Ben Affleck’s Batman Deserves a Comeback – Here’s How James Gunn Can Make It Happen

Batman has long been among the most popular superheroes in film franchises, one of the most contentious being in the currently dead-and-buried DC Extended Universe (DCEU) under Ben Affleck. Affleck’s Dark Knight has been darker, harsher, and far more morally ambiguous than any interpretation before. While this drove contention in form, there is still a possible chance that Affleck’s Batman gets to be re-considered in this course of DC Universe (DCU) under the direction of James Gunn.

The most intriguing method to bring Affleck-backed Batman back into the fray is to have a Golden Age Batman from the character’s early comic book appearances. In late 1930s to early 1940s, this version of the Caped Crusader was a far cry from any modern iterations; it featured the use of firearms and gave the character a noir-ish, gothic bent. With the DCU now venturing into giving itself a multiverse-narrative, the idea of having Affleck play a darker, noir-inspired Batman on Earth-Two has now become a very appealing consideration. >

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Golden Age Batman: A Forgotten but Gritty Version

Batman debuted in 1939, heavily influenced by the pulp heroes like The Shadow. He was meaner, lacked the moral code as stringent as his subsequent incarnations, and used guns—an element that has since been removed from the character’s history. Stories at this point had Batman face gangsters, supernatural foes, and early versions of villains like The Joker. But with Robin’s introduction, the tone was a family-friendly style of storytelling, leaving Batman’s more brutal early existence in the past.

Few adaptations in the past few years have referenced back to the Golden Age Batman appearance. While comics like The Bat-Man: First Knight have successfully pulled off this tone, no live-action film has attempted to do so wholeheartedly. This is an area of lost potential in the history of Batman films that is an opportunity for Affleck to return in a fresh, historically accurate role. >

Ben Affleck’s Batman Was the Most Violent Yet

Affleck’s Batman, introduced in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), had been an old, world-weary, and brutally violent take on the character. Influenced by Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, this Batman was an existential adversary of Superman and assaulted thugs with scant hesitation. His Batmobile featured guns mounted on it, and he even branded crime suspects, violating the no-kill order of traditional portrayals of Batman.

While unpopular, this depiction had some similarities with Golden Age Batman, namely its moral ambiguity and gun use. However, the negative reception of Batman v Superman and the DCEU’s inability to succeed prevented Affleck from remaining in the role. His solo movie in production became Matt Reeves’ The Batman, leaving his version of the character without resolution.

How the DCU Could Bring Affleck Back

James Gunn’s DCU is already expanding into different areas of Batman, with The Brave and the Bold having a new live-action Batman and his son, Damian Wayne. The Elseworlds brand also offers the possibility of alternate universe stories, such as Reeves’ The Batman franchise. The format allows one to have a Golden Age Batman on Earth-Two, allowing Affleck to be a different, era-specific iteration of the character.

Possible Approaches

Standalone Movie or Series: A noir-influenced Batman tale in the 1940s, inspired by old crime dramas and Gothic horror, would be a new spin on the character.
Multiversal Crossover: If the DCU delves into the multiverse, an Earth-Two narrative involving Affleck’s Batman could offer a natural means of bringing him back.
Justice Society of America (JSA) Connection: The JSA, long associated with Earth-Two, could potentially feature a iteration of Batman in a Golden Age setting.

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Challenges and Considerations

Although this idea is compelling, there are some challenges:

Multiple Batmen: With Robert Pattinson and the upcoming DCU Batman, bringing on a third live-action Caped Crusader might be too much.
Audience Confusion: The general audience may have trouble differentiating between these varied iterations of Batman.
Studio Priorities: Warner Bros. and DC Studios are free to prioritize other projects over a Golden Age Batman adaptation.

Conclusion

Ben Affleck’s Batman is a fascinating, unfinished chapter in the on-screen history of Batman. By bringing him back as a Golden Age Batman in the multiverse of the DCU, James Gunn is free to introduce a fresh, historically accurate take on the character. Either in a solo film or a crossover, this gesture might at last give Affleck’s Batman the respect he deserves, while also introducing audiences to a forgotten but fascinating period in the life of the Dark Knight.