Yahoo News Ben Affleck denied he would play Batman. 18 years ago.
At this weekend's San Diego Comic-Con, Ben Affleck took to the stage to affirm how happy he is to be playing Batman in the Justice League movie and for Matt Reeves' standalone Batman film, amid rumours that he might be considering dropping out.
"I am the luckiest guy in the world. Batman is the coolest part in any universe, Marvel, DC, anything – I'm so thrilled to do it. Its f**king amazing. I still can't believe it," he said.
"Everyone at the studio tells me I'm their Batman and I believe it. And Matt Reeves? I'd be an ape on the ground for Matt Reeves. I'm blown away and its an exciting time in the DC Universe. I'm excited to be Batman."
But it turns out he wasn't always so keen on donning the cowl and becoming the Dark Knight.
Back as far as 1999, rumours were circulating that Affleck might suit up for what would have been Batman 5 – the next in the series begun by Tim Burton, following on from Joel Schumacher's derided Batman and Robin, which saw George Clooney in the highly camp be-nippled suit.
After suggestions were apparently made that Affleck would play Batman, but only if his ex-girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow could play Catwoman, Ben posted on his official website (which is now defunct, but quoted in The Guardian):
"As I'm sure most of you might infer, this story is absurd. There is no Batman script, no movie being planned, they have not called me or my agent and Gwyneth is much more the 'Electra' type... I really have no idea where they get this stuff. It is as if someone sits in a room and quite literally invents it."
At the time, a Batman 5 was being planned with Joel Schumacher back at the helm, potentially featuring the Scarecrow (who they had apparently tapped Nicolas Cage to play) and Harley Quinn (this time the daughter of the Joker – don't worry) making an appearance. Fortunately it never happened, leaving the coast clear for Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy to freshen the place up.
Affleck did sign up for Daredevil (not good), with Jennifer Garner as his Elektra, but holding out for 18 years to jump in the Batmobile has proved a smart move for Affleck.
Let's hope he keeps his word and sticks around.
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