Aquaman 2 Director Spills Exciting Details on Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck's Batman Rumors

Summary

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's director James Wan has addressed the confusion surrounding Batman's potential cameo in the film but didn't provide a clear answer.

Bringing back Ben Affleck's Batman seems unnecessary as his character has been replaced in The Flash, which would cause inconsistencies. Additionally, including Batman in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom would serve no purpose as the DCEU is concluding and transitioning to DC Studios' DC Universe.

James Wan has finally addressed the Batman appearances in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and has also opened up about the DCEU cameo situation. As we approach the end of this year, it marks the final year for the DCEU as the new DC Universe, under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, prepares to take over with the DC Studios regime. Despite The Flash giving off a concluding vibe for the DCEU, it is actually Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom that will serve as the ultimate movie entry in the franchise, after facing numerous delays in recent years.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom revolves around the possible inclusion of Batman, with both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton having filmed scenes for the movie. With the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom just a few months away, James Wan has finally spoken about the delicate situation in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. Wan shared that he had to film different cameos, unsure if Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom would hit theaters before or after The Flash. Additionally, he addressed the speculation regarding the presence of either actor in the final film.

The initial challenge was the uncertainty regarding which would be released first, Aquaman or [The Flash]. Consequently, we needed to be adequately prepared. Ultimately, the most commendable aspect of this film is its complete lack of connection to any of those aforementioned movies. That's the crux of the matter. As for the presence of Batman in the movie, I cannot disclose any details at this time. You'll simply have to wait for the movie's release.

So, Will Aquaman 2 Actually Have Any Batman Cameos?

Wan's response further perplexes the already murky waters surrounding Batman's confirmed status in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Given the current circumstances, it would be logical to exclude any appearances by Batman in the upcoming film. After all, Affleck's portrayal of the caped crusader has been absent since the conclusion of The Flash, leaving room for speculation that George Clooney may have taken his place due to Barry Allen's time-altering escapades. Consequently, it wouldn't be sensible to reintroduce Affleck's character.

However, including Keaton's Batman in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom would create confusion as it would be illogical for him to suddenly become the Batman of the DCEU and disregard The Flash's conclusion. Moreover, the larger concern is that featuring any Batman in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom would be futile since the DCEU is approaching its conclusion. There is no justification for including Batman when the DCEU continuity is about to be replaced by DC Studios' DC Universe.

Ultimately, it is disheartening to witness the numerous changes occurring in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom due to the lack of direction at DC Films. This is why Warner Bros. Discovery will greatly benefit from starting afresh with the DC Universe, under more permanent leadership. Hopefully, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will at least be a strong standalone movie as it concludes the DCEU franchise.

Source: Entertainment Weekly