won’t be directing.
Affleck praised director Matt Reeves’ vision and said he would “be an ape on the ground for Matt Reeves.” Reeves recently directed “War for the Planet of the Apes.”