Ben Affleck has signed on to portray Caped Crusader, Batman, in the 2015 sequel of ‘Man of Steel.’
Warner Bros. said in a release late Thursday, “The film will bring Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen.”
British actor Henry Cavill will reprise his role as Clark Kent and Earth protector Superman in a sequel that has not yet been titled. While preparing for ‘Man of Steel,’ he consumed 5,000 calories a day and trained 14-hours a week.
Director Zack Snyder said, “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’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 retains the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.”
Production begins next year with a scheduled release date of July 17, 2015. Co-stars include Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, and Diane Lane as the mother of Superman.
Ben Affleck received critical acclaim for his directing skills in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Argo,’ a historical dramatization of the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.
He wed actress Jennifer Garner eight years ago in Turks and Caicos. The couple have three children: daughters Violet and Seraphina, and son Sam.
Photo: WENN