The Unexpected Cameo
The unexpected cameo of Batman in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom left many fans baffled and intrigued. It's now evident that Ben Affleck's cut cameo as Batman in the Aquaman sequel had no place in the DCEU movie, raising questions about its purpose and potential impact on the storyline.
Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton as Batman with Jason Momoa in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Although the cast of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom only included characters closely connected to Aquaman and Atlantis, the possibility of a cameo by another superhero was initially open. In fact, two DCEU heroes were set to appear at some point during the movie's production, but due to the film's changes and delays behind the scenes, these characters ultimately didn't make their way into the final cut.
Ben Affleck's Batman and Jason Momoa's Aquaman in the DCEU
The struggles the DCEU faced since Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice made it increasingly difficult to continue the interconnected franchise. The franchise's attempts to establish a vast, interconnected universe where every DCEU character could appear in other DC titles were hindered by various challenges, especially as the Aquaman sequel marked the end of the DCEU's 16 movies.
Aquaman and the Justice League in the DCEU
The Abandoned Cameo
In July 2022, Jason Momoa revealed on social media that he filmed Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom footage with Ben Affleck, who would have replaced Michael Keaton's canceled Batman cameo in the movie. The specifics of Batman's role in the sequel are unknown, but it was likely to serve as Batman's final DCEU appearance, possibly with more screentime as Bruce Wayne than as the action-fueled Dark Knight.
Michael Keaton's Batman in The Flash, Batgirl, and Aquaman 2
Warner Bros.' plans for the DCEU changed multiple times while several projects were in production, leading directors like The Flash's Andy Muschietti and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's James Wan to modify their movies multiple times. As a result, the Aquaman sequel became the DCEU's final movie, making any crossover or cameos futile. Ben Affleck's footage as Batman in the Aquaman sequel was dropped, and the movie eschewed all explicit DCEU connections.
Ben Affleck's Batman with Jason Momoa's Aquaman in Atlantis and the Desert
The Impractical Fit
Not only was Batman's cameo in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom unnecessary for the movie's plot, but it also seems like it would have been impossible to include without derailing the storyline. The sequel focused on Aquaman's quest to stop the Black Trident-wielding Black Manta from killing his family and destroying Atlantis, leaving very limited possibilities for Ben Affleck's Batman to appear.
Aquaman, Black Manta, and Orm in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Two moments that could have featured Ben Affleck's Batman in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom include Arthur Curry's recap montage in the opening sequence and Aquaman's public speech in the final scene. However, the presence of Batman in any other scene would have seemed out of place, as there's little Bruce Wayne could have contributed given his limited connections to Atlantis.
Jason Momoa's Aquaman and Patrick Wilson's Orm in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Poster
