Gearing up for the highly-anticipated release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Jason Momoa as the titular hero. However, there has been much speculation and uncertainty surrounding whether or not Ben Affleck’s Batman will make an appearance in the sequel. Let’s delve into the rumours and try to uncover the truth.
1. The Anticipation for Batman’s Appearance

1.1 Marketing Promotions
Although marketing has yet to begin for Aquaman 2 officially, Jason Momoa has been at the forefront of promoting the sequel in various interviews.
1.2 Confirmation of Batman’s Presence
In July, Momoa confirmed Affleck’s Dark Knight would be featured in the sequel by posting a behind-the-scenes image of himself and the Batman actor.
2. The Test Screening Revelation

2.1 Unchanged Roles
Additionally, the update revealed that Amber Heard’s role and Willem Dafoe’s Vulko were also not featured in the cut shown.
2.2 Contradiction to Previous Confirmation
This revelation contradicts Momoa’s earlier confirmation of Affleck’s appearance in the sequel and raises doubts about Batman’s role in the film.
3. The Studio’s Decision

3.1 A Major Scene Cut
Walsh’s update stated that a major scene involving Bruce Wayne was cut, making the character’s appearance “no longer necessary” in the film.
4. The Impact on Fans

4.1 Anticipating Batman’s Presence
Fans were eagerly anticipating Batman’s appearance, especially after Momoa’s confirmation. However, his absence raises questions about the overall cohesiveness of the superhero franchise.
4.2 Other Factors at Play
There are several potential reasons for Affleck’s absence in the sequel, such as the Multiverse shenanigans happening in The Flash and the focus on Aquaman’s storyline in a rumored natural disaster plot.
5. The Uncertain Future

5.1 The DCU Chapter One Plan
DC Studios aims to create a new Batman movie within their plan called DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, which veers away from the existing DC movies.
Conclusion

FAQs

1. Will Ben Affleck’s Batman appear in The Flash movie?
As of now, Ben Affleck’s Batman is confirmed to appear in The Flash movie, set to be released on June 23, 2023.
2. Why was Michael Keaton’s Batman cut from Aquaman 2?
Test audiences reportedly found Michael Keaton’s appearance confusing, leading to changes in the sequel’s storyline and the removal of his scenes.
3. Are there any plans for a standalone Batman movie with Ben Affleck?
At the moment, DC Studios is focusing on creating a new Batman movie separate from the existing DC movies, which does not include Ben Affleck’s version of the character.
4. Will Michael Keaton’s Batman make an appearance in Aquaman 2?
While there have been rumors of Michael Keaton’s Batman appearing in Aquaman 2, no official confirmation or details have been released.
5. Is there a possibility of Batman appearing in future Aquaman movies?
The future inclusion of Batman in Aquaman movies remains uncertain. It will depend on the direction and plans of DC Studios and the overall storyline of the Aquaman franchise.