Two weeks ago when a purported short list of actors DC and WB wanted to portray Batman in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, unofficially titled Batman vs. Superman, I said: “If WB and DC seriously want to get to the same level Marvel’s on, they’re going to have to nab a big name actor…” At the time, I mentioned Jon Hamm (Mad Men), because he’s personally my first choice as Bruce Wayne/Batman, but also easy to accept as a superhero, given the fact that he hasn’t been around the superhero film block.

Apparently, WB and DC were aiming even higher, as reports have confirmed tonight that none other than Ben Affleck will don the cape and cowl as the next in line to portray The Dark Knight. The news practically comes out of left field as Affleck is notoriously picky for the roles he plays these days, preferring to stay behind the camera. Also keep in mind that this won’t be the first time he’s played a superhero as he’s also infamously known for portraying Daredevil in the Marvel film adaptations of the blind superhero. Of course, this was before the genesis of Marvel Films’ success as both Daredevil and its spinoff, Elektra, tanked pretty hard.

Affleck, if memory serves me correctly, claimed that he wanted no part in another superhero film again. Last fall, it appeared that he’d stay true to his word, as WB was rumored to approach him to direct their film version of The AvengersJustice League, to which he decline. However, considering Affleck’s business relationship with Warner Bros. (WB distributed the last two films he directed, Argo and The Town), it kind of makes sense that he’d keep the relationship going.

With Affleck joining DC’s ranks, it appears that WB is doing what they can to compete with Marvel in the theaters. If Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) also joins the film as Lex Luthor, we might have a good old fashioned film rivalry brewing, as well as a great summer for comic book and superhero film fanatics.

Zack Snyder’s official statement on the casting:

Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry [Cavill]’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.

[via /Film]