How Robert Pattinson’s ‘The Batman’ and Ben Affleck’s ‘Batfleck’ Could Exist in the Same Universe
Robert Pattinson is currently in production on Matt Reeves The Batman. At the same time, Ben Affleck is set to return as the Caped Crusader in the upcoming film The Flash.
There’s also calls on social media for a solo Batman film from Affleck with the aptly titled “Batfleck” hashtag. Is it possible for both Pattinson and Affleck’s Batman to exist in the same universe?
‘The Batman’ starring Robert Pattinson is an origin story
The next version of the Caped Crusader to hit movie screens will be director Matt Reeves’ reboot title The Batman. Reeves cast Pattinson in the role because the film is an origin story.
It will feature a young Bruce Wayne in just his second year of fighting crime in Gotham.
Since fans will meet the character at such an early stage in his vigilante career, Bruce will still have a lot of things to learn and a number of characters to meet.
In The Batman, Bruce will come across Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz), Penguin (Colin Farrell), and the Riddler (Paul Dano).
Ben Affleck didn’t get off to a good start in the DCEU
Following the success of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy starring Christian Bale, the DC Extended Universe brought Affleck’s new version of Batman to the big screen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Critics didn’t like the movie for a number of reasons, with many naming the tone and the script as its weakest points. However, critics and fans alike praised Affleck’s performance.
This led to the Oscar winner reprising the role in Suicide Squad, Justice League, and Snyder Cut: Justice League. His performance in the Snyder cut has sparked fan interest in Affleck’s unmade solo Batman film.
Robert Pattinson’s version of the character can exist in the ‘Batfleck’ universe
When Affleck took over the role of Bruce Wayne, they decided to skip the origin story and go straight to crime fighting. In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, he was already an experienced vigilante who had already interacted with a number of different villains.
Since Pattinson is part of the origin story — and Affleck’s version takes place years later — it’s unlikely that Pattinson’s younger Batman will catch up to the experienced Affleck version. Even if Pattinson’s version gets a trilogy.
As Screen Rant points out, the timelines are far enough apart for them to exist in the same universe. That one small detail makes it possible for both versions to exist without one affecting the other.
On top of that, the multiverse also makes it possible for different versions of one character to exist. This is already happening in The Flash, which will feature both Affleck and Michael Keaton.
Fans want a solo ‘Batfleck’ movie
Before Pattinson was cast in The Batman reboot, Affleck was set to direct and star in a Batman movie set within the DCEU. The Academy Award-winning screenwriter even wrote a script.
But, Warner Bros. ended up canceling the project because the universe was going through some major changes. Not to mention, Affleck was having his own personal issues.
But thanks to the success of the Snyder Cut, fans are clamoring for more from Affleck’s Caped Crusader. They want to see Affleck in that solo Batman movie he wrote. So much so, they’ve started the hashtag #MakeTheBatfleckMovie.
Could Robert Pattinson and Ben Affleck both have solo Batman films in theaters?
As the Batfleck hashtag trended on Twitter, producer Jay Oliva revealed that Affleck’s Batman script was the best one he’s ever read.
“The original Affleck script was the best Batman script I’ve ever read. Ben had a kick-ass story and I believe that the audience and fans would have loved it. #MakeTheBatfleckMovie,” Oliva wrote.
Details have started to emerge about the script, including the fact that the story is set in Arkham Asylum. And the main antagonist is Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello).
Despite Pattinson’s The Batman hitting theaters next year, a Batfleck solo movie would still work. They are at different points in their lives, and possibly in different timelines. Yes, they can coexist in the same universe with zero problems.
The Batman hits theaters on March 4, 2022. The Flash will follow on November 4, 2022.
