MOVIE NEWS – Ben Affleck is ceased to be The Batman alias Bruce Wayne. Who will be new caped crusader? It’s yet unknown as he is passing the torch to a new actor, who hasn’t been cast yet.

Warner Bros. also announced the official release date for The Batman yesterday, with the standalone DC adventure which is will arrive on June 25, 2021. Soon after this news was announced, Ben Affleck tweeted on social media to wish director Matt Reeves well with taking the Batman into the future.

The tweet was later proven to be Ben Affleck‘s goodbye to the caped crusader. Affleck was introduced as the Batman in the 2016 DC Superhero adventure Batman v Superman and later acted Bruce Wayne once again in 2017’s Justice League. He also played the role for a glorified cameo in Suicide Squad.

The new movie: The Batman will follow the adventures of a younger Bruce Wayne. The story was set to follow Batman in his former years, and Ben Affleck was to direct and co-write the script alongside Geoff Johns. Still, the pair did finish a draft of the screenplay and they could never get it where it needed to be. Affleck left the directing, and gave the reigns to Matt Reeves, though still presumably attached to star at the time.

There has been much hush-hush about Ben Affleck‘s ultimate involvement in The Batman, still, now it’s official: he is done. Reeves says this about carrying the movie into the future, explaining his plans for the film.

“I have loved the Batman story since I was a child. He is such an iconic and compelling character, and one that resonates with me deeply. I am incredibly honored and excited to be working with Warner Bros. to bring an epic and emotional new take on the Caped Crusader to the big screen.”

While Ben Affleck was still attached to the film, there were other actors also involved, like Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, who both retook roles from Justice League. It’s now likely that they will no longer be involved. So far, there is no word on whom will replace Ben Affleck. Jon Hamm has been a popular candidate, but he’s likely aged out of what Warner Bros., DC and Matt Reeves are now searching for.

It seems that Henry Cavill is out as Superman as well, but that has yet to be confirmed. Gal Gadot will continue playing Wonder Woman, with a sequel coming next year. And Jason Momoa just tore it up at the box office as Aquaman, so he’s not going anywhere. Along with announcing a date for The Batman, Suicide Squad 2, which is now simply being called The Suicide Squad, was given an August 2021 release date, and Warner Bros. also announced DC Super Pets for that same summer.

Excited for #TheBatman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life. https://t.co/GNgyJroMIO

— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) 2019. január 31.