Robert Pattinson is reportedly in talks to replace Ben Affleck as the new Batman.
A new report from Variety claims that the British actor is the “top choice” to play the caped crusader in forthcoming film The Batman, with a deal “expected to close shortly.”
Deadline suggests that although the Twilight Saga alumnus is “holding the edge” in casting negotiations, the studio is thought have also placed X-Men and Tolkien star Nicholas Hoult on the shortlist.
Warner Bros. are yet to confirm any casting developments.
The iconic superhero role was most recently portrayed by Affleck in 2017’s Justice League and 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The 46-year-old confirmed that he would be hanging up his cape for DC’s next standalone Batman film earlier this year, despite having initially signed up to direct, co-write and star in the movie. Matt Reeves was announced as his replacement director in 2017.
Affleck re-tweeted a report from Deadline in January which stated that he was “pass[ing] the torch to the next generation of Bruce Waynes” and wrote: “Excited for The Batman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life.”
According to the report, Reeves’ film is set to “focus on a younger Bruce Wayne.
“Affleck worked hard on The Batman story, but knew he wasn’t the right one for this particular version,” the publication explained, before revealing that “a search is underway for a new Dark Knight.”
Fans on Twitter were quick to throw their support behind the rumoured casting by second-guessing criticism of Pattinson as “the Twilight guy.”
“I really do encourage the people who are upset about this whole ‘Robert Pattinson as Batman’ thing to go back and check out his work over the past five years or so – he’s more than proved he’s one of the most versatile and capable actors in Hollywood at the minute sooo???” one supporter wrote.
“Twilight was a long time ago,” another added. “They cast Beetlejuice and Daredevil as Batman too & both ended up working out. I love this choice and I’m excited to see what he does with the role.”
“Hey guys? The first Twilight movie came out over ten years ago. Calm down and let Robert Pattinson try being Batman. I guarantee you’ve changed A LOT in the past ten years,” a third comment read.
The Batman is slated to land in cinemas on June 25, 2021.
